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Edgewell Personal Care Co.: Q4 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 12 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 15 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter net sales up 3.0%: Net sales were $484.1 million, up 3.0%, or 3.1% organic. Currency reduced sales by $0.5 million, or 0.1%. Source
  • Fourth-quarter adjusted EPS $0.78: Adjusted EPS was $0.78, against $0.52. GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations was $0.23, against $0.26. Adjusted EPS included a $0.11 favorable currency impact. Source
  • Full-year GAAP EPS was negative: Full-year GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations was $(0.05), against $0.93. Full-year adjusted EPS was $1.93, up 6.6%, including a $0.20 favorable currency impact. Source
  • Fiscal 2027 guidance issued: Management guides fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS to $1.85 to $2.15, GAAP EPS to $0.90 to $1.20, adjusted EBITDA to $250 to $270 million and reported net sales growth to 0.4% to 2.4%. Source
  • International back to growth: International organic sales rose 3.0% in the quarter, after a 1.4% decline in the third-quarter release, with growth across all segments. Source
  • Fourth-quarter adjusted gross margin rose: Adjusted gross margin rose 510 basis points to 45.7%, from productivity savings, favorable volume absorption, currency and lapping of prior-year transitory costs. Source
  • Fourth-quarter A&P rose to 11.6%: A&P was $56.1 million, against $45.9 million, or 9.8% of net sales a year earlier. The increase covers expanded media and brand-building initiatives. Source
  • Adjusted leverage down to 3.4x: Adjusted net debt leverage was 3.4x at the end of the fourth quarter, down from 3.7x in the third-quarter release. Source

“We enter fiscal 2027 as a more focused business, with confidence in our plans to build on this progress, increase support behind our brands and improve profitability.”

Rod Little, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Reported net sales growth Sourcefiscal 20270.4% to 2.4%New
Foreign currency impact on net sales Sourcefiscal 202760-basis point negative impactNew
Organic net sales growth Sourcefiscal 20271.0% to 3.0%New
GAAP diluted EPS Sourcefiscal 2027$0.90 to $1.20New
Adjusted EPS Sourcefiscal 2027$1.85 to $2.15New
Adjusted operating margin change Sourcefiscal 2027increase of approximately 70 basis pointsNew
Adjusted gross margin change Sourcefiscal 2027approximately 60 basis points expansionNew
SG&A and A&P contribution to operating margin Sourcefiscal 2027approximately 90 basis points lower SG&A; approximately 80 basis points higher A&P investmentNew
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefiscal 2027$250 to $270 millionNew
Other income, net Sourcefiscal 2027approximately $13 millionNew
Interest expense associated with debt Sourcefiscal 2027approximately $67 millionNew
Adjusted effective tax rate Sourcefiscal 2027approximately 24%New
Capital expenditures Sourcefiscal 2027approximately 2.75% to 3.25% of net salesNew
Adjusted free cash flow Sourcefiscal 2027approximately $100 to $120 millionNew
Restructuring and related pre-tax charges Sourcefiscal 2027approximately $55 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: The company provided fiscal 2027 guidance; the prior release gave only fiscal 2026 figures. Source
  • New: Management announced global transformation actions tied to a new growth strategy and commercial ambitions. Source

Results and fiscal 2027 guidance

  • Fourth-quarter net sales up 3.0%: Net sales were $484.1 million, up 3.0%, or 3.1% organic. Currency reduced sales by $0.5 million, or 0.1%. Source
  • Full-year net sales up 1.8%: Full-year net sales were $1,996.5 million, up 1.8%, or 0.3% organic. North America organic sales rose 0.4% and International 0.2% for the year. Source
  • Fourth-quarter adjusted EPS $0.78: Adjusted EPS was $0.78, against $0.52. GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations was $0.23, against $0.26. Adjusted EPS included a $0.11 favorable currency impact. Source
  • Full-year GAAP EPS was negative: Full-year GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations was $(0.05), against $0.93. Full-year adjusted EPS was $1.93, up 6.6%, including a $0.20 favorable currency impact. Source
  • Full-year operating income fell: Operating income was $41.4 million, or 2.1% of net sales, against $110.2 million or 5.6%. The year included $101.8 million of restructuring and related costs. Source
  • Fiscal 2027 guidance issued: Management guides fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS to $1.85 to $2.15, GAAP EPS to $0.90 to $1.20, adjusted EBITDA to $250 to $270 million and reported net sales growth to 0.4% to 2.4%. Source

Segments and regions

  • Sun and Skin Care sales up 7.0%: Sun and Skin Care net sales rose 7.0% to $158.3 million, with organic growth of 6.5%, led by global Grooming. Currency added $0.8 million. Source
  • Sun and Skin Care profit rose to $19.7m: Segment profit was $19.7 million, against $5.0 million. Organic segment profit rose $13.9 million, or 278.0%, partly offset by increased brand investment. Source
  • Wet Shave sales up 1.2%: Wet Shave net sales were $325.8 million, up 1.2%, with organic growth of 1.6% from the branded business. Currency reduced sales by $1.3 million. Source
  • Wet Shave segment profit up 10.8%: Wet Shave segment profit was $58.7 million, up $5.7 million, or 10.8%. Organic segment profit rose 4.8% as higher gross profit was partly offset by marketing and SG&A. Source
  • International back to growth: International organic sales rose 3.0% in the quarter, after a 1.4% decline in the third-quarter release, with growth across all segments. Source
  • North America organic up 3.3%: North America organic sales rose 3.3% in the quarter, against 3.0% in the third quarter, driven by Grooming and Wet Shave. Source

“While significant cost and competitive headwinds persist, we believe the broader transformation of our operating model is creating greater capacity to invest and supporting more consistent growth and margin expansion.”

Rod Little, President and Chief Executive Officer

Brands and products

  • Focus brands drove North America: Management attributed North America growth to improved execution, increased distribution and continued strength across several focus brands. Source
  • Sun Care and Skin Care declined in North America: North America Sun Care and Skin Care declines partly offset Grooming growth in the quarter. Source
  • Full-year volumes higher in Grooming and Sun Care: Full-year North America organic sales rose 0.4% on higher volumes, while Wet Shave and Skin Care declined. Source

Costs, margins and A&P

  • Fourth-quarter adjusted gross margin rose: Adjusted gross margin rose 510 basis points to 45.7%, from productivity savings, favorable volume absorption, currency and lapping of prior-year transitory costs. Source
  • Full-year adjusted gross margin slightly lower: Full-year adjusted gross margin was 43.4%, down 10 basis points. Reported gross margin was 41.6%, down 160 basis points. Source
  • Fourth-quarter A&P rose to 11.6%: A&P was $56.1 million, against $45.9 million, or 9.8% of net sales a year earlier. The increase covers expanded media and brand-building initiatives. Source
  • Full-year A&P rose to 12.2%: Full-year A&P was $243.5 million, or 12.2% of net sales, against 11.6% a year earlier, with investment in North America and International. Source
  • Fourth-quarter adjusted SG&A ratio lower: Adjusted SG&A was 20.6% of net sales, against 21.9%. Full-year adjusted SG&A was 20.5%, against 20.4%, on higher corporate expenses and consulting costs. Source
  • Full-year adjusted operating margin lower: Adjusted operating margin was 8.1%, against 8.8%. Management cited higher brand investment, lower gross margin and higher SG&A. Source

“providing further evidence that our investments in innovation, brand building and commercial execution are gaining traction”

Rod Little, President and Chief Executive Officer

Cash, debt and returns

  • Cash and revolver availability: Cash on hand was $375.6 million at year-end, with a further $418.8 million available under the U.S. revolving credit facility. Source
  • Adjusted leverage down to 3.4x: Adjusted net debt leverage was 3.4x at the end of the fourth quarter, down from 3.7x in the third-quarter release. Source
  • Dividends paid and buyback capacity: The Board declared a $0.15 quarterly dividend. Full-year share repurchases were $15.8 million, and about $85 million remains under the 2025 authorization. Source

Restructuring and people

  • Full-year restructuring costs $101.8m: Pre-tax restructuring and related costs were $101.8 million, including $80.0 million for the Mexico and Wet Shave consolidation and $21.8 million for global transformation. Source
  • Further Wet Shave consolidation in fiscal 2027: Fiscal 2027 restructuring and repositioning actions include further Wet Shave consolidation, to simplify the organization and improve manufacturing and supply chain efficiency. Source
  • Fourth-quarter restructuring costs $29.9m: Fourth-quarter pre-tax restructuring and related costs were $29.9 million, against $18.0 million a year earlier, for cost efficiency and effectiveness programs. Source
  • Employee base about 6,500: The company reports about 6,500 employees worldwide, up from about 6,200 in the third-quarter release. Source

Other income, tax and interest

  • Transition services income in other income: Other income was $8.3 million in the quarter, including $7.2 million of TSA income. Full-year other income was $26.7 million, including $21.5 million of TSA income. Source
  • Tax rate reflects loss-making year: The full-year GAAP effective tax rate was (175.3)%, against (19.1)%. The adjusted effective tax rate was 23.0%, against 11.0%. Source
  • Interest expense changes: Full-year interest expense was $68.9 million, against $73.2 million. Fourth-quarter interest was $15.0 million, against $14.8 million. Source
  • Feminine Care shown as discontinued: Feminine Care results are excluded from continuing operations and segment results for all periods presented, and are reported as discontinued operations. Source

Coming up, as management said on 12 November 2026

  • Form 10-K due November 13: Results remain preliminary until the Form 10-K is filed, and final figures may differ. Source
  • Dividend payable January 7, 2027: The $0.15 per share fourth-quarter dividend is payable January 7, 2027 to holders of record on December 3, 2026. Source

Risks management discussed

  • External: Fourth-quarter adjusted gross margin gains were partly offset by inflation net of tariffs and unfavorable mix. Source
  • Operational: Private Label sales were lower because of temporary supply constraints in North America and certain international markets. Source
  • Financial: Full-year operating cash flow fell to $49.6 million from $118.4 million, due to one-time divestiture effects on tax, working capital and fees. Source
  • Demand: Full-year International organic growth came from pricing, with lower volumes partly offsetting it. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The third-quarter release guided fiscal year-end adjusted net debt leverage to 3.3x to 3.4x; this release reports 3.4x at the end of the fourth quarter.

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.