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Energizer Holdings, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 2 lowered, 2 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales rose 1.2% reported: Net sales were $734.1 million against $725.3 million. Organic growth was 2.7%; acquisition impact reduced sales 2.4% and currency added 1.0%. Source
  • Reported gross margin fell to 38.2%: Reported gross margin was 38.2% against 55.1%. The prior-year quarter included $112.4 million of production credits, $78.5 million of it for FY23 and FY24. Source
  • Adjusted gross margin down 560 basis points: Adjusted gross margin was 39.2% against 44.8%, a 560 basis point decline. The prior-year base excluded FY23 and FY24 production credits. Source
  • Mix and promotions weighed on margin: Unfavorable product mix and higher promotional investment reduced gross margin compared with the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Diluted EPS fell to $0.58: Diluted net earnings per share were $0.58 against $2.13. Net earnings were $39.9 million against $153.5 million, when the prior year included production credits. Source
  • Adjusted EPS $0.75 versus $1.13: Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.75 against $1.13, or $0.85 excluding out-of-period production credits. Currency-neutral adjusted EPS was $0.73. Source
  • Fourth-quarter growth drivers cited: Management attributed expected fourth-quarter earnings growth to productivity initiatives, supply chain optimization and profitability actions taken during the year. Source
  • Free cash flow $105.0 million: Nine-month operating cash flow was $156.0 million and free cash flow $105.0 million, or 4.9% of net sales, against $16.5 million for the same period last year. Source

“We delivered a solid third quarter in an operating environment that remains dynamic, with organic Net sales growth across both segments and continued progress against the strategic priorities we outlined at the beginning of the year”

Mark LaVigne, Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Organic net sales SourceFourth quarter FY26flat to down low single digits year-over-yearNew
Adjusted EPS SourceFourth quarter FY26$1.25 to $1.35New
Adjusted EPS SourceFiscal 2026low end of $3.30 to $3.60Lowered from high end of $3.30 to $3.60
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFiscal 2026low end of $580 to $610 millionLowered from high end of $580 to $610 million
GAAP diluted EPS SourceFiscal 2026$1.83 to $2.33Raised from $1.80 to $2.33
Adjusted net earnings SourceFiscal 2026$231 to $254 millionKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Full-year organic net sales guidance moved from roughly flat to down low single digits.
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year adjusted EPS and adjusted EBITDA moved from the high end to the low end of the original ranges.
  • New guidance: Fourth-quarter adjusted EPS guidance was added, representing about 25% growth versus the prior year at the midpoint. Source
  • New: An estimated IEEPA tariff refund benefit was recorded again this quarter, after $47.6 million in the second quarter. Source

Net sales and growth drivers

  • Net sales rose 1.2% reported: Net sales were $734.1 million against $725.3 million. Organic growth was 2.7%; acquisition impact reduced sales 2.4% and currency added 1.0%. Source
  • Distribution gains lifted battery volume: Batteries & Lights volume rose 1.9%, driven by global distribution gains and new product development. Source
  • Refrigerant distribution lifted auto care: Auto care volume grew 2.2%, mainly from higher refrigerant distribution in North America. Source
  • Promotions cut pricing 1.4%: Pricing fell 1.4% from increased promotional investment in Batteries & Lights, partly offsetting the volume gains. Source
  • APS brand license expiry cut sales: Expiry of the acquired APS brand license reduced net sales by $17.2 million; ongoing legacy-brand revenue is counted in organic growth. Source

Segment performance

  • Batteries & Lights sales fell 2.0%: Batteries & Lights net sales were $524.2 million against $535.1 million. Organic sales rose 0.3% and currency added $5.6 million. Source
  • Auto Care sales rose 10.4%: Auto Care net sales were $209.9 million against $190.2 million. Segment profit was $20.7 million against $24.1 million. Source
  • Total segment profit fell 18.8%: Total segment profit was $148.6 million against $182.9 million; currency added $2.3 million to the total. Source

“The actions we have taken to strengthen the business are improving our execution, enhancing the quality of our portfolio, and reinforcing our competitive position.”

Mark LaVigne, Chief Executive Officer

Gross margin and pricing

  • Reported gross margin fell to 38.2%: Reported gross margin was 38.2% against 55.1%. The prior-year quarter included $112.4 million of production credits, $78.5 million of it for FY23 and FY24. Source
  • Adjusted gross margin down 560 basis points: Adjusted gross margin was 39.2% against 44.8%, a 560 basis point decline. The prior-year base excluded FY23 and FY24 production credits. Source
  • Mix and promotions weighed on margin: Unfavorable product mix and higher promotional investment reduced gross margin compared with the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Prior-year credits sat in the base: The prior-year adjusted gross margin included $33.9 million of FY25 production credit, including $26.7 million from earlier quarters. Source
  • IEEPA tariff refund benefit added: Cost of goods sold benefited $16.5 million this quarter and $64.1 million for nine months from estimated IEEPA tariff refunds on sold inventory. Source

SG&A, A&P and restructuring

  • SG&A fell in dollars and as share: SG&A excluding restructuring and acquisition costs was 16.6% of net sales, or $122.1 million, against 17.0% or $123.6 million, mainly from Project Momentum savings. Source
  • Legal fees partly offset savings: Increased legal fees partly offset the SG&A decline in the quarter. Source
  • A&P spending eased: Advertising and promotion expense fell $1.7 million, to 5.7% of net sales from 6.0% in the prior year. Source
  • Restructuring charges rose in quarter: Restructuring and related costs were $14.4 million in the quarter against $8.0 million, and $76.8 million for nine months against $45.9 million. Source
  • Facility moves under Project Momentum: Network transition costs were nil this quarter, while certain facilities are being decommissioned and production lines relocated under Project Momentum. Source

“We believe that durable cash generation, combined with disciplined capital allocation, provides a compelling path to long-term shareholder value creation.”

Mark LaVigne, Chief Executive Officer

Earnings and fourth-quarter view

  • Diluted EPS fell to $0.58: Diluted net earnings per share were $0.58 against $2.13. Net earnings were $39.9 million against $153.5 million, when the prior year included production credits. Source
  • Adjusted EPS $0.75 versus $1.13: Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.75 against $1.13, or $0.85 excluding out-of-period production credits. Currency-neutral adjusted EPS was $0.73. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA $138.7 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $138.7 million against $171.4 million, or $151.8 million excluding out-of-period production credits in the prior year. Source
  • Lower SG&A and R&D partly offset margin: Management said lower SG&A, A&P and R&D spending partly offset the effect of unfavorable mix and promotional investment on earnings. Source
  • Fourth-quarter growth drivers cited: Management attributed expected fourth-quarter earnings growth to productivity initiatives, supply chain optimization and profitability actions taken during the year. Source
  • Fourth-quarter organic sales flat to down: Organic net sales are expected flat to down low single digits year over year in the fourth quarter. Source

Cash flow, debt and capital returns

  • Free cash flow $105.0 million: Nine-month operating cash flow was $156.0 million and free cash flow $105.0 million, or 4.9% of net sales, against $16.5 million for the same period last year. Source
  • Dividend paid at $0.30 per share: Dividends paid in the quarter totaled $20.6 million, or $0.30 per common share. Source
  • Buybacks small versus prior year: Common stock purchases were $5.4 million for nine months, against $62.6 million a year earlier. Source
  • Net debt reduced slightly: Net debt was $3,162.2 million at June 30, 2026, against $3,195.5 million at September 30, 2025; cash was $173.4 million. Source
  • Capital spending lower this year: Capital expenditures were $52.1 million for nine months, against $69.1 million; proceeds from asset sales were $1.1 million. Source

Strategy and management commentary

  • Actions improving execution: Management said recent actions are improving execution, enhancing portfolio quality and reinforcing competitive position. Source
  • Cash generation framed as thesis: Management described durable cash generation and disciplined capital allocation as the basis for long-term shareholder value. Source
  • Strategic priorities progress reported: Management reported continued progress on the strategic priorities set at the start of the year, with organic growth in both segments. Source
  • Pension plan termination charge: A non-cash settlement loss of $26.3 million was recorded on terminating the U.K. pension plan in the nine months. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Batteries & Lights volume growth Source1.9%
Auto Care volume growth Source2.2%

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Unfavorable product mix and increased promotional investment lowered gross margin in the current period. Source
  • External: Management described the operating environment as dynamic. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Prior release guided third-quarter organic growth and adjusted EPS; this release reports organic growth of 2.7% and adjusted EPS of $0.75.
  • Not stated: Prior release expressed confidence in a return to organic growth in the second half; this release reports organic growth in both segments for the third quarter.
  • Not stated: Management set restoring growth, rebuilding margins and returning to historical cash flow as fiscal 2026 priorities; this release reports continued progress against them.

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.