ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, March 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPTX) ("Syntec" or the "Company"), a leading provider of technology across defense, biomedical, communications, and consumer end-markets, today reported that the previously announced Company's focus on operations efficiency had a positive impact on financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025.

Q4 2025 Highlights

Gross margin saw significant expansion, nearly doubling compared to the same-year previous quarter and prior-year quarter (Gross Margin for Q4 2024 was 13%, Q3 2025 was 12%, and Q4 2025 was 24%).
Gross profit also saw significant improvement, increased 100% sequentially and increased 80% compared to the prior year (Gross Profit for Q4 2024 was $1 million, Q3 2025 was $0.9 million, and Q4 2025 was $1.8 million).
SG&A expense also saw significant improvement, decreased 30% sequentially and decreased by 40% compared to the prior year (SG&A expense for Q4 2024 was $2.4 million, Q3 2025 was $2.1 million, and Q4 2025 was at $1.5 million).
As a result of the above improvements, Adj EBITDA increased by nearly $1 million (Adj EBITDA for Q4 2024 was $0.5 million, Q3 2025 was negative $0.01 million, and Q4 2025 was $0.9 million).
These improvements in the fourth quarter were achieved on Net Sales of $7.5 million, an increase of 8% from Q3 2025, and similar to Q4 2024 Net Sales.

Results for the year-end followed a similar path, reflecting enhanced yields, cost discipline, and operational execution.

Full Year 2025 Highlights

Gross margin increased by 3.3% as compared to the prior year (Gross Margin for full year 2024 was 20%, full year 2025 was 23.3%).
Gross profit increased by 13% as compared to the prior year (Gross Profit for full year 2024 was $5.7 million, and full year 2025 was $6.5 million).
SG&A expense decreased by $1.2 million as compared to the prior year (SG&A for full year 2024 was $8.2 million, and full year 2025 was $7.0 million).
Adj EDITDA also saw significant improvement, increased by 36% versus the prior year (Adj EBITDA for full year 2024 was $2.2 million, and full year 2025 came in at $3.0 million).
These improvements for the full year were achieved even with Net Sales of $28.1 million, down $0.4 million from full year 2024.
As a result of the improvements above, EPS of $(0.05) in 2025 improved from $(0.07) in 2024.
Cash provided by operations increased to $0.7 million and was used for facility improvements and equipment. Cash, including line of credit availability, was at $1.1 million.

Operational Execution

Yield and throughput improvements across key programs, including LEO satellite optics, night vision optics, and integrated optical assemblies, continued.
Night shift staffing expanded to support scalable production capacity.
Multiple programs advanced from design → pilot → initial production.
Ongoing cost reduction initiatives contributed to margin expansion.

2026 Outlook

Syntec expects growth in 2026, supported by:

Ramp of next-generation communications, new space and AI/data center optics products.
Expansion in defense programs driven by onshoring tailwinds.
Steady growth across biomedical and consumer end markets.
Conversion of design-stage programs into production revenue.

Near-Term Guidance

Compared to Q4 2025 Net Sales of $7.5 million, Q1 2026 Net Sales are expected to be below $7.5 million, and Q2 2026 Net Sales are expected to be above $7.5 million. 2026 started with space optics production increasing to a record level, the beginning of the production stage for the artificial intelligence data center product line, and the previously announced addition of a new product line in defense tech. Additional product lines for defense tech are anticipated to add to Net Sales in Q2 and beyond.

About Syntec Optics

Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPTX), headquartered in Rochester, NY, is one of the largest custom and diverse end-market optics and photonics manufacturers in the United States. Operating for over two decades, Syntec Optics runs a state-of-the-art facility with extensive core capabilities of various optics manufacturing processes, both horizontally and vertically integrated, to provide a competitive advantage for mission-critical OEMs. As more products become light-enabled, Syntec Optics continues to add new product lines, including recent Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite optics for communications, lightweight night-vision goggle optics for defense, biomedical optics for diagnostics and surgery, and data center optics for Artificial Intelligence. According to SPIE, across the entire field of optics and photonics, the monetary value of all light-enabled products and related services amounts to over 15% of worldwide economic output (nearly $16 trillion of the total $106 trillion value of all finished goods and services produced worldwide in 2023).To learn more, visit www.syntecoptics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including certain financial forecasts and projections. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including statements as to the transactions contemplated by the business combination and related agreements, future results of operations and financial position, revenue and other metrics, planned products and services, business strategy and plans, objectives of management for future operations of Syntec Optics, market size, and growth opportunities, competitive position and technological and market trends, are forward-looking statements. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, including "may," "should," "expect," "intend," "will," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "predict," "plan," "targets," "projects," "could," "would," "continue," "forecast" or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors (some of which are beyond the control of Syntec Optics), which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon estimates, forecasts and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Syntec Optics and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain and many factors may cause the actual results to differ materially from current expectations which include, but are not limited to: 1) risk outlined in any prior SEC filings; 2) ability of Syntec Optics to successfully increase market penetration into its target markets; 3) the addressable markets that Syntec Optics intends to target do not grow as expected; 4) the loss of any key executives; 5) the loss of any relationships with key suppliers including suppliers abroad; 6) the loss of any relationships with key customers; 7) the inability to protect Syntec Optics' patents and other intellectual property; 8) the failure to successfully execute manufacturing of announced products in a timely manner or at all, or to scale to mass production; 9) costs related to any further business combination; 10) changes in applicable laws or regulations; 11) the possibility that Syntec Optics may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; 12) Syntec Optics' estimates of its growth and projected financial results for the future and meeting or satisfying the underlying assumptions with respect thereto; 13) the impact of any pandemic, including any mutations or variants thereof and the Russian/Ukrainian or Israeli conflict, and any resulting effect on business and financial conditions; 14) inability to complete any investments or borrowings in connection with any organic or inorganic growth; 15) the potential for events or circumstances that result in Syntec Optics' failure to timely achieve the anticipated benefits of Syntec Optics' customer arrangements; and 16) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in prior SEC filings including registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Syntec Optics does not give any assurance that Syntec Optics will achieve its expected results. Syntec Optics does not undertake any duty to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by law.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

InvestorRelations@syntecoptics.com

SOURCE: Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPTX)

SYNTEC OPTICS HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31, 2025 AND 2024

	2025		2024
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash	$	358,867	$	598,787
Accounts Receivable, Net		6,241,768		5,739,205
Inventory		7,884,943		6,953,278
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets		655,827		596,589
Income Tax Receivable		-		9,794

Total Current Assets		15,141,405		13,897,653

Property and Equipment, Net		9,172,703		11,668,859

Deferred Tax Asset		-		439,942

Total Assets	$	24,314,108	$	26,006,454

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current Liabilities
Accounts Payable	$	2,691,748	$	2,706,392
Accrued Expenses		683,397		814,600
Federal Income Tax Payable		169,582		-
Deferred Revenue		66,420		36,512
Line of Credit		6,763,863		6,263,863
Current Maturities of Debt Obligations		93,358		467,742
Current Maturities of Debt Obligations - Related Party		406,495		-
Current Maturities of Debt Obligations		406,495		-
Current Maturities of Finance Lease Obligations		354,499		284,002

Total Current Liabilities		11,229,362		10,573,111

Long-Term Liabilities
Long-Term Debt Obligations		860,548		2,614,812
Long-Term Debt Obligations - Related Party		1,268,732		-
Long-Term Debt Obligations		1,268,732		-
Long-Term Finance Lease Obligations		1,414,611		1,784,449

Total Long-Term Liabilities		3,543,891		4,399,261

Total Liabilities		14,773,253		14,972,372

Commitments and Contingencies		-		-

Stockholders' Equity
CL A Common Stock, Par value $.0001 per share; 121,000,000 authorized; 36,920,226 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2025; 36,688,266 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024		3,692		3,669
Additional Paid-In Capital		2,677,181		2,377,204
Retained Earnings		6,859,982		8,653,209

Total Stockholders' Equity		9,540,855		11,034,082

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	24,314,108	$	26,006,454

SYNTEC OPTICS HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025 AND 2024

	2025			2024

Net Sales	$	28,083,985		$	28,449,941

Cost of Goods Sold		21,554,285			22,747,615

Gross Profit		6,529,700			5,702,326

General and Administrative Expenses		7,047,300			8,278,720

Loss from Operations		(517,600	)		(2,576,394	)

Other (Expense) Income
Other (Expense) Income		(39,875	)		346,835
Interest Expense, Including Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs		(795,810	)		(764,934	)
Total Other Expense		(835,685	)		(418,099	)

Loss Before Provision for (Benefit) Income Taxes		(1,353,285	)		(2,994,493	)

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes		439,942			(514,832	)

Net Loss	$	(1,793,227	)	$	(2,479,661	)

Net Loss per Common Share
Basic and diluted	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.07	)

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding
Basic and diluted		36,920,226			36,688,266

SYNTEC OPTICS HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025 AND 2024

	2025			2024
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net Loss	$	(1,793,227	)	$	(2,479,661	)
Adjustments to Reconcile Loss to Net Cash (Used In)
Provided By Operating Activities:
Adjustments to Reconcile Loss to Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Operating Activities:
Depreciation and Amortization		2,613,229			2,765,713
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs		15,501			15,057
Stock-Based Compensation		300,000			450,000
Gain on Disposal of Property and Equipment		-			(309,000	)
Change in Allowance for Expected Credit Losses		15,869			(121,767	)
Change in Reserve for Obsolescence		80,667			186,285
Deferred Income Taxes		439,942			(514,832	)
(Increase) Decrease in:
Accounts Receivable		(518,432	)		1,182,626
Inventory		(1,012,332	)		(1,305,454	)
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets		(59,238	)		(237,146	)
Increase (Decrease) in:
Accounts Payables and Accrued Expenses		381,372			(231,163	)
Federal Income Tax Payable		179,376			(380,000	)
Deferred Revenue		29,908			36,512
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities		672,635			(942,830	)

Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Purchases of Property and Equipment		(644,292	)		(1,239,866	)
Proceeds from Disposal of Property and Equipment		-			309,000

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities		(644,292	)		(930,866	)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Borrowing on Line of Credit, Net		500,000			(273,729	)
Borrowing on Debt Obligations		-			1,100,388
Borrowing on Debt Obligations - Related Parties		1,268,732			-
Repayments on Debt Obligations		(1,737,654	)		(420,802	)
Repayments on Finance Lease Obligations		(299,341	)		(91,619	)

Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Financing Activities		(268,263	)		314,238

Net Decrease in Cash		(239,920	)		(1,559,458	)

Cash - Beginning		598,787			2,158,245

Cash - Ending	$	358,867		$	598,787

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:

Cash Paid for Interest	$	756,519		$	738,010

Cash Paid for Taxes	$	-		$	568,143

Supplemental Disclosures of Non-Cash Investing Activities:

(Decrease) Increase in Assets Acquired and Included in AP	$	527,219		$	198,584
Issuance of finance lease for acquisition of equipment				$	2,160,070

De-recognition of PPE and Intangible Asset transaction	$	-		$	560,000

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025 AND 2024

	2025			2024
Net Loss	$	(1,793,227	)	$	(2,479,661	)
Stock-Based Compensation Expense BOD (1)		300,000			450,000
Depreciation & Amortization		2,613,229			2,765,713
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs		15,501			9,222
Interest Expenses		756,519			738,010
Taxes		439,942			(514,832	)
Non-Recurring Items

Executive Transition (2)		579,161			379,389
Nonrecurring Banking Fees (3)		63,416
Nonrecurring professional Fees (4)					174,500
Technology Start-up Costs (5)					344,496
Optical Molding Evaluation Expenses (6)					201,908
Glass Molding Evaluation Expenses (6)					130,196
One-time Contract exit costs		21,063
Non-recurring property damage		21,261

Adjusted EBITDA	$	3,016,865		$	2,198,941

Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPTX) Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results