Will BlackBerry's Higher Margins Boost Its Earnings Growth Outlook?

BlackBerry Limited BB reported a strong start to fiscal 2027, with higher revenue and profitability across QNX and Secure Communications supporting improved earnings. First-quarter revenue reached approximately $153 million, up 26% year over year and above the high end of guidance. Adjusted gross margin expanded 4 percentage points year over year to 79%, while adjusted EBITDA more than doubled to approximately $36 million, representing 24% of revenue. Adjusted net income was roughly $25 million, and adjusted EPS reached 4 cents, at the high end of the company’s guidance. BlackBerry also reported positive GAAP net income for the fifth consecutive quarter.

QNX contributed significantly to the margin improvement. Revenue increased 26% year over year to approximately $72 million, while adjusted gross margin expanded about 5 percentage points to 86%. Adjusted EBITDA grew 52% to around $19 million, or 27% of revenue. Management noted that higher-margin QNX royalties are becoming a larger part of the revenue mix, allowing more revenue to translate into margin expansion, profitability and cash generation. As the business shifts further toward royalties, which carry close to 100% margin, management expects potential for additional margin expansion.

Secure Communications also recorded a 2-percentage-point year-over-year increase in adjusted gross margin, supported partly by a favorable mix of higher-margin software revenue. Revenue rose 24% to approximately $74 million, while adjusted EBITDA reached around $20 million, representing a 27% margin. Management expects greater margin variability in Secure Communications because large government deals can drive significant quarterly revenue and profitability.

Following the strong quarter, BlackBerry raised its fiscal 2027 outlook. QNX revenue guidance increased to $295 million-$312 million, with adjusted EBITDA projected at $74 million-$86 million. Licensing revenue guidance was raised to approximately $29 million, with adjusted EBITDA of $25 million. Revenue guidance increased to $594 million-$621 million, while adjusted EBITDA guidance rose to $119 million-$139 million. On the last earnings call, management highlighted 90% flow-through of incremental revenue into adjusted EBITDA as evidence of strong operating leverage. For the second quarter, revenue is expected at $137 million-$148 million, adjusted EBITDA at $20 million-$30 million and adjusted EPS at 3-4 cents.

Taking a Look at BB’s Competitors

CrowdStrike CRWD benefits from a high-margin subscription-driven business model, with subscription revenues accounting for 95% of fiscal 2026 revenues. The recurring nature of these revenues supports margin stability and provides greater visibility as customers renew and adopt additional Falcon modules. Strong operating cash flow and free cash flow generation also underscore improving financial efficiency. However, margins remain exposed to elevated operating expenses, particularly investments in sales and marketing and R&D. These expenses increased 20% and 29%, respectively, in fiscal 2026. Continued investment and competitive pricing pressure could constrain margin expansion despite the favorable subscription mix and growing scale.

Aptiv PLC APTV continues to face near-term margin pressure despite solid profitability in Engineered Components. Second-quarter 2026 adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 160 basis points to 18.7%, supported by operating execution, volumes and favorable currency effects. However, Intelligent Systems margin contracted to 14% from 15.2% as higher engineering investments, customer mix and stranded EDS costs weighed on profitability. Ongoing restructuring, separation expenses, commodity inflation and OEM price reductions of 1-3% annually could further limit margin expansion. Although productivity initiatives and non-automotive growth provide support, launch delays, weaker European demand and elevated R&D spending suggest that sustaining recent margin gains may remain challenging.

BB Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Shares of BlackBerry have soared 40.6% in the past three months compared with the Internet-Software industry’s 14.6% growth.

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Regarding the price/book ratio, BB is trading at 6.82, higher than the industry’s multiple of 4.56.

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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BB earnings for fiscal 2027 has been revised downward over the past 60 days.

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BlackBerry currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here..

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