greeksoup/ stock research

Hayward Holdings, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 28 October 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales up 6% on price: Net sales rose 6% to $260.1 million; the company credited positive net price that offset inflation and tariffs, plus modest volume growth. Source
  • Net income and EPS grew faster: Net income rose 35% to $32.4 million; diluted EPS rose 36% to $0.15 and adjusted diluted EPS rose 29% to $0.18. Source
  • North America sales up 9%: NAM net sales rose 9% to $226.4 million in the quarter. Source
  • Europe and Rest of World sales fell 6%: E&RW net sales fell 6% to $33.8 million; segment income fell 8% to $5.7 million. Source
  • Gross margin rose on mix: Gross profit margin rose 10 basis points to 47.9%, mainly from a greater North America contribution relative to E&RW. Source
  • Operating margin up 250 basis points: Operating income rose 22% to $50.2 million; operating margin was 19.3%, up 250 basis points from 16.8%. Source
  • Operating cash flow declined on timing: Nine-month operating cash flow declined, which management attributed to the timing of collections and inventory purchases plus higher rebate and incentive payments. Source
  • Net leverage at 1.5x: Net leverage was 1.5x, the lowest since the 2021 IPO, while share repurchases increased. Source

“Hayward delivered another solid quarter, reflecting disciplined execution and the resilience of our installed base aftermarket business model”

Kevin Holleran, Hayward’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales growth SourceFiscal year 2026approximately 5% to 6%Raised from approximately 5%
Adjusted diluted EPS SourceFiscal year 2026$0.86 to $0.88Raised from $0.84 to $0.87

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 guidance was increased for net sales and adjusted diluted EPS. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales up 6% on price: Net sales rose 6% to $260.1 million; the company credited positive net price that offset inflation and tariffs, plus modest volume growth. Source
  • Net income and EPS grew faster: Net income rose 35% to $32.4 million; diluted EPS rose 36% to $0.15 and adjusted diluted EPS rose 29% to $0.18. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 9%: Adjusted EBITDA rose 9% to $64.5 million from $59.1 million a year earlier. Source
  • Year-to-date sales up 8%: Year-to-date net sales rose 8%, which management attributed to favorable price realization and higher volumes. Source

Segments and regions

  • North America sales up 9%: NAM net sales rose 9% to $226.4 million in the quarter. Source
  • North America segment income up 12%: NAM segment income rose 12% to $61.8 million in the quarter. Source
  • Europe and Rest of World sales fell 6%: E&RW net sales fell 6% to $33.8 million; segment income fell 8% to $5.7 million. Source

“Our strong year-to-date performance and confidence in continued execution support our increased full year guidance.”

Kevin Holleran, Hayward’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Demand, channel and products

  • Channel data pointed to demand: Management said data from primary U.S. channel partners indicated demand, market share gains and balanced channel inventories. Source
  • Early buy orders ahead of last year: The early buy program for the 2027 pool season is progressing, with North America orders ahead of the prior year. Source
  • SmartPad adoption continues in both markets: Management said it continues to drive adoption of its SmartPad pool equipment in new construction and the aftermarket. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin rose on mix: Gross profit margin rose 10 basis points to 47.9%, mainly from a greater North America contribution relative to E&RW. Source
  • Segment gross margins declined modestly: Gross margin declined modestly in both segments as inflation slightly exceeded the benefits of pricing. Source
  • Operating margin up 250 basis points: Operating income rose 22% to $50.2 million; operating margin was 19.3%, up 250 basis points from 16.8%. Source
  • SG&A fell on absent litigation: SG&A fell 3% to $59.4 million, as a prior-year non-recurring litigation expense was absent, partly offset by higher incentive compensation. Source
  • RD&E spending rose 21%: Research, development and engineering expense rose 21% to $8.6 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin up 60 basis points: Adjusted EBITDA margin rose 60 basis points to 24.8%. Source

Cash, balance sheet and capital

  • Operating cash flow declined on timing: Nine-month operating cash flow declined, which management attributed to the timing of collections and inventory purchases plus higher rebate and incentive payments. Source
  • Net leverage at 1.5x: Net leverage was 1.5x, the lowest since the 2021 IPO, while share repurchases increased. Source
  • Cash and revolver availability: Cash was $236.3 million and short-term investments were $239.2 million, with $422.3 million available under revolving credit facilities. Source
  • Share count reduced over nine months: Shares outstanding fell from 217.4 million at December 31, 2025 to 211.0 million at September 26, 2026. Source
  • June refinancing caused $1.8 million loss: The June 2026 debt refinancing produced a $1.8 million loss on extinguishment, which is treated as an adjustment to adjusted measures. Source

Strategy and long-term growth

  • Installed base supports long-term growth: Management cites a growing installed base and secular trends in outdoor living, Sunbelt migration and technology adoption. Source
  • Capital spending increased: Nine-month purchases of property, plant and equipment were $28.3 million, against $19.8 million a year earlier. Source
  • Growth initiatives remain focus: Management said it remains focused on advancing strategic growth initiatives and creating long-term stockholder value. Source

Restructuring and other items

  • E&RW restructuring cost $8 thousand: Restructuring costs in E&RW were $8 thousand in the quarter. Source
  • Securities class action settlement adjusted: Last-twelve-month adjustments include $1.5 million for the securities class action settlement. Source
  • Insurance proceeds from flood damage: Other quarterly adjustments include $0.2 million of income from insurance proceeds tied to hurricane flood damage at a contract manufacturer. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Aftermarket share of North America residential pool net sales Sourceapproximately 85%

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management tied the E&RW volume decline to geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East. 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.