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Estee Lauder Companies Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 1 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 7 raised, 1 lowered, 4 new, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales and organic growth: Net sales rose 5% to $3.7 billion as reported, while organic net sales rose 2%; currency translation reduced reported growth by about 3 points. Source
  • Adjusted operating margin expanded: Adjusted operating income rose 38% to $557 million, and adjusted operating margin reached 15.0% from 11.4%. Source
  • Fragrance grew double digits: Fragrance net sales rose 10% organically and 13% as reported, led by Luxury Brands; reported Fragrance operating income was $21 million against $32 million. Source
  • Mainland China grew and profit rose: Mainland China organic net sales rose 6%, and operating income rose to $159 million from $76 million, helped by timing of local government subsidies. Source
  • Gross margin up 140 basis points: Gross margin rose 140 basis points to 76.4%, reflecting PRGP net benefits and a favorable comparison to a prior-year overhead charge, partly offset by tariffs and inflation. Source
  • Free cash flow rose to $891 million: Nine-month free cash flow was $891 million against $276 million, with operating cash flow of $1.2 billion and capital expenditures of $306 million. Source
  • Demonstration roles drive position cuts: Over 70% of the increase in position reductions relates to point-of-sale demonstration roles at unproductive department store and freestanding doors. Source

“Our third quarter results extend strong year-to-date performance, driven by Beauty Reimagined”

Stéphane de La Faverie, President and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Organic net sales growth SourceFiscal 2026 full yearapproximately 3%, at the high end of prior rangeRaised from 1% to 3%
Adjusted operating margin SourceFiscal 2026 full year10.7% to 11.0%Raised from 9.8% to 10.2%
Adjusted diluted EPS SourceFiscal 2026 full year$2.35 to $2.45Raised from $2.05 to $2.25
Reported diluted EPS (GAAP) SourceFiscal 2026 full year$.69 to $.83Lowered from $.98 to $1.22
Adjusted gross margin SourceFiscal 2026 full yearapproximately 75.0%
Adjusted effective tax rate SourceFiscal 2026 full yearapproximately 36%Kept
Middle East disruption effect on diluted EPS SourceFiscal 2026 full year$.07 dilutiveNew
Fourth-quarter sales growth and EPS effect SourceFiscal 2026 fourth quarterunfavorable impact of approximately 2% to sales growth; $.06 dilutive to EPSNew
Tariff-related profitability headwind SourceFiscal 2026 full yearapproximately $100 millionKept
Restructuring and other charges (PRGP) SourceTotal once all initiatives are approved and implemented$1.5 billion to $1.7 billion, before taxesRaised from $1.2 billion to $1.6 billion
Annual gross benefits (PRGP restructuring) SourceOnce fully implemented$1.0 billion to $1.2 billion, before taxesRaised from $0.8 billion to $1.0 billion
Net reduction in positions (PRGP) SourceFinal estimate9,000 to 10,000Raised from 5,800 to 7,000
Net cash flows from operating activities SourceFiscal 2026 full year$1.4 billion to $1.5 billionRaised from $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion
Capital expenditures SourceFiscal 2026 full yearapproximately 4% of projected salesKept
Diluted weighted-average shares SourceFiscal 2026 full yearapproximately 365 millionKept
Net sales growth, reported and organic SourceFiscal 2027, preliminary3% to 5%New
Adjusted operating margin SourceFiscal 2027, preliminary12.5% to 13.0%New

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Management raised the fiscal 2026 full-year guidance while remaining cautious about geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty. Source
  • New guidance: Preliminary view on fiscal 2027 introduced, to be finalized and detailed with fiscal 2026 results. Source
  • New: Agreed, subject to regulatory approvals, to acquire the remaining interest in Forest Essentials, an Indian beauty brand. Source
  • New: Took a minority investment in 111Skin, a luxury skin care brand, announced in April 2026. Source
  • New: Appointed WPP as first global media partner, for a unified enterprise-led approach to media buying. Source
  • New: Reached an agreement in principle to settle the securities class action in the Southern District of New York. Source
  • New: Shopify partnership extended, with two brand.com sites going live in the U.S. after the first store in the United Kingdom. Source

Quarter results and profit

  • Net sales and organic growth: Net sales rose 5% to $3.7 billion as reported, while organic net sales rose 2%; currency translation reduced reported growth by about 3 points. Source
  • Adjusted operating margin expanded: Adjusted operating income rose 38% to $557 million, and adjusted operating margin reached 15.0% from 11.4%. Source
  • Reported operating margin contracted: Reported operating income fell 19% to $249 million, on higher restructuring and other charges and a securities settlement charge. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose 40%: Adjusted diluted EPS was $.91, up from $.65; reported diluted EPS was $.24 against $.44 a year earlier. Source
  • Tax rate rose on U.S. legislation: Reported effective tax rate was 50.3% against 34.0%, mainly from the estimated effect of recently enacted U.S. tax legislation. Source

Segments and regions

  • Fragrance grew double digits: Fragrance net sales rose 10% organically and 13% as reported, led by Luxury Brands; reported Fragrance operating income was $21 million against $32 million. Source
  • Mainland China grew and profit rose: Mainland China organic net sales rose 6%, and operating income rose to $159 million from $76 million, helped by timing of local government subsidies. Source
  • Americas profit fell on settlement charge: The Americas operating income was $21 million against $67 million, including the $84 million contingency; excluding it, operating income increased. Source
  • Skin Care flat, mixed by brand: Skin Care net sales were virtually flat: La Mer rose high single digits and The Ordinary rose double digits, while Clinique and Origins declined. Source
  • Makeup flat, Estée Lauder up: Makeup was virtually flat: Estée Lauder rose double digits after its February 2026 foundation launch, while Clinique and Too Faced declined double digits. Source

“Fiscal 2026 is promising to be the pivotal year we intended, one in which we restore organic sales growth and expand our adjusted operating margin for the first time in four years”

Stéphane de La Faverie, President and CEO

Products, distribution and launches

  • Amazon and TikTok Shop expanded: Amazon and TikTok Shop each carry 12 brands, with Amazon in 10 markets and TikTok Shop in seven; M·A·C launched in select U.S. Sephora stores in March 2026. Source
  • BALMAIN Beauty enters prestige fragrance: BALMAIN Beauty launched Destin de Balmain Eau de Parfum, its entry into prestige fragrance, which drove its sales growth and Americas Fragrance growth. Source
  • Skin and makeup launches in quarter: Estée Lauder launched Revitalizing Supreme+ Sculpting Face Serum in January 2026, and La Mer extended its Night Collection in March 2026. Source

Costs, margins and tariffs

  • Gross margin up 140 basis points: Gross margin rose 140 basis points to 76.4%, reflecting PRGP net benefits and a favorable comparison to a prior-year overhead charge, partly offset by tariffs and inflation. Source
  • Tariff costs partly offset: Trade programs, regional manufacturing and a Japan facility are offsetting more than half of expected tariff impacts, with supply chain agility also helping. Source
  • Non-consumer costs reduced: PRGP reduced non-consumer-facing expenses despite higher employee incentive costs, and funded increased consumer-facing investments in the quarter. Source

“Our preliminary view is to accelerate organic sales growth and for adjusted operating margin to approach 13%, albeit in an uncertain geopolitical and macroeconomic environment”

Stéphane de La Faverie, President and CEO

Middle East and fourth-quarter effects

  • Middle East cut third-quarter EPS: Middle East business disruption reduced third-quarter reported diluted EPS by $.01 and adjusted diluted EPS by $.02. Source
  • Third quarter helped by early shipments: Third-quarter sales benefited from shipments for key shopping moments made before the conflict, so the fourth quarter carries a larger effect. Source
  • Domestic and travel retail disruption: Management assumes Middle East disruption in domestic markets and travel retail locations in the region has a greater effect on the fourth quarter. Source

Cash, capital and shareholder payments

  • Free cash flow rose to $891 million: Nine-month free cash flow was $891 million against $276 million, with operating cash flow of $1.2 billion and capital expenditures of $306 million. Source
  • Capital expenditures reduced: Nine-month capital expenditures were $306 million against $395 million, reflecting focus on consumer-facing investments. Source
  • TOM FORD payment made early: The company paid $300 million of TOM FORD deferred consideration in nine months, including a $150 million payment made early. Source
  • Quarterly dividend declared: Quarterly dividend of $.35 per share declared; nine-month dividends paid totaled $381 million, against $492 million a year earlier. Source

Restructuring and workforce under PRGP

  • Cumulative restructuring charges $1.1 billion: Cumulative PRGP restructuring charges reached $1.1 billion through March 31, 2026, mostly employee-related; nine-month charges were $0.5 billion. Source
  • Demonstration roles drive position cuts: Over 70% of the increase in position reductions relates to point-of-sale demonstration roles at unproductive department store and freestanding doors. Source
  • Approvals through April 29 expanded plan: Initiatives approved through April 29, 2026 increased the size of the restructuring program, with total approvals still expected by fiscal year-end. Source

Operating model and partners

  • One ELC operating model completing: Management said it is fully establishing its One ELC operating model by bringing in external organizations for the organizational transformation. Source
  • Accenture covers business services: Accenture agreement covers Enterprise Business Services as part of the transformation of the global operating model. Source
  • Momentum across five priorities: Management said momentum spans all five action plan priorities of Beauty Reimagined, the basis for the raised full-year guidance. Source

Fiscal 2027 preliminary view

  • Prestige beauty growth expected to accelerate: Preliminary fiscal 2027 view assumes global prestige beauty growth accelerates and Company share gains at the mid- to high-end. Source
  • Plan still being finalized: Management said the fiscal 2027 plan is still being finalized, with full details planned for August 2026. Source
  • Middle East disruption excluded from view: Preliminary fiscal 2027 view assumes no business disruption from the Middle East conflict and no deterioration in the geopolitical landscape. Source

Legal and other items

  • Securities settlement contingency: The company recorded an $84 million loss contingency, net of estimated insurance recoveries, for a potential settlement of the securities class action. Source
  • Prior-year impairments not repeated: Prior-year nine-month figures included $861 million of impairments and a $159 million talcum settlement charge, which do not recur in the current nine months. Source
  • Adjusted tax rate versus reported: Adjusted effective tax rate was 31.8% against 30.8% a year earlier, compared with the reported rate of 50.3%. Source

Coming up, as management said on 1 May 2026

  • Fiscal 2027 detail with annual results: Management plans to give more detail on the fiscal 2027 view in August 2026, when it reports fiscal 2026 results. Source
  • Quarterly dividend payment date: The $.35 quarterly dividend is payable June 15, 2026 to holders of record at close on May 29, 2026. Source
  • PRGP approvals due by year-end: Approvals for specific restructuring initiatives, in total, are still expected to be completed by the end of fiscal 2026. Source
  • PRGP actions completed in fiscal 2027: PRGP actions are still expected to be substantially completed in fiscal 2027, with most full run-rate benefits realized in that year. Source
  • One ELC fully deployed: The One Operating Ecosystem of One ELC is expected to be fully deployed in fiscal 2027. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Brands on Amazon Source12 brands across 10 markets
Brands on TikTok Shop Source12 brands across seven markets
Net new freestanding Fragrance stores Source27 for the nine months; 4 in the third quarter

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management cited Middle East disruption and continued headwinds in key markets, particularly in the West, as uncertainty. Source
  • External: Management said it is monitoring evolving trade policies and enacted tariffs and evaluating mitigation. Source
  • Operational: Management flagged possible effects of PRGP changes on suppliers and retailers, and challenges in outsourcing select services. Source
  • Financial: Restructuring payments are expected to peak in fiscal 2026, partly offsetting higher earnings in operating cash flow. Source
  • Regulatory: Management named legal and regulatory matters, including tariffs and sanctions, among factors it monitors. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said the PRGP continued to be delivered ahead of expectations. Source
  • On track: Management said Beauty Reimagined execution is on track. Source
  • On track: Company said it remains on track to achieve the overall PRGP savings.
  • Not stated: Prior guidance expected third-quarter adjusted operating margin to contract about 50 basis points; the release does not state whether this was met.

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.