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Dolby Laboratories, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 3 lowered, 7 new, 2 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue below prior-year third quarter: Total revenue was $305.0 million against $315.5 million a year earlier. Licensing revenue was $282.4 million of the total. Source
  • Net income and diluted EPS declined: GAAP net income attributable to Dolby was $28.6 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, against $46.1 million, or $0.48. Non-GAAP net income was $65.1 million, or $0.69, against $75.7 million, or $0.78. Source
  • Mobile and PC licensing declined: Mobile licensing was $51.0 million against $56.3 million, and PC was $28.3 million against $33.6 million. Year-to-date mobile rose to $220.2 million from $217.9 million. Source
  • Share repurchases of 1.2 million in quarter: Dolby repurchased 1.2 million shares for about $65 million in the quarter. Year-to-date repurchases were $200.0 million, against $90.0 million a year earlier. Source
  • Operating cash flow lower year to date: Net cash provided by operating activities was $314.8 million year to date, against $349.4 million. Cash and cash equivalents were $669.4 million at June 26, 2026. Source
  • Fourth quarter estimates added: The second quarter release gave estimates for the third quarter only. This release adds fourth quarter estimates for revenue, margins, operating expenses, tax, EPS and shares.

“We continue to execute against our full-year objectives, and we are building momentum across several of our key growth areas,”

Kevin Yeaman, President and CEO, Dolby Laboratories

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total revenue SourceFourth quarter of fiscal 2026$362 million to $392 millionNew
Licensing revenue SourceFourth quarter of fiscal 2026$335 million to $365 millionNew
Gross margin SourceFourth quarter of fiscal 2026approximately 88% GAAP; approximately 90% non-GAAPNew
Operating expenses SourceFourth quarter of fiscal 2026$227 million to $237 million GAAP; $195 million to $205 million non-GAAPNew
Effective tax rate SourceFourth quarter of fiscal 2026around 23% GAAP; around 21% non-GAAPNew
Diluted earnings per share SourceFourth quarter of fiscal 2026$0.78 to $0.93 GAAP; $1.13 to $1.28 non-GAAPNew
Diluted weighted-average shares SourceFourth quarter of fiscal 202693,600 thousand sharesNew
Total revenue SourceFull fiscal year 2026$1.41 billion to $1.44 billion
Licensing revenue SourceFull fiscal year 2026$1.31 billion to $1.34 billion
Gross margin SourceFull fiscal year 2026approximately 88% GAAP; approximately 90% non-GAAPKept
Operating expenses, GAAP SourceFull fiscal year 2026$937 million to $947 million
Operating expenses, non-GAAP SourceFull fiscal year 2026$785 million to $795 million
Operating margin SourceFull fiscal year 2026approximately 21% GAAP; approximately 34% non-GAAPKept
Effective tax rate, GAAP SourceFull fiscal year 2026around 24%Raised from around 23%
Effective tax rate, non-GAAP SourceFull fiscal year 2026around 21%Raised from around 20%
Diluted earnings per share, GAAP SourceFull fiscal year 2026$2.62 to $2.77Lowered from $2.66 to $2.81
Diluted earnings per share, non-GAAP SourceFull fiscal year 2026$4.25 to $4.40Lowered from $4.30 to $4.45
Diluted weighted-average shares SourceFull fiscal year 202695,200 thousand sharesLowered from 95,700 thousand shares

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Fourth quarter fiscal 2026 estimates were provided for the first time; the second quarter release covered the third quarter only. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year fiscal 2026 diluted EPS ranges lowered: GAAP $2.62 to $2.77 from $2.66 to $2.81; non-GAAP $4.25 to $4.40 from $4.30 to $4.45. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year effective tax rate estimate raised: GAAP about 24% from about 23%; non-GAAP about 21% from about 20%. Source
  • New: Stock repurchase program increased by $350 million, with about $427 million now available for repurchases of Class A common stock. Source
  • New: Meta Platforms joined the Video Distribution Program as a licensee, as announced by Access Advance. Source
  • New: RayNeo launched the GT Max, described as the first AR smart glasses supporting Dolby Vision. Source
  • New: Dolby Vision 2 is now in market with some Hisense TVs; TCL and Philips TVs with Dolby Vision 2 are expected by year-end. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue below prior-year third quarter: Total revenue was $305.0 million against $315.5 million a year earlier. Licensing revenue was $282.4 million of the total. Source
  • Net income and diluted EPS declined: GAAP net income attributable to Dolby was $28.6 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, against $46.1 million, or $0.48. Non-GAAP net income was $65.1 million, or $0.69, against $75.7 million, or $0.78. Source
  • Operating income lower on restructuring: Operating income was $34.3 million against $47.6 million. The restructuring charge was $4.0 million, against a $0.5 million credit a year earlier. Source
  • Year-to-date revenue slightly above prior year: Year-to-date total revenue was $1,047.3 million against $1,042.1 million. Year-to-date operating income was $209.4 million against $235.3 million. Source

Licensing revenue by market

  • Broadcast held 38% of licensing: Broadcast licensing was $106.6 million, or 38% of licensing revenue, against $111.3 million a year earlier. Year-to-date broadcast was $326.0 million, or 33%. Source
  • Mobile and PC licensing declined: Mobile licensing was $51.0 million against $56.3 million, and PC was $28.3 million against $33.6 million. Year-to-date mobile rose to $220.2 million from $217.9 million. Source
  • Licensing lower than second quarter: Second quarter licensing revenue was $372.2 million, with broadcast at $119.2 million and mobile at $94.2 million. Third quarter broadcast and mobile figures are lower.

“We are expanding our total addressable market and creating new opportunities with content partners through the Video Distribution Program and Dolby OptiView,”

Kevin Yeaman, President and CEO, Dolby Laboratories

Products, services and content partners

  • Products and services revenue declined: Products and services revenue was $22.6 million against $25.6 million a year earlier. Year-to-date products and services revenue was $73.0 million against $75.7 million. Source
  • Dolby OptiView used in horse racing: Roberts Communications Network, the largest horse racing streaming provider in the U.S., uses Dolby OptiView for low-latency video streaming of races. Source
  • Video Distribution Program licensor count: Sharp and SK Planet joined the Video Distribution Program in the second quarter. As of that release, the licensor total was 40.

Costs, margins and tax

  • Gross profit slightly lower: Gross profit was $264.7 million against $271.5 million. Cost of licensing was $22.7 million against $21.7 million, while cost of products and services fell to $17.6 million from $22.3 million. Source
  • General and administrative costs rose: General and administrative expense rose to $75.6 million from $72.3 million. Sales and marketing was $85.1 million, against $86.2 million, and research and development was $65.7 million, against $66.0 million. Source
  • Non-GAAP adjustments to net income: Adjustments to GAAP net income were stock-based compensation of $31.0 million, amortization of acquisition-related intangibles of $9.7 million, restructuring of $4.0 million, and income tax adjustments of $8.1 million. Source
  • Tax provision and other income rose: The provision for income taxes was $14.6 million against $9.0 million a year earlier. Other income, net was $6.0 million against $3.8 million. Source

Content events and devices

  • FIFA World Cup shown in Dolby formats: Dolby Atmos and/or Dolby Vision carried the 2026 FIFA World Cup across broadcast, streaming and pay TV, with named partners in the U.S., Canada and Brazil. Source
  • Google adds Atmos to Android Auto: Google announced Dolby Atmos support through Android Auto, with BMW, Genesis, Mahindra, Mercedes, Renault and Skoda as partners. Source
  • Insta360 camera adds Dolby Vision capture: Insta360 launched the Luna Ultra, which supports Dolby Vision capture. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Share repurchases of 1.2 million in quarter: Dolby repurchased 1.2 million shares for about $65 million in the quarter. Year-to-date repurchases were $200.0 million, against $90.0 million a year earlier. Source
  • Operating cash flow lower year to date: Net cash provided by operating activities was $314.8 million year to date, against $349.4 million. Cash and cash equivalents were $669.4 million at June 26, 2026. Source
  • Capital spending and intangibles rose: Purchases of property, plant and equipment were $28.7 million year to date, against $20.1 million. Purchases of intangible assets were $42.6 million, with $16.6 million of intangible asset sale proceeds. Source
  • Dividends paid and share count: Year-to-date cash dividends paid were $102.7 million, against $95.0 million. Third quarter diluted weighted-average shares were 94.5 million, against 96.9 million. Source

Guidance and estimates

  • Fourth quarter estimates added: The second quarter release gave estimates for the third quarter only. This release adds fourth quarter estimates for revenue, margins, operating expenses, tax, EPS and shares.
  • Margin estimates unchanged for full year: Full-year gross margin and operating margin estimates are the same as in the second quarter release, on both GAAP and non-GAAP bases. Source
  • Third quarter estimate compared with result: The second quarter release estimated third quarter total revenue at $295 million to $325 million. Reported third quarter total revenue was $305 million.

Coming up, as management said on 30 July 2026

  • Dividend payable August 19, 2026: Cash dividend of $0.36 per share payable August 19, 2026, to holders of record as of August 11, 2026. Source
  • Dolby Vision 2 TVs from TCL and Philips: Management said TCL and Philips will ship TVs with Dolby Vision 2 by the end of the calendar year. Source

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management said macroeconomic conditions have greatly reduced visibility into future results, which the estimates reflect as uncertain. Source
  • Regulatory: Trade restrictions and changes in trade or diplomatic relationships are named as sources of uncertainty affecting the estimates. Source
  • Demand: Royalty-based revenue estimates depend on consumer demand for electronic products, which management said is subject to uncertainty. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The second quarter release estimated third quarter total revenue at $295 million to $325 million. Reported third quarter total revenue was $305 million.
  • Not stated: The second quarter release said Hisense, TCL and Philips planned Dolby Vision 2 TVs by year-end. This release says Hisense TVs are now in market.

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.