Highlights

  • Third quarter 2026 revenues were $2.113 billion and net income was $78.0 million, or $0.65 per diluted share.
  • The Board declared a cash dividend of $0.14 per share, payable on December 10, 2026.
  • Rush Enterprises completed its 50 percent-owned joint venture with MCT Companies, which operates 17 full-service dealerships.
  • The company sold 3,880 new Class 8 trucks in the U.S. during the third quarter, and its absorption ratio was 128.3%.

Rush Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:RUSHA) shares were trading at USD 41.10 on October 28, 2026, down 9.64%, with a relative volume at time of 5.99. The commercial vehicle dealership operator completed an MCT Companies joint venture during the third quarter and reported third quarter 2026 results and a $0.14 per share dividend on October 27.

Rush Enterprises is based in New Braunfels, Texas, and is incorporated in Texas. It owns and operates Rush Truck Centers, which the company describes as the largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in North America, with more than 160 locations in 24 states and Ontario, Canada. The dealerships offer new and used vehicle sales, aftermarket parts and service, financing, insurance, and leasing and rental solutions through PacLease and Idealease franchises.

Third Quarter Results

For the quarter ended September 30, 2026, Rush Enterprises reported revenues of $2.113 billion and net income of $78.0 million, or $0.65 per diluted share. For the quarter ended September 30, 2025, revenues were $1.881 billion and net income was $66.7 million, or $0.55 per diluted share. The company said gross revenues increased 12.4%.

Gross profit was $386,966 thousand, compared with $374,752 thousand a year earlier. Operating income was $107,999 thousand, compared with $100,030 thousand.

Aftermarket products and services revenues were $679.9 million, up 5.8% from the third quarter of 2025, and accounted for approximately 62.8% of total gross profit. The absorption ratio was 128.3%, compared with 129.3% a year earlier. For the nine months ended September 30, 2026, total revenue was $5,696,966 thousand and net income attributable to the company was $212,258 thousand.

Vehicle Sales, Leasing and Rental

The company sold 3,880 new Class 8 trucks in the U.S., an increase of 24.4% compared with the third quarter of 2025, and 114 new Class 8 trucks in Canada. It sold 3,265 new Class 4-7 medium-duty commercial vehicles in the U.S., an increase of 9.6%. Used commercial vehicle sales were 1,913 units, an increase of 5.5%.

Leasing and rental revenue was $98.2 million, up 5.3% compared with the third quarter of 2025. Rush Truck Leasing operates 72 franchises.

Balance Sheet, Dividend and Capital

The company ended the quarter with $226.4 million in cash and cash equivalents. It repurchased $10.3 million of its common stock under its stock repurchase plan and paid a cash dividend of $16.4 million. Floor plan notes payable were $964,535 thousand at September 30, 2026.

The Board declared a cash dividend of $0.14 per share of Class A and Class B common stock, payable on December 10, 2026, to shareholders as of November 11, 2026. A three-for-two stock split declared on July 28, 2026 was distributed on August 31, 2026.

Outlook Commentary

Management said it expects improvement in freight markets to continue in the fourth quarter. It expects aftermarket demand to improve gradually through the remainder of the year, subject to normal seasonal patterns, and said new truck deliveries scheduled from the fourth quarter of 2026 through the first quarter of 2027 should generate additional aftermarket activity.

Management said its backlog suggests new commercial vehicle sales in the fourth quarter and into the first quarter of 2027, although supply capacity constraints may affect delivery timing. It said quoting and new order activity have slowed while the industry awaits the EPA's final rules on 2027 emissions regulations, and that customers may delay purchasing decisions until the rules are finalized. Management also said leasing demand may soften in the first quarter of 2027. The company did not provide numerical guidance.