greeksoup/ stock research

Colgate-Palmolive Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 31 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 raised, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales and organic sales grew: Net sales were $5,361 million, up from $5,110 million a year earlier. Organic sales rose 2.4% on a non-GAAP basis. Six-month net sales were $10,686 million. Source
  • GAAP earnings fell, Base Business rose: Diluted earnings per share were $0.86, down 5% from $0.91. Base Business diluted earnings per share were $0.99, up 8% from $0.92, excluding the charges and costs the company adjusts for. Source
  • Base Business operating profit rose: Reported operating profit was $1,016 million, down 6%. Base Business operating profit rose 5% to $1,145 million, with a 21.4% margin. Source
  • Latin America led division growth: Latin America net sales rose 13.7% to $1,372 million, with organic sales up 5.3%. Operating profit rose 14% to $418 million, a 30.4% margin. Source
  • Gross margin rose 140 basis points: Gross profit margin was 61.5% against 60.1%, up 140 basis points. Six-month gross profit margin was 61.0% against 60.4%. Source
  • Free cash flow before dividends rose: Free cash flow before dividends was $1,476 million for six months, against $1,252 million, after capital expenditures of $266 million. Source
  • 2030 strategy guides investment: The company said it is executing against its 2030 strategy with a focus on premium, science-led innovation and omni-channel demand generation. Source
  • Restructuring charges booked in Corporate: Strategic Growth and Productivity Program charges were $129 million in the quarter and $300 million for six months, recorded in Corporate operating profit. Source

“Net sales and organic sales grew in three of four categories and in four of five divisions with worldwide organic volume growth improving sequentially for the third consecutive quarter.”

Noel Wallace, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales growth SourceFull year 2026up 2% to 6%Kept
Organic sales growth SourceFull year 20261% to 4%Kept
GAAP gross profit margin SourceFull year 2026roughly flatRaised from down
GAAP earnings per share growth SourceFull year 2026double-digitKept
Base Business gross profit margin SourceFull year 2026roughly flatRaised from down
Base Business earnings per share growth SourceFull year 2026mid-single-digitRaised from low- to mid-single-digit

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: GAAP gross profit margin guidance moved from down to roughly flat for full year 2026. Source
  • Guidance raised: Base Business gross profit margin guidance moved from down to roughly flat for full year 2026. Source
  • Guidance raised: Base Business earnings per share growth guidance moved from low- to mid-single-digit to mid-single-digit. Source
  • Guidance kept: Net sales, organic sales and GAAP earnings per share guidance were maintained. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales and organic sales grew: Net sales were $5,361 million, up from $5,110 million a year earlier. Organic sales rose 2.4% on a non-GAAP basis. Six-month net sales were $10,686 million. Source
  • GAAP earnings fell, Base Business rose: Diluted earnings per share were $0.86, down 5% from $0.91. Base Business diluted earnings per share were $0.99, up 8% from $0.92, excluding the charges and costs the company adjusts for. Source
  • Base Business operating profit rose: Reported operating profit was $1,016 million, down 6%. Base Business operating profit rose 5% to $1,145 million, with a 21.4% margin. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose for six months: Net cash provided by operations was $1,742 million for the first six months, up from $1,484 million a year earlier. Source

Segments and regions

  • Latin America led division growth: Latin America net sales rose 13.7% to $1,372 million, with organic sales up 5.3%. Operating profit rose 14% to $418 million, a 30.4% margin. Source
  • North America sales declined: North America net sales fell 3.0% to $891 million, with organic volume down 3.9%. Operating profit rose 3% to $192 million, a 21.6% margin. Source
  • Europe, Middle East and Africa grew: The Europe, Middle East and Africa division's net sales rose 3.5% to $1,121 million, with organic sales up 2.0%. Operating profit rose 9% to $263 million. Source
  • Asia Pacific and Hill's sales grew: Asia Pacific net sales rose 4.9% to $782 million, with operating profit up 3%. Hill's Pet Nutrition net sales rose 3.4% to $1,195 million, with operating profit up 2%. Source

“Gross profit margin, operating profit, operating profit margin, net income, earnings per share and free cash flow all increased year over year.”

Noel Wallace, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Margins and costs

  • Gross margin rose 140 basis points: Gross profit margin was 61.5% against 60.1%, up 140 basis points. Six-month gross profit margin was 61.0% against 60.4%. Source
  • Advertising spending increased: Advertising expense was $777 million against $678 million a year earlier. Six-month advertising was $1,511 million against $1,346 million. Source
  • Selling and administrative ratio rose: Selling, general and administrative expenses were 39.7% of net sales against 38.4%, up 130 basis points on a GAAP basis, and 120 basis points on a Base Business basis. Source

Demand, volume and pricing

  • Volume and pricing both added: Organic sales growth comprised organic volume of 0.8% and pricing of 1.6%. Foreign exchange added 2.4% to growth; the Prime100 acquisition added 0.1% to as-reported volume. Source
  • Toothpaste share held near leadership: Global toothpaste market share was 41.3% year to date, against 41.1% reported for the first quarter. Manual toothbrush share was 32.7%, against 32.6%. Source

“We delivered these strong results while continuing to invest in the long-term health of our business with a 15% increase in advertising this quarter.”

Noel Wallace, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Cash flow and shareholder returns

  • Free cash flow before dividends rose: Free cash flow before dividends was $1,476 million for six months, against $1,252 million, after capital expenditures of $266 million. Source
  • Dividends and buybacks increased: Dividends paid were $879 million for six months, against $880 million. Treasury share purchases were $597 million, against $516 million a year earlier. Source
  • Debt fell from year-end: Total debt was $7,857 million at June 30, 2026, against $7,988 million at December 31, 2025. Debt less cash and marketable securities was $6,404 million. Source
  • Restructuring cash adjustment increased: Restructuring and termination benefits, net of cash, were a $232 million adjustment in the six-month cash flow reconciliation, against a $13 million adjustment a year earlier. Source

Strategy and investment

  • 2030 strategy guides investment: The company said it is executing against its 2030 strategy with a focus on premium, science-led innovation and omni-channel demand generation. Source
  • Restructuring charges booked in Corporate: Strategic Growth and Productivity Program charges were $129 million in the quarter and $300 million for six months, recorded in Corporate operating profit. Source

Coming up, as management said on 31 July 2026

  • Investment continues in second half: Management said strong levels of investment will continue through the second half of 2026 as it executes the 2030 strategy. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Global toothpaste market share, year to date Source41.3%
Global manual toothbrush market share, year to date Source32.7%

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management cited a difficult operating environment during the quarter. Source
  • External: Management said it expects volatile market conditions to continue for the balance of 2026. Source
  • Demand: Lower private label pet food sales reduced organic sales growth by 0.4% in the quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said it still expects net sales growth within the 2% to 6% range. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it is executing against its 2030 strategy. 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.