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Callaway Golf Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 1 lowered, 4 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Gross margin expanded substantially: GAAP gross margin increased 620 basis points to 50.1% from 43.9%. Non-GAAP gross margin increased 460 basis points to 48.5% from 43.9%. Improvement was driven by select price increases, cost reductions, and rationalization of lower-margin business. Source
  • Operating income surged: Income from operations increased 54.5% to $114.8 million from $74.3 million in Q2 2025. Non-GAAP operating income increased 42.7% to $107.3 million. Operating expense increased only 1.5% on a GAAP basis despite higher sales. Source
  • Net income and earnings per share improved: GAAP net income from continuing operations increased 66.6% to $75.8 million. Diluted EPS from continuing operations increased to $0.40 from $0.24. Non-GAAP net income from continuing operations was $73.8 million, up 89.7%. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA grew substantially: Adjusted EBITDA increased 35.8% to $124.9 million from $92.0 million in Q2 2025. For the first six months, Adjusted EBITDA was $288.6 million, up 33.1% from $216.9 million. Source
  • Golf Equipment segment drove growth: Golf Equipment net sales increased 4.5% to $430.3 million, driven by strength across clubs and balls. Clubs grew 1.2%, while balls surged 14.8%. Operating income increased 31.6% to $100.3 million with operating margin improving to 23.3% from 18.5%. Source
  • Full-year tariff expense revised down: Full-year gross tariff expense now expected to be approximately $43 million, representing a net improvement of approximately $7 million compared to prior guidance. Full-year gross tariff expense in 2025 was $34 million. Source
  • Tariff refunds received and expected: Company received all Phase 1 tariff refunds of approximately $11 million, recognized in Q2. Almost $7 million of Phase 2 refunds expected in Q3, with balance in second half. Approximately $7 million to apply for in Phase 3. Total refund potential approximately $50 million. Source
  • Debt repaid in full: In Q2, company repaid in full the $258 million convertible notes due May 2026 and the remaining $163 million outstanding under term loan B facility. This accelerated debt payoff demonstrates strong liquidity and capital management. Source
  • Net cash position established: As of June 30, 2026, company had net cash position with unrestricted cash of $278 million and debt of $74 million (including $23 million financing leases). Company is no longer in net debt position. Source

“We are very pleased with our second quarter results with our revenue growth, gross margin improvement and Adjusted EBITDA all exceeding expectations.”

Chip Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales SourceFull year 2026$2.045 billion to $2.070 billionRaised from $2.015 billion to $2.070 billion
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2026$246 million to $260 millionRaised from $211 million to $233 million
Net sales SourceThird quarter 2026$415 million to $435 millionNew
Gross tariff expense SourceFull year 2026Approximately $43 millionLowered from Approximately $50 million
Phase 2 tariff refunds SourceThird quarter 2026Almost $7 millionNew
Phase 3 tariff refund potential SourceFull year 2026Approximately $7 million to apply forNew
Adjusted EBITDA SourceThird quarter 2026$10 million to $20 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 net sales guidance raised from $2.015-$2.070 billion to $2.045-$2.070 billion, reflecting strength in first-half results. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA guidance raised from $211-$233 million to $246-$260 million, reflecting gross margin improvement and revenue growth exceeding expectations. Source
  • New: Company revised tariff forecast. Section 301 forced labor tariffs of 10%-12.5% lower than previously expected, resulting in approximately $7 million net improvement to full-year gross tariff expense. Source

Second quarter results

  • Net sales increased modestly: Q2 net sales increased 2.0% to $612.2 million from $600.4 million. On a constant currency basis, sales grew 2.8%. For the first six months, net sales increased 5.7% to $1,299.7 million. Source
  • Gross margin expanded substantially: GAAP gross margin increased 620 basis points to 50.1% from 43.9%. Non-GAAP gross margin increased 460 basis points to 48.5% from 43.9%. Improvement was driven by select price increases, cost reductions, and rationalization of lower-margin business. Source
  • Operating income surged: Income from operations increased 54.5% to $114.8 million from $74.3 million in Q2 2025. Non-GAAP operating income increased 42.7% to $107.3 million. Operating expense increased only 1.5% on a GAAP basis despite higher sales. Source
  • Net income and earnings per share improved: GAAP net income from continuing operations increased 66.6% to $75.8 million. Diluted EPS from continuing operations increased to $0.40 from $0.24. Non-GAAP net income from continuing operations was $73.8 million, up 89.7%. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA grew substantially: Adjusted EBITDA increased 35.8% to $124.9 million from $92.0 million in Q2 2025. For the first six months, Adjusted EBITDA was $288.6 million, up 33.1% from $216.9 million. Source

Segment performance

  • Golf Equipment segment drove growth: Golf Equipment net sales increased 4.5% to $430.3 million, driven by strength across clubs and balls. Clubs grew 1.2%, while balls surged 14.8%. Operating income increased 31.6% to $100.3 million with operating margin improving to 23.3% from 18.5%. Source
  • Apparel segment faced headwinds: Apparel, Gear and Other net sales decreased 3.6% to $181.9 million due to timing of shipments between quarters and foreign exchange headwinds in Asia, partially offset by strength in TravisMathew sales. Operating income increased 14.0% to $33.4 million with margin improving to 18.4% from 15.5%. Source

“We also continued to make significant progress on our capital allocation strategy with the repurchase of an additional $42 million of our common stock and the repayment in full of our $258 million of convertible notes and the $163 million that was remaining on our term loan B.”

Chip Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer

Product and geographic mix

  • Golf balls showed strong growth: Golf balls sales increased 14.8% in Q2 and 8.1% year-to-date to $219.4 million. This represented the strongest product category growth, reflecting success of new ball products. Source
  • United States market remained steady: U.S. net sales increased 3.4% in Q2 to $414.7 million. Year-to-date, U.S. sales increased 5.7% to $863.5 million, representing the largest geographic market. Source
  • International markets mixed: Europe was relatively flat at $64.8 million, up 0.3%. Asia declined 1.7% to $90.3 million due to foreign exchange headwinds. Year-to-date, Europe was strong, up 14.8% with Asia down 2.4%. Source

Tariff environment and refunds

  • Full-year tariff expense revised down: Full-year gross tariff expense now expected to be approximately $43 million, representing a net improvement of approximately $7 million compared to prior guidance. Full-year gross tariff expense in 2025 was $34 million. Source
  • Tariff refunds received and expected: Company received all Phase 1 tariff refunds of approximately $11 million, recognized in Q2. Almost $7 million of Phase 2 refunds expected in Q3, with balance in second half. Approximately $7 million to apply for in Phase 3. Total refund potential approximately $50 million. Source

“While there is more opportunity ahead, we are pleased with the significant progress we have made, both operationally and financially, only six months into our return as a pure play golf company. We also remain encouraged by overall market conditions and the continued resilience of the golf consumer.”

Chip Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer

Capital allocation and debt management

  • Share repurchases continued: Company repurchased $42 million of common stock in Q2 and $84 million year-to-date through June 2026. A total of 5.9 million shares repurchased with $120 million remaining under current repurchase authorization. Source
  • Debt repaid in full: In Q2, company repaid in full the $258 million convertible notes due May 2026 and the remaining $163 million outstanding under term loan B facility. This accelerated debt payoff demonstrates strong liquidity and capital management. Source
  • Net cash position established: As of June 30, 2026, company had net cash position with unrestricted cash of $278 million and debt of $74 million (including $23 million financing leases). Company is no longer in net debt position. Source

Balance sheet and working capital

  • Cash flow from operations affected by working capital: Operating cash flow from continuing operations for first six months was $80.5 million, reflecting strong net income but offset by working capital changes. Cash position declined from $903 million at year-end due to debt repayment. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 August 2026

  • Phase 2 tariff refunds expected in Q3: Company expects to receive almost $7 million of Phase 2 tariff refunds in Q3, with balance of Phase 2 refunds in second half of 2026. Source
  • Phase 3 tariff refunds to be applied for: Company expects to apply for approximately $7 million in Phase 3 tariff refunds, bringing total refund potential to approximately $50 million. Source
  • Fewer product launches in H2 2026: Company notes second half will be impacted by fewer new product launches compared to 2025, including shift of new irons launch into 2027. Source
  • Q3 sales and EBITDA guidance provided: Company expects Q3 2026 net sales of $415-435 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $10-20 million, reflecting planned reduction in product launches. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Company committed to margin expansion through price increases, cost reductions, and lower-margin business rationalization, delivering 620 bps GAAP margin improvement in Q2. Source
  • On track: Company continuing execution as pure play golf company following Topgolf and Jack Wolfskin dispositions, with full debt repayment ahead demonstrating progress. Source
  • On track: Company executing planned cost-saving initiatives with corporate overhead savings helping offset inflationary pressures in Q2. Source
  • Ahead: Company exceeded prior Q2 guidance provided in Q1, with net sales at high end and Adjusted EBITDA significantly above guidance range. 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.