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Church & Dwight Co. Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 1 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 new, 11 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Reported net sales rose 0.2%: Net sales were $1,469.3 million, against $1,467.1 million a year earlier. The 2025 strategic portfolio actions were a factor in the reported figure. Source
  • Adjusted EPS of $0.95, up 4.4%: Reported diluted EPS was $0.91 against $0.89; adjusted EPS was $0.95, up 4.4%. Source
  • Domestic organic sales up 5.4%: Consumer Domestic net sales were $1,117.7 million, down 1.1% reported, reflecting 2025 portfolio actions. Organic sales rose 5.4%. Source
  • Launches to drive half of growth: Management said new product launches this year are expected to account for half of organic growth. Source
  • Adjusted gross margin up 130 bps: Adjusted gross margin was 46.4%, up 130 basis points, on volume, productivity and mix from acquisitions and portfolio actions. Source
  • Operating cash flow $174.8 million: Cash from operations was $174.8 million, down $10.9 million, as higher cash earnings were offset by working capital growth. Source
  • Brands grew faster than categories: Management said its largest categories grew about 3% on average, and its brands grew faster and gained share. Source
  • Acquisitions in fast-moving consumables: Management said it will keep pursuing acquisitions that meet its criteria, with emphasis on fast-moving consumable products. Source

“Our brands continue to perform exceptionally well in this dynamic macroeconomic environment.”

Rick Dierker, Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Organic sales growth Sourcefull year 20263% to 4%Kept
Reported net sales growth Sourcefull year 2026-1.5% to -0.5%Kept
Organic sales growth Sourcesecond quarter 2026approximately 3%New
Reported net sales growth Sourcesecond quarter 2026decline of approximately 1%New
Gross margin expansion Sourcefull year 2026approximately 100 basis pointsKept
Gross margin expansion Sourcesecond quarter 2026approximately 50 basis pointsNew
Marketing as percentage of sales Sourcefull year 2026approximately 11%
Reported EPS growth Sourcefull year 202618% to 22%Kept
Adjusted EPS growth Sourcefull year 20265% to 8%Kept
Diluted EPS, reported Sourcefull year 2026$3.57 to $3.67Kept
Diluted EPS, adjusted Sourcefull year 2026$3.71 to $3.81Kept
Adjusted EPS, excluded ERP cost Sourcefull year 20261% impactKept
Adjusted EPS Sourcesecond quarter 2026$0.88 per shareNew
Adjusted tax rate Sourcefull year 2026approximately 21.5%Kept
Tax rate Sourcesecond quarter 2026approximately 21%New
Cash from operations Sourcefull year 2026approximately $1.15 billionKept
Capital expenditures Sourcefull year 2026approximately $130 million or approximately 2% of salesKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: Full-year 2026 guidance maintained; management said it believes it can offset the transitory Middle East pressure. Source
  • New guidance: Second-quarter 2026 guidance given for organic sales, reported sales, gross margin, tax rate and adjusted EPS. The prior release gave first-quarter guidance only. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Reported net sales rose 0.2%: Net sales were $1,469.3 million, against $1,467.1 million a year earlier. The 2025 strategic portfolio actions were a factor in the reported figure. Source
  • Growth tied to innovation and distribution: Management attributed growth to innovation and distribution wins across all domestic classes of trade. Source
  • Adjusted EPS of $0.95, up 4.4%: Reported diluted EPS was $0.91 against $0.89; adjusted EPS was $0.95, up 4.4%. Source
  • Adjusted operating income up $0.1 million: Reported income from operations was $291.0 million, against $295.3 million. Adjusted income from operations was $302.6 million. Source
  • Marketing and Touchland offset gains: Organic sales and gross margin growth was largely offset by higher marketing and by Touchland SG&A and amortization. Source

Segments and regions

  • Domestic organic sales up 5.4%: Consumer Domestic net sales were $1,117.7 million, down 1.1% reported, reflecting 2025 portfolio actions. Organic sales rose 5.4%. Source
  • Several domestic brands grew: Organic growth came from THERABREATH, ARM & HAMMER cat litter, HERO and OXICLEAN, while WATERPIK flossers declined. Source
  • International sales up 4.6%: International net sales were $273.9 million, up 4.6% reported. Organic growth was 3.7%, with higher volume and lower price and mix. Source
  • Middle East sales lower: International growth was led by THERABREATH, HERO and BATISTE, partly offset by lower sales in the Middle East region. Source
  • Specialty Products up 3.1%: Specialty Products net sales were $77.7 million, up 3.1%, with organic growth from higher volume and higher price and mix. Source

“We delivered a strong start to 2026 and continued to grow our share.”

Rick Dierker, Chief Executive Officer

Innovation and new products

  • Launches to drive half of growth: Management said new product launches this year are expected to account for half of organic growth. Source
  • THERABREATH toothpaste line launched: THERABREATH launched a three-offering toothpaste line for fresh breath, deep cleaning, whitening and gum health. Source
  • Baking Soda laundry detergent added: A Baking Soda Fresh laundry detergent with 10x more baking soda expands the value tier of the ARM & HAMMER laundry line. Source
  • TROJAN G.O.A.T. top-rated on Amazon: TROJAN G.O.A.T. is the number one rated TROJAN branded condom on Amazon, at 4.7 stars, since its Q4 2025 launch. Source
  • HERO MIGHTY SHIELD introduced: HERO MIGHTY SHIELD is an under-makeup pimple protection film that seals blemishes while they heal. Source

Costs, margins and tax

  • Adjusted gross margin up 130 bps: Adjusted gross margin was 46.4%, up 130 basis points, on volume, productivity and mix from acquisitions and portfolio actions. Source
  • Marketing spend rose: Marketing expense was $139.4 million, up $2.8 million, or 9.5% of net sales. Management said it continues investing in brands and new products. Source
  • Adjusted SG&A ratio up 110 bps: Adjusted SG&A was $239.4 million, or 16.3% of net sales, with the increase from Touchland amortization and SG&A. Source
  • Touchland restricted stock charges: Reported SG&A of $251.0 million included $6.3 million of charges on restricted stock issued for the Touchland acquisition. Source
  • Adjusted tax rate down to 20.3%: The adjusted effective tax rate was 20.3%, down from 21.8%, due to lower first quarter state taxes. Source

“The strength of our brands, last year’s strategic portfolio actions, and the new growth initiatives give us continued confidence as we progress through 2026.”

Rick Dierker, Chief Executive Officer

Cash flow and capital

  • Operating cash flow $174.8 million: Cash from operations was $174.8 million, down $10.9 million, as higher cash earnings were offset by working capital growth. Source
  • Capital spending rose: Capital expenditures were $31.9 million in the quarter, up $15.4 million from the prior year. Source
  • Debt and cash at March 31: Total debt was $2.2 billion and cash on hand was $503.4 million, up from $409.0 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Fewer diluted shares, higher dividend: Diluted weighted average shares were 238.1 million against 248.0 million. The dividend per share was $0.31, up from $0.29. Source
  • VMS agreement proceeds received: Financing cash flow included $36.2 million of proceeds from the VMS Transition Services Agreement. Source

Full-year cost and timing assumptions

  • SG&A ratio higher than 2025: Management expects SG&A as a percentage of sales to be higher than 2025, from Touchland, growth initiatives, ecommerce and international. Source
  • Gross margin gains to offset costs: Management expects volume, productivity and mix to fully offset inflation, tariff costs, and commodity and transportation headwinds in 2026. Source
  • EPS growth weighted to second half: Management expects 2026 EPS growth mainly in the second half, as marketing and Touchland amortization weigh on the first half. Source

Demand, market share and acquisitions

  • Brands grew faster than categories: Management said its largest categories grew about 3% on average, and its brands grew faster and gained share. Source
  • Acquisitions in fast-moving consumables: Management said it will keep pursuing acquisitions that meet its criteria, with emphasis on fast-moving consumable products. Source
  • Balance sheet supports deal activity: Management said cash flow and the balance sheet give liquidity to pursue more acquisitions and growth investments. Source

Coming up, as management said on 1 May 2026

  • HERO facial cleansers launch: Three HERO facial cleansers launch nationally mid-year 2026 for a range of acne cleansing needs. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Organic volume growth Source5.3%
Global online share of total consumer sales Source24%

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management said the Middle East situation is fluid and adds some volume and inflation pressure on commodities and transportation. Source
  • Regulatory: Tariff costs were one of the cost pressures absorbed within first quarter gross margin. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Adjusted EPS of $0.95 exceeded the $0.92 first quarter expectation. Source
  • Ahead: Organic sales growth of 5.0% was above the 3% first quarter expectation. Source
  • Ahead: Reported sales rose 0.2%, above the 1% decline expected for the quarter. 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.