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Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales rose 2.8 percent: Net sales were $224.2 million, up $6.1 million from the second quarter of 2025. Net earnings were $36.4 million, or $1.44 per diluted share, against $36.1 million, or $1.28, a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose 7.9 percent: Adjusted EBITDA was $82.3 million, up $6.0 million. Management linked the increase to higher net sales, sales mix and cost control. Source
  • Software solutions sales grew 7.8 percent: Software solutions net sales were $99.4 million, up $7.2 million, the largest dollar gain among the three reported product lines. Source
  • Print and distribution sales fell 15 percent: Print and distribution net sales were $34.6 million, down $6.1 million, the largest decline among the reported product lines. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 36.7%: Adjusted EBITDA margin was 36.7%, up about 170 basis points. Management pointed to permanent cost structure changes and operating efficiencies as contributors. Source
  • Free cash flow rose 18.4 percent: Free cash flow was $61.2 million, up $9.5 million. Operating cash flow was $74.7 million, up $6.3 million from the second quarter of 2025. Source
  • Chief Revenue Officer appointed: Ken Napolitano was appointed Chief Revenue Officer to advance the sales transformation and support long-term growth strategy. Source
  • Third-quarter guidance issued: Third-quarter guidance covers total net sales of $175 million to $185 million, Adjusted EBITDA margin of 26% to 28%, and capital markets transactional net sales of $45 million to $50 million. Source

“Our second-quarter performance, including the momentum of our top- and bottom-line results, highlights the progress we are making in our transformation.”

Daniel N. Leib, DFIN’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total net sales SourceThird quarter of 2026$175 million to $185 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) SourceThird quarter of 202626% to 28%New
Capital markets transactional net sales SourceThird quarter of 2026$45 million to $50 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Guidance was issued for the third quarter of 2026 covering total net sales, Adjusted EBITDA margin and capital markets transactional net sales. Source
  • New: Ken Napolitano was appointed Chief Revenue Officer, as stated in the highlights. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales rose 2.8 percent: Net sales were $224.2 million, up $6.1 million from the second quarter of 2025. Net earnings were $36.4 million, or $1.44 per diluted share, against $36.1 million, or $1.28, a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose 7.9 percent: Adjusted EBITDA was $82.3 million, up $6.0 million. Management linked the increase to higher net sales, sales mix and cost control. Source
  • After-tax charges included in net earnings: Net earnings included after-tax charges of $8.1 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, mainly share-based compensation and restructuring, impairment and other charges, net. Source
  • Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per share rose: Adjusted non-GAAP net earnings were $44.5 million, or $1.76 per diluted share, compared with $42.1 million, or $1.49 per diluted share, a year earlier. Source

Segments and sales mix

  • Software solutions sales grew 7.8 percent: Software solutions net sales were $99.4 million, up $7.2 million, the largest dollar gain among the three reported product lines. Source
  • Print and distribution sales fell 15 percent: Print and distribution net sales were $34.6 million, down $6.1 million, the largest decline among the reported product lines. Source
  • Venue grew modestly despite a large comparison: Venue showed sequential improvement and modest year-over-year growth, which management said came despite overlapping a large project in last year’s second quarter. Source
  • Capital markets software led segment growth: Net sales change by segment was 11.2% for Capital Markets software, 2.6% for Capital Markets compliance, 1.8% for Investment Companies software and down 10.8% for Investment Companies compliance. Source

“We delivered record quarterly software solutions net sales of $99.4 million, an increase of 7.8% compared to the second quarter of 2025”

Daniel N. Leib, DFIN’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Products and customers

  • ActiveDisclosure cited as software growth driver: Management cited ActiveDisclosure, a component of compliance offerings, as the driver of software solutions growth in the quarter. Source
  • Software share of sales rose: Software solutions made up 44.3% of total net sales, compared with 42.3% in the second quarter of 2025. Source
  • Tech-enabled services grew 5.9 percent: Tech-enabled services net sales were $90.2 million, up $5.0 million from the second quarter of 2025. Source

Costs and margins

  • Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 36.7%: Adjusted EBITDA margin was 36.7%, up about 170 basis points. Management pointed to permanent cost structure changes and operating efficiencies as contributors. Source
  • Sales mix and cost control lifted margin: Management attributed the Adjusted EBITDA increase to higher net sales, a sales mix favoring higher-margin software and tech-enabled services, and cost control initiatives. Source
  • Selling expense rose with volume: Selling expense increased as sales volumes rose, partly offsetting the Adjusted EBITDA gains. Source
  • Effective tax rate rose: The effective tax rate was 30.1% for the quarter, against 25.9% in the second quarter of 2025. Source

Demand and capital markets activity

  • Capital markets activity drove sales: Management said net sales rose on higher capital markets transactional volumes and software growth, partly offset by lower traditional compliance revenue. Source
  • Traditional compliance revenue declined: Lower capital markets and investment companies traditional compliance revenue was partly tied to lower print and distribution volumes. Source
  • Transactional revenue better than expected: Management said capital markets transactional activity remained active despite uncertainty, with transactional revenue better than expected. Source

Cash flow, capital and buybacks

  • Free cash flow rose 18.4 percent: Free cash flow was $61.2 million, up $9.5 million. Operating cash flow was $74.7 million, up $6.3 million from the second quarter of 2025. Source
  • Capital expenditures fell to $13.5 million: Capital expenditures were $13.5 million in the quarter, against $16.7 million a year earlier. Source
  • Repurchases of about $34.7 million: The company repurchased shares for about $34.7 million at an average price of $45.48 per share. Source
  • Authorization remaining $125.4 million: $125.4 million remained on the current $150 million authorization as of June 30, 2026. Source
  • Revolver borrowings rose to $96.5 million: Revolving Facility borrowings were $96.5 million at June 30, 2026, against $61.0 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Gross leverage at 0.8 times: Gross leverage was 0.8x and net leverage was 0.7x at June 30, 2026. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Strategy credited for higher profitability: Management said its strategy and focus made DFIN more profitable on a sustained basis. Source
  • Continued investment in recurring sales mix: Management said it continues to invest for a more recurring sales mix while managing costs and capital. Source

Leadership and sales organization

  • Chief Revenue Officer appointed: Ken Napolitano was appointed Chief Revenue Officer to advance the sales transformation and support long-term growth strategy. Source

Third-quarter guidance and uncertainty

  • Third-quarter guidance issued: Third-quarter guidance covers total net sales of $175 million to $185 million, Adjusted EBITDA margin of 26% to 28%, and capital markets transactional net sales of $45 million to $50 million. Source
  • Macroeconomic conditions described as uncertain: Management said macroeconomic conditions remain uncertain and cited its market position, cost structure and balance sheet heading into the back half. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
ActiveDisclosure net sales growth Sourceapproximately 29%
Software solutions share of total net sales Source44.3%
Software solutions net sales Source$99.4 million

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management said macroeconomic conditions remain uncertain, which it cited as a factor alongside its market position and cost structure. Source
  • Demand: Management noted heightened geopolitical uncertainty and market volatility during the quarter in capital markets activity. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said it continued executing its strategy to expand adoption of software solutions during the second 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.