Avanos Medical (AVNS) opened 2026 with Q1 results that keep the focus on recent profitability pressure, with the trailing twelve months showing a basic EPS loss of US$1.57 on US$701.2 million of revenue and a net loss of US$72.9 million. Over the past reported quarters, revenue has ranged from US$167.5 million in Q1 2025 to US$180.9 million in Q4 2025, while quarterly basic EPS has moved between a profit of US$0.14 and a loss of US$1.66, pointing to a business still working to stabilise margins and earnings quality.

See our full analysis for Avanos Medical.

With the headline numbers set, the next step is to see how this profitability picture lines up with the widely followed narratives around growth, risk, and operational resilience.

Losses Still Widening Over Multi Year Window

• Over the trailing twelve months, Avanos reported a basic EPS loss of US$1.57 and a net loss of US$72.9 million on US$701.2 million of revenue, following several quarters where net income excluding extra items stayed negative or swung sharply.
• Critics highlight that profitability has weakened over time, with losses having increased at about 69.3% a year over the past five years. This multi year deterioration lines up with recent quarters where net income excluding extra items stayed in the red at US$1.3 million and US$1.4 million losses in Q4 and Q3 2025 and a much larger US$76.8 million loss in Q2 2025.
  • That pattern follows earlier heavy losses such as the US$397 million net loss excluding extra items in Q4 2024, showing that the recent trailing twelve month loss of US$72.9 million comes after a period of very large hits to earnings.
  • Bears argue this track record keeps the focus on earnings quality rather than short term quarterly swings between a small Q1 2025 profit of US$6.6 million and the later losses.

Revenue Holding Around US$170 to US$181 Million Per Quarter

• Quarterly revenue over the most recent reported periods has sat in a relatively tight band, from US$167.5 million in Q1 2025 to US$180.9 million in Q4 2025, while profitability moved between a basic EPS profit of US$0.14 and a loss of US$1.66.
• What stands out for a more cautious view is that this revenue range has not translated into consistent profits, with net income excluding extra items showing losses in three of the four 2025 quarters, including US$1.3 million and US$1.4 million losses in Q4 and Q3 alongside the US$76.8 million loss in Q2 against similar revenue levels.
  • Skeptics warn that this disconnect between relatively steady revenue and volatile EPS suggests cost structure or one off items have a material influence on whether a given quarter is profitable.
  • For someone tracking operating stability, the mix of positive net income of US$6.6 million in Q1 2025 and multiple subsequent loss quarters on comparable revenue makes it harder to treat the small profit as a baseline.

Low P/S And 17% Discount To DCF Fair Value

• The stock is trading on a P/S of 1.6x, compared with 2.8x for the US Medical Equipment industry and 4.8x for peers, and the current share price of US$24.70 sits about 17% below a DCF fair value of US$29.76.
• Supporters of a more optimistic angle point to this gap, arguing that a lower multiple and discount to DCF fair value may compensate for recent losses. Yet the same data also show Avanos stayed unprofitable over the trailing year even after moving from a trailing twelve month net loss excluding extra items of US$386.3 million in the period ending Q4 2024 to a loss of US$72.9 million in the period ending Q4 2025.
  • Backers of the bullish idea see the lower P/S relative to industry and peers as a potential cushion for valuation, while bears counter that the 69.3% annual decline in profits over five years keeps risk firmly on the radar.
  • What may matter most for readers is weighing that valuation gap against the recent pattern of losses and the higher than market share price volatility reported over the past three months.

Some investors like to pair this kind of valuation check with a more narrative focused view of the business to see if the story justifies the numbers, which you can do by reading what other community members are saying about Avanos Medical through the Curious how numbers become stories that shape markets? Explore Community Narratives

Next Steps

Don't just look at this quarter; the real story is in the long-term trend. We've done an in-depth analysis on Avanos Medical's growth and its valuation to see if today's price is a bargain. Add the company to your watchlist or portfolio now so you don't miss the next big move.

Given the mix of concerns and potential rewards in the story so far, it makes sense to look at the underlying data yourself and decide where you stand, then weigh that view against the 1 key reward and 2 important warning signs

See What Else Is Out There

Avanos Medical shows relatively steady revenue around US$170 million to US$181 million per quarter, but losses and volatile earnings highlight pressure on profitability.

If this kind of earnings uncertainty worries you, it is worth spending a few minutes with the 72 resilient stocks with low risk scores to focus on companies screened for more resilient risk profiles.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.