Feb. 22, 2026 at 8:49 AM ET6 min read

Geo Group Stock Drops Significantly Amid Earnings Shortfall Projections

Tim BohenAvatar
Written by Tim Bohen
Reviewed by Ben Sturgill Fact-checked by Ellis Hobbs

Geo Group Inc (The) REIT stocks have been trading down by -13.19 percent amid significant investor uncertainty.

Key Highlights

  • Stock price plummeted by 17.9%, dropping $2.83 to $13.00, indicating a significant market reaction.
  • The firm predicts its 2026 GAAP EPS between $0.99 and $1.07, which is below the consensus estimate of $1.27.
  • Revenue for 2026 is expected to align closely with consensus numbers, between $2.9B and $3.1B.
  • Forecasts show 2026 capital expenditures ranging from $120M to $155M, reflecting strategic financial positioning.
  • Anticipated Q1 EPS falls short with a range of $0.17 – $0.19, undercutting FactSet’s prediction of $0.24.

Industrials industry expert:

Analyst sentiment – negative

  1. Market Position & Fundamentals: GEO Group holds a strong market position, with robust profitability ratios including an impressive EBITDA margin of 24.2% and a gross margin of 100%. This indicates an efficient cost structure. The company’s revenue stands at approximately $2.42 billion, reflecting a steady growth trajectory over three and five-year periods of 3.04% and 1.12%, respectively. Valuation ratios such as a low P/E of 7.66 and price-to-sales ratio of 0.73 suggest the stock is undervalued compared to industry averages. GEO’s balance sheet, with a total debt to equity ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.6, reflects a stable financial position. The free cash flow, however, is slightly negative, indicating a need for tighter cash management.

  2. Technical Analysis & Trading Strategy: The recent weekly price action for GEO indicates a slight downward trend, with a closing price at $13.30, lower than previous highs. The minor recovery observed at $14.64 was unable to break resistance, following a declining pattern. Volume data indicates waning buying interest, posing a bearish outlook. A short-term trading strategy would suggest selling on rallies near $14.30, setting stop-losses beyond $15.32 to mitigate risk. Monitoring the $13.20 support level is crucial, as a breach could intensify the downward momentum.

  3. Catalysts & Outlook: Recent company guidance for 2026 indicates EPS expectations of $0.99-$1.07, reflecting a downside from consensus estimates of $1.27. Revenue guidance remains within market projections at $2.9B-$3.1B. The stock saw a notable decline of 17.9% following this announcement, suggesting market disappointment. Compared to benchmarks in Industrials and Corporate Services, GEO’s outlook is subdued, with projected capital expenditures potentially constraining margins. Key resistance levels are identified around $15.32, with support at $13.00. Overall sentiment remains cautious, with a significant downside risk due to the deviation from earnings expectations.

Candlestick Chart

More Breaking News

Weekly Update Feb 16 – Feb 20, 2026: On Sunday, February 22, 2026 Geo Group Inc (The) REIT stock [NYSE: GEO] is trending down by -13.19%! Discover the key drivers behind this movement as well as our expert analysis in the detailed breakdown below.

Quick Financial Overview

GEO Group’s financial indicators present a mixed picture amidst its recent market activities. The forecasted 2026 EPS lagging behind analyst expectations suggests potential revenue challenges or cost pressures. For a company with a current revenue of approximately $2.42B, setting anticipations within the $2.9B to $3.1B range for 2026 shows moderate growth expectations. The predicted revenue per share stands at $17.41, with a recent upswing in operating cash flow reaching $79.6M. However, with significant capital expenditures earmarked between $120M and $155M, cash flow management becomes a crucial aspect of their financial strategy.

Analyzing their valuation measures, GEO Group shows a durable enterprise value at $3.29B, maintaining a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.66. The price-to-book ratio is indicated at 1.21, which signals a potentially undervalued stock in certain market settings. While key profitability ratios like a gross margin of 100% and EBITDA margin of 24.2% underline operational efficiencies, their pretax profit margin at 7.5% leaves room for enhanced fiscal management.

The stock’s recent trajectory demonstrates volatile shifts—closing at $13.30 after opening days earlier at $14.64, and hitting intra-day lows. These dynamics reflect investor sensitivities to both macroeconomic inputs and GEO’s specific operational forecasts. A further scrutinization of their cash flow statement reveals intensive repayments on long-term debt ($297.2M), underscoring a shift towards debt stabilization amidst operational investments.

Conclusion

As GEO Group navigates these tangible financial landscapes, its outlook for 2026 continues to shape trader sentiment. The stark stock price decline, aligned with earnings shortfalls, accentuates concerns over its fiscal prudence and future delivery on strategic initiatives. While revenue forecasts show alignment with consensus, profitability shortfalls may prompt reevaluation. The predicted Q1 2026 EPS trailing significantly behind projections reflects market wariness, potentially affecting short-term pricing. As Tim Bohen, lead trainer with StocksToTrade, says, “Success in trading is more about cutting losses quickly than finding winners.” In light of this philosophy, traders might consider the importance of reacting swiftly to underperformance.

Nevertheless, GEO Group’s extensive financial groundwork, marked by investments and debt adjustments, positions it strategically to adapt and favorably influence shareholder value. Analysts and traders alike will closely surveil forthcoming fiscal disclosures and operational performances, gauging the company’s resilience amidst an evolving competitive and economic backdrop.

This is stock news, not investment advice. StocksToTrade News delivers real-time stock market updates tailored to highlight the key catalysts driving short-term price movements. Our coverage is designed for active traders and investors who thrive in fast-moving markets, with a focus on volatile sectors like penny stocks, AI stocks, Robinhood stocks and other momentum plays. From earnings reports and FDA approvals to mergers, new contracts, and unusual trading volume, we break down the events that can spark significant price action.

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