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Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.: Q4 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter sales fell 8.5%: Consolidated net sales were $146.8 million against $160.4 million a year earlier, a decline of 8.5%. Source
  • Quarterly adjusted EPS below prior year: GAAP diluted EPS was $0.46 and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.36, against an adjusted $0.49 a year earlier. Source
  • Written orders fell in both segments: Retail written orders fell 10.8% in the quarter and 6.1% for the year; wholesale fell 11.9% and 11.2%. Management cited a difficult prior-year comparison, lower design center traffic and macroeconomic uncertainty. Source
  • Gross margin lifted by tariff refund: Reported fourth-quarter gross margin was 63.1% including the $5.0 million IEEPA refund; adjusted gross margin was 59.7% against 59.9%. Full-year gross margin was 61.2% against 60.5%. Source
  • Operating margin reduced by tariffs: Adjusted operating margin was 7.4% against 9.7%. Management said higher tariffs and fixed cost deleveraging from lower sales weighed on the margin. Source
  • Wholesale backlog declined 9.3%: Wholesale backlog was $44.3 million at June 30, 2026. Management attributed the decline to a slowdown in orders and improved customer lead times. Source
  • Quarterly operating cash flow included refunds: Fourth-quarter operating cash flow was $22.4 million, including $5.0 million of tariff refunds. Full-year operating cash flow was $52.5 million against $61.7 million. Source

“We remain debt-free with substantial liquidity and a robust balance sheet to support long-term growth.”

Farooq Kathwari, Ethan Allen's Chairman, President and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Special cash dividend Sourcepayable August 26, 2026$0.25 per shareNew
Regular quarterly cash dividend Sourcepayable August 26, 2026$0.39 per shareKept

What changed from last quarter

  • New: New Section 301 tariffs took effect July 24, 2026, at rates between 10% and 12.5%. Source
  • Ended: The 10% global tariffs under Section 122 expired and were replaced by the Section 301 tariffs. Source
  • New: A $5.0 million recovery of IEEPA tariffs was recorded in the fourth quarter through the CBP refund system. Source

Fourth quarter and fiscal 2026 results

  • Fourth-quarter sales fell 8.5%: Consolidated net sales were $146.8 million against $160.4 million a year earlier, a decline of 8.5%. Source
  • Full-year sales fell 5.7%: Twelve-month net sales were $579.5 million against $614.6 million, a decline of 5.7%. Source
  • Quarterly adjusted EPS below prior year: GAAP diluted EPS was $0.46 and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.36, against an adjusted $0.49 a year earlier. Source
  • Full-year EPS below prior year: Full-year diluted EPS was $1.56 and adjusted diluted EPS was $1.61, against an adjusted $2.04 a year earlier. Source

Segments and written orders

  • Retail sales declined in quarter: Retail net sales were $132.0 million against $138.5 million; full-year retail net sales were $511.2 million against $523.1 million. Source
  • Wholesale sales declined in quarter: Wholesale net sales were $79.7 million against $87.2 million; full-year wholesale net sales were $330.7 million against $359.1 million. Source
  • Written orders fell in both segments: Retail written orders fell 10.8% in the quarter and 6.1% for the year; wholesale fell 11.9% and 11.2%. Management cited a difficult prior-year comparison, lower design center traffic and macroeconomic uncertainty. Source

“Our vertical integration and focus on one brand are our strengths.”

Farooq Kathwari, Ethan Allen's Chairman, President and CEO

Design centers and products

  • Four design centers opened in fiscal 2026: Four new Company-operated design centers opened in fiscal 2026, in Colorado Springs, San Diego, Vancouver and Thornhill, combining design services with technology. Source
  • Recent introductions resonate with clients: Management said recent product introductions, which present classics with a modern perspective, are resonating with clients. Source

Costs, margins and tariffs

  • Gross margin lifted by tariff refund: Reported fourth-quarter gross margin was 63.1% including the $5.0 million IEEPA refund; adjusted gross margin was 59.7% against 59.9%. Full-year gross margin was 61.2% against 60.5%. Source
  • Operating margin reduced by tariffs: Adjusted operating margin was 7.4% against 9.7%. Management said higher tariffs and fixed cost deleveraging from lower sales weighed on the margin. Source
  • SG&A and marketing spend lower: Quarterly SG&A fell 4.4% on lower variable expenses, reduced headcount and lower marketing costs. Full-year SG&A was 53.3% of sales, down 0.4%. Source

“We have been able to improve operating efficiency and run a leaner enterprise”

Farooq Kathwari, Ethan Allen's Chairman, President and CEO

Demand and order book

  • Wholesale backlog declined 9.3%: Wholesale backlog was $44.3 million at June 30, 2026. Management attributed the decline to a slowdown in orders and improved customer lead times. Source
  • Customer deposits lower year over year: Customer deposits from undelivered written orders were $62.7 million, down from $75.1 million, as delivered sales outpaced incoming retail written orders. Source

Cash, balance sheet and capital returns

  • Quarterly operating cash flow included refunds: Fourth-quarter operating cash flow was $22.4 million, including $5.0 million of tariff refunds. Full-year operating cash flow was $52.5 million against $61.7 million. Source
  • Full-year cash flow decline reasons: Management attributed the lower full-year operating cash flow to lower net income, incremental restructuring payments and working capital changes. Source
  • Cash and investments ended at $187.5 million: Total cash and investments were $187.5 million at fiscal year-end, against $196.2 million a year earlier. Capital expenditures were $11.0 million, comparable to $11.3 million a year ago. Source
  • Inventory rose on new products: Inventories rose 5.4% to $148.5 million as new product introductions and price increases drove on-hand inventory, with improved in-stock positions. Source
  • Share repurchases in the quarter: The company repurchased 250,000 shares for $4.8 million, leaving authorization for 1,757,364 shares under the program. Source
  • Dividends paid during fiscal 2026: Total dividends paid were $46.3 million, including a special dividend of $0.25 per share paid in August 2025. This is the sixth consecutive year of a special dividend. Source

Strategy, people and recognition

  • Vertical integration as central strategy: Management said the company offers relevant quality products and complimentary interior design, and manufactures about 75% of custom furniture in its own North American facilities. Source
  • Investment in people and technology: Management said investments in people, design centers, marketing and technology are intended to improve client engagement while the company expands into additional retail markets. Source
  • Headcount down 4.6%: Headcount was 3,062 associates at fiscal year-end, a reduction of 4.6% over the year. Source
  • Recognition and sustainability awards: Ethan Allen was named America's #1 Premium Furniture Retailer for the third year in a row, and received a High Score on the Wood Furniture Scorecard. Source

Coming up, as management said on 29 July 2026

  • Dividends payable August 26: The $0.25 special dividend and $0.39 regular dividend are payable August 26, 2026 to holders of record as of August 12, 2026. Source
  • Five design center openings in fiscal 2027: Company-operated design centers are planned to open in Victoria Gardens, Aventura, Burlington, Brooklyn and Naples during fiscal 2027. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Retail design centers in North America Source171 (141 Company-operated, 30 independent)
Wholesale backlog Source$44.3 million
Custom furniture made in own North American facilities Sourceapproximately 75%

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Reduced business with the U.S. State Department and sluggish demand were cited as factors in the quarter. Source
  • External: Macroeconomic uncertainty, including global unrest, and lower design center traffic were cited as pressure on written sales. Source
  • Financial: Working capital moved against cash generation, with inventory carrying levels rising and customer deposits falling. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said the company continued its history of returning capital through a regular quarterly dividend of $10.0 million. 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.