greeksoup/ stock research

Edgewell Personal Care Co.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 9 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 raised, 5 lowered, 1 new, 5 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Continuing net sales up 1.9%: Continuing operations net sales rose 1.9% to $422.8 million, including a $9.6 million favorable currency effect. Source
  • Adjusted EPS loss of $0.16: Adjusted EPS from continuing operations was a loss of $0.16 per share, against a loss of $0.10 a year earlier, including a $0.07 favorable currency effect. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA down year on year: Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $25.0 million against $30.9 million a year earlier; consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $38.1 million. Source
  • Wet Shave profit fell 9.4%: Wet Shave net sales fell 1.1% to $291.3 million and segment profit fell 9.4% to $42.2 million; lower gross margins were partly offset by lower marketing and SG&A. Source
  • Adjusted gross margin down 210 basis points: Adjusted gross margin was 39.5% of net sales, down 210 basis points; productivity savings of about 240 basis points were more than offset by inflation, tariffs, absorption and mix. Source
  • Cash and revolver availability: Cash on hand was $223.3 million, with a further $142.5 million available under the U.S. revolver; adjusted net debt leverage ratio was 3.8x. Source
  • Feminine Care divestiture completed: The Feminine Care business was sold for $340 million, and the company said the sale further sharpens its portfolio focus. Source

“We delivered a solid start to fiscal 2026.”

Rod Little, Edgewell's President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Reported net sales growth SourceFiscal 2026, continuing operationsapproximately 0.5% to 3.5%Kept
Organic net sales growth SourceFiscal 2026, continuing operationsa 1.0% decrease to a 2% increaseKept
GAAP diluted EPS SourceFiscal 2026, continuing operations$0.55 to $0.95Lowered from $1.10 to $1.50 (consolidated basis)
Adjusted EPS SourceFiscal 2026, continuing operations$1.70 to $2.10Lowered from $2.15 to $2.55 (consolidated basis)
Adjusted gross margin change SourceFiscal 2026increase of approximately 60-basis pointsKept
Adjusted operating margin change SourceFiscal 2026decrease of approximately 50-basis pointsKept
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFiscal 2026, continuing operations$245 to $265 millionLowered from $290 to $310 million (consolidated basis)
Other income/expense, net SourceFiscal 2026approximately $20 million
Interest income SourceFiscal 2026$5 millionRaised from $2 million (consolidated basis)
Interest expense associated with debt SourceFiscal 2026approximately $70 millionLowered from $73 million (consolidated basis)
Adjusted effective tax rate SourceFiscal 2026approximately 22% to 23%Raised from approximately 21% to 22% (consolidated basis)
Capital expenditures SourceFiscal 2026approximately 3.0% to 3.5% of net salesKept
Adjusted free cash flow SourceFiscal 2026, continuing operations$80 to $110 millionLowered from $115 to $145 million (consolidated basis)
Pre-tax restructuring and related charges SourceFiscal 2026, full yearapproximately $65 millionRaised from approximately $49 million
Transition services income SourceFiscal 2026$15 to $19 millionNew
Feminine Care annualized EPS impact SourceAnnualizedapproximately $0.20 per share

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Fiscal 2026 GAAP EPS, adjusted EPS, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted free cash flow restated lower on continuing operations after Feminine Care was removed. Source
  • Guidance raised: Pre-tax restructuring and related charges for fiscal 2026 raised to about $65 million from $49 million. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Interest expense on debt for fiscal 2026 lowered to about $70 million from $73 million, linked to using divestiture proceeds to repay the U.S. revolver. Source
  • Guidance raised: Adjusted effective tax rate range for fiscal 2026 raised to 22% to 23% from 21% to 22%. Source
  • Ended: The company now reports two segments, Wet Shave and Sun and Skin Care, after Feminine Care was removed from segment reporting. Source
  • New: Transition support services income began at closing and is expected to be recognized for about eight months of the fiscal year, while stranded costs are carried for twelve months. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Continuing net sales up 1.9%: Continuing operations net sales rose 1.9% to $422.8 million, including a $9.6 million favorable currency effect. Source
  • Organic sales declined slightly: On an organic basis, continuing net sales decreased $1.9 million, or 0.5%, with currency adding the difference to reported growth. Source
  • Adjusted EPS loss of $0.16: Adjusted EPS from continuing operations was a loss of $0.16 per share, against a loss of $0.10 a year earlier, including a $0.07 favorable currency effect. Source
  • GAAP loss per share widened: GAAP diluted loss per share from continuing operations was $(0.63), against $(0.21) a year earlier; the GAAP diluted loss including discontinued operations was $(1.41). Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA down year on year: Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $25.0 million against $30.9 million a year earlier; consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $38.1 million. Source

Segment performance

  • Wet Shave profit fell 9.4%: Wet Shave net sales fell 1.1% to $291.3 million and segment profit fell 9.4% to $42.2 million; lower gross margins were partly offset by lower marketing and SG&A. Source
  • Wet Shave international sales declined: International Wet Shave sales declined on phasing in Japan, partly offset by higher pricing; North America fell on lower volumes and higher promotional levels. Source
  • Sun and Skin Care sales rose 9.0%: Sun and Skin Care net sales rose 9.0% to $131.5 million; organic net sales rose 8.0%, with Sun Care up 19.5%, mainly on higher North American volumes. Source
  • Sun and Skin segment loss widened: Sun and Skin Care segment loss rose $0.2 million, or 5.9%; the organic loss rose 14.7% on higher marketing expenses, partly offset by higher gross profit. Source

“After adjusting for the impact of the divestiture, our full year outlook for continuing operations is unchanged to our prior outlook for sales, adjusted EPS, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow.”

Rod Little, Edgewell's President and Chief Executive Officer

Products and brands

  • Cremo grew nearly 27%: Grooming sales rose 6.8% on higher volumes, led by Cremo, which grew nearly 27%. Source
  • North America Sun and Grooming grew: North America organic sales grew 0.7%, driven by volume gains in Sun Care and Grooming. Source
  • Wet Shave and Skin Care volumes lower: Lower volumes and unfavorable pricing in Wet Shave and Skin Care partly offset North American gains. Source
  • International Sun Care volumes fell: International organic sales fell 1.6%, with Sun Care sales in distributor markets and Japan Wet Shave phasing among the causes. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Adjusted gross margin down 210 basis points: Adjusted gross margin was 39.5% of net sales, down 210 basis points; productivity savings of about 240 basis points were more than offset by inflation, tariffs, absorption and mix. Source
  • Gross margin down 350 basis points: Gross margin was 38.1% of net sales; gross profit was $161.0 million against $172.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • A&P spend slightly lower: Advertising and sales promotion expense was $45.6 million, or 10.8% of net sales, down $0.5 million from $46.1 million, or 11.1% of net sales. Source
  • Adjusted SG&A rose slightly: Adjusted SG&A was 23.7% of net sales, against 23.6%, with higher people costs and currency, partly offset by lower consulting and corporate expenses. Source
  • Restructuring charges of $24.4 million: Pre-tax restructuring and related charges were $24.4 million, supporting cost efficiency and effectiveness programs; GAAP operating loss was $(18.9) million. Source
  • Adjusted operating margin 1.9%: Adjusted operating income was $8.1 million, or 1.9% of net sales, against $15.9 million, or 3.8%, a year earlier. Source

“Moving forward, as a more focused and agile company with a streamlined portfolio, we believe we are well-positioned to drive sustainable growth and create long-term shareholder value as we execute against our plan for fiscal 2026 and beyond.”

Rod Little, Edgewell's President and Chief Executive Officer

Cash and shareholder returns

  • Operating cash use widened: Net cash used for operating activities was $125.9 million on a consolidated basis, against $115.6 million a year earlier, which the company linked to lower earnings. Source
  • Cash and revolver availability: Cash on hand was $223.3 million, with a further $142.5 million available under the U.S. revolver; adjusted net debt leverage ratio was 3.8x. Source
  • Dividend paid, no buybacks: The Board declared a $0.15 quarterly dividend and $7.4 million was paid in the quarter; the cash flow statement shows no share repurchases. Source

Feminine Care divestiture and portfolio

  • Feminine Care divestiture completed: The Feminine Care business was sold for $340 million, and the company said the sale further sharpens its portfolio focus. Source
  • Feminine Care shown as discontinued: Feminine Care results are reported as discontinued operations, including a $37.4 million impairment charge and a $3.8 million loss on assets held for sale. Source
  • Annualized divestiture effect favorable: Management said the estimated annualized impact of the divestiture is favorable to prior guidance; the earlier annualized EBITDA impact range was $35 million to $45 million. Source

Tax, interest and other income

  • Adjusted tax rate 34.7% on a loss: Adjusted effective tax rate was 34.7%, a tax benefit on a loss, against 7.8% a year earlier; the GAAP effective tax rate was 20.9%. Source
  • Interest expense rose on revolver borrowing: Interest expense associated with debt was $19.3 million, against $18.8 million, from higher borrowing on the U.S. revolving credit facility. Source
  • Currency hedge losses narrowed: Currency hedge and remeasurement losses were $0.9 million, against $2.0 million a year earlier; other income, net was $(1.3) million. Source

Strategy, restructuring and people

  • Operating model and supply chain actions: Management is taking actions to strengthen the operating model, simplify the organization and improve manufacturing and supply chain efficiency. Source
  • Further Wet Shave consolidation planned: Restructuring and repositioning actions include further consolidation of Wet Shave operations, as previously discussed. Source
  • Headcount about 6,200 employees: The company reported about 6,200 employees worldwide and operations in more than 50 markets, down from about 6,700 in the November release. Source

Coming up, as management said on 9 February 2026

  • Dividend payable April 8, 2026: The $0.15 quarterly dividend is payable April 8, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 6, 2026. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Cash used for operating activities increased, which management linked to lower earnings; the consolidated figure was $125.9 million. Source
  • External: Tariffs, core inflation and volume absorption were cited as cost pressures that offset productivity savings in gross margin. Source
  • Demand: Promotional levels rose in North America Wet Shave while volumes declined, which the company cited as a driver of the segment decline. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said first-quarter results modestly exceeded its expectations on three measures. Source
  • Met: The November agreement to sell Feminine Care to Essity for $340 million was described in the current release as completed.

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.