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Holley Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 lowered, 3 narrowed, 2 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales rose 2.3%: Net sales were $141.6 million, up 2.3% from $138.4 million in the prior-year quarter. For the nine months, net sales were $460.9 million, up 0.6%. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose 8.6%: Adjusted EBITDA was $29.4 million, up from $27.1 million, and the margin was 20.8% against 19.6%. Management cited operational execution and financial discipline. Source
  • Non-core exits cut complexity: Management said exiting non-core businesses, including the Restoration brands, reduced complexity and contributed to the margin expansion delivered this quarter. Source
  • Management cites moderating environment: Management said results came in a moderating macroeconomic environment, which it described as making the execution even more impressive. Source
  • Free cash flow and operating cash rose: Free cash flow was $8.8 million, against $5.5 million a year earlier. Net cash from operations was $14.1 million, against $7.4 million. Source
  • Debt reduced by $25 million: Debt was reduced by $25 million in the quarter, including a previously announced $15 million repayment. Cumulative reduction since September 2023 is $125 million. Source
  • Leverage fell to 3.50x: The Credit Agreement total leverage ratio was 3.50x at September 27, 2026, against 3.74x at June 28, 2026 and 3.75x at year-end 2025. Source

“Our third quarter results reflect the continued strength of our core business, which has now grown in six of the last seven quarters, and the progress we are making against our strategic priorities.”

Matthew Stevenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Holley

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales Sourcefull year 2026 (year ending December 31, 2026)$610 - $625 millionNarrowed, top end cut from $610 - $640 million
Core business growth rate Sourcefull year 2026~2% to ~5%Narrowed, top end cut from ~2% to ~7%
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull year 2026$127 - $132 millionNarrowed, top end cut from $127 - $137 million
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$40 - $44 millionLowered from $42 - $47 million

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Full-year net sales, core business growth, Adjusted EBITDA and interest expense ranges were narrowed. Top ends were cut, and the interest expense range was lowered at both ends. Source
  • Guidance kept: Capital expenditures and depreciation and amortization ranges were not changed in the quarter. Source
  • New: The new national retailer program shipped during the quarter, expanding shelf presence, according to management. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales rose 2.3%: Net sales were $141.6 million, up 2.3% from $138.4 million in the prior-year quarter. For the nine months, net sales were $460.9 million, up 0.6%. Source
  • Core business grew 6.7%: Core business net sales grew 6.7% after excluding divested businesses and the portfolio rebalancing initiative. Source
  • Net income of $7.8 million: Net income was $7.8 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, against a net loss of $(0.8) million, or $(0.01) per diluted share, a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose 8.6%: Adjusted EBITDA was $29.4 million, up from $27.1 million, and the margin was 20.8% against 19.6%. Management cited operational execution and financial discipline. Source

Strategy and portfolio changes

  • Non-core exits cut complexity: Management said exiting non-core businesses, including the Restoration brands, reduced complexity and contributed to the margin expansion delivered this quarter. Source
  • Marketing embedded in divisions: Management described a strategic decision to place critical marketing areas within the divisions, which it said is strengthening brand activation and enthusiast engagement. Source
  • Long-term initiatives drove revenue: Long Term Strategic initiatives drove $18.6 million of revenue and $6.1 million of cost savings in the quarter, per the company's highlights. Source

“The third quarter demonstrated continued progress across sales growth, profitability, cash generation, and balance sheet strength.”

Jesse Weaver, Chief Financial Officer of Holley

Brands, channels and customers

  • National retailer program shipped: The new national retailer program shipped during the quarter, expanding shelf presence and putting brands in front of more enthusiasts, Stevenson said. Source
  • 27 brands grew across channels: Management reported that 27 brands delivered growth across direct-to-consumer and business-to-business channels. Source

Costs and margins

  • Gross profit rose 4.0%: Gross profit was $62.3 million, up 4.0%, while cost of goods sold rose 1.0% to $79.3 million. Source
  • SG&A fell in the quarter: Selling, general and administrative expense was $32.9 million, down 1.8%, while year-to-date SG&A rose 5.4% to $108.7 million. Source
  • R&D spending declined: Research and development costs were $3.6 million, down 23.8%. Year-to-date research and development costs were $11.3 million, down 18.5%. Source
  • Restructuring costs more than doubled: Restructuring costs were $2.8 million against $1.4 million a year earlier. The company also recorded a $0.3 million loss on sale of assets in the quarter. Source
  • Net interest expense declined: Net interest expense was $9.6 million, down 14.6%, against $11.3 million a year earlier. Source

“While encouraged by our year-to-date execution, we believe it is prudent to be conservative regarding our outlook given the current consumer environment.”

Jesse Weaver, Chief Financial Officer of Holley

Demand and guidance

  • Management cites moderating environment: Management said results came in a moderating macroeconomic environment, which it described as making the execution even more impressive. Source
  • Full-year ranges narrowed: Management said the net sales, Adjusted EBITDA and interest expense ranges were narrowed and remain within previously communicated ranges. Source
  • No full-year EBITDA reconciliation: The company did not provide a forward-looking reconciliation for full-year Adjusted EBITDA, citing the uncertainty of future adjustments. Source

Cash, debt and capital

  • Free cash flow and operating cash rose: Free cash flow was $8.8 million, against $5.5 million a year earlier. Net cash from operations was $14.1 million, against $7.4 million. Source
  • Debt reduced by $25 million: Debt was reduced by $25 million in the quarter, including a previously announced $15 million repayment. Cumulative reduction since September 2023 is $125 million. Source
  • Leverage fell to 3.50x: The Credit Agreement total leverage ratio was 3.50x at September 27, 2026, against 3.74x at June 28, 2026 and 3.75x at year-end 2025. Source
  • Capital expenditures rose: Capital expenditures were $5.3 million in the quarter and $14.9 million year-to-date, against $10.0 million a year earlier. Source
  • Inventory and payables declined: Inventory was $181.6 million at September 27, 2026, down from $205.7 million at December 31, 2025. Accounts payable was $45.1 million, down from $60.1 million. Source
  • No buybacks in the quarter: No treasury stock was bought in the quarter. The balance sheet shows 707,113 shares held, reflecting the roughly $2.0 million repurchase reported for the second quarter. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 November 2026

  • Focus on sustainable free cash flow: Management said it remains focused on executing strategic priorities to generate sustainable free cash flow and further strengthen the financial position. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management said it remains mindful of the consumer environment and has set guidance accordingly. Source
  • Financial: The company did not provide a forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation because the amount and timing of future adjustments are uncertain. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said the 3.5x year-end leverage target was reached a quarter ahead of schedule. Source
  • On track: Management said it remains on track for year-end leverage below 3.5x. Source
  • Met: Management said several priorities outlined at midyear came through in the quarter. 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.