AstroNova, Inc.

Business Overview

This section should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026.

We are a multinational enterprise that leverages our proprietary printing technologies to design, develop, manufacture, distribute and service a broad range of products that acquire, store, analyze and enable data to be visualized in multiple formats and on a variety of materials. We market and sell our products and services through the following two segments:

We market and sell our products and services globally through a diverse distribution structure of direct sales personnel, manufacturers’ representatives and authorized dealers that deliver a full complement of branded products and services to customers in our respective markets. Our growth strategy centers on driving organic growth through product innovation and through a robust go-to-market strategy that is customer-centric.

On March 20, 2025, we announced our restructuring actions for fiscal 2026, which included reducing approximately 10% of the Company’s global workforce, primarily in the Product ID segment, and the realignment of our underperforming MTEX operation in Portugal. As part of this initiative, we have eliminated approximately 70% of the MTEX product portfolio, phasing out low-volume, low-margin and developmental models in the emerging fabric printing market to focus more resources on higher-margin products that provide recurring revenue. In addition, all MTEX sales, marketing and customer support functions were integrated into the AstroNova sales structure. As of April 30, 2026, we have incurred $1.7 million in total restructuring charges including $0.4 million and $0.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2027 and 2026, respectively. These restructuring charges are primarily related to severance. We expect our restructuring actions to result in $3.0 million in annualized savings, and we anticipate completing the plan by the second quarter of fiscal 2027.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, we refined our segment reporting to better reflect how our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) evaluates segment performance by allocating certain costs previously included in corporate general and administrative ("G&A") expense to the appropriate reporting segments. These allocations were made to enhance the accuracy and comparability of segment profit or loss and are consistent with our organizational alignment and internal management reporting. Additionally, we revised our methodology for allocating certain costs between cost of goods sold and operating expenses both for consolidated and segment reporting. As a result, the allocation of corporate G&A and realignment of cost of revenue and operating expenses, prior period segment operating expenses and segment profit or loss have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect these changes.

On April 7, 2026, we announced a review and evaluation of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. The Board’s review will consider potential strategic, business and financial alternatives, which may include, among other things, a sale of all or part of the Company, a merger or other business combination, or other strategic transactions, as well as continuing to execute on our strategic plan.

Tariffs and Trade Environment

The Company continues to operate in a dynamic global trade environment. During calendar year 2025, the U.S. government- imposed tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) on a broad range of imports. On February 20, 2026, the United States Supreme Court ruled that such tariffs were not authorized, and subsequent regulatory actions have enabled importers to pursue refunds of previously paid amounts.

We paid tariffs during fiscal 2026 that may be eligible for refunds. We are evaluating and, where appropriate, intend to pursue recovery through the administrative process established by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. However, the amount and timing of any refunds remain uncertain, and no amounts have been recognized in our financial results as of April 30, 2026.

In addition, we may be required to pass through all or a portion of any tariff refunds to customers, depending on contractual terms and historical pricing practices. As a result, any potential recoveries may not be fully retained by us and could reduce the net financial benefit of such refunds.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision, the tariff landscape continues to evolve, including the potential imposition of alternative tariffs under other statutory authorities. Changes in tariff policy, including the availability and outcome of refund claims and the introduction of new tariffs, could impact our cost structure, pricing strategies, and operating results.

We continue to monitor developments closely and is implementing mitigation strategies where appropriate. However, there can be no assurance regarding the ultimate outcome of tariff-related developments or their impact on future results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended April 30, 2026 vs. Three Months Ended April 30, 2025

Revenue by segment and current quarter percentage change over the prior year for the three months ended April 30, 2026 and 2025 were:

Revenue for the first quarter of the current year was $39.4 million, representing a 4.4% increase compared to the previous year's first quarter. The increase in current quarter revenue is primarily due to higher hardware sales in the Aerospace segment. The increase in revenue was partially offset by a decrease in supplies revenue in both the Product ID and Aerospace segments and a decline in parts and other revenue in the Aerospace segment. Revenue through domestic channels for the first quarter of the current year was $24.1 million, representing approximately 60% of our first quarter revenue and reflecting an increase of 6.2% from the prior year’s first quarter domestic revenue of $22.7 million. International revenue for the first quarter of the current year was $15.3 million, representing approximately 40% of our first quarter revenue and reflecting a 1.7% increase from the previous year's first quarter international revenue. In the first quarter of the current year, tariff mitigation contributed $0.7 million in revenue and international revenue reflected a favorable foreign exchange rate impact of $0.6 million.

Hardware revenue in the first quarter of the current year was $13.8 million, an increase of $2.5 million, or 22.0%, compared to $11.3 million in the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by the Aerospace segment, reflecting higher commercial aircraft hardware sales, which increased $2.3 million in the current quarter to $7.2 million, as well as modest growth in regional and business jet hardware sales, which increased $0.2 million to $0.6 million. Also contributing to the overall current quarter increase were higher hardware sales in the Product ID segment’s mail and sheet/flat pack printer markets, which increased $0.9 million to $2.3 million. These increases were partially offset by lower current quarter sales of direct-to-package/overprint printers, which declined $0.6 million to $0.8 million, and desktop label printers, which declined $0.4 million to $1.3 million.

Supplies revenue in the first quarter of the current year was $19.8 million, a $1.2 million or 5.9% decrease compared to the prior year’s first quarter supplies revenue of $21.1 million. The decrease in the current quarter supplies revenue is attributable to both segments with a $0.9 million or 4.6% decrease in sales of supplies in the Product ID segment and a $0.3 million or 25.9% decrease in sales of supplies in the Aerospace segment.

Service and other revenue of $5.7 million in the current quarter increased $0.4 million or 7.7% compared to service and other revenues of $5.3 million in the first quarter of the prior year. The increase in current quarter service and other revenue was primarily attributable to $0.7 million in tariff revenue in the Product ID segment. A $0.3 million or 14.5% increase in repair revenue in the Aerospace segment also contributed to the current year growth in service and other revenue. The overall current quarter increase in service and other revenue was partially offset by a $0.6 million or 29.0% decrease in parts and other revenue in the Aerospace segment.

The current year's first quarter gross profit was $14.4 million, a 20.7% increase compared to the prior year’s first quarter gross profit of $12.0 million. Current quarter gross profit margin of 36.6% reflected a 500-basis point increase from the prior year’s first quarter gross profit margin of 31.7%. Current quarter gross profit was impacted by a net inventory reserve reversal of $0.3 million and

a restructuring charge of $0.4 million, compared to an inventory step-up charge of $0.1 million and a restructuring charge of $0.3 million in the first quarter of the prior year. The higher gross profit margin compared to same period in the prior year is primarily attributable to higher sales, favorable product mix and lower manufacturing expenses in the current quarter.

Operating expenses for the current quarter were $12.9 million, compared with $11.4 million in the prior year first quarter, an increase of $1.5 million, or 13.0%. Selling and marketing expenses in the current quarter were $5.7 million, up $0.1 million, or 1.6%, from the prior year first quarter, primarily due to higher employee wages and benefits, demo provision, and selling and distribution costs, partially offset by lower shared services allocations. General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses were $5.4 million in the current quarter, an increase of $1.1 million, or 26.3%, from $4.2 million in the prior year first quarter. Current quarter G&A included non-recurring charges of $0.7 million for legal and professional fees, and $0.2 million for discretionary bonuses, while the prior year first quarter included non-recurring charges of $0.3 million related to the MTEX acquisition and $0.1 million for restructuring. Excluding these non-recurring items, G&A increased by $0.7 million, primarily due to higher shared services costs, professional service fees, and insurance expenses, partially offset by lower employee wages and benefits and subscription fees. Research and development (“R&D”) expenses were $1.8 million, an increase of $0.3 million, or 18.3%, from $1.5 million in the prior-year first quarter, primarily due to higher employee wages and benefits, partially offset by lower product testing and consulting expenses. R&D as a percentage of revenue was 4.6% for the current quarter, compared with 4.1% in the first quarter of the prior year.

We recognized a federal, state and foreign income tax expense for the first quarter of the current year of $0.2 million resulting in an effective tax rate of 23.1%. The effective tax rate in this period was directly impacted by a $26,000 benefit related to the expiration of the statute of limitations on a previously uncertain tax position. During the three months ended April 30, 2025, we recognized an income tax expense of $75,000. The effective tax rate in this period was directly impacted by a $109,000 tax expense related to the return to provision associated with our fiscal 2023 amended state tax returns. Additional impacts on the effective tax rate for that period included a $62,000 tax expense arising from shortfall tax expense related to our stock and a $26,000 tax benefit related to the expiration of the statute of limitations on a previously uncertain tax position.

We reported a net income of $0.7 million, or $0.08 per diluted share for the first quarter of the current year. Current quarter net income and net income per diluted share were impacted by restructuring charges of $0.4 million ($0.3 million net of tax or $0.04 per diluted share), nonrecurring legal and professional fees of $0.8 million ($0.6 million net of tax or $0.07 per diluted share), non-recurring net inventory reserve reversal of $0.3 million ($0.2 million net of tax or $0.02 per diluted share), and nonrecurring discretionary bonus charges of $0.2 million ($0.1 million net of tax or $0.02 per diluted share). Net loss for the prior year’s first quarter was $0.4 million or $0.05 per diluted share. Net loss and net loss per diluted share for the quarter ended April 30, 2025 were impacted by an inventory step up of $0.1 million ($0.1 million net of tax or $0.01 per diluted share), transaction costs related to the MTEX acquisition of $0.3 million ($0.3 million net of tax or $0.03 per diluted share), and restructuring charges of $0.6 million ($0.4 million net of tax or $0.06 per diluted share).

Segment Analysis

We report two segments: Product ID and Aerospace and evaluate segment performance based on the segment profit before Corporate expenses. Summarized below are the revenue and segment operating profit for each reporting segment:

Product ID

The Product Identification segment delivers end-to-end marking and identification solutions, including hardware, software, and consumables for OEMs, commercial printers, and brand owners. These solutions are used across labels, flexible packaging, corrugated, and industrial substrates, where durability, traceability, and compliance are essential. Product categories are:

The table below provides Product ID revenue by the markets in which products and services are sold for the three months ended April 30, 2026 and 2025:

*Prior year amounts have been reclassified from amounts previously reported to conform classification to current year presentation.

Revenue from the Product ID segment decreased $0.2 million, or 0.8%, in the first quarter of the current year to $26.1 million from $26.3 million in the comparable prior year period. The decrease primarily reflected a $1.1 million or 33.8% decrease in the direct to package/overprint printer market sales, partially offset by a $0.3 million, or 7.9%, increase in sales of professional label printers. Product ID current year first quarter sales also included a $0.7 million contribution due to tariff mitigation. Product ID segment operating income was $0.6 million, or 2.2% of revenue, for the current-year first quarter, compared with $0.3 million, or 1.0% of revenue, in the prior-year period and includes non-recurring charges of $0.2 million related to an inventory provision, $0.1 million related to discretionary bonus expense and $0.4 million of restructuring charges in the current-year period. Prior year first quarter segment operating income was $0.3 million and included nonrecurring charges of $0.1 million related to inventory step-up and $0.3 million of restructuring charges. The current year first quarter margin reflected the effects of sales volume, product mix and cost changes, including the impact of the nonrecurring inventory and restructuring charges.

Aerospace

We define the primary markets we serve through our Aerospace segment as follows:

The table below provides Aerospace revenue by the markets in which products and services are sold for the three months ended April 30, 2026 and 2025: