greeksoup/ stock research

Colgate-Palmolive Co.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 October 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Sales rose in every category: Net sales rose 4.6% to $5,369 million and organic sales rose 3.6%. Both increased in all four categories and in four of five divisions. Source
  • Base EPS grew faster than GAAP: GAAP diluted EPS was $0.94, up 3% from $0.91. Base Business diluted EPS was $0.97, up 7%; the $0.03 difference reflects Strategic Growth and Productivity Program charges. Source
  • Latin America led sales growth: Latin America net sales rose 12.5% to $1,326 million, with organic sales up 6.0%. Operating profit rose 17% to $392 million, a 29.6% margin, up 100 basis points. Source
  • North America sales and profit fell: North America net sales fell 1.7% to $905 million. Organic sales fell 1.6%, with volume down 3.7% and pricing up 2.2%. Operating profit fell 11% to $177 million. Source
  • Gross margin rose 80 to 90 basis points: GAAP gross margin was 60.2% versus 59.4% a year earlier. Base Business gross margin was 60.3%. Both measures increased year over year. Source
  • Free cash flow before dividends rose: Nine-month free cash flow before dividends was $2,513 million versus $2,358 million. Operating cash flow was $2,913 million versus $2,745 million; capital expenditures were $400 million versus $387 million. Source
  • Consumer uncertainty and macro volatility: Management cited consumer uncertainty and ongoing macroeconomic volatility. It said its growth focus and P&L flexibility give confidence to navigate these challenges. Source

“As was the case last quarter, gross profit, 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

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales growth Sourcefull year 2026up 4% to 5%
GAAP earnings per share growth Sourcefull year 2026double-digitKept
Base Business earnings per share growth Sourcefull year 20265% to 7%Raised from mid-single-digit

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Base Business earnings per share growth guidance raised to 5% to 7%, from mid-single-digit. Source
  • Guidance raised: GAAP gross profit margin guidance raised to up for full year 2026, from roughly flat. Source
  • Guidance raised: Base Business gross profit margin guidance raised to up for full year 2026, from roughly flat. Source

Quarter results and profit

  • Sales rose in every category: Net sales rose 4.6% to $5,369 million and organic sales rose 3.6%. Both increased in all four categories and in four of five divisions. Source
  • Base EPS grew faster than GAAP: GAAP diluted EPS was $0.94, up 3% from $0.91. Base Business diluted EPS was $0.97, up 7%; the $0.03 difference reflects Strategic Growth and Productivity Program charges. Source
  • Operating profit rose on both bases: GAAP operating profit was $1,088 million, up 3%. Base operating profit was $1,117 million, up 5%. Operating margin was 20.3% GAAP and 20.8% Base Business. Source

Segments and regions

  • Latin America led sales growth: Latin America net sales rose 12.5% to $1,326 million, with organic sales up 6.0%. Operating profit rose 17% to $392 million, a 29.6% margin, up 100 basis points. Source
  • North America sales and profit fell: North America net sales fell 1.7% to $905 million. Organic sales fell 1.6%, with volume down 3.7% and pricing up 2.2%. Operating profit fell 11% to $177 million. Source
  • Asia Pacific and EMEA diverged: Asia Pacific net sales rose 3.5% and organic sales 4.6%, but operating profit fell 1% to $211 million. EMEA net sales rose 1.4% and operating profit rose 8% to $262 million. Source
  • Hill's Pet Nutrition sales grew: Hill’s net sales rose 5.6% to $1,205 million, with organic sales up 5.7%. Operating profit rose 5% to $267 million; the margin was 22.2%, down 20 basis points. Source
  • Emerging markets grew faster: Emerging markets net sales rose 8.0%, with organic sales up 5.4%. Developed markets organic sales rose 2.3%, with pricing up 2.2%. Source

“We remain focused on executing our 2030 strategy, with an emphasis on driving premium, science-based innovation, and we continue to invest behind our brands globally supported by another double-digit increase in advertising this quarter.”

Noel Wallace, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Volume, pricing and categories

  • Volume and pricing both added: Total company organic sales growth of 3.6% included volume up 1.7% and pricing up 2.0%. Foreign exchange added 1.0% to reported net sales growth. Source
  • Volume improvement sequence continued: Management cited a fourth quarter of sequential improvement in worldwide volume growth. The second-quarter release had cited the third consecutive quarter of that improvement. Source
  • Private label pet food sales declined: Lower private label pet food sales reduced reported organic sales growth by 0.2 percentage points. The company is exiting the private label pet food business. Source

Costs, margins and advertising

  • Gross margin rose 80 to 90 basis points: GAAP gross margin was 60.2% versus 59.4% a year earlier. Base Business gross margin was 60.3%. Both measures increased year over year. Source
  • SG&A rose to 39.3% of sales: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $2,111 million, or 39.3% of net sales, versus 38.4% a year earlier. Other (income) expense, net was $34 million versus $19 million. Source
  • Program charges booked in corporate: Strategic Growth and Productivity Program charges totaled $29 million in the quarter and $327 million for nine months. They sit within corporate operating loss of $221 million. Source
  • Advertising rose double digits: Advertising was $775 million in the quarter, versus $674 million a year earlier. For nine months it was $2,286 million versus $2,020 million. Source
  • Effective tax rate increased: GAAP effective tax rate was 23.6% versus 22.8% a year earlier. The Base Business effective tax rate was 23.3%. Source

“Despite consumer uncertainty and ongoing macroeconomic volatility, our proactive focus on driving growth while building flexibility into our P&L gives us confidence we can navigate these challenges while continuing to deliver consistent, compounded earnings per share growth”

Noel Wallace, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Cash flow and balance sheet

  • Free cash flow before dividends rose: Nine-month free cash flow before dividends was $2,513 million versus $2,358 million. Operating cash flow was $2,913 million versus $2,745 million; capital expenditures were $400 million versus $387 million. Source
  • Net debt declined since year-end: Debt less cash and marketable securities was $6,104 million at September 30, 2026, versus $6,593 million at December 31, 2025. Total debt was $7,716 million versus $7,988 million. Source
  • Cash balance rose: Cash and cash equivalents were $1,527 million at September 30, 2026, versus $1,288 million at December 31, 2025. Source

Shareholder returns and share count

  • Dividends and buybacks in nine months: Dividends paid were $1,308 million versus $1,300 million. Purchases of treasury shares were $927 million versus $804 million. Source
  • Diluted share count declined: Average diluted shares were 799.7 in the third quarter, versus 810.2 a year earlier. Average basic shares were 796.9, versus 807.8. Source
  • Stock option proceeds rose: Proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $178 million for nine months, versus $83 million a year earlier. Source

Strategy and management commentary

  • 2030 strategy and premium innovation: Management said it remains focused on executing the 2030 strategy, with an emphasis on premium, science-based innovation, and continued brand investment. Source
  • Consumer uncertainty and macro volatility: Management cited consumer uncertainty and ongoing macroeconomic volatility. It said its growth focus and P&L flexibility give confidence to navigate these challenges. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Global toothpaste market share, year to date Source41.4%
Global manual toothbrush market share, year to date Source33.1%

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management cited consumer uncertainty and ongoing macroeconomic volatility as conditions the business is working through. Source
  • Demand: Lower private label pet food sales reduced reported organic sales growth by 0.2 percentage points this quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said it is continuing to deliver consistent, compounded earnings per share growth and long-term shareholder value. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it remains focused on executing the 2030 strategy, with emphasis on premium, science-based innovation. 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.