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Holley Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 lowered, 3 new, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales declined 3.7%: Net sales were $147.3 million, down $5.7 million or 3.7% from $153.0 million a year earlier. Source
  • Net income rose to $7.3 million: Net income was $7.3 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, up $4.4 million from $2.8 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA flat, margin higher: Adjusted EBITDA was $27.3 million, unchanged from a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 18.5% against 17.8%, an increase of 71 basis points. Source
  • Winter weather disrupted early quarter: Severe winter weather in late January and early February disrupted retail activity, which management described as a temporary headwind. Source
  • Cost savings of $6.5 million: Cost savings of $6.5 million were delivered in the quarter from purchasing, tariffs and operations. Source
  • Free cash flow improved to negative: Free cash flow was negative $6.3 million against negative $10.8 million, a $4.5 million improvement. Source
  • Exiting low-profit businesses: The company is exiting non-core, low- to no-profit businesses under the portfolio optimization initiative and reinvesting in targeted M&A. Source
  • HRX acquisition reopens M&A: The HRX acquisition expands racewear capabilities and European motorsports presence, and management said it marks the reengagement of the M&A strategy. Source

“We delivered first quarter net sales of $147.3 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $27.3 million, reflecting resilient profitability and disciplined execution,”

Matthew Stevenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Holley

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales Sourcefull year 2026$610 - $640 millionLowered from $625 - $655 million
Core business net sales growth rate Sourcefull year 2026~2% to ~7%New
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull year 2026$127 - $137 millionKept
Capital expenditures Sourcefull year 2026$15 - $20 millionKept
Depreciation and amortization expense Sourcefull year 2026$24 - $26 millionKept
Interest expense (excluding collar revaluation) Sourcefull year 2026$42 - $47 millionKept
SKU reduction from portfolio adjustments Sourcenot statedmore than 11,000 SKUsNew
Incremental cash from portfolio rebalancing Sourcenot statedmore than $15 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Full-year net sales guidance moved from $625-$655 million to $610-$640 million, reflecting a $15 million portfolio optimization adjustment. Source
  • New guidance: A core business net sales growth rate of about 2% to 7% was introduced this quarter. Source
  • Guidance kept: Full-year Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $127-$137 million was kept. Source
  • New: The company made the HRX acquisition, described as a targeted bolt-on for racewear and European motorsports. Source
  • New: A portfolio optimization initiative was introduced, exiting non-core, low- to no-profit businesses while reinvesting in targeted M&A. Source
  • New: The consumer vertical previously named Domestic Muscle is now listed as American Performance. Source
  • Ended: Adjusted gross profit and adjusted gross margin no longer appear among the non-GAAP measures presented. Source

Results and profitability

  • Net sales declined 3.7%: Net sales were $147.3 million, down $5.7 million or 3.7% from $153.0 million a year earlier. Source
  • Net income rose to $7.3 million: Net income was $7.3 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, up $4.4 million from $2.8 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA flat, margin higher: Adjusted EBITDA was $27.3 million, unchanged from a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 18.5% against 17.8%, an increase of 71 basis points. Source
  • Adjusted net income nearly doubled: Adjusted net income was $5.7 million against $2.6 million a year earlier. Source

Segments and brands

  • Three of four divisions grew: The company reported growth in three of four divisions and across 12 brands in DTC and B2B channels. Division-level sales figures were not given. Source
  • Brands organized in four verticals: The brand portfolio is organized across four consumer vertical groupings. Source

“Taken together, these actions are expected to improve the quality of our portfolio and support our decision to maintain our full-year Adjusted EBITDA outlook.”

Jesse Weaver, Chief Financial Officer of Holley

Demand, inventory and channels

  • Winter weather disrupted early quarter: Severe winter weather in late January and early February disrupted retail activity, which management described as a temporary headwind. Source
  • Purchasing improved from week eight: Management said purchasing patterns improved steadily from week eight, and the quarter ended on improved footing. Source
  • Early Q2 inventory and orders improving: Early second-quarter trends showed healthier distributor inventory and improving order activity. Source

Costs, margins and expenses

  • Cost savings of $6.5 million: Cost savings of $6.5 million were delivered in the quarter from purchasing, tariffs and operations. Source
  • Gross profit fell 5.2%: Gross profit was $60.7 million against $64.1 million. Gross margin, calculated from the statement, was about 41.2% against 41.9%. Source
  • Selling and admin costs down 3.5%: Selling, general and administrative expense fell $1.3 million to $35.4 million. Research and development was $4.0 million against $4.1 million. Source
  • Restructuring costs rose, interest fell: Restructuring costs rose to $0.9 million from $0.5 million. Net interest expense fell 36.9% to $9.9 million. Source

“We believe that the actions we have taken over the past year position us to improve execution and strengthen the business over time.”

Matthew Stevenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Holley

Cash flow, debt and balance sheet

  • Free cash flow improved to negative: Free cash flow was negative $6.3 million against negative $10.8 million, a $4.5 million improvement. Source
  • Operating cash outflow narrowed: Net cash used in operating activities was $2.9 million against $7.8 million. Changes in operating assets and liabilities used $18.9 million. Source
  • Total debt rose in the quarter: Net change in debt was a $10.0 million increase. Total debt was $543.7 million at March 29, 2026, against $529.6 million at year-end. Source
  • Leverage ratio rose to 3.84x: The bank-adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio under the Credit Agreement was 3.84x, up from 3.75x at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Cash balance declined: Cash and cash equivalents were $33.1 million against $37.2 million at year-end, after a $3.6 million license agreement payment and a $2.8 million business acquisition. Source

Portfolio optimization and M&A

  • Exiting low-profit businesses: The company is exiting non-core, low- to no-profit businesses under the portfolio optimization initiative and reinvesting in targeted M&A. Source
  • Net Adjusted EBITDA effect slightly positive: The CFO said the portfolio adjustments reduce full-year revenue by $15 million, while the net Adjusted EBITDA impact is expected to be slightly positive. Source
  • HRX acquisition reopens M&A: The HRX acquisition expands racewear capabilities and European motorsports presence, and management said it marks the reengagement of the M&A strategy. Source
  • Simplification framework continued: The CEO said the company continued to execute against the 2025 framework: simplifying the portfolio, strengthening core franchises and enhancing operating discipline. Source
  • Site consolidation and closures advanced: Cost and complexity reduction advanced in the quarter, including site consolidation and closures. Source

Full-year 2026 guidance

  • Core business guidance unchanged: Core business revenue guidance remains unchanged. Full-year net sales guidance was reduced for the $15 million portfolio adjustment. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA guidance held: Full-year Adjusted EBITDA guidance remains $127 million to $137 million, and management said the portfolio actions support keeping it. Source
  • Capex, D&A and interest held: Capital expenditures are guided at $15 million to $20 million, depreciation and amortization at $24 million to $26 million, and interest expense excluding collar revaluation at $42 million to $47 million, all unchanged. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 May 2026

  • Second-quarter order trends: Management said early second-quarter trends show healthier distributor inventory and improving orders, which it believes positions the company better for the balance of the year. Source
  • Further M&A to be pursued: The company said it remains focused on pursuing additional acquisitions that meet its criteria. No timing was given. Source
  • Portfolio exits to add cash: Portfolio rebalancing is expected to generate more than $15 million to reinvest in growth. No timing was given. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Distributor inventory was elevated entering the first quarter, with normalization expected through improved sell-through. Source
  • Financial: Portfolio adjustments reduce full-year net sales by $15 million, while management said core business guidance is unchanged. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management said inventory normalized, and that momentum built from week eight as weather improved. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it continued to execute against the 2025 framework covering the portfolio, core franchises and operating discipline. 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.