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Estee Lauder Companies Inc.: Q4 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 19 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 6 new, 2 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Full-year sales grew and margin rose: Full-year as-reported net sales rose 5% to $15.0 billion and organic net sales rose 3%. Adjusted operating margin expanded 320 basis points to 11.2%. Source
  • Fourth quarter growth across all regions: Fourth quarter reported net sales rose 6% to $3.6 billion and organic net sales rose 5%, with growth in every region and in every product category except Hair Care. Source
  • Fragrance sales grew double digits: Fragrance net sales rose 10% on double-digit Luxury Brands growth, led by Le Labo, TOM FORD and KILIAN PARIS. Fragrance adjusted operating income rose 27%. Source
  • Mainland China sales grew high single digits: Mainland China organic net sales grew high-single digits, driven by innovation and existing products during key shopping moments and holiday, with added consumer-facing investment. Source
  • Gross margin rose 150 basis points: Full-year gross margin rose 150 basis points to 75.5%, reflecting net PRGP benefits and sales leverage, partly offset by inflation and incremental tariffs net of refunds. Source
  • Free cash flow reached $1.32 billion: Free cash flow was $1.32 billion against $0.67 billion, helped by capital expenditures of $457 million, down from $602 million, with over 75% spent on consumer-facing areas. Source
  • Adjusted margin range raised: Adjusted operating margin is now 12.7% to 13.5%, up from the May preliminary 12.5% to 13.0%, reflecting fiscal 2026 results, operating leverage and modest gross margin expansion. Source
  • Adjusted EPS of $3.10 to $3.35: Adjusted diluted EPS is forecast at $3.10 to $3.35, up 24% to 34%; as-reported EPS of $2.52 to $2.85 includes restructuring charges of $.50 to $.58 per share. Source

“We ended the year on a high note, as organic sales growth accelerated to 5% for our fourth consecutive quarter of growth and stronger profitability.”

Stéphane de La Faverie, President and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Organic net sales growth SourceFiscal 2027 full year3% to 5%Kept
Net sales growth, as reported SourceFiscal 2027 full year3% - 5%Kept
Adjusted operating margin SourceFiscal 2027 full year12.7% to 13.5%Raised from 12.5% to 13.0%
Adjusted diluted EPS SourceFiscal 2027 full year$3.10 to $3.35New
As-reported diluted EPS SourceFiscal 2027 full year$2.52 to $2.85New
Restructuring and other charges, PRGP total SourceTotal program, once approved initiatives are implementedslightly above the high-end of the previously communicated range of $1.5 billion to $1.7 billionRaised from $1.5 billion to $1.7 billion
PRGP annual gross benefits SourceOnce restructuring initiatives are fully implementedapproximately $1.2 billion
PRGP final net reduction in positions SourceFinal estimateapproximately 10,000
Net cash flows from operating activities SourceFiscal 2027 full year$1.3 billion to $1.4 billionNew
Capital expenditures SourceFiscal 2027 full yearapproximately 4% of projected salesNew
Adjusted effective tax rate SourceFiscal 2027 full yearapproximately 33% to 34%New
Diluted weighted-average shares SourceFiscal 2027 full yearapproximately 368 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Fiscal 2027 adjusted operating margin raised to 12.7% to 13.5% from the May preliminary 12.5% to 13.0%. Source
  • Guidance raised: Total restructuring and other charges now expected slightly above the top of the previously stated range. Source
  • New guidance: Fiscal 2027 adjusted diluted EPS guidance of $3.10 to $3.35 introduced; no EPS range was given in the May release. Source
  • Guidance kept: Fiscal 2027 organic net sales growth range of 3% to 5% kept from the May preliminary view. Source
  • New: Announced a minority stake in XINÚ, alongside strengthening the U.K. prestige fragrance manufacturing network. Source
  • New: Securities class action settlement amount fully funded as of June 30, 2026, after the May agreement in principle. Source

Fiscal 2026 and fourth quarter results

  • Full-year sales grew and margin rose: Full-year as-reported net sales rose 5% to $15.0 billion and organic net sales rose 3%. Adjusted operating margin expanded 320 basis points to 11.2%. Source
  • Fourth quarter growth across all regions: Fourth quarter reported net sales rose 6% to $3.6 billion and organic net sales rose 5%, with growth in every region and in every product category except Hair Care. Source
  • Reported operating margin turned positive: Full-year as-reported operating margin was 5.2%, against (5.5)% a year earlier, when impairments of $1,286 million weighed on results. Source
  • Fourth quarter net loss narrowed: Fourth quarter net loss was $116 million, or $.32 per diluted share, against $546 million, or $1.51, a year earlier. Restructuring and other charges were $306 million. Source
  • Fourth quarter adjusted EPS rose: Fourth quarter adjusted diluted EPS was $.39, up from $.09. Tariff refunds added $.07 and Middle East disruption reduced it by $.05. Source
  • Full-year adjusted EPS reached $2.51: Full-year adjusted diluted EPS was $2.51, up 66% from $1.51 in fiscal 2025. Source

Product categories

  • Fragrance sales grew double digits: Fragrance net sales rose 10% on double-digit Luxury Brands growth, led by Le Labo, TOM FORD and KILIAN PARIS. Fragrance adjusted operating income rose 27%. Source
  • Skin Care sales rose on La Mer: Skin Care net sales rose 4%, led by La Mer, The Ordinary and Estée Lauder. Skin Care adjusted operating income rose 52%. Source
  • Makeup sales flat as brands diverged: Makeup net sales were virtually flat, with M·A·C and TOM FORD growing while Bobbi Brown and Too Faced declined. Growth improved more than 500 basis points on the prior year. Source
  • Makeup adjusted results moved to loss: Makeup adjusted operating results moved to a loss, reflecting sales deleverage from higher consumer-facing investment to drive future sales growth. Source
  • Hair Care eased on Aveda decline: Hair Care net sales fell 1% as Aveda declined, largely offset by growth from The Ordinary. Hair Care adjusted operating results improved to income from a loss. Source
  • Billion-dollar brands reached six: The company increased its billion-dollar brands to six in fiscal 2026, adding Jo Malone London and TOM FORD. Source

“For fiscal 2027, we are affirming our confidence to accelerate organic sales growth. In addition, we are raising our outlook for an even stronger adjusted operating margin”

Stéphane de La Faverie, President and CEO

Regions and Mainland China

  • Mainland China sales grew high single digits: Mainland China organic net sales grew high-single digits, driven by innovation and existing products during key shopping moments and holiday, with added consumer-facing investment. Source
  • Mainland China profit rose 92%: Mainland China adjusted operating income rose 92%, helped by higher sales and the timing of local government subsidy recognition, partly offset by higher consumer-facing investment. Source
  • North America returned to growth: North America returned to growth in the fourth quarter, benefiting from key campaigns and the timing of shipments for key shopping moments. Source
  • Asia/Pacific sales grew on travel retail: Asia/Pacific net sales rose mid-single digits, including gains in Korea and Hong Kong SAR travel retail as retailers moved toward more profitable duty-free models. Source
  • Asia/Pacific profit rose 48%: Asia/Pacific adjusted operating income rose 48% on higher gross profit and lower cost of sales, including PRGP net benefits and a change in business mix. Source
  • EUKEM profit rose 35%: EUKEM adjusted operating income rose 35%, mainly from higher gross profit on sales growth, partly offset by higher non-consumer and consumer-facing costs. Source

Margins, costs and PRGP

  • Gross margin rose 150 basis points: Full-year gross margin rose 150 basis points to 75.5%, reflecting net PRGP benefits and sales leverage, partly offset by inflation and incremental tariffs net of refunds. Source
  • Consumer-facing spending rose 7%: Consumer-facing investments rose 7% for the full year and the fourth quarter, or 5% and 4% excluding currency translation, funded in part by PRGP net benefits. Source
  • Non-consumer costs fell except in Q4: Non-consumer-facing expenses fell in each quarter except the fourth, when higher employee incentive costs reflected better-than-expected full-year performance. Source
  • Tariff refunds offset part of tariffs: A $38 million fourth-quarter cost of sales benefit came from IEEPA tariff refunds, partly offsetting the $102 million full-year gross impact of incremental tariffs. Source
  • Effective tax rate rose sharply: As-reported effective tax rate was 64.8% and adjusted 35.7%, against (8.9)% and 38.8% a year earlier, reflecting foreign earnings mix and new valuation allowances. Source

“I am incredibly proud of our team for delivering fiscal 2026 results ahead of the expectations we had to start the year.”

Stéphane de La Faverie, President and CEO

Cash, capital and returns

  • Operating cash flow rose 39%: Operating cash flow rose 39% to $1.77 billion, reflecting higher earnings excluding non-cash items and favorable working capital changes, despite higher restructuring payments. Source
  • Free cash flow reached $1.32 billion: Free cash flow was $1.32 billion against $0.67 billion, helped by capital expenditures of $457 million, down from $602 million, with over 75% spent on consumer-facing areas. Source
  • TOM FORD deferred payment made: The company paid $300 million of deferred consideration for the fiscal 2023 TOM FORD acquisition, including a $150 million early payment made in the third quarter. Source
  • Cash balance rose to $3.50 billion: Cash and cash equivalents rose to $3.50 billion at June 30, 2026, from $2.92 billion, after $508 million of dividends paid during the year. Source

Fiscal 2027 guidance

  • Organic growth range affirmed: Fiscal 2027 organic net sales growth of 3% to 5% is affirmed, with a more diversified mix across product categories and geographies. Source
  • First-half growth to lead: Growth is expected to be greater in the first half than the second, from earlier launches, higher travel retail shipments and an easier first-half comparison. Source
  • Adjusted margin range raised: Adjusted operating margin is now 12.7% to 13.5%, up from the May preliminary 12.5% to 13.0%, reflecting fiscal 2026 results, operating leverage and modest gross margin expansion. Source
  • Adjusted EPS of $3.10 to $3.35: Adjusted diluted EPS is forecast at $3.10 to $3.35, up 24% to 34%; as-reported EPS of $2.52 to $2.85 includes restructuring charges of $.50 to $.58 per share. Source
  • Cash flow lower on restructuring payments: Operating cash flow is forecast at $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion, down from fiscal 2026 on higher restructuring payments and working capital needs; capital expenditures are about 4% of sales. Source
  • Tax rate and share count assumed: An adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 33% to 34% and about 368 million diluted weighted-average shares are assumed. Source

Restructuring and workforce

  • Restructuring charges to date: Cumulative restructuring component charges reached $1.4 billion through June 30, 2026, consisting mainly of employee-related costs. Source
  • Corporate productivity to rise 50%: The net reduction of about 10,000 positions is expected to lift productivity across corporate-function employees by 50%. Source
  • Restructuring focus areas: Focus areas are reorganizing and rightsizing certain areas, simplifying processes, outsourcing select services and changing go-to-market and selling models. Source

Strategy and investment

  • One ELC model fully established: The company fully established its One ELC operating model with leading external partners, and concluded PRGP restructuring approvals as of June 30, 2026. Source
  • Minority stakes and manufacturing: The company announced a minority stake in XINÚ and strengthened its U.K. prestige fragrance manufacturing network. Source
  • U.S. volume share gains: U.S. volume share rose in the fourth quarter and full year, with every category contributing to the full-year performance, per Circana data cited. Source
  • Mainland China value share gains: Mainland China value share gains came in the fourth quarter and full year, with the full year driven by Fragrance, Skin Care and Makeup. Source

Legal and other items

  • Securities settlement funded in full: The securities class action settlement amount has been fully funded, including insurance carrier payments, and remains subject to final Court approval. Source
  • Social impact investment target: Social impact investment is expected to reach $50 million by 2030, alongside $10 million for employee giving and volunteerism by 2030. Source
  • CDP environmental ratings: CDP recognized the company's 2025 environmental disclosures, placing it on the Water A List, with an A- for Climate and a B for Forests. Source

Coming up, as management said on 19 August 2026

  • Dividend payable September 15: Quarterly dividend of $.35 per share is payable September 15, 2026 to holders of record at the close of business on August 31, 2026. Source
  • Run-rate PRGP benefits land in fiscal 2027: Remaining PRGP actions are expected to be substantially complete in fiscal 2027, with most full run-rate benefits realized that year. Source
  • EUKEM growth weighted to second half: Stronger EUKEM growth is expected in the second half of fiscal 2027, against an easier comparison with the prior-year period. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Net new freestanding stores, Fragrance Source33 net new globally in fiscal 2026
Amazon and TikTok Shop brand coverage Source13 brands in 11 markets (Amazon); 12 brands in nine markets (TikTok Shop)
Innovation share of sales Source23% of fiscal 2026 sales

Risks management discussed

  • External: Middle East conflict disrupted fourth quarter sales growth; management expects no material effect on fiscal 2027 results but is monitoring the situation. Source
  • Regulatory: An $84 million loss contingency, net of funded insurance recoveries, was recorded for a pending securities class action settlement. Source
  • Regulatory: Recently enacted U.S. tax legislation and transfer pricing matters raised the effective tax rate for the year. Source
  • Demand: Travel retail sales in the rest of mainland China declined as duty-free retailers changed at Beijing and Shanghai airports. Source
  • Demand: Too Faced sales declined on continued retail softness for the brand. Source
  • Demand: Aveda continues to face challenges in the salon channel, according to management. Source
  • Financial: Operating cash flow is expected to decline on higher restructuring payments and a rise in working capital needs. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said delivery of the overall PRGP is ahead of expectations as of June 30, 2026. Source
  • Met: Management concluded approvals for the restructuring component of the PRGP as of June 30, 2026. Source
  • Ahead: Management said fiscal 2026 results came in ahead of the expectations it held at the start of the year. 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.