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Elanco Animal Health Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 6 raised, 1 lowered, 5 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Organic growth of 8%, led by U.S.: Revenue rose 10% reported to $1,368 million, or 8% organic constant currency. U.S. Pet Health and U.S. Farm Animal each grew 11% organic, with volume driving much of Pet Health growth. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose 21%: Adjusted EBITDA was $288 million against $238 million, and adjusted EBITDA margin was 21.2% against 19.2% a year earlier. Source
  • Zenrelia largest growth contributor: Management called Zenrelia the single largest contributor to global Elanco growth, with Credelio Quattro closely behind. Source
  • Adjusted gross margin up 80 basis points: Adjusted gross margin reached 58.1%, up 80 basis points and ahead of company expectations. Favorable mix from U.S. Pet Health and pricing were partly offset by higher inventory costs from inflation. Source
  • Net leverage fell to 3.1x: Net leverage was 3.1x adjusted EBITDA at June 30, down 0.5x from December 31, 2025. Net debt was $3,159 million on trailing adjusted EBITDA of $1,008 million. Source
  • Befrena demand above expectations: Befrena has shipped to nearly 1,400 U.S. clinics. Management says demand is running 2x above expectations, and supply is rising weekly as capacity ramps. Source

“As we are raising our top- and bottom-line full-year outlook, including faster than planned margin expansion and net debt deleverage, our consistent delivery demonstrates our Innovation Portfolio Productivity (IPP) strategy is working.”

Jeff Simmons, President and CEO of Elanco

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue SourceFull year 2026$5,090 to $5,140 millionRaised from $5,010 to $5,085 million
Organic constant currency revenue growth SourceFull year 20266% to 7%Raised from 5% to 7%
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2026$1,010 to $1,035 millionRaised from $975 to $1,005 million
Adjusted EPS SourceFull year 2026$1.10 to $1.16Raised from $1.03 to $1.09
Adjusted gross margin SourceFull year 202655.2% to 55.6%, an increase of 50 basis points versus 2025Raised from 55.1% to 55.5%, an increase of 40 basis points versus 2025
Innovation revenue target SourceFull year 2026$1.25 billionRaised from $1.2 billion
Year-end net leverage ratio target SourceYear-end 2026approximately 3.0x Adjusted EBITDALowered from 3.0x to 3.2x Adjusted EBITDA
Foreign exchange impact on revenue SourceFull year 2026tailwind of approximately $60 millionKept
Revenue SourceThird quarter 2026$1,195 to $1,220 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA SourceThird quarter 2026$200 to $215 millionNew
Adjusted EPS SourceThird quarter 2026$0.19 to $0.22New
Organic constant currency revenue growth SourceThird quarter 20265% to 7%New
Operating expenses SourceThird quarter 2026up approximately 10% year over year in constant currencyNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year revenue guidance raised to $5,090 million to $5,140 million from $5,010 million to $5,085 million. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance raised to $1,010 million to $1,035 million from $975 million to $1,005 million. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year adjusted EPS guidance raised to $1.10 to $1.16 from $1.03 to $1.09. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year adjusted gross margin expansion raised to 50 basis points from 40 basis points. Source
  • Guidance raised: Innovation revenue target raised to $1.25 billion from $1.2 billion. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Year-end net leverage target given as approximately 3.0x, down from 3.0x to 3.2x. Management describes this as improving. Source
  • New guidance: Third-quarter 2026 guidance given for revenue of $1,195 million to $1,220 million, adjusted EBITDA of $200 million to $215 million and adjusted EPS of $0.19 to $0.22. Source
  • Guidance kept: Foreign exchange tailwind to revenue of approximately $60 million kept at the same level as the prior guidance. Source
  • New: Befrena has shipped to nearly 1,400 U.S. clinics. The prior release had said U.S. commercialization was expected in the second quarter. Source
  • New: Credelio Quattro has launched in Australia, Canada and Japan. The prior release reported a launch in Australia and Canada approval. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Organic growth of 8%, led by U.S.: Revenue rose 10% reported to $1,368 million, or 8% organic constant currency. U.S. Pet Health and U.S. Farm Animal each grew 11% organic, with volume driving much of Pet Health growth. Source
  • Reported net income and EPS rose: Reported net income was $54 million, or $0.11 diluted EPS, against $11 million and $0.02 a year earlier. Adjusted EPS was $0.34 against $0.26. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose 21%: Adjusted EBITDA was $288 million against $238 million, and adjusted EBITDA margin was 21.2% against 19.2% a year earlier. Source
  • Pet Health price added 2%: Pet Health price contributed 2%, in line with management's expectation. Farm Animal price also contributed 2% on an organic constant currency basis. Source

Segments and species

  • Pet Health revenue up 12%: Pet Health revenue reached $718 million against $643 million, with volume up 9% on Zenrelia and Credelio Quattro demand and price up 2%. Source
  • Farm Animal revenue up 9%: Farm Animal revenue reached $633 million against $583 million, with volumes up 3%, mainly across the global ruminant portfolio. Source
  • Ruminants the fastest growing species: Global ruminants grew 12% organic and 17% including AHV International and FX. Cattle revenue was $313 million, up 17% reported, the fastest growing species line. Source
  • Poultry up, swine down: Poultry revenue rose 4% to $223 million. Swine revenue fell 3% to $97 million, and contract manufacturing and other revenue was $17 million. Source

“With a net leverage ratio of 3.1x at quarter-end, also faster than expected, we are closing in on our target of reaching below 3x next year, a key milestone that will unlock greater capital allocation flexibility.”

Bob VanHimbergen, Executive Vice President and CFO of Elanco Animal Health

Products and customers

  • Zenrelia largest growth contributor: Management called Zenrelia the single largest contributor to global Elanco growth, with Credelio Quattro closely behind. Source
  • Credelio Quattro penetration and share: Broad-spectrum dollar share rose 4 points versus Q1. Credelio Quattro now penetrates over 50% of the U.S. clinic base, up about 3,000 clinics, a 10-point gain versus Q1. Source
  • Advantage and Seresto revenue: Advantage Family of products contributed $154 million of revenue and Seresto contributed $117 million in the quarter. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Adjusted gross margin up 80 basis points: Adjusted gross margin reached 58.1%, up 80 basis points and ahead of company expectations. Favorable mix from U.S. Pet Health and pricing were partly offset by higher inventory costs from inflation. Source
  • Operating expenses up 10%: Total operating expenses were $541 million, up 10%. Research and development was flat at $92 million, while marketing, selling and administrative rose 12% to $449 million. Source
  • Launch investment and pay lift selling costs: Marketing, selling and administrative cost growth reflects strategic investment in global product launches and higher compensation expense. Source
  • Interest expense rose on future revenue liability: Reported net interest expense was $59 million, up $11 million. Adjusted net interest expense, excluding imputed interest, was $44 million, up $6 million. Source
  • Reported tax rate far lower: Reported effective tax rate was 3.3% against 55.4%, citing a more favorable jurisdictional mix and no prior-year discrete items. Adjusted rate was 17.8% against 21.7%. Source

“Zenrelia - our newest blockbuster - was the single largest contributor to global Elanco growth, closely followed by Credelio Quattro.”

Jeff Simmons, President and CEO of Elanco

Cash, debt and leverage

  • Operating cash flow rose: Cash provided by operations was $277 million in the second quarter, up from $237 million a year earlier. Source
  • Net leverage fell to 3.1x: Net leverage was 3.1x adjusted EBITDA at June 30, down 0.5x from December 31, 2025. Net debt was $3,159 million on trailing adjusted EBITDA of $1,008 million. Source
  • Gross debt, cash and leases: Total gross debt was $3,944 million, against $530 million of cash and $255 million of finance lease liabilities at June 30. Source

Strategy, R&D and restructuring

  • Monheim animal studies shut down: Six-month restructuring charges were $18 million, including $15 million of non-cash shut-down costs for animal studies at R&D facilities in Monheim, Germany. Source
  • Small second-quarter special charges: Second-quarter special charges of $9 million included $3 million under the 2025 restructuring plan and $2 million of AHV acquisition costs. Source
  • AHV International excluded from organic growth: AHV International B.V., acquired April 30, 2026, is excluded from organic growth, along with FX and royalty revenue sold to a third party. Source
  • Animal health growth view kept: Management continues to expect a sustainable mid-single digit compound annual growth rate in animal health, driven by pets and protein. Source

Demand and launch capacity

  • Befrena demand above expectations: Befrena has shipped to nearly 1,400 U.S. clinics. Management says demand is running 2x above expectations, and supply is rising weekly as capacity ramps. Source
  • Zenrelia used across many clinics: Efficacy is cited as the driver of Zenrelia use in approximately 18,000 U.S. clinics, with blockbuster status reached in July year to date. Source
  • U.S. and European JAK share gains: U.S. JAK market share rose 9 points year over year and gained versus Q1. In key European markets, Zenrelia share reached up to 40%+, outperforming a competitive entrant. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 August 2026

  • Net leverage below 3x targeted next year: Management is closing in on a target of reaching below 3x net leverage next year, a milestone it says will unlock greater capital allocation flexibility. Source
  • Ascend savings target by 2030: Elanco Ascend productivity initiatives are tracking to $200 million to $250 million of adjusted EBITDA net savings by 2030. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Advantage Family of products revenue Source$154 million, second quarter 2026
Seresto revenue Source$117 million, second quarter 2026
Research and development spend Source$92 million, flat year over year, second quarter 2026
Zenrelia blockbuster status Sourceachieved July year to date
Befrena U.S. clinics shipped Sourcenearly 1,400 clinics to date
Credelio Quattro launch markets SourceAustralia, Canada and Japan launched to date

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Reported interest expense rose on imputed interest on the future revenue liability and the headquarters finance lease, partly offset by lower average debt. Source
  • Operational: Higher inventory costs from inflation partly offset the gross margin gain in the quarter. Source
  • Operational: Befrena supply must keep ramping while demand runs above expectations; capacity is increasing weekly. Source
  • External: Revenue guidance includes about $60 million of favorable FX; third-quarter guidance reflects FX rates as of the end of July. Source
  • Demand: A competitive entrant is active in key European JAK markets, where Zenrelia share is measured against it. Source
  • Regulatory: International tax rate changes in the current quarter partly offset the benefit of the jurisdictional mix on the effective tax rate. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management states Ascend productivity initiatives are on track for $200 million to $250 million of adjusted EBITDA net savings by 2030. Source
  • Ahead: Second-quarter gross margin increase was described as ahead of company expectations. Source
  • Ahead: Net leverage at quarter-end was described as faster than expected. Source
  • Not stated: The prior release expected U.S. commercialization in the second quarter. This release reports shipments to nearly 1,400 clinics without a status label. Source
  • Not stated: Management continues to expect price to accelerate its contribution to revenue compared with 2025. Source
  • Not stated: Management continues to expect a sustainable mid-single digit compound annual growth rate in animal health. 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.