Nutanix (NTNX) Earnings Jump And 10% Margin Reinforce Bullish Profitability Narrative
Nutanix NTNX | 0.00 |
Nutanix (NTNX) Q3 2026 earnings: headline numbers
Nutanix (NTNX) just posted its Q3 2026 numbers, with revenue of US$703.1 million, basic EPS of US$0.27 and trailing twelve month EPS of US$1.03 setting the tone for this earnings update. The company has seen quarterly revenue move from US$638.98 million in Q3 2025 to US$703.07 million in Q3 2026, while basic EPS over that same span has ranged between US$0.21 and US$0.38 per quarter, giving investors a clear view of how earnings track alongside the top line. With a trailing net profit margin of 10% versus 1% a year earlier, this latest print keeps the focus squarely on how efficiently Nutanix is converting revenue into profit.
See our full analysis for Nutanix.With the headline figures on the table, the next step is to see how these results line up with the widely held narratives about Nutanix's growth, quality and risk profile and where the numbers start to challenge those stories.
TTM earnings jump to US$275.9 million
- On a trailing twelve month basis, Nutanix earned US$275.9 million of net income on US$2.7b of revenue, compared with quarterly Q3 2026 net income of US$72.1 million on US$703.1 million of revenue. The single quarter is therefore one piece of a much larger earnings run rate.
- What bullish investors highlight is that trailing net margin sits at 10% after a very large year over year earnings increase of more than 10x, yet
- consensus still talks about further earnings growth of around 27% a year and revenue growth of about 12.1% a year from this higher base, which leaves little room for disappointment if that pace slows, and
- quarterly EPS moving between US$0.14 and US$0.38 over the last six quarters shows that profitability can vary quite a bit from one period to the next, so it is worth checking whether the latest jump looks repeatable or more one off.
Bulls arguing that this quarter confirms a long runway for growth may want to see how that story holds up against the full multi year earnings narrative in 🐂 Nutanix Bull Case
Revenue growth meets cautious bears
- Quarterly revenue has gone from US$638.98 million in Q3 2025 to US$703.07 million in Q3 2026, and across the last six quarters it stayed in a tight band between US$638.98 million and US$722.83 million, while analysts expect about 12.1% annual revenue growth from here.
- Bears argue that factors like delayed license start dates and dependence on OEM partners could keep reported revenue growth more muted than bookings, and the current pattern gives them some data to point to because
- Q3 2026 revenue of just over US$700 million is close to Q2 2026 revenue of US$722.83 million and Q4 2025 revenue of US$653.27 million, which fits a picture of steady but not rapid top line expansion, and
- the bearish narrative also flags that if migrations off VMware are slower or smaller than hoped, it could limit ARR growth, which would matter given that trailing revenue of US$2.7b underpins the current 47.7x P/E on a US$48.81 share price.
Skeptical investors who see this revenue pattern as a reality check on growth expectations can compare it directly with the full cautious thesis in 🐻 Nutanix Bear Case
High P/E and DCF gap
- Nutanix trades on a trailing P/E of 47.7x at a share price of US$48.81, compared with an industry average of 29.2x and a peer average of 69.6x, while a DCF fair value in the data sits at US$77.47, which is well above the current price.
- Consensus narrative talks about earnings reaching US$526.1 million by around 2029 with a 34.4x P/E supporting an analyst target of US$57.01, yet
- the balance sheet currently carries negative shareholders’ equity and high debt, which is a clear risk that can help explain why the stock trades below the DCF fair value despite strong trailing earnings growth, and
- if analysts are expecting margins to move from roughly 9.9% to 13.9% over the next three years, investors may want to compare that assumption with the recent 10% trailing net margin before leaning too heavily on those targets.
Next Steps
To see how these results tie into long-term growth, risks, and valuation, check out the full range of community narratives for Nutanix on Simply Wall St. Add the company to your watchlist or portfolio so you'll be alerted when the story evolves.
If this mix of optimism and concern feels familiar, it may be a signal to act promptly and evaluate the narrative against the underlying numbers yourself using 3 key rewards and 2 important warning signs
See What Else Is Out There
Despite strong recent earnings, Nutanix carries high debt, negative shareholders’ equity and a rich 47.7x P/E that may not appeal to more cautious investors.
If those balance sheet and valuation risks give you pause, shift your focus toward companies screened for financial strength and resilience with the solid balance sheet and fundamentals stocks screener (46 results).
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.
