← Mercury Systems overview

Mercury Systems vs Parsons: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

Mercury Systems Inc (MRCY)

Q3 2026
▲3▼1

Mercury Systems surged on record orders, but profit miss stung

  • Record bookings and backlog Mercury booked a record $348M in Q1 and $660M in Q4, up 93%, pushing backlog above $1.9B. That means customers ordered far more than the company shipped, a sign of strong future sales.

    Record orders and backlog were the main engine behind the stock's rise.

  • Revenue beats and Palantir partnership Revenue beat expectations in both quarters (Q1: $235.8M, +14.2%; Q4: ~$290M, +9%). A new partnership with Palantir aims to automate Mercury's factories and supply chains for U.S. military programs, which could improve efficiency and margins.

    Revenue growth and the Palantir deal were key positive catalysts during the period.

  • Analyst upgrades and strong stock performance Analysts upgraded the stock, which rose 47% after Q1 results and 44% year-to-date. Management guided FY27 revenue near $1.1B, giving investors confidence in continued growth.

    Upgrades and the stock's sharp rise reflect improving sentiment and forward guidance.

  • Profit miss and margin pressure Q4 adjusted EPS of $0.37 missed estimates and fell 21% year-over-year, while gross margin slipped to 30.6%. Shares dropped over 9% as investors worried that growing sales weren't translating into profits.

    The earnings miss and margin decline were the main negative force, causing a sharp sell-off.

August 2026
▲3▼1

Record Q4 bookings and backlog, but profit miss and margin pressure

  • Record Q4 bookings and backlog Mercury reported record fourth-quarter bookings of $660 million, up 93% from a year ago, and a record backlog above $1.9 billion, up 38%. That means customers are ordering far more than Mercury is shipping, which points to strong future revenue and supports the stock.

    This is the core new fundamental driver of demand and future revenue.

  • Q4 revenue beat and strong FY27 guidance Quarterly revenue of about $290 million beat analyst estimates by over 9%, and Mercury guided fiscal 2027 revenue to approach $1.1 billion with adjusted EBITDA near $200 million. That suggests the order boom is starting to turn into actual sales and profit.

    It shows the demand is converting into revenue and gives a forward profit target.

  • Adjusted earnings miss and margin pressure Despite the revenue beat, adjusted earnings of 37 cents per share missed estimates and fell 21% from a year earlier, while gross margin slipped to 30.6%. The stock fell more than 9% on the day, showing investors are worried about profitability even as sales grow.

    It is the main counterweight explaining why the stock dropped despite strong bookings.

  • Palantir alliance to automate factories Mercury and Palantir announced a strategic alliance to automate material planning and factory operations for U.S. military programs, using Palantir software to remove manual bottlenecks and build a digital twin of the business. Over time this could raise output and improve margins.

    It is a new technology and efficiency catalyst that could lift future profits.

Latest
▲3▼1

Record Q4 bookings and backlog, but profit miss and margin pressure

  • Record Q4 bookings and backlog Mercury reported record fourth-quarter bookings of $660 million, up 93% from a year ago, and a record backlog above $1.9 billion, up 38%. That means customers are ordering far more than Mercury is shipping, which points to strong future revenue and supports the stock.

    This is the core new fundamental driver of demand and future revenue.

  • Q4 revenue beat and strong FY27 guidance Quarterly revenue of about $290 million beat analyst estimates by over 9%, and Mercury guided fiscal 2027 revenue to approach $1.1 billion with adjusted EBITDA near $200 million. That suggests the order boom is starting to turn into actual sales and profit.

    It shows the demand is converting into revenue and gives a forward profit target.

  • Adjusted earnings miss and margin pressure Despite the revenue beat, adjusted earnings of 37 cents per share missed estimates and fell 21% from a year earlier, while gross margin slipped to 30.6%. The stock fell more than 9% on the day, showing investors are worried about profitability even as sales grow.

    It is the main counterweight explaining why the stock dropped despite strong bookings.

  • Palantir alliance to automate factories Mercury and Palantir announced a strategic alliance to automate material planning and factory operations for U.S. military programs, using Palantir software to remove manual bottlenecks and build a digital twin of the business. Over time this could raise output and improve margins.

    It is a new technology and efficiency catalyst that could lift future profits.

July 2026
▲4

Mercury Systems: record bookings, Palantir deal, and strong earnings drive turnaround

  • Record quarterly bookings signal strong demand Mercury reported record quarterly bookings of $348 million, a sign that customers are ordering more of its defense electronics. This strong demand is beginning to convert into faster revenue growth and better profit margins, supporting the stock's big run.

    This is the core fundamental driver of the turnaround and directly explains why the stock is moving.

  • Palantir partnership to automate factories Mercury is teaming up with Palantir to automate its factory operations and supply chain for U.S. military programs, with the government funding the initial work. This could make Mercury more efficient, boost production capacity, and improve profit margins over time.

    A new strategic partnership that could improve operations and profitability, making it a fresh catalyst.

  • Strong Q1 revenue beat and stock surge Mercury's quarterly revenue of $235.8 million beat analyst estimates by 14.2%, the biggest beat among defense peers. The stock has jumped 47% since reporting, reflecting investor excitement about the company's improving performance.

    This is the most recent earnings result that directly triggered a sharp stock price increase.

  • Analyst upgrades and record backlog Analysts are turning more positive, with William Blair reiterating a Buy and Jefferies raising its price target. Mercury's backlog hit a record $1.6 billion, up 17.9% from last year, giving visibility into future revenue and supporting the stock's 44% year-to-date gain.

    Analyst upgrades and a record backlog are key sentiment and fundamental drivers behind the stock's rise.

▲4

Mercury Systems: record bookings, Palantir deal, and strong earnings drive turnaround

  • Record quarterly bookings signal strong demand Mercury reported record quarterly bookings of $348 million, a sign that customers are ordering more of its defense electronics. This strong demand is beginning to convert into faster revenue growth and better profit margins, supporting the stock's big run.

    This is the core fundamental driver of the turnaround and directly explains why the stock is moving.

  • Palantir partnership to automate factories Mercury is teaming up with Palantir to automate its factory operations and supply chain for U.S. military programs, with the government funding the initial work. This could make Mercury more efficient, boost production capacity, and improve profit margins over time.

    A new strategic partnership that could improve operations and profitability, making it a fresh catalyst.

  • Strong Q1 revenue beat and stock surge Mercury's quarterly revenue of $235.8 million beat analyst estimates by 14.2%, the biggest beat among defense peers. The stock has jumped 47% since reporting, reflecting investor excitement about the company's improving performance.

    This is the most recent earnings result that directly triggered a sharp stock price increase.

  • Analyst upgrades and record backlog Analysts are turning more positive, with William Blair reiterating a Buy and Jefferies raising its price target. Mercury's backlog hit a record $1.6 billion, up 17.9% from last year, giving visibility into future revenue and supporting the stock's 44% year-to-date gain.

    Analyst upgrades and a record backlog are key sentiment and fundamental drivers behind the stock's rise.

Parsons Corp (PSN)

Q3 2026
▲2▼2

Parsons Plunges on Guidance Cut and Surprise Loss

  • Guidance Slashed and Surprise Q2 Loss Parsons cut its full-year guidance and reported an unexpected Q2 net loss, with revenue of $1.58 billion missing expectations by 1.9%. This triggered a 38% stock plunge and a 25.5% drop to $46.19.

    This is the main negative event that drove the stock down sharply during the period.

  • Securities Investigations Launched Multiple law firms launched investigations into whether Parsons misled investors about its 2026 outlook. This adds legal uncertainty and could lead to fines or reputational damage, weighing on the stock.

    This is a new negative development that adds to investor concerns and could affect the stock price.

  • New Contract Wins Provide Some Support Parsons secured several contracts: Army cybersecurity work, a $169.5M Army contract, a five-year Knoxville airport terminal project, and an $85M Space Command advisor role. These wins show ongoing demand for its services.

    These new contracts are positive developments that could help offset the negative financial news.

  • Gordie Howe Bridge Opens and Insider Buying The $4.7 billion Gordie Howe Bridge opened with Parsons as owner's engineer, highlighting its major project capabilities. Director George Ball bought 20,000 shares, signaling insider confidence.

    These events show project execution and insider belief, which may support the stock despite other negatives.

August 2026
▲3▼1

Parsons wins new contracts but weak Q2 guidance and revenue miss weigh on shares

  • Weak Q2 results and lowered guidance Parsons reported flat Q2 revenue of $1.58 billion, 1.9% below expectations, and full-year revenue and EBITDA guidance that missed significantly, sending the stock down 25.5% to $46.19. This is the main reason the stock has been weak, as it shows the company's growth is stalling and future profits may be lower than expected.

    This is the biggest negative force on PSN's price this period, directly explaining the sharp drop.

  • New contract wins add to backlog Parsons won a five-year terminal development contract at Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport and an $85 million Owner's Advisor agreement for U.S. Space Command headquarters. These awards bring in new work and support future revenue, which is a positive for the stock even as current results disappoint.

    These are new, concrete contract wins that show demand for Parsons' services and support the bull case.

  • Insider buying signals confidence Director George Ball bought 20,000 shares at $47.97, worth about $959,000, increasing his holdings by 13%. Insider buying is often seen as a sign that someone close to the company believes the stock is undervalued, which can support the share price.

    This is a new insider purchase that may boost investor confidence after the stock's decline.

  • Gordie Howe Bridge opens, showcasing Parsons' role The $4.7 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge opened, with Parsons as owner's engineer. While the project was already known, its completion highlights Parsons' expertise in large infrastructure projects and could help win similar work in the future.

    This event is new and positively reinforces Parsons' reputation, though its immediate financial impact is limited.

Latest
▲3▼1

Parsons wins new contracts but weak Q2 guidance and revenue miss weigh on shares

  • Weak Q2 results and lowered guidance Parsons reported flat Q2 revenue of $1.58 billion, 1.9% below expectations, and full-year revenue and EBITDA guidance that missed significantly, sending the stock down 25.5% to $46.19. This is the main reason the stock has been weak, as it shows the company's growth is stalling and future profits may be lower than expected.

    This is the biggest negative force on PSN's price this period, directly explaining the sharp drop.

  • New contract wins add to backlog Parsons won a five-year terminal development contract at Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport and an $85 million Owner's Advisor agreement for U.S. Space Command headquarters. These awards bring in new work and support future revenue, which is a positive for the stock even as current results disappoint.

    These are new, concrete contract wins that show demand for Parsons' services and support the bull case.

  • Insider buying signals confidence Director George Ball bought 20,000 shares at $47.97, worth about $959,000, increasing his holdings by 13%. Insider buying is often seen as a sign that someone close to the company believes the stock is undervalued, which can support the share price.

    This is a new insider purchase that may boost investor confidence after the stock's decline.

  • Gordie Howe Bridge opens, showcasing Parsons' role The $4.7 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge opened, with Parsons as owner's engineer. While the project was already known, its completion highlights Parsons' expertise in large infrastructure projects and could help win similar work in the future.

    This event is new and positively reinforces Parsons' reputation, though its immediate financial impact is limited.

July 2026
▲2▼2

Parsons Slashes 2026 Guidance, Triggers 38% Plunge and Investigations

  • 2026 Guidance Cut and Q2 Miss Parsons cut full-year 2026 revenue and profit guidance and reported a surprise net loss, sending shares down 38%. The company blamed divestitures and delayed awards, but investors fear weaker future earnings.

    This is the main new event that directly caused the stock to plummet and changes the earnings outlook.

  • Securities Investigations Launched Multiple law firms are investigating whether Parsons misled investors about its 2026 outlook. This adds legal uncertainty and could lead to fines or lawsuits, further pressuring the stock.

    New investigations are a direct consequence of the guidance cut and add a new risk factor for investors.

  • New Army Cyber Contract Parsons won a contract to provide cybersecurity for the U.S. Army Research Lab, deepening its role in high-value defense tech. This supports long-term revenue but is overshadowed by the guidance cut.

    This is a new positive development that shows underlying demand, but its impact is muted by the larger negative news.

  • Industrial Modernization Demand Parsons highlighted a $169.5M Army contract and growing demand for industrial base modernization. This shows a healthy pipeline, but near-term execution issues and guidance cut dominate investor sentiment.

    This new contract and demand signal are positive but not enough to offset the negative guidance revision.

▲2▼2

Parsons Slashes 2026 Guidance, Triggers 38% Plunge and Investigations

  • 2026 Guidance Cut and Q2 Miss Parsons cut full-year 2026 revenue and profit guidance and reported a surprise net loss, sending shares down 38%. The company blamed divestitures and delayed awards, but investors fear weaker future earnings.

    This is the main new event that directly caused the stock to plummet and changes the earnings outlook.

  • Securities Investigations Launched Multiple law firms are investigating whether Parsons misled investors about its 2026 outlook. This adds legal uncertainty and could lead to fines or lawsuits, further pressuring the stock.

    New investigations are a direct consequence of the guidance cut and add a new risk factor for investors.

  • New Army Cyber Contract Parsons won a contract to provide cybersecurity for the U.S. Army Research Lab, deepening its role in high-value defense tech. This supports long-term revenue but is overshadowed by the guidance cut.

    This is a new positive development that shows underlying demand, but its impact is muted by the larger negative news.

  • Industrial Modernization Demand Parsons highlighted a $169.5M Army contract and growing demand for industrial base modernization. This shows a healthy pipeline, but near-term execution issues and guidance cut dominate investor sentiment.

    This new contract and demand signal are positive but not enough to offset the negative guidance revision.

Q2 2026
▲4

Parsons Wins New Defense Contracts and Launches Biometrics Platform

  • New $245M Naval Research Lab Contract Parsons won a $245 million contract to support satellite ground systems for the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory over five years. This directly adds revenue and extends a 30-year relationship, giving investors more confidence in future earnings.

    This is a concrete new contract that directly boosts Parsons' revenue outlook.

  • AresNXT Biometrics Platform Launch Parsons launched AresNXT, a new biometrics platform for secure identity checks. It already has pilot use with a federal law enforcement client. New products can open new revenue streams and show Parsons is innovating, which supports the stock price.

    This is a new product launch that could drive future growth and shows innovation.

  • PFAS Remediation Expansion Parsons announced expansion of its PFAS cleanup services, with recent wins at military bases and major airports. This shows growing demand for its environmental services, which can lead to more contracts and revenue.

    This is a new business expansion that signals increased demand for Parsons' services.

  • Strong Demand for Cyber and Electromagnetic Capabilities Parsons highlighted strong government demand for its cyber and electromagnetic warfare solutions. While this is a general update, it reinforces that Parsons is well-positioned in a growing defense area, which supports long-term revenue growth.

    This points to ongoing demand in a key growth area for Parsons.

June 2026
▲4

Parsons Wins New Defense Contracts and Launches Biometrics Platform

  • New $245M Naval Research Lab Contract Parsons won a $245 million contract to support satellite ground systems for the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory over five years. This directly adds revenue and extends a 30-year relationship, giving investors more confidence in future earnings.

    This is a concrete new contract that directly boosts Parsons' revenue outlook.

  • AresNXT Biometrics Platform Launch Parsons launched AresNXT, a new biometrics platform for secure identity checks. It already has pilot use with a federal law enforcement client. New products can open new revenue streams and show Parsons is innovating, which supports the stock price.

    This is a new product launch that could drive future growth and shows innovation.

  • PFAS Remediation Expansion Parsons announced expansion of its PFAS cleanup services, with recent wins at military bases and major airports. This shows growing demand for its environmental services, which can lead to more contracts and revenue.

    This is a new business expansion that signals increased demand for Parsons' services.

  • Strong Demand for Cyber and Electromagnetic Capabilities Parsons highlighted strong government demand for its cyber and electromagnetic warfare solutions. While this is a general update, it reinforces that Parsons is well-positioned in a growing defense area, which supports long-term revenue growth.

    This points to ongoing demand in a key growth area for Parsons.

▲4

Parsons Wins New Defense Contracts and Launches Biometrics Platform

  • New $245M Naval Research Lab Contract Parsons won a $245 million contract to support satellite ground systems for the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory over five years. This directly adds revenue and extends a 30-year relationship, giving investors more confidence in future earnings.

    This is a concrete new contract that directly boosts Parsons' revenue outlook.

  • AresNXT Biometrics Platform Launch Parsons launched AresNXT, a new biometrics platform for secure identity checks. It already has pilot use with a federal law enforcement client. New products can open new revenue streams and show Parsons is innovating, which supports the stock price.

    This is a new product launch that could drive future growth and shows innovation.

  • PFAS Remediation Expansion Parsons announced expansion of its PFAS cleanup services, with recent wins at military bases and major airports. This shows growing demand for its environmental services, which can lead to more contracts and revenue.

    This is a new business expansion that signals increased demand for Parsons' services.

  • Strong Demand for Cyber and Electromagnetic Capabilities Parsons highlighted strong government demand for its cyber and electromagnetic warfare solutions. While this is a general update, it reinforces that Parsons is well-positioned in a growing defense area, which supports long-term revenue growth.

    This points to ongoing demand in a key growth area for Parsons.