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Cabot Corp.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EPS $1.67, diluted $0.12: Diluted EPS was $0.12 and Adjusted EPS $1.67, against $1.86 and $1.90 in the third quarter of fiscal 2025. Net income attributable to Cabot was $6 million. Source
  • Certain items cut $1.55 per share: Certain items after tax reduced per-share earnings by $1.55, compared with $0.04 a year earlier. Source
  • Reinforcement EBIT fell $31 million: Reinforcement Materials EBIT was $97 million, down $31 million, mainly from lower gross profit per ton on calendar 2026 customer agreements, partly offset by higher volumes and mix. Source
  • Performance Chemicals EBIT rose $11 million: Performance Chemicals EBIT was $68 million, up $11 million on higher volumes and higher gross profit per ton. Source
  • Battery capacity expansion in US, China: A program to expand global conductive additive capacity in battery materials was advanced, with targeted investments in the United States and China. Source
  • Quarter effective tax rate 79%: Tax expense was $46 million, an effective tax rate of 79%, against 28% a year earlier. Source
  • Keohane retiring as CEO: Sean Keohane, President and CEO for more than 10 years, said he is preparing to retire after nearly 25 years with Cabot. Source

“Overall, our results demonstrate the strength of our execution as we continue to navigate the current market conditions”

Sean Keohane, Cabot President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted EPS Sourcefiscal 2026 (full year)$6.15 to $6.45 per share
Operating tax rate Sourcefiscal 2026 (full year)28% to 30%Raised from 27% to 29%
Battery materials EBITDA Sourcefiscal 2026 (full year)approximately $40 millionKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year operating tax rate guidance moved up to 28% to 30% from 27% to 29%. Source
  • Guidance kept: Battery materials EBITDA expectation of approximately $40 million for fiscal 2026 was reaffirmed. Source
  • New: Erica McLaughlin elected to succeed Sean Keohane as President and CEO and to the Board, effective October 1, 2026. Source
  • New: A program was advanced to expand global conductive additive capacity in battery materials, with targeted investments in the United States and China. Source
  • Ended: Carbon black production ceased at the Campana, Argentina plant. Source

Results and earnings

  • Adjusted EPS $1.67, diluted $0.12: Diluted EPS was $0.12 and Adjusted EPS $1.67, against $1.86 and $1.90 in the third quarter of fiscal 2025. Net income attributable to Cabot was $6 million. Source
  • Certain items cut $1.55 per share: Certain items after tax reduced per-share earnings by $1.55, compared with $0.04 a year earlier. Source
  • Sales rose to $982 million: Net sales and other operating revenues were $982 million, against $923 million a year earlier. Source
  • Nine-month Adjusted EPS $4.82: For nine months, diluted EPS was $2.77 and Adjusted EPS $4.82, against $5.22 and $5.56 a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EPS up 4% sequentially: Management said Adjusted EPS rose 4% from the prior quarter, driven by Performance Chemicals. Source

Segment results

  • Reinforcement EBIT fell $31 million: Reinforcement Materials EBIT was $97 million, down $31 million, mainly from lower gross profit per ton on calendar 2026 customer agreements, partly offset by higher volumes and mix. Source
  • Performance Chemicals EBIT rose $11 million: Performance Chemicals EBIT was $68 million, up $11 million on higher volumes and higher gross profit per ton. Source
  • Reinforcement volumes up 5%: Reinforcement Materials volumes rose 5% overall, with Asia and the Americas higher, including the Indonesia capacity addition and the Mexico acquisition. Source

“We are pleased with the continued momentum in battery materials this fiscal year and reaffirm our expectation of approximately $40 million of EBITDA in fiscal 2026”

Sean Keohane, Cabot President and Chief Executive Officer

Battery and specialty products

  • Battery capacity expansion in US, China: A program to expand global conductive additive capacity in battery materials was advanced, with targeted investments in the United States and China. Source
  • Battery momentum continued this year: Management said it was pleased with the continued momentum in battery materials this fiscal year. Source
  • Fumed metal oxides volumes rose: Fumed metal oxides volumes increased in the quarter, driven by growth in electronics applications. Source

Costs and margins

  • Certain items hit cost of sales: Of the $78 million pre-tax certain items, $46 million was recorded in cost of sales and $2 million in selling and administrative expenses. Source
  • Restructuring and plan charges: Global restructuring activities were $42 million pre-tax in the quarter, and employee benefit plan settlement and other charges were $30 million. Source
  • Reinforcement EBITDA margin 20%: Reinforcement Materials EBITDA margin was 20% in the quarter, compared with 21% in the March quarter. Source
  • Performance Chemicals EBITDA margin 26%: Performance Chemicals EBITDA margin was 26%, compared with 25% in the March quarter. Source
  • Price increases preceded raw material costs: Performance Chemicals gross profit per ton rose on price increases implemented ahead of rising raw material costs, plus a favorable product mix. Source

“As I prepare to retire after nearly 25 years with Cabot and more than 10 years as President and CEO, I am incredibly proud of what the Cabot team has accomplished”

Sean Keohane, Cabot President and Chief Executive Officer

Demand and market conditions

  • Environment described as dynamic: Management described the macroeconomic and geopolitical environment as dynamic, while its teams continued to execute at a high level. Source
  • Regional Reinforcement volumes diverged: Reinforcement Materials volumes rose 10% in Asia Pacific and 4% in the Americas, but fell 4% in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Source
  • Battery demand from EVs and storage: Battery materials volumes rose on higher demand for electric vehicles and battery energy storage systems, and stronger participation with battery manufacturers. Source

Cash flow and liquidity

  • Operating cash flow $75 million: Operating cash flow was $75 million; capital expenditures were $38 million and dividends paid were $24 million. Source
  • Discretionary free cash flow $91 million: Discretionary free cash flow was $91 million in the quarter and $225 million for the nine months. Source
  • Liquidity $1.3 billion, net debt 1.4x: Available liquidity was $1.3 billion at June 30, and net debt to EBITDA was 1.4 times, against 1.5 times at March 31. Source
  • Working capital absorbed $44 million: Net working capital absorbed $44 million in the quarter, which the company linked to rapidly rising raw material costs. Source
  • Cash balance $250 million: Cash and cash equivalents ended the quarter at $250 million. Source

Tax rate and charges

  • Quarter effective tax rate 79%: Tax expense was $46 million, an effective tax rate of 79%, against 28% a year earlier. Source
  • Net discrete tax expense of $19 million: The tax provision included a net discrete tax expense of $19 million, primarily related to changes in valuation allowance. Source
  • Year-to-date operating tax rate 29%: On a year-to-date basis, the operating tax rate was 29% as of June 30, 2026. Source

Leadership and sustainability

  • Keohane retiring as CEO: Sean Keohane, President and CEO for more than 10 years, said he is preparing to retire after nearly 25 years with Cabot. Source
  • McLaughlin to succeed as CEO: Keohane described Erica McLaughlin as having deep knowledge of the businesses, customers and strategy; she takes over on October 1, 2026. Source
  • EcoVadis Platinum rating: The company was awarded a Platinum rating from EcoVadis for sustainability performance, for the sixth consecutive year. Source

Coming up, as management said on 3 August 2026

  • CEO transition effective October 1: Erica McLaughlin is to succeed Sean Keohane as President and CEO, with the change effective October 1, 2026. Source
  • Battery investments to support growth: Management said the battery capacity investments are intended to support expected global battery demand growth and wider participation with battery manufacturers. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Reinforcement Materials global volume change, year over year Source5%
Reinforcement Materials Asia Pacific volume change, year over year Source10%
Reinforcement Materials Europe, Middle East, Africa volume change, year over year Source(4%)
Reinforcement Materials Americas volume change, year over year Source4%

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management said the macroeconomic and geopolitical environment remains dynamic. Source
  • Demand: Calendar 2026 customer agreements are lowering gross profit per ton in Reinforcement Materials. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management reaffirmed the approximately $40 million battery materials EBITDA expectation for the full fiscal year. Source
  • Not stated: The Adjusted EPS guidance range was tightened after year-to-date results and fourth-quarter expectations were taken into account. 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.