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Dorman Products, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 lowered, 5 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales rose 4.2%: Net sales were $528.8 million against $507.7 million a year earlier. Light Duty and Heavy Duty grew; Specialty Vehicle was flat. Source
  • Diluted EPS fell 24%: Diluted EPS was $1.43 against $1.87. Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.57 against $2.02, down 22%, per the non-GAAP reconciliation. Source
  • Light Duty margin down 580 bps: Light Duty sales rose 4% to $423.8 million. Segment profit margin was 14.1%, down from 19.9%. Source
  • Gross margin fell to 36.0%: Gross profit was $190.2 million, or 36.0% of net sales, against $207.7 million, or 40.9% a year earlier. Source
  • Tariff costs cited for EPS decline: Management attributed the EPS decline largely to higher costs from tariffs implemented in 2025, which it described as anticipated. Source
  • Full-year guidance reaffirmed: Management reaffirmed net sales and earnings guidance for 2026, citing first-quarter performance and expectations across all three segments. Source
  • Share repurchases of $51 million: The company repurchased $51 million of its shares at an average price of $118 per share in the quarter. Source

“We started the year with solid financial performance that was in line with our expectations.”

Kevin Olsen, Dorman’s Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales growth Sourcefull year 20267% - 9%Kept
Diluted EPS (GAAP) Sourcefull year 2026$7.57 - $7.97Kept
Adjusted diluted EPS (non-GAAP) Sourcefull year 2026$8.10 - $8.50Kept
Tax rate estimate Sourcefull year 202623.5%Kept
Weighted average diluted shares Sourcefull year 202630,500 thousandLowered from 30,700 thousand
Acquisition-related amortization per share Sourcefull year 20260.66Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: Net sales, diluted EPS, adjusted diluted EPS and tax rate ranges were reaffirmed without change from the February guidance. Source
  • New: Guidance now includes tariffs enacted as of May 4, 2026; the February release assumed no net change in tariff impacts. Source
  • New: Kevin Olsen is now named Chairman as well as President and Chief Executive Officer; the February release did not list the Chairman title. Source

Quarter results and growth

  • Net sales rose 4.2%: Net sales were $528.8 million against $507.7 million a year earlier. Light Duty and Heavy Duty grew; Specialty Vehicle was flat. Source
  • Diluted EPS fell 24%: Diluted EPS was $1.43 against $1.87. Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.57 against $2.02, down 22%, per the non-GAAP reconciliation. Source
  • Operating income fell to 11.1%: Income from operations was $58.8 million, or 11.1% of net sales, against $80.1 million, or 15.8%. Net income was $43.6 million against $57.5 million. Source

Segment results

  • Light Duty margin down 580 bps: Light Duty sales rose 4% to $423.8 million. Segment profit margin was 14.1%, down from 19.9%. Source
  • Heavy Duty sales up 12%: Heavy Duty sales rose 12% to $57.8 million. Segment profit margin was 0.8%, up from -0.3%. Source
  • Specialty Vehicle sales flat: Specialty Vehicle sales were flat at $47.2 million. Segment profit margin was 8.7%, down from 10.2%. Source

“we remain confident in our strategy and position as the innovation leader in the aftermarket”

Kevin Olsen, Dorman’s Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer

Margins, SG&A and tariff costs

  • Gross margin fell to 36.0%: Gross profit was $190.2 million, or 36.0% of net sales, against $207.7 million, or 40.9% a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted SG&A ratio slightly lower: GAAP SG&A was $131.4 million, or 24.8% of net sales, against 25.1%. Adjusted SG&A was $126.0 million, or 23.8%, against 23.9%. Source
  • Tariff costs cited for EPS decline: Management attributed the EPS decline largely to higher costs from tariffs implemented in 2025, which it described as anticipated. Source

2026 guidance reaffirmed

  • Full-year guidance reaffirmed: Management reaffirmed net sales and earnings guidance for 2026, citing first-quarter performance and expectations across all three segments. Source
  • Net sales and tax rate unchanged: Full-year 2026 net sales growth of 7% to 9% and the 23.5% tax rate estimate were reaffirmed, both unchanged from February. Source
  • Adjusted EPS range and share count: Adjusted diluted EPS is $8.10 to $8.50. The diluted share count assumption is 30.5 million, down from 30.7 million. Source
  • Acquisition amortization held at $0.66: Pretax acquisition-related amortization is $0.66 per diluted share and transaction costs are $0.03, both unchanged from the February reconciliation. Source

Cash, capital and buybacks

  • Operating cash flow lower: Cash from operations was $43.8 million against $51.2 million; capital expenditures were $8.4 million against $11.0 million. Source
  • Share repurchases of $51 million: The company repurchased $51 million of its shares at an average price of $118 per share in the quarter. Source
  • Inventory down, receivables up: Inventories were $902.4 million at March 28, 2026, down from $959.0 million at year-end; receivables rose to $503.0 million from $479.3 million. Source
  • Revolver drawn at quarter end: A $15.0 million revolving credit balance was outstanding at March 28, 2026, against none at December 31, 2025. Source

Leadership, strategy and uncertainty

  • Olsen named Chairman: The release gives Kevin Olsen the title Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer; the February release listed him without the Chairman title. Source
  • Focus on controllable factors: Management said it will keep executing on factors within its control and named innovation leadership as its strategic position. Source
  • Growth despite economic uncertainty: Management said net sales growth came despite ongoing uncertainty in the broader economy and the geopolitical environment. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Guidance does not include potential IEEPA tariff refunds, tariff changes after May 4, 2026, future acquisitions, divestitures or additional buybacks. Source
  • External: Management cited ongoing uncertainty in the broader economy and the geopolitical environment as a factor in the quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management reaffirmed the net sales and earnings guidance for 2026 set earlier in the year. Source
  • Met: Management said first-quarter performance was in line with the company's expectations. 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.