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Karat Packaging Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 12 March 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter sales rose 13.7 percent: Fourth-quarter net sales were $115.6 million, up from $101.6 million. Management attributed the rise to $8.2 million more volume and a $6.3 million benefit from pricing and product mix. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin declined year on year: Adjusted EBITDA was $12.5 million against $11.3 million. The margin was 10.8 percent of net sales, compared with 11.1 percent in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • First-quarter net sales growth guided: Management expects first-quarter 2026 net sales to rise 8 to 10 percent from the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Full-year sales growth guided: Management expects full-year 2026 net sales to increase by low double-digits from 2025. Source
  • Full-year margins expected to improve: Gross margin and adjusted EBITDA margin for 2026 are expected to improve on 2025, under current global tariff policy. Source
  • Paper bag category expanding: Management said the paper bag category continues to perform, expanding steadily and generating meaningful revenue growth. Source
  • Large national chain paper bag contract: A paper bag contract with one of the largest national chain accounts was won in 2025. Further paper bag business is being pursued, some at final confirmation. Source
  • Fourth-quarter gross margin fell to 34.0 percent: Gross margin was 34.0 percent against 39.2 percent. Import costs rose to 14.5 percent of net sales from 8.3 percent, which management linked to higher tariffs. Source
  • Sourcing diversification strategy: Management said its diversified sourcing strategy keeps gross margin at 34 percent despite higher tariffs and duty costs, and is strengthening the global supply chain. Source
  • Full-year free cash flow fell: Free cash flow was $29.3 million for 2025, against $43.9 million. Net cash from operating activities was $33.8 million, against $48.0 million. Source

“We finished 2025 with a strong fourth quarter, demonstrating the strength and resilience of our business model and our ability to continue to drive profitable growth against an uncertain macroeconomic backdrop.”

Alan Yu, Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales Sourcefirst quarter of 2026increase of 8 to 10 percent from the prior-year quarterNew
Gross margin Sourcefirst quarter of 202634 to 36 percentNew
Adjusted EBITDA margin Sourcefirst quarter of 20269 to 11 percentNew
Net sales Sourcefull year 2026low double-digits increase from the prior yearNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: First-quarter 2026 net sales guidance was given in this release. Source
  • New guidance: Full-year 2026 net sales guidance was given in this release. Source
  • New: Generic paper bags began being supplied to smaller customer accounts, in addition to the chain contract. Source
  • New: Management expects a margin tailwind from tariff and currency developments beginning in the second quarter of 2026. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Fourth-quarter sales rose 13.7 percent: Fourth-quarter net sales were $115.6 million, up from $101.6 million. Management attributed the rise to $8.2 million more volume and a $6.3 million benefit from pricing and product mix. Source
  • Quarter net income and EPS rose: Net income was $7.2 million, up 22.8 percent. Net income attributable to Karat was $6.8 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, against $5.6 million, or $0.28, a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin declined year on year: Adjusted EBITDA was $12.5 million against $11.3 million. The margin was 10.8 percent of net sales, compared with 11.1 percent in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Full-year sales rose 10.7 percent: Full-year net sales were $467.7 million against $422.6 million. Volume added $39.7 million and product mix $11.9 million, partly offset by a $6.5 million unfavorable pricing comparison. Source
  • Full-year net income and EPS rose: Full-year net income attributable to Karat was $31.5 million, or $1.56 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA was $55.2 million against $55.3 million, a margin of 11.8 percent against 13.1 percent. Source

Guidance for 2026

  • First-quarter net sales growth guided: Management expects first-quarter 2026 net sales to rise 8 to 10 percent from the prior-year quarter. Source
  • First-quarter margin ranges set: First-quarter 2026 gross margin is expected at 34 to 36 percent, and adjusted EBITDA margin at 9 to 11 percent. Source
  • Full-year sales growth guided: Management expects full-year 2026 net sales to increase by low double-digits from 2025. Source
  • Full-year margins expected to improve: Gross margin and adjusted EBITDA margin for 2026 are expected to improve on 2025, under current global tariff policy. Source
  • Tariff margin tailwind from Q2 2026: Management expects tailwinds on the margin after the recent U.S. Supreme Court tariff ruling and currency stabilization, beginning in the second quarter of 2026. Source

“Our strategy to diversify sourcing is proving successful, enabling us to continue to strengthen our global supply chain and maintain a 34 percent gross margin, despite significantly higher tariffs and duty costs.”

Alan Yu, Chief Executive Officer

Sales channels and customers

  • Chains and distributors net sales rose: Chains and distributors net sales were $93.3 million in the fourth quarter, up from $79.4 million, and $370.6 million for the year, up from $329.4 million. Source
  • Online and retail net sales reported: Online net sales were $17.1 million in the fourth quarter, against $16.8 million, and retail net sales were $5.2 million, against $5.5 million. Source
  • Prior-year channel figures reclassified: Prior-year channel figures were conformed after one customer moved from retail to chains and distributors. The reclassification had no effect on total net sales. Source

Paper bags and products

  • Paper bag category expanding: Management said the paper bag category continues to perform, expanding steadily and generating meaningful revenue growth. Source
  • Large national chain paper bag contract: A paper bag contract with one of the largest national chain accounts was won in 2025. Further paper bag business is being pursued, some at final confirmation. Source
  • Generic paper bags for smaller accounts: Generic paper bags are supplied to smaller customer accounts. Management expects to keep gaining market share in the category in coming years. Source
  • Pricing turned positive: Management said pricing turned positive for the first time since the first quarter of 2023, following double-digit volume growth. Source

“In today’s dynamic trade environment, we are confident that Karat’s proven global sourcing flexibility and efficient logistics capabilities will support a solid growth trajectory,”

Alan Yu, Chief Executive Officer

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Fourth-quarter gross margin fell to 34.0 percent: Gross margin was 34.0 percent against 39.2 percent. Import costs rose to 14.5 percent of net sales from 8.3 percent, which management linked to higher tariffs. Source
  • Duty and tariff costs up $8.4 million: Duty and tariff costs rose $8.4 million in the quarter, reflecting higher tariff rates. Source
  • Full-year gross margin 36.8 percent: Full-year gross margin was 36.8 percent against 38.9 percent. Freight and duty costs reached 11.8 percent of net sales, up from 8.2 percent, partly offset by lower product costs. Source
  • Product costs eased on vendor pricing: In the fourth quarter, product costs fell as a share of net sales on more favorable vendor pricing and product mix, and logistics expense also fell as a share of sales. Source
  • Ocean freight and duty costs up $20.6 million: For the year, ocean freight and duty costs rose $20.6 million, including $14.6 million of higher duties and tariffs. Source

Operating expenses and other income

  • Fourth-quarter operating expenses declined: Operating expenses were $30.9 million, against $32.5 million, mainly on lower online platform fees and marketing, partly offset by higher rent. Source
  • Full-year shipping costs rose: Full-year operating expenses were $130.7 million, against $126.6 million, mainly from $7.0 million of higher shipping and transportation costs and $1.4 million more in salaries and benefits. Source
  • Other income fell on currency loss: Other income, net was $1.6 million, against $2.9 million, reflecting a $1.5 million foreign currency loss as the U.S. dollar fell against the New Taiwan dollar. Source
  • Rent rose on Chino facilities: Rent expense rose $3.3 million for the year, from a higher lease rate after the Chino facility extension and a new Chino distribution center. Source

Sourcing and supply chain

  • Taiwan share of goods sourced: Goods sourced from Taiwan were 46 percent in the fourth quarter, with China at 14 percent, the United States 13 percent, and Vietnam and Malaysia 11 percent each. Source
  • Sourcing diversification strategy: Management said its diversified sourcing strategy keeps gross margin at 34 percent despite higher tariffs and duty costs, and is strengthening the global supply chain. Source
  • Import volume up 22.0 percent: Import volume rose 22.0 percent for the year, partly offset in cost by a 5.4 percent decrease in average freight container rates. Source

Cash flow and shareholder returns

  • Full-year free cash flow fell: Free cash flow was $29.3 million for 2025, against $43.9 million. Net cash from operating activities was $33.8 million, against $48.0 million. Source
  • Quarterly dividend of $0.45 approved: On February 5, 2026, the board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share, payable February 27, 2026. Source
  • Fourth-quarter share buyback: The company bought 137,374 shares in the fourth quarter at an average $21.74, for $3.0 million. About $12.0 million remained available as of March 11, 2026. Source
  • Cash and short-term investments reported: Cash and cash equivalents were $37.9 million at year-end, against $31.6 million. Short-term investments were nil, against $28.3 million. Inventories were $81.7 million, from $70.7 million. Source
  • Dividends paid and repurchases for year: Dividends paid to shareholders were $36.1 million for 2025, against $31.0 million, and repurchases of common stock were $3.0 million. Source

Coming up, as management said on 12 March 2026

  • Margin tailwind expected from Q2 2026: Management expects tariff-related margin tailwinds to be realized beginning in the second quarter of 2026. Source
  • Further paper bag business pending: Further paper bag business is being pursued, with some opportunities at the final confirmation stage. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Chains and distributors net sales, fourth quarter 2025 Source$93,327 thousand
Online net sales, fourth quarter 2025 Source$17,071 thousand
Share of goods sourced from Taiwan, fourth quarter 2025 Source46 percent
Import volume change, full year 2025 Source22.0 percent increase

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Tariff policy remains a source of uncertainty; management said it monitors developments and adjusts the supply chain as appropriate. Source
  • Financial: Currency moves between the U.S. dollar and the New Taiwan dollar produced a foreign currency loss in 2025. Source
  • Operational: A duty reserve on certain earlier imports was adjusted, adding cost in the fourth quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management refers to its sourcing diversification strategy as an existing plan, without stating progress against a target. Source
  • Not stated: Management expects to keep gaining market share in paper bags in the coming years; no progress is stated. 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.