American Capital Management Increases Stake in Novanta
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 20 2026
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Should l Buy NOVT?
Source: Fool
- Share Increase: American Capital Management increased its stake in Novanta by 163,005 shares in Q4 2026, with an estimated trade value of $18.56 million, indicating confidence in the company's future growth prospects.
- Value Appreciation: As of February 17, 2026, the total shares held in Novanta reached 381,866, valued at $45.44 million, reflecting a $23.52 million increase from the previous quarter due to both share additions and price appreciation.
- Market Performance Analysis: Although Novanta's stock price has risen by 1% over the past year, it underperformed the S&P 500 by 10.4 percentage points, indicating relative weakness in the market.
- Industry Outlook: With signs of recovery in the medical and industrial OEM markets, Novanta's core business is expected to accelerate, despite a modest revenue growth of only 1.4% and a high P/E ratio of 99, leading investors to remain cautious about its valuation.
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Analyst Views on NOVT
About NOVT
Novanta Inc. is a supplier of core technology solutions, which offer medical and advanced industrial original equipment manufacturers. Its segment includes Automation Enabling Technologies and Medical Solutions. The Automation Enabling Technologies segment designs, manufactures and markets laser beam delivery components, laser beam delivery solutions, CO2 lasers, solid state lasers, ultrafast lasers, optical and inductive encoders, precision motors, integrated stepper motors, servo drives, motion control solutions, intelligent robotic end-of-arm technology solutions, and air bearing spindles to customers worldwide. The Medical Solutions segment designs, manufactures and markets a range of medical grade technologies, including medical insufflators and endoscopic pumps and related disposables, laser beam delivery solutions, video processing and streaming and capture, machine vision technologies, radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies, thermal chart recorders, and others.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- New Investment Disclosure: On February 17, 2026, Harvey Partners disclosed a new position by acquiring 304,000 shares of Novanta worth $36.17 million, indicating confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Asset Allocation Analysis: This acquisition accounts for 3.21% of Harvey Partners' 13F reportable assets, highlighting Novanta's significance within the fund's investment portfolio.
- Company Financial Status: As of February 17, 2026, Novanta's stock price stood at $145.37, remaining flat over the past year and underperforming the S&P 500's 16% gain, raising concerns about its profitability.
- Future Outlook: Despite a 3% year-over-year revenue increase to $980.6 million in 2025, net income fell from $64.1 million to $53.8 million, with the CEO stating plans to improve margins and cash flow, making it crucial for investors to monitor these developments.
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- Transaction Overview: Novanta CEO Matthijs Glastra sold 7,500 common shares on February 10, 2026, for approximately $1.09 million, marking the largest single transaction in his 10 sell-only trades since February 2023, reflecting his liquidity management strategy.
- Ownership Changes: Following the sale, Glastra's direct holdings decreased to 57,367 shares, while his indirect holdings via a trust remained unchanged at 54,382 shares, indicating a stable ownership structure without urgency to liquidate his stakes.
- Performance Highlights: Novanta reported a 9% year-over-year revenue increase in Q4 2025, reaching $258 million, exceeding expectations and contributing to a 3% annual sales growth to $981 million, with forecasts suggesting sales will surpass $1 billion in 2026, showcasing strong business growth potential.
- Market Reaction: While Glastra's stock sale did not raise market concerns, the company's price-to-earnings ratio of 91 indicates a high stock price, suggesting current shareholders consider selling, while potential buyers should wait for a price correction before entering the market.
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- Executive Sell-off: Novanta CEO Matthijs Glastra sold 7,500 shares on February 10, 2026, for approximately $1.09 million, representing 6.29% of his total holdings, indicating a strategic sell-off at a high stock price.
- Stable Holding Structure: Post-transaction, Glastra retains 57,367 shares directly and another 54,382 shares in a trust, suggesting confidence in the company's future and a lack of urgency to liquidate his holdings.
- Strong Performance: Novanta reported Q4 revenue of $258 million, a 9% year-over-year increase, and forecasts sales exceeding $1 billion in 2026, highlighting robust growth in high-demand medical and industrial sectors.
- Market Reaction Analysis: While Glastra's sale did not raise market concerns, Novanta's price-to-earnings ratio of 91 indicates a high stock price, suggesting investors should consider waiting for a better entry point before purchasing shares.
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- Record Revenue: Novanta Inc. achieved record revenue in Q4 2025 with a reported growth of 9%, including 2% organic growth and 4% sequential growth, reflecting strong performance in the medical technology sector.
- Surge in Bookings: The company experienced a 25% year-over-year increase in bookings and a 12% sequential rise, with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.11, indicating double-digit bookings growth across all businesses for the first time since 2022.
- Strategic Investments: CEO emphasized strategic investments in minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, AI-driven robotics, digital manufacturing, and precision medicine, aiming to enhance the company's leadership in medical technologies and embedded software.
- Future Outlook: For 2026, GAAP revenue is projected to be between $1.03 billion and $1.05 billion, representing 4% to 6% organic growth, while adjusted gross margin is expected to expand to 47%, demonstrating the company's confidence in future growth.
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- Earnings Beat: Novanta's Q4 2025 non-GAAP EPS of $0.91 exceeded expectations by $0.08, indicating a robust enhancement in the company's profitability.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The quarter's revenue reached $258.3 million, an 8.5% year-over-year increase, surpassing expectations by $4.98 million, reflecting the company's competitive strength and rising customer demand.
- Adjusted EBITDA Increase: Adjusted EBITDA rose 17% to $60.7 million compared to $52.1 million last year, demonstrating the company's success in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: The company expects GAAP revenue for FY 2026 to range between $1.03 billion and $1.05 billion, with adjusted EBITDA projected between $245 million and $250 million, showcasing confidence in future growth despite foreign exchange risks.
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- Q4 Performance: In Q4 2025, Novanta achieved GAAP revenue of $258.3 million, a 9% increase year-over-year, with adjusted diluted EPS rising 20% to $0.91, indicating strong performance in the medical technology sector and likely boosting market confidence.
- Annual Financial Overview: For the full year 2025, GAAP revenue reached $980.6 million, up 3.3% from the previous year, although organic revenue growth slightly declined by 0.5%, reflecting challenges from intensified market competition despite contributions from acquisitions.
- Customer Bookings Growth: The company reported a 14% increase in customer bookings for 2025, with new product revenues exceeding expectations, demonstrating effective responses to technological innovation and market demand, which is expected to lay the groundwork for future revenue growth.
- Future Outlook: Novanta anticipates GAAP revenue for 2026 to range between $1.03 billion and $1.05 billion, with adjusted EBITDA projected at $245 million to $250 million, reflecting confidence in ongoing investments and strategic execution aimed at enhancing long-term shareholder value.
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