UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

______________________________________________________________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 18, 2026

KADANT INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Commission file number 001-11406


Delaware									52-1762325
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)									(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

One Technology Park Drive

Westford, Massachusetts 01886

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(978) 776-2000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:


			☐			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)


			☐			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


			☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


			☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $.01 par value

KAI

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

KADANT INC.

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 18, 2026, Kadant Inc. (the “Company”) announced its financial results for the fiscal quarter and year ended January 3, 2026. The full text of the press release issued in connection with the announcement is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On February 19, 2026, the Company will hold a webcast and conference call to discuss its financial results for the fiscal quarter and year ended January 3, 2026. A copy of the slides that will be presented on the webcast and discussed in the conference call is furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K (including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2) shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.


(d) Exhibits
	The following exhibits relating to Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 shall be deemed to be furnished and not filed.

	Exhibit
	No.	Description of Exhibits

	99.1	Press Release issued by the Company on February 18, 2026 announcing its financial results.

	99.2	Slides to be presented by the Company on February 19, 2026.

	104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

KADANT INC.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


		KADANT INC.

Date: February 18, 2026	By	/s/ Michael J. McKenney
		Michael J. McKenney Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

KADANT INC 8-K