H.C. Wainwright increased its price objective for LightPath Technologies (NASDAQ:LPTH) to $15.00 from $10.00 on Thursday while keeping a Buy rating after the company posted a record fiscal second-quarter performance. The upgraded target still sits below the analyst high target of $17, according to InvestingPro data, even as the stock has delivered a 192.59% return over the past year. InvestingPro analysis also indicates the shares are trading above their Fair Value estimate.
LightPath reported fiscal Q2 2026 revenue of $16.4 million on Wednesday, surpassing H.C. Wainwright’s internal projection of $13.3 million as well as broader Street expectations. Earlier references to consensus noted a $15.0 million Street expectation, and company commentary also compared the outturn to a projected $14.9 million figure; the $16.4 million result exceeded both benchmarks. Management attributed the quarter’s strength primarily to robust demand from defense and security customers.
The company disclosed a new $9.6 million purchase order for cooled infrared cameras from an existing client, a single order described as nearly double the size of recent purchases. LightPath’s backlog stands at $97.8 million, and H.C. Wainwright expects that pipeline to help sustain strong revenue for the remainder of fiscal 2026 and into fiscal 2027.
Analysts tracked by InvestingPro anticipate revenue growth of about 66% for fiscal 2026. Despite top-line momentum, the company is not expected to be profitable this year. InvestingPro data show LightPath’s trailing-12-month EBITDA at -$4.61 million, underscoring the current lack of profitability.
H.C. Wainwright highlighted the company’s balance-sheet improvement following a capital raise in December 2025, noting the stronger liquidity position should permit LightPath to pursue additional high-margin opportunities either organically or through acquisitions. InvestingPro data indicate LightPath operates with a moderate debt load and a current ratio of 1.98, implying liquid assets exceed near-term liabilities.
While the analyst acknowledged quarterly results could remain “somewhat lumpy,” H.C. Wainwright expressed an expectation that the company will progress toward consistent profitability and eventual free cash flow, a development the firm described as “a positive inflection point in the business.”
On the earnings-per-share front, LightPath reported Q2 EPS of -$0.20, missing an anticipated loss of -$0.05. The contrast between robust revenue growth and an earnings shortfall paints a mixed financial picture: top-line gains improving investor interest, while per-share profitability lagged expectations.
These mixed results will likely factor into future analyst assessments and investor decisions. The stronger revenue trajectory, sizable backlog and large new order signal operational demand, particularly from defense and security end markets, but the absence of current profitability and questions around valuation remain notable considerations for stakeholders.
Context and near-term outlook
H.C. Wainwright’s move to increase its target to $15 reflects confidence in near-term revenue drivers and the company’s order book. However, external valuation metrics reported by InvestingPro and the recent EPS miss underscore a need for sustained margin improvement and clearer evidence of turning EBITDA positive.