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Coty Inc.: Q4 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 19 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Free cash flow grew despite profit headwinds: FY26 free cash flow increased to $348.2 million from $277.6 million year-over-year, while operating cash flow rose to $537.8 million, demonstrating improved working capital management despite lower profitability. Source
  • Middle East conflict headwind estimated at 1%: Management noted estimated 1% headwind to Q4 total sales from Middle East conflict, with Prestige experiencing 1.5% headwind and Consumer Beauty 1% headwind. Source
  • Sell-out performance remains below market levels: Management acknowledged sell-out trends remain below market levels in both Prestige and Consumer Beauty divisions despite some narrowing of gap, marking key priority for organization. Source
  • Adjusted gross margin declined 190 basis points: FY26 adjusted gross margin of 63% declined 190 basis points year-over-year, driven by supply chain cost under-absorption from lower sales and tariff impacts. Source
  • Gucci and Wella proceeds supporting deleveraging: Proceeds from Wella stake monetization ($750M in December 2025) and planned Gucci sale ($400M plus inventory) being deployed to debt reduction and core brand reinvestment. Source
  • Strategic framework entered execution phase: Coty.Curated strategic framework advanced to active execution phase with tangible actions already taken, focused on simplifying portfolio and strengthening core business. Source
  • Gucci Beauty license sale back to Kering announced: Coty announced agreement to sell Gucci Beauty license back to Kering approximately one year ahead of expiration for $400 million in cash plus additional inventory proceeds. Source

“We closed FY26 on a stronger note, delivering sales and profit ahead of our targets, growing free cash flow even in the face of business headwinds, all while establishing a clear strategic framework and taking decisive action to steadily strengthen our core business in FY27 and beyond.”

Markus Strobel, Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue (like-for-like basis) SourceFirst quarter of fiscal 2027decline by a low- to mid-single-digit percentageNew
Adjusted gross margin SourceFirst quarter of fiscal 2027decline by approximately 50 to 100 basis points year-over-yearNew
Adjusted EPS (excluding equity swap) SourceFirst quarter of fiscal 2027$0.11 to $0.13 per shareNew
Free cash flow SourceFirst half of fiscal 2027over $300 millionNew
Gucci Beauty license sale proceeds SourceCurrent and through September 30, 2027$250 million at signing and additional $150 million no later than September 30, 2027New

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Coty announced agreement with Kering to sell Gucci Beauty license back for $400 million plus inventory proceeds, approximately one year ahead of original license expiration. Source
  • New: Company completed monetization of remaining Wella stake in December 2025 for $750 million, providing liquidity for debt reduction and reinvestment. Source
  • New: Coty.Curated strategic framework advanced to execution phase with concrete actions including commercial organization rightsizing, simplification of Consumer Beauty R&D and global brand marketing functions. Source
  • New: Market share targets formally incorporated into global incentive compensation program for management. Source
  • New: Timeline established for Consumer Beauty strategic review completion by end of calendar 2026, with final portfolio decisions expected. Source

Quarterly and Full-Year Results

  • Free cash flow grew despite profit headwinds: FY26 free cash flow increased to $348.2 million from $277.6 million year-over-year, while operating cash flow rose to $537.8 million, demonstrating improved working capital management despite lower profitability. Source
  • Q4 adjusted operating income and EBITDA declined: Q4 adjusted operating income of $39.5 million declined 42% year-over-year, while adjusted EBITDA of $93.6 million decreased 26%, reflecting lower volumes and gross margin pressure. Source
  • FY26 full-year sales declined 5% on like-for-like basis: Full-year FY26 net revenues of $5.81 billion decreased 2% on reported basis and 5% on like-for-like basis, reflecting ongoing consumer beauty weakness and Middle East disruptions. Source

Geographic Performance and Middle East Impact

  • Americas grew 6% on like-for-like basis: Americas region delivered Q4 reported revenue increase of 9% to $554.7 million on strong US, Brazil, and Travel Retail performance, translating to 6% LFL growth. Source
  • EMEA declined 10% on like-for-like basis: EMEA region reported Q4 revenue decline of 8% to $528.9 million, with 10% LFL decline driven by Middle East disruptions, German weakness, and Central European softness. Source
  • Asia Pacific grew 7% on like-for-like basis: Asia Pacific region reported Q4 revenue growth of 11% to $185.6 million with 7% LFL growth, led by China, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Travel Retail. Source
  • Middle East conflict headwind estimated at 1%: Management noted estimated 1% headwind to Q4 total sales from Middle East conflict, with Prestige experiencing 1.5% headwind and Consumer Beauty 1% headwind. Source

“In sum, our Q4 results provide early signs of stabilization, although the recovery will not be linear. FY27 will be a transition year as we strengthen our core business and continue shaping a simpler, more focused Coty, factoring in both the Gucci exit by FY28 and final portfolio decisions related to our strategic review of Consumer Beauty by the end of CY26.”

Markus Strobel, Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer

Segment Performance and Sell-Out Challenges

  • Prestige revenue declined 0.5% on like-for-like basis: Prestige segment Q4 revenues of $771.8 million increased 1% reported but declined 0.5% LFL, with segment representing 61% of total Q4 sales and 66% of FY26 sales. Source
  • Consumer Beauty revenue declined 3% on like-for-like basis: Consumer Beauty segment Q4 revenues of $497.4 million increased 1% reported but fell 3% LFL, representing 39% of Q4 sales, with segment showing continued structural weakness. Source
  • Sell-out performance remains below market levels: Management acknowledged sell-out trends remain below market levels in both Prestige and Consumer Beauty divisions despite some narrowing of gap, marking key priority for organization. Source

Product Launches and Brand Performance

  • Major FY26 launches performed well: FY26 major launches including BOSS Bottled Beyond, Cosmic by Kylie Jenner Intense, and Calvin Klein Euphoria Elixirs continued to perform well in the marketplace. Source
  • Marc Jacobs Beauty makeup online launch exceeded expectations: Marc Jacobs Beauty online makeup launch achieved exceptional consumer response with online sell-out at Sephora ahead of targets, demonstrating strong demand. Source
  • Sally Hansen and CoverGirl improving performance: Sally Hansen now outperforming category in units in US, while CoverGirl has significantly narrowed the gap to category in both value and units. Source

Gross Margins and Cost Pressures

  • Adjusted gross margin declined 190 basis points: FY26 adjusted gross margin of 63% declined 190 basis points year-over-year, driven by supply chain cost under-absorption from lower sales and tariff impacts. Source
  • Q4 adjusted gross margin declined 140 basis points: Q4 adjusted gross margin of 60.9% decreased 140 basis points year-over-year, reflecting reduced cost absorption from lower volumes and elevated excess and obsolescence charges. Source
  • Tariffs, obsolescence, and lower absorption impacting margins: Margin pressures driven by tariff costs, elevated excess and obsolescence charges in both divisions, and lower cost absorption due to reduced volumes in Q4. Source
  • Productivity initiatives partially offsetting headwinds: Management implementing productivity initiatives and procurement actions to partially offset margin headwinds, though impact insufficient to prevent year-over-year decline. Source

Debt Reduction and Leverage Management

  • Total debt decreased to $3.09 billion: Total debt of $3.09 billion at Q4 decreased from $3.22 billion in Q3, reflecting ongoing debt reduction efforts supported by improved free cash flow. Source
  • Financial leverage ratio remains at 3.4x: Financial net debt of $2.91 billion yielded financial leverage ratio of 3.4x net debt to adjusted EBITDA at quarter-end. Source
  • Gucci and Wella proceeds supporting deleveraging: Proceeds from Wella stake monetization ($750M in December 2025) and planned Gucci sale ($400M plus inventory) being deployed to debt reduction and core brand reinvestment. Source

Coty.Curated Strategic Transformation

  • Strategic framework entered execution phase: Coty.Curated strategic framework advanced to active execution phase with tangible actions already taken, focused on simplifying portfolio and strengthening core business. Source
  • Commercial organization rightsized for agility: Management began rightsizing commercial organization, Consumer Beauty R&D, and global brand marketing functions to enhance agility, accountability, and execution effectiveness. Source
  • Consumer Beauty innovation simplified: Coty simplifying Consumer Beauty color cosmetics innovation calendar and SKU base, shifting resources toward fewer high-impact launches and proven hero products with disciplined approach. Source
  • FY27 actions include AI platform optimization: FY27 big bets identified with support from amplified advocacy and consumer engagement, while optimizing brand visibility and recommendation across AI platforms. Source

Gucci Beauty Exit and Portfolio Optimization

  • Gucci Beauty license sale back to Kering announced: Coty announced agreement to sell Gucci Beauty license back to Kering approximately one year ahead of expiration for $400 million in cash plus additional inventory proceeds. Source
  • Gucci operations to continue through June 2027: Coty will continue to operate Gucci Beauty brand through at least June 30, 2027, under terms of transitional agreement with Kering. Source
  • FY28 will face Gucci exit headwind: Gucci Beauty exit will result in step-down in FY28 sales and profit, but management developing mitigation plans including core brand acceleration and fixed-cost reduction. Source
  • Portfolio simplification on track: Over last three quarters company has monetized Wella stake ($750M), announced Gucci exit, and is simplifying portfolio focus on core prestige fragrance and beauty brands. Source

Coming up, per management

  • BOSS Bottled Beyond for Her launching in FY27: Planned extension of BOSS Bottled franchise into female fragrance segment designed to support core franchise growth. Source
  • Marc Jacobs Beauty makeup expanding in Sephora: Marc Jacobs Beauty makeup planned to expand from online distribution into hundreds of Sephora stores across US and Travel Retail starting September. Source
  • Etro fragrances debuting in H2 FY27: New Etro fragrance line planned to launch in second half of fiscal 2027. Source
  • Strategic review of Consumer Beauty concluding: Strategic review of Consumer Beauty business and mass color cosmetics expected to be completed by end of calendar 2026 with final portfolio decisions. Source
  • Gucci Beauty license operations through June 2027: Coty to continue operating Gucci Beauty brand through at least June 30, 2027 under transitional agreement with Kering. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Middle East conflict continuing to disrupt sales and operations, with estimated impacts to be managed through business cycles. Source
  • Operational: Sell-out performance remaining below market levels in both divisions, requiring organizational effort to close gap against category trends. Source
  • Financial: Tariff impacts on cost of goods sold and freight continuing to pressure gross margins alongside lower cost absorption from reduced volumes. Source
  • Operational: Execution complexity of Coty.Curated transformation framework while managing multiple portfolio actions including Gucci exit and Consumer Beauty review. Source
  • Demand: Consumer selectivity increasing in purchasing decisions, requiring disciplined execution of innovation strategy to drive sell-out growth. Source
  • Operational: Gucci Beauty exit in FY28 expected to create sales and profit step-down requiring mitigation through core brand acceleration and cost reduction. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Agreement announced in July 2026 with Kering for early exit of Gucci Beauty license with operations to continue through at least June 30, 2027. Source
  • On track: Strategic review of Consumer Beauty business including mass color cosmetics and local Brazilian brands expected to conclude with final portfolio decisions by end of calendar 2026. Source
  • Not stated: Management committed to steadily closing sell-out performance gap against market levels across both Prestige and Consumer Beauty divisions. Source
  • On track: Company deployed Wella and Gucci proceeds toward debt reduction with financial leverage ratio at 3.4x, pursuing ongoing deleveraging. Source

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point carries a quote that is checked word for word against the filing; a point whose quote is not found is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.