Can Maximus Weather the VA Contract Hit and Rebuild Earnings Momentum?

Maximus Loses a Key Earnings Tailwind Through December

The Department of Veterans Affairs paused performance incentives and disincentives tied to the Medical Disability Exam program from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2026. The mechanism rewards vendors based on measures such as timeliness, accuracy and quality.

Those incentives contributed about 35 cents per share in each of the first three quarters of fiscal 2026. Their removal therefore takes away a material earnings benefit in the fourth quarter and is also expected to affect the first quarter of fiscal 2027 while the pause remains in place.

MMS Cuts Profit Guidance After the Contract Change

Maximus lowered fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings guidance to $7.90-$8.20 per share from $8.25-$8.55. The midpoint declined by 35 cents, matching the approximate quarterly contribution from the paused VA incentives.

Adjusted EBITDA margin guidance fell to about 13.7% from 14.2%. Free cash flow guidance was also reduced to $425-$475 million, showing that the contract changes affects both earnings expectations and cash-generation assumptions, even though full-year revenue guidance remained $5.2-$5.35 billion.

                                                                 Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Maximus Federal Exposure Raises Sensitivity

U.S. federal agencies generated 55% of Maximus’ fiscal 2025 revenues, compared with nearly 32% from U.S. state agencies and almost 11% from foreign governments. That mix provides scale and recurring demand but can magnify the impact of contract changes, procurement delays and agency-specific decisions.

The sensitivity is familiar across federal-services peers. Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation BAH says it depends on U.S. government contracts for substantially all of its revenues. Leidos Holdings, Inc. LDOS identifies the U.S. government as its largest customer and serves agencies including the Department of Veterans Affairs.

MMS Has Offsets Beyond the VA Program

U.S. Services is moving in a more favorable direction. Third-quarter operating margin improved to 10.8% from 10.2% a year earlier, and management expects positive mid-single-digit organic revenue growth in the fourth quarter, with positive organic growth continuing into fiscal 2027.

Technology is another offset. Maximus said third-quarter adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.0% reflected automation and AI-enabled efficiencies, while management cited broader use of efficiency-enhancing technology across programs. These gains can support profitability, but they do not immediately replace the earnings contribution lost from the paused VA incentives.

Maximus Signals Point to Near-Term Caution

The contract modification looks temporary based on current customer guidance, but it has already reduced fiscal 2026 earnings and cash flow expectations. That makes the pace of any incentive reinstatement, along with execution in U.S. Services and federal procurement timing, important variables for the next phase of earnings momentum.

MMS currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Maximus carries a VGM Score of A, Value Score of A, Growth Score of B and Momentum Score of B. The favorable Style Scores point to noteworthy valuation, growth and momentum characteristics, but the Zacks Rank reflects weakening earnings estimate revisions and therefore argues for caution in the near term.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research