Energy Recovery Reports its Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results

SAN LEANDRO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Energy Recovery, Inc. (Nasdaq:ERII) (“Energy Recovery” or the “Company”) today announced its financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2025.

Third Quarter Highlights

  • Q3’2025 financial results were in-line with internal expectations and consistent with our communicated expectations for quarterly revenue cadence in 2025.
  • Revenue of $32.0 million, a decrease of $6.6 million, as compared to Q3’2024, due to timing of revenue from contracted projects.
  • Gross margin of 64.2%, a decrease of 90 bps, as compared to Q3’2024, due primarily to costs related to product mix and tariffs, partially offset by a decrease in indirect manufacturing costs.
  • Operating expenses of $16.9 million, a decrease of 6.4%, as compared to Q3’2024, due primarily to a decrease in employee costs and Emerging Technologies segment development costs, partially offset by an increase in consulting costs.
  • Income from operations of $3.7 million, an decrease of 48.1%, as compared to Q3’2024, mainly due to lower revenue, offset by lower operating expenses.
  • Net income of $3.9 million and adjusted EBITDA(1) of $6.8 million.
  • Cash and investments of $79.9 million, which includes cash, cash equivalents, and short- and long-term investments.

In conjunction with these financial results, management has released a letter to shareholders reviewing business and financial updates from the third quarter and discussing our outlook for 2025. This letter is located under “Financial Info” in the “Investors” section on the Energy Recovery website (https://ir.energyrecovery.com/financial-information).

Financial Highlights

 

Quarter-to-Date

 

 

Year to Date

 

Q3’2025

 

Q3’2024

 

vs. Q3’2024

 

 

2025

 

2024

 

2025 vs. 2024

 

(In millions, except net income (loss) per share, percentages and basis points)

Revenue

$32.0

 

$38.6

 

down 17%

 

 

$68.1

 

$77.9

 

down 13%

Gross margin

64.2%

 

65.1%

 

down 90 bps

 

 

63.1%

 

64.0%

 

down 90 bps

Operating margin

11.4%

 

18.3%

 

down 690 bps

 

 

(10.9%)

 

(7.6%)

 

down 330 bps

Net income (loss)

$3.9

 

$8.5

 

down 54%

 

 

($4.0)

 

($0.4)

 

NM

Net income (loss) per share

$0.07

 

$0.15

 

down $0.08

 

 

($0.07)

 

($0.01)

 

down $0.06

Effective tax rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.0%

 

62.4%

 

 

Cash provided by (used for) operations

($3.1)

 

($3.0)

 

 

 

 

$11.7

 

$11.6

 

 

Non-GAAP Financial Highlights (1)

 

Quarter-to-Date

 

 

Year to Date

 

Q3’2025

 

Q3’2024

 

vs. Q3’2024

 

 

2025

 

2024

 

2025 vs. 2024

 

(In millions, except adjusted net income per share, percentages and basis points)

Adjusted operating margin

18.3%

 

27.5%

 

down 920 bps

 

 

(0.6%)

 

9.7%

 

NM

Adjusted net income

$6.3

 

$12.0

 

down 47%

 

 

$3.0

 

$12.4

 

down 75%

Adjusted net income per share

$0.12

 

$0.21

 

down $0.09

 

 

$0.06

 

$0.22

 

down $0.16

Adjusted EBITDA

$6.8

 

$11.6

 

 

 

 

$2.4

 

$10.6

 

 

Free cash flow

($3.5)

 

($3.2)

 

 

 

 

$11.0

 

$10.4

 

 

__________

(1)

 

Refer to the sections “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for definitions of our non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP amounts, respectively.

 

NM

Not Meaningful

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release and on the conference call are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and on management’s beliefs, assumptions, estimates, or projections and are not guarantees of future events or results. Potential risks and uncertainties include risks relating to the future demand for the Company’s products, risks relating to performance by our customers and third-party partners, risks relating to the timing of revenue, and any other factors that may have been discussed herein regarding the risks and uncertainties of the Company’s business, and the risks discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the year ended December 31, 2024, as well as other reports filed by the Company with the SEC from time to time. Because such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the predictions in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of today, and the Company assumes no obligation to update such statements.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income, adjusted net income per share, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position, or cash flows that either exclude or include amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect a comprehensive system of accounting, differ from GAAP measures with the same captions, and may differ from non-GAAP financial measures with the same or similar captions that are used by other companies. As such, these non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures to analyze its operating performance and future prospects, develop internal budgets and financial goals, and to facilitate period-to-period comparisons. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of its operations that, when viewed with its GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting its business.

Notes to the Financial Results

  • Adjusted operating margin is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company defines as income (loss) from operations which excludes i) stock-based compensation; ii) executive transition costs, such as executive search costs, retention costs, one-time severance costs and one-time corporate growth strategy costs; iii) restructuring charges, and iv) impairment of long-lived assets, divided by revenues.
  • Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company defines as net income (loss) which excludes i) stock-based compensation; ii) executive transition costs; iii) restructuring charges; iv) impairment of long-lived assets; and v) the applicable tax effect of the excluded items including the stock-based compensation discrete tax item.
  • Adjusted net income per share is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company defines as net income (loss), which excludes i) stock-based compensation; ii) executive transition costs; iii) restructuring charges; iv) impairment of long-lived assets; and v) the applicable tax effect of the excluded items including the stock-based compensation discrete tax item, divided by basic shares outstanding.
  • Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company defines as net income (loss) which excludes i) depreciation and amortization; ii) stock-based compensation; iii) executive transition costs; iv) restructuring charges; v) impairment of long-lived assets; vi) other income, net, such as interest income and other non-operating income (expense), net; and vii) provision for (benefit from) income taxes.
  • Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company defines as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures.

Conference Call to Discuss Financial Results

LIVE CONFERENCE Q&A CALL:
Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET
US / Canada Toll-Free: +1 (877) 709-8150
Local / International Toll: +1 (201) 689-8354

CONFERENCE Q&A CALL REPLAY:
Available approximately three hours after conclusion of the live call.
Expiration: Friday, December 5, 2025
US / Canada Toll-Free: +1 (877) 660-6853
Local / International Toll: +1 (201) 612-7415
Access code: 13756564

Investors may also access the live call and the replay over the internet on the “Events” page of the Company’s website located at https://ir.energyrecovery.com/news-events/ir-calendar.

Disclosure Information

Energy Recovery uses the investor relations section on its website as means of complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor Energy Recovery’s investor relations website in addition to following Energy Recovery’s press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts.

About Energy Recovery

Energy Recovery (Nasdaq: ERII) designs and manufactures world-class energy-saving technology for critical infrastructure that communities rely on every day, driving a more resilient and sustainable future. Grounded in more than 30 years of leadership in the desalination industry, today we use our proprietary pressure exchanger technology to help customers in multiple industries improve their operations and lower their emissions. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, we operate manufacturing and R&D facilities throughout California, with sales and on-site technical support available globally. For more information, please visit www.energyrecovery.com

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

 

September 30,
2025

 

December 31,
2024

 

(In thousands)

ASSETS

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and investments

$

79,937

 

$

99,851

Accounts receivable and contract assets

 

46,809

 

 

66,842

Inventories, net

 

33,566

 

 

24,906

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

4,865

 

 

3,889

Property, equipment and operating leases

 

21,539

 

 

25,119

Goodwill

 

12,790

 

 

12,790

Deferred tax assets and other assets

 

10,139

 

 

9,395

TOTAL ASSETS

$

209,645

 

$

242,792

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities, current

$

16,812

 

$

20,837

Contract liabilities and other liabilities, non-current

 

2,002

 

 

628

Lease liabilities

 

9,999

 

 

11,317

Total liabilities

 

28,813

 

 

32,782

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

180,832

 

 

210,010

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$

209,645

 

$

242,792

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2025

 

2024

 

2025

 

2024

 

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

Revenue

 

$

32,000

 

$

38,584

 

$

68,116

 

 

$

77,873

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

11,442

 

 

13,472

 

 

25,146

 

 

 

28,060

 

Gross profit

 

 

20,558

 

 

25,112

 

 

42,970

 

 

 

49,813

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

7,514

 

 

7,673

 

 

23,757

 

 

 

24,771

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

5,714

 

 

6,413

 

 

15,980

 

 

 

18,669

 

Research and development

 

 

3,668

 

 

3,969

 

 

10,120

 

 

 

12,264

 

Restructuring charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

539

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

16,896

 

 

18,055

 

 

50,396

 

 

 

55,704

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

3,662

 

 

7,057

 

 

(7,426

)

 

 

(5,891

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income, net

 

 

892

 

 

1,768

 

 

2,885

 

 

 

4,771

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

4,554

 

 

8,825

 

 

(4,541

)

 

 

(1,120

)

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

 

680

 

 

344

 

 

(589

)

 

 

(699

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

3,874

 

$

8,481

 

$

(3,952

)

 

$

(421

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.15

 

$

(0.07

)

 

$

(0.01

)

Diluted

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.15

 

$

(0.07

)

 

$

(0.01

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of shares used in per share calculations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

53,162

 

 

57,756

 

 

54,101

 

 

 

57,409

 

Diluted

 

 

53,466

 

 

58,290

 

 

54,101

 

 

 

57,409

 

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2025

 

2024

 

 

(In thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(3,952

)

 

$

(421

)

Non-cash adjustments

 

 

10,181

 

 

 

11,432

 

Net cash provided by operating assets and liabilities

 

 

5,464

 

 

 

556

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

11,693

 

 

 

11,567

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

Net investment in marketable securities

 

 

37,670

 

 

 

(21,067

)

Capital expenditures

 

 

(668

)

 

 

(1,194

)

Proceeds from sales of fixed assets

 

 

10

 

 

 

90

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

37,012

 

 

 

(22,171

)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

 

1,364

 

 

 

5,795

 

Repurchase of common stock and payment of excise tax

 

 

(32,781

)

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

 

(31,417

)

 

 

5,795

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate differences

 

 

58

 

 

 

(23

)

Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

$

17,346

 

 

$

(4,832

)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

 

$

47,103

 

 

$

63,393

 

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Unaudited)

Channel Revenue

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

2025

 

2024

 

vs. 2024

 

2025

 

2024

 

vs. 2024

 

(In thousands, except percentages)

Megaproject

$

18,400

 

$

29,009

 

down 37%

 

$

33,238

 

$

48,924

 

down 32%

Original equipment manufacturer

 

8,962

 

 

4,919

 

up 82%

 

 

21,320

 

 

15,210

 

up 40%

Aftermarket

 

4,638

 

 

4,656

 

no change

 

 

13,558

 

 

13,739

 

down 1%

Total revenue

$

32,000

 

$

38,584

 

down 17%

 

$

68,116

 

$

77,873

 

down 13%

Segment Activity

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2025

 

2024

 

 

Water

 

Emerging
Technologies

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Water

 

Emerging
Technologies

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

 

(In thousands)

Revenue

 

$

31,928

 

$

72

 

 

$

 

 

$

32,000

 

$

38,344

 

$

240

 

 

$

 

 

$

38,584

Cost of revenue

 

 

11,323

 

 

119

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,442

 

 

13,334

 

 

138

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,472

Gross profit (loss)

 

 

20,605

 

 

(47

)

 

 

 

 

 

20,558

 

 

25,010

 

 

102

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,112

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

1,418

 

 

669

 

 

 

5,427

 

 

 

7,514

 

 

1,803

 

 

906

 

 

 

4,964

 

 

 

7,673

Sales and marketing

 

 

3,704

 

 

1,557

 

 

 

453

 

 

 

5,714

 

 

3,777

 

 

1,977

 

 

 

659

 

 

 

6,413

Research and development

 

 

1,820

 

 

1,848

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,668

 

 

1,145

 

 

2,824

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,969

Total operating expenses

 

 

6,942

 

 

4,074

 

 

 

5,880

 

 

 

16,896

 

 

6,725

 

 

5,707

 

 

 

5,623

 

 

 

18,055

Operating income (loss)

 

$

13,663

 

$

(4,121

)

 

$

(5,880

)

 

 

3,662

 

$

18,285

 

$

(5,605

)

 

$

(5,623

)

 

 

7,057

Other income, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

892

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,768

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,554

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

8,825

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2025

 

2024

 

 

Water

 

Emerging
Technologies

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Water

 

Emerging Technologies

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

 

(In thousands)

Revenue

 

$

67,831

 

$

285

 

 

$

 

 

$

68,116

 

 

$

77,351

 

$

522

 

 

$

 

 

$

77,873

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

24,810

 

 

336

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,146

 

 

 

27,633

 

 

427

 

 

 

 

 

 

28,060

 

Gross profit (loss)

 

 

43,021

 

 

(51

)

 

 

 

 

 

42,970

 

 

 

49,718

 

 

95

 

 

 

 

 

 

49,813

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

4,314

 

 

1,995

 

 

 

17,448

 

 

 

23,757

 

 

 

5,637

 

 

2,908

 

 

 

16,226

 

 

 

24,771

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

10,129

 

 

4,396

 

 

 

1,455

 

 

 

15,980

 

 

 

11,359

 

 

5,484

 

 

 

1,826

 

 

 

18,669

 

Research and development

 

 

4,602

 

 

5,518

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,120

 

 

 

3,318

 

 

8,946

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,264

 

Restructuring charges

 

 

210

 

 

123

 

 

 

206

 

 

 

539

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

19,255

 

 

12,032

 

 

 

19,109

 

 

 

50,396

 

 

 

20,314

 

 

17,338

 

 

 

18,052

 

 

 

55,704

 

Operating income (loss)

 

$

23,766

 

$

(12,083

)

 

$

(19,109

)

 

 

(7,426

)

 

$

29,404

 

$

(17,243

)

 

$

(18,052

)

 

 

(5,891

)

Other income, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,885

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,771

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(4,541

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(1,120

)

Stock-based Compensation

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

2025

 

2024

 

2025

 

2024

 

(In thousands)

Stock-based compensation expense charged to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue

$

156

 

$

176

 

$

452

 

$

980

General and administrative

 

868

 

 

954

 

 

2,466

 

 

3,372

Sales and marketing

 

828

 

 

845

 

 

2,208

 

 

2,767

Research and development

 

355

 

 

437

 

 

980

 

 

1,393

Total stock-based compensation expense

$

2,207

 

$

2,412

 

$

6,106

 

$

8,512

ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (1)

(Unaudited)

 

This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial information because we plan and manage our business using such information. The following table reconciles the GAAP financial information to the non-GAAP financial information.

 

 

Quarter-to-Date

 

Year to Date

 

Q3'2025

 

Q3'2024

 

Q3'2025

 

Q3'2024

 

(In millions, except shares, per share and percentages)

Operating margin

 

11.4

%

 

 

18.3

%

 

 

(10.9

)%

 

 

(7.6

)%

Stock-based compensation

 

6.9

 

 

 

6.3

 

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

10.9

 

Executive transition costs

 

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.4

 

Restructuring charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

Adjusted operating margin

 

18.3

%

 

 

27.5

%

 

 

(0.6

)%

 

 

9.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

3.9

 

 

$

8.5

 

 

$

(4.0

)

 

$

(0.4

)

Stock-based compensation

 

2.2

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

8.5

 

Executive transition costs (2)

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.4

 

Restructuring charges (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

Impairment of long-lived assets (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation discrete tax item

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Adjusted net income

$

6.3

 

 

$

12.0

 

 

$

3.0

 

 

$

12.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share

$

0.07

 

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

(0.07

)

 

$

(0.01

)

Adjustments to net income (loss) per share (3)

 

0.05

 

 

 

0.06

 

 

 

0.13

 

 

 

0.23

 

Adjusted net income per share

$

0.12

 

 

$

0.21

 

 

$

0.06

 

 

$

0.22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

3.9

 

 

$

8.5

 

 

$

(4.0

)

 

$

(0.4

)

Stock-based compensation

 

2.2

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

8.5

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

0.9

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

3.1

 

Executive transition costs

 

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.0

 

Restructuring charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

Other income, net

 

(0.9

)

 

 

(1.8

)

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

(4.8

)

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

0.7

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(0.7

)

Adjusted EBITDA

$

6.8

 

 

$

11.6

 

 

$

2.4

 

 

$

10.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free cash flow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$

(3.1

)

 

$

(3.0

)

 

$

11.7

 

 

$

11.6

 

Capital expenditures

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(1.2

)

Free cash flow

$

(3.5

)

 

$

(3.2

)

 

$

11.0

 

 

$

10.4

 

__________

(1)

Amounts may not total due to rounding. 

(2)

Amounts presented are net of tax.

(3)

Refer to the sections “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for description of items included in adjustments.

 

Investor Relations
ir@energyrecovery.com

Source: Energy Recovery, Inc.