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Arko Corp.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 7 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 3 new, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net income declined from prior year: Net income was $9.4 million against $20.1 million a year earlier; diluted EPS was $0.04 against $0.16. Source
  • First-half Adjusted EBITDA higher: First-half Adjusted EBITDA was $122.9 million, up 14.0%, while first-half net income was $3.8 million against $7.4 million. Source
  • Merchandise margin widened: Merchandise margin rose 110 basis points, which management attributed to disciplined pricing, favorable product mix and vendor-supported promotions. Source
  • Same store fuel margin rose: Same store retail fuel margin rose 3.0 cents per gallon, which the release attributed to fuel market volatility from the geopolitical environment. Source
  • Same store operating costs rose: Same store operating expenses rose $8.3 million, or 5.6%, on credit card fees linked to fuel prices, insurance, personnel costs and rent. Source
  • Consumer demand softened: Management said consumer demand softened in the second quarter as sustained higher fuel prices pressured household budgets. Source
  • Liquidity and net debt reported: Liquidity was about $1.0 billion at June 30, 2026, and net debt was about $429 million on about $675 million of outstanding debt. Source
  • APC agreed USPP acquisition: APC agreed to acquire the USPP business, a Great Lakes fuel supply and distribution platform, after quarter end. Source

“Consumer demand softened during the second quarter as sustained higher fuel prices continued to pressure household budgets”

Arie Kotler, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ARKO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted EBITDA (ARKO) Sourcefull year 2026$245 million to $265 millionKept
Average annual retail fuel margin Sourcefull year 202645.5 cents per gallon to 47.5 cents per gallonRaised
Fleet fueling new locations Source202620 additional locations
Retail remodels Sourcenot statedapproximately 25 remodels
USPP acquisition consideration Sourceat closing$205 million in cash plus the cost of inventoryNew
USPP acquisition fuel volumes Sourceannualapproximately 280 million gallonsNew
USPP acquisition Adjusted EBITDA Sourceannualizedapproximately $30 millionNew
APC Adjusted EBITDAfull year 2026approximately $156 millionKept
APC Discretionary Cash Flowfull year 2026approximately $110 millionKept
APC dividend rateannual$2.00 per share
Dealer conversionsthroughout 2026 and into 2027approximately 70 additional sites

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Average annual retail fuel margin range raised, per the release. Source
  • Guidance kept: Full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA range reaffirmed, not changed. Source
  • New: Subsidiary APC agreed to acquire the USPP business after quarter end. Source
  • New: One PNC line of credit increased by $74 million after quarter end, to $214 million across the two PNC lines. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net income declined from prior year: Net income was $9.4 million against $20.1 million a year earlier; diluted EPS was $0.04 against $0.16. Source
  • Quarter Adjusted EBITDA slightly lower: Adjusted EBITDA was $72.0 million, against $76.9 million, as higher same store operating costs more than offset dealerization benefits. Source
  • First-half Adjusted EBITDA higher: First-half Adjusted EBITDA was $122.9 million, up 14.0%, while first-half net income was $3.8 million against $7.4 million. Source
  • Prior-year gain in net income: The prior-year quarter included a non-cash sale-leaseback gain, which affects the net income comparison. Source

Segment results

  • Retail merchandise contribution fell: Retail merchandise contribution fell $14.0 million, or 10.4%, against the year-ago quarter. Source
  • Closed stores drove most of the decline: The merchandise decline was primarily from closed or converted stores; same store merchandise contribution fell $0.6 million. Source
  • Retail fuel contribution declined: Retail fuel contribution fell $8.4 million, or 7.8%, mainly from closed or converted stores, while same store fuel contribution rose about $0.5 million. Source
  • Wholesale operating income rose: Wholesale operating income rose $1.6 million, from income at converted retail sites, partly offset by lower income at comparable wholesale sites. Source
  • Fleet fueling contribution eased: Fleet fueling fuel contribution fell $0.7 million, with margins per gallon lower at proprietary and third-party cardlocks. Source

“Our solid first-half performance, together with our diversified business model and continued execution across the organization, positions us well to achieve our reaffirmed full year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA outlook”

Arie Kotler, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ARKO

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Merchandise margin widened: Merchandise margin rose 110 basis points, which management attributed to disciplined pricing, favorable product mix and vendor-supported promotions. Source
  • Same store fuel margin rose: Same store retail fuel margin rose 3.0 cents per gallon, which the release attributed to fuel market volatility from the geopolitical environment. Source
  • Site operating expenses fell with closures: Site operating expenses fell $16.6 million, or 9.4%, mainly from $25.8 million of reduced costs at closed or converted stores. Source
  • Same store operating costs rose: Same store operating expenses rose $8.3 million, or 5.6%, on credit card fees linked to fuel prices, insurance, personnel costs and rent. Source
  • Consignment fuel margin fell: Consignment agent fuel margin fell 1.5 cents per gallon as market prices declined faster than inventory cost, while supply-location margin rose 1.3 cents. Source

Demand and volumes

  • Consumer demand softened: Management said consumer demand softened in the second quarter as sustained higher fuel prices pressured household budgets. Source
  • Same store merchandise sales declined: Same store merchandise sales fell 1.7% in the quarter and 1.2% in the first half; excluding cigarettes, the quarterly decline was 0.9%. Source
  • Same store fuel gallons fell: Same store fuel gallons sold fell 5.7% in the quarter and 4.5% in the first half, against year-ago declines of 6.5% and 6.4%. Source
  • Wholesale and fleet segments continued: Management said its Wholesale and Fleet Fueling segments continued to perform, which it cited as showing the diversified platform. Source

“We expect that the recently announced acquisition of the business of US Petroleum Partners will be an important next step in APC’s growth strategy”

Arie Kotler, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ARKO

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Liquidity and net debt reported: Liquidity was about $1.0 billion at June 30, 2026, and net debt was about $429 million on about $675 million of outstanding debt. Source
  • Senior notes bought back at a discount: About $37.9 million principal of 5.125% senior notes was repurchased during the quarter, at a discount. Source
  • Operating cash flow lower: Net cash provided by operating activities was $42.2 million for the quarter, against $55.2 million a year earlier. Source
  • Capital expenditures reported: Capital expenditures were $33.3 million for the quarter, including NTI stores, fleet locations, remodels and EV chargers. Source
  • Share repurchases and dividends: Common stock repurchases were $0.2 million in the quarter, against $9.2 million a year earlier; common dividends paid were $3.4 million. Source

Strategy and investment

  • APC agreed USPP acquisition: APC agreed to acquire the USPP business, a Great Lakes fuel supply and distribution platform, after quarter end. Source
  • Strategic rationale for acquisition: Management expects the deal to strengthen supplier relationships and vertical integration, adding two fuel terminals and transportation capability. Source
  • Part of price held in escrow: Part of the price is $30 million of APC Class A stock held in escrow, released to the seller if EBITDA-based targets are met over four quarters. Source
  • Dealer conversions continue: 21 retail stores converted to dealer locations in the quarter, bringing the total to 471 since the program began in 2024. Source
  • Remodels and new store format: About 25 remodels are planned, all with fas craves food and beverage elements; 12 projects were in construction or development. Source

Products, loyalty and fleet fueling

  • Loyalty program savings: Fueling America's Future has delivered more than $4.0 million in customer fuel savings through discounts and promotions. Source
  • Fleet fueling locations targeted: Management targets 20 new fleet fueling locations in 2026: one opened in March, two in July and 17 in progress. Source
  • Fleet fueling cash flow profile: Management cited the cash flow profile of its fleet fueling business as a reason for the location plan. Source

Coming up, as management said on 7 August 2026

  • Dividend payable August 31: The $0.03 quarterly dividend is payable on August 31, 2026, to holders of record as of August 20, 2026. Source
  • USPP closing date not stated: The USPP acquisition is under agreement; the documents give no closing date. Source
  • Remaining conversions into 2027: Further APC conversions are expected through 2026 and into 2027, per the APC release.
  • Fleet sites still in progress: Seventeen fleet fueling locations were in progress at the time of the release. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Same store merchandise sales Sourcedecrease of 1.7% in Q2 2026; decrease of 1.2% in first half 2026
Same store fuel gallons sold Sourcedecrease of 5.7% in Q2 2026
Merchandise margin (gross margin) Source34.7% in Q2 2026, up 110 basis points
Inventory Source$208,475 thousand at June 30, 2026
Retail sites at end of period Source1,057 at June 30, 2026 (1,254 a year earlier)
Store openings Source1 newly opened or reopened retail site in Q2 2026
Store closings Source2 sites closed, divested or converted to rentals in Q2 2026
Retail sites converted to dealer locations Source21 in Q2 2026; 471 since 2024

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Consumer demand softened as higher fuel prices pressured household budgets. Source
  • External: Fuel market volatility from the geopolitical environment was cited as affecting fuel margins. Source
  • External: Fleet and consignment fuel margins compressed as indexed prices fell faster than inventory cost. Source
  • Operational: Higher fuel prices raised credit card fees, adding to same store operating costs. Source
  • Operational: Weather disruption early in the year was cited in the first-half results. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management reaffirmed the full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA range of $245 million to $265 million. Source
  • Not stated: Management targets 20 new fleet locations; two opened in July and 17 were in progress. Source
  • Not stated: The USPP deal is described as accelerating the growth strategy outlined at APC's initial public offering. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.