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Clorox Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 11 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales slipped 1% on consumption: Net sales were $1.67 billion, against $1.69 billion a year earlier. Organic sales also fell 1%, with shipments ahead of consumption at several businesses partly offsetting lower consumption. Source
  • Adjusted EPS fell on tax and gross profit: Adjusted EPS was $1.39 against $1.55, a 10% decline. The company cited lapping prior-year tax benefits and lower gross profit. Source
  • Household segment EBIT declined: Adjusted EBIT declined 54%, mainly on higher manufacturing and logistics costs and lower net sales, partly offset by cost savings. Source
  • Order fulfillment problems cost share: Earlier order fulfillment problems led to consumption and market share losses, which management ties to its full-year expectations. Source
  • Gross margin down 60 basis points: Gross margin was 43.2% against 43.8%, with higher manufacturing and logistics costs partly offset by cost savings. Source
  • Inventory draw-down is main driver: Management called the inventory draw-down the most significant driver of the fiscal 2026 expectations and described that driver as transitory. Source
  • GOJO acquisition agreement signed: The company entered a definitive agreement to buy GOJO Industries, adding Purell and expanding its health and hygiene position. Source

“Our second‑quarter results were generally in line with our expectations and reflect continued progress against our strategic priorities.”

Chair and CEO Linda Rendle

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales growth (GAAP) Sourcefiscal year 2026down 6% to 10%Kept
Organic sales growth Sourcefiscal year 2026down 5% to 9%Kept
Gross margin change Sourcefiscal year 2026down 50 to 100 basis pointsKept
Selling and administrative expenses Sourcefiscal year 2026about 16% of net salesKept
Advertising and sales promotion Sourcefiscal year 2026about 11% of net salesKept
Effective tax rate Sourcefiscal year 2026about 24%Kept
Diluted EPS Sourcefiscal year 2026$5.60 to $5.95Kept
Adjusted EPS Sourcefiscal year 2026$5.95 to $6.30Kept
Digital investment excluded from adjusted EPS Sourcefiscal year 2026about 35 centsKept
Inventory draw-down effect on diluted EPS Sourcefiscal year 2026about 90 centsKept
Digital investment operating expenses Sourcefiscal year 2026approximately $60 ($46 after tax)Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • New: The company entered a definitive agreement to acquire GOJO Industries, adding the Purell brand. Source
  • Guidance kept: Full-year guidance for net sales, gross margin and adjusted EPS was maintained, with the other listed elements also confirmed. Source
  • Ended: The final phase of the U.S. ERP implementation was completed in January; the prior release had said it was on track for winter. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales slipped 1% on consumption: Net sales were $1.67 billion, against $1.69 billion a year earlier. Organic sales also fell 1%, with shipments ahead of consumption at several businesses partly offsetting lower consumption. Source
  • Diluted EPS fell 16%: Diluted EPS was $1.29 against $1.54 a year earlier. Cost reasons for the change are covered under costs and margins. Source
  • Adjusted EPS fell on tax and gross profit: Adjusted EPS was $1.39 against $1.55, a 10% decline. The company cited lapping prior-year tax benefits and lower gross profit. Source

Segment results

  • Household segment EBIT declined: Adjusted EBIT declined 54%, mainly on higher manufacturing and logistics costs and lower net sales, partly offset by cost savings. Source
  • Health and Wellness EBIT slipped: Cleaning and Professional Products adjusted EBIT fell 2% on higher manufacturing and logistics costs, partly offset by higher sales. Source
  • Lifestyle EBIT rose despite lower sales: Lifestyle adjusted EBIT rose 3% while net sales fell 5%. Source
  • International profit rose on sales: Sales outside the U.S. rose on price mix, currency and volume, and segment adjusted EBIT rose on higher net sales and cost savings. Source

“we are advancing our transformation and are excited to expand our leadership position in health and hygiene through our recently announced acquisition of GOJO Industries.”

Chair and CEO Linda Rendle

Demand and shipments

  • Order fulfillment problems cost share: Earlier order fulfillment problems led to consumption and market share losses, which management ties to its full-year expectations. Source
  • Retailer stock draw-down shapes shipments: Retailers stocked up ahead of the ERP transition and were expected to draw that stock down in the first quarter, lowering year-over-year shipments. Source
  • Household consumption and larger sizes: Household volume fell on lower consumption, and price mix turned unfavorable as Bags and Wraps shifted to larger sizes. Source

Costs and margins

  • Gross margin down 60 basis points: Gross margin was 43.2% against 43.8%, with higher manufacturing and logistics costs partly offset by cost savings. Source
  • Digital costs lower, recoveries lapped: Lower digital investment costs were cited, while the prior-year quarter's cyberattack insurance recoveries were not repeated. Source
  • Lower advertising supported Lifestyle: Lower advertising investment in Lifestyle was the cited support for that segment's EBIT, which rose despite lower sales. Source

“We are well positioned to deliver more consistent, profitable growth and long-term shareholder value.”

Chair and CEO Linda Rendle

Full-year guidance basis

  • Inventory draw-down is main driver: Management called the inventory draw-down the most significant driver of the fiscal 2026 expectations and described that driver as transitory. Source
  • Full-year expectations exclude GOJO: Management said the full-year expectations do not include the impact of the pending GOJO acquisition. Source
  • Each listed element confirmed: Management confirmed each listed element of fiscal 2026 expectations, covering sales, margins, expense ratios, tax rate and both EPS measures. Source

Cash and balance sheet

  • Operating cash flow edged up: Year-to-date cash from operations was $404 million, against $401 million a year earlier. Source
  • Cash balance higher at quarter end: Cash and cash equivalents were $227 million at December 31, up from $167 million at June 30, 2025. Source
  • Short-term borrowings increased: Notes and loans payable were $307 million at December 31, compared with $4 million at June 30, 2025. Source
  • Clorox equity moved to a deficit: Total Clorox stockholders' equity was a $125 million deficit at December 31, against $321 million at June 30, 2025. Source

Acquisition and product launches

  • GOJO acquisition agreement signed: The company entered a definitive agreement to buy GOJO Industries, adding Purell and expanding its health and hygiene position. Source
  • Clorox PURE and Scentiva scents launched: New products in the period included the Clorox PURE allergen-neutralizing platform and expanded Clorox Scentiva Bleach scents. Source
  • Holiday limited editions released: Limited-edition holiday items included Kingsford Christmas Coal and Burt's Bees gift sets. Source

Digital investment and adjusted EPS

  • Digital program totals $580 million: The total incremental digital transformation investment is expected to be about $580 million, with work beginning in fiscal 2022. Source
  • Most spending treated as adjusted costs: About three-quarters of the total is expected to be operating costs, mostly in selling and administrative expenses, and excluded from adjusted EPS through fiscal 2026. Source
  • Quarterly digital expense down: The quarter's digital investment expense was $17 million, or $13 million after tax, against $26 million, or $20 million after tax, a year earlier. Source

Coming up, as management said on 3 February 2026

  • GOJO expected to close: Management expects the GOJO acquisition to close before the end of fiscal 2026. Source
  • Back-half plans and innovation: Management said it is focused on executing back-half plans supported by innovation and investments. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Health and Wellness volume Source+2 points
Household volume Source-3 points
Lifestyle volume Source-5 points
International organic sales growth Source+5%

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Earlier order fulfillment problems led to consumption and market share losses. Source
  • Demand: Retailer inventory draw-down produced a year-over-year shipment decline in the quarter. Source
  • Demand: Household volume declined on lower consumption, and larger bag sizes lowered price mix. Source
  • Operational: Higher manufacturing and logistics costs weighed on gross margin this quarter. Source
  • External: Management described the environment as challenging and volatile, and said that remains the backdrop. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: The November release said the final ERP phase was on track to finish in winter.
  • Met: Management said the final U.S. ERP phase was completed in January. 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.