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Dolby Laboratories, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 lowered, 6 new, 6 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Total revenue rose to $396 million: Total revenue was $396 million against $370 million a year earlier. Licensing revenue was $372 million against $346 million, and products and services was $23 million, close to the prior year. Source
  • Non-GAAP diluted EPS rose to $1.37: Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.37 against $1.34, and non-GAAP net income was $131 million in both periods. GAAP diluted EPS was $0.99 against $0.94. Source
  • Broadcast licensing grew most: Broadcast licensing revenue was $119.2 million against $94.2 million, rising to 32% of licensing revenue from 27%. Broadcast was the largest market in the quarter. Source
  • Mobile licensing declined: Mobile licensing revenue was $94.2 million against $100.1 million, falling to 25% of licensing revenue from 29%. Mobile was the second-largest market in the quarter. Source
  • Sports events shown in Dolby formats: Sporting events shown in Dolby Atmos or Dolby Vision included the Super Bowl, the 2026 Winter Olympic Games and the ICC men's T20 Cricket World Cup. Source
  • Operating expenses rose year on year: Total operating expenses were $238.0 million against $226.0 million. Sales and marketing was $96.2 million against $89.6 million, and general and administrative was $76.0 million against $70.4 million. Source
  • Estimates reflect reduced visibility: Management said uncertainty from macroeconomic conditions has greatly reduced visibility into future estimates, and that the company's estimates reflect assumptions about those conditions. Source
  • Share repurchases of about $65 million: The company repurchased about one million shares for about $65 million this quarter and ended the quarter with about $142 million of repurchase authorization, down from $207 million. Source

“We continue to strengthen our position and create growth”

Kevin Yeaman, President and CEO, Dolby Laboratories

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total revenue Sourcethird quarter of fiscal 2026$295 million to $325 millionNew
Licensing revenue Sourcethird quarter of fiscal 2026$270 million to $300 millionNew
Gross margin Sourcethird quarter of fiscal 2026approximately 86% GAAP; approximately 88% non-GAAPNew
Operating expenses Sourcethird quarter of fiscal 2026$235 million to $245 million GAAP; $200 million to $210 million non-GAAPNew
Effective tax rate Sourcethird quarter of fiscal 2026around 23% GAAP; around 21% non-GAAPNew
Diluted EPS Sourcethird quarter of fiscal 2026$0.19 to $0.34 GAAP; $0.56 to $0.71 non-GAAPNew
Total revenue Sourcefiscal 2026 (full year)$1.40 billion to $1.45 billionKept
Licensing revenue Sourcefiscal 2026 (full year)$1.295 billion to $1.345 billionKept
Gross margin Sourcefiscal 2026 (full year)approximately 88% GAAP; approximately 90% non-GAAPKept
Operating expenses Sourcefiscal 2026 (full year)$930 million to $950 million GAAP; $780 million to $800 million non-GAAPKept
Operating margin Sourcefiscal 2026 (full year)approximately 21% GAAP; approximately 34% non-GAAPKept
Effective tax rate Sourcefiscal 2026 (full year)around 23% GAAP; around 20% non-GAAPLowered from around 23% GAAP; around 21% non-GAAP
Diluted EPS, GAAP Sourcefiscal 2026 (full year)$2.66 to $2.81Lowered from $2.71 to $2.86
Diluted EPS, non-GAAP Sourcefiscal 2026 (full year)$4.30 to $4.45Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Management began providing estimates for the third quarter of fiscal 2026, which the first-quarter release did not include. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year GAAP diluted EPS estimate moved to $2.66 to $2.81 from $2.71 to $2.86. Non-GAAP EPS estimate of $4.30 to $4.45 was unchanged. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year non-GAAP effective tax rate estimate moved to about 20% from about 21%. The GAAP rate of about 23% was unchanged. Source
  • New: BMW and Dolby announced Dolby Atmos in the new BMW 7 Series and the new BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase at Auto China 2026. Source

Revenue and earnings for the quarter

  • Total revenue rose to $396 million: Total revenue was $396 million against $370 million a year earlier. Licensing revenue was $372 million against $346 million, and products and services was $23 million, close to the prior year. Source
  • Non-GAAP diluted EPS rose to $1.37: Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.37 against $1.34, and non-GAAP net income was $131 million in both periods. GAAP diluted EPS was $0.99 against $0.94. Source
  • GAAP net income rose modestly: GAAP net income was $95 million against $92 million. Fiscal year-to-date net income attributable to Dolby was $148 million against $160 million. Source
  • Revenue fell within prior quarter's range: The first-quarter release estimated second-quarter total revenue of $375 million to $405 million and licensing revenue of $350 million to $380 million. Reported figures fell within both ranges.

Licensing revenue by market

  • Broadcast licensing grew most: Broadcast licensing revenue was $119.2 million against $94.2 million, rising to 32% of licensing revenue from 27%. Broadcast was the largest market in the quarter. Source
  • Mobile licensing declined: Mobile licensing revenue was $94.2 million against $100.1 million, falling to 25% of licensing revenue from 29%. Mobile was the second-largest market in the quarter. Source
  • PC, consumer electronics and other rose: PC licensing revenue was $59.5 million against $58.4 million. Consumer electronics was $40.9 million against $38.1 million, and other was $58.4 million against $55.1 million. Source

“This quarter, we continued to expand our reach especially in sports with events like the Super Bowl, Winter Olympics and T20 Cricket World Cup available in Dolby”

Kevin Yeaman, President and CEO, Dolby Laboratories

Content, sports and streaming

  • Sports events shown in Dolby formats: Sporting events shown in Dolby Atmos or Dolby Vision included the Super Bowl, the 2026 Winter Olympic Games and the ICC men's T20 Cricket World Cup. Source
  • Apple TV streams Formula One in Dolby Vision: Apple TV is streaming Formula One in Dolby Vision, which the company listed among this quarter's content highlights. Source
  • Douyin supports Dolby Vision content: Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, is fully supporting content in Dolby Vision, according to the release. Source

Costs, margins and restructuring

  • Gross profit rose to $351 million: Gross profit was $350.9 million against $333.7 million. Cost of licensing was $24.0 million against $19.7 million, and cost of products and services was $20.7 million against $16.2 million. Source
  • Operating expenses rose year on year: Total operating expenses were $238.0 million against $226.0 million. Sales and marketing was $96.2 million against $89.6 million, and general and administrative was $76.0 million against $70.4 million. Source
  • Restructuring charges fell this quarter: Restructuring charges were $2.2 million against $4.2 million. Fiscal year-to-date restructuring charges were $12.7 million against $9.4 million. Source
  • Stock compensation and amortization excluded: Stock-based compensation of $30.7 million and amortization of acquisition-related intangibles of $9.7 million were excluded from non-GAAP net income this quarter. Source

Demand, estimates and visibility

  • Estimates reflect reduced visibility: Management said uncertainty from macroeconomic conditions has greatly reduced visibility into future estimates, and that the company's estimates reflect assumptions about those conditions. Source
  • Royalty estimates depend on device demand: The company's estimates rely in part on royalty-based revenue, which depends on factors including consumer demand for electronic products, all subject to uncertainty. Source
  • Third-quarter revenue range $295M to $325M: Third-quarter total revenue is estimated at $295 million to $325 million, against reported second-quarter total revenue of $396 million. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Share repurchases of about $65 million: The company repurchased about one million shares for about $65 million this quarter and ended the quarter with about $142 million of repurchase authorization, down from $207 million. Source
  • Dividend of $0.36 per share declared: A cash dividend of $0.36 per share on Class A and Class B common stock was announced, the same amount as in the first-quarter release. Source
  • Cash balance lower than September: Cash and cash equivalents were $594.3 million at March 27, 2026, against $701.9 million at September 26, 2025. Year-to-date operating cash flow was $147.3 million against $281.7 million. Source
  • Year-to-date buybacks and intangible purchases: Year-to-date repurchases of common stock were $135.0 million against $50.0 million. Purchases of intangible assets were $37.8 million, against none in the prior year period. Source

Automotive, TVs and licensing programs

  • Automotive reach extended to more models: Management said automotive reach expanded this quarter, with automakers including BMW and Lexus integrating Dolby into their in-car experiences. Source
  • Dolby Vision 2 TVs planned by year-end: Hisense, TCL and Philips announced plans to release a wide range of Dolby Vision 2 enabled TVs globally by year-end, with Peacock and Canal+ committed to delivering content. Source
  • Video Distribution Program reaches 40 licensors: Sharp and SK Planet joined the Video Distribution Program, bringing the licensor total to 40. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 April 2026

  • Dividend payment date set: The $0.36 per share dividend is payable May 20, 2026, to holders of record at the close of business on May 12, 2026. Source
  • Form 10-Q for the quarter to be filed: The company said its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 was to be filed on or around the release date. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Video Distribution Program licensors Source40

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Management cited developments concerning trade restrictions and changes in trade or diplomatic relationships as sources of uncertainty affecting results. Source
  • External: Management cited supply chain constraints, international conflicts, geopolitical instability, and fluctuations in inflation and interest rates as uncertainties. Source
  • Demand: Royalty-based revenue estimates depend on consumer demand for electronic products, which management described as subject to uncertainty. Source
  • Financial: Management said these factors have greatly reduced visibility into future estimates, and that its estimates rest on assumptions subject to risks and uncertainties. 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.