Gartner jumps after Q1 beat, higher 2026 profit outlook, and $535 million buybacks

For Q1 2026, Gartner reported revenue of $1.511 billion (down 1.5% as reported), diluted EPS of $3.18 (+17.3%), and adjusted EPS of $3.32 (+11.4%). Operating cash flow increased 24.7% to $391 million and free cash flow climbed 28.7% to $371 million, giving investors fresh evidence that margins and cash generation are holding up even as top-line growth remains mixed. Contract value was $5.3 billion, up 1.0% year over year on an FX-neutral basis, with GTS contract value up 0.4% FX-neutral and GBS contract value up 3.2% FX-neutral. ([businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260505094989/en/gartner-reports-first-quarter-2026-financial-results/)) Gartner (IT) is trading higher after reporting first-quarter 2026 earnings that came in ahead of expectations on key profit and cash metrics, while management raised full-year targets for adjusted profitability and free cash flow. The company pointed to accelerating contract value and said Insights revenue, adjusted EBITDA (excluding the divested operation), adjusted EPS, and free cash flow all landed ahead of its internal expectations. ([businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260505094989/en/gartner-reports-first-quarter-2026-financial-results/)) Despite the upside surprise in earnings power and cash flow, investors are likely to scrutinize growth quality by segment. In Q1, Insights revenue rose 3.1% as reported (roughly flat FX-neutral), Conferences revenue grew 7.9% as reported (5.7% FX-neutral), while Consulting revenue fell 14.7% as reported (16.8% FX-neutral). With the earnings call set for the morning of May 5, investors will be focused on whether contract value acceleration can translate into steadier revenue momentum through the rest of 2026 and whether Consulting stabilizes after a weak quarter. ([businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260505094989/en/gartner-reports-first-quarter-2026-financial-results/)) The biggest incremental positive was guidance: Gartner said it increased full-year 2026 guidance for adjusted EBITDA excluding the divested operation, adjusted EPS, and free cash flow. At the same time, shareholder returns stayed front-and-center—Gartner repurchased 3.3 million shares for $535 million during the quarter, and the board boosted the company’s repurchase authorization by an additional $600 million in April 2026. That combination—higher profit/cash targets plus stepped-up buybacks—helped drive today’s move. ([businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260505094989/en/gartner-reports-first-quarter-2026-financial-results/))

Gartner jumps after Q1 beat, higher 2026 profit outlook, and $535 million buybacks

1. What’s moving the stock

2. The quarter in numbers

3. Guidance and capital return: the real catalyst

4. What investors will watch next

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