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Kontoor Brands, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 12 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 raised, 2 lowered, 2 new, 5 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue growth accelerated by Helly Hansen: Revenue from continuing operations was $584 million, up 19 percent year-over-year, driven by $114 million contribution from Helly Hansen acquisition completed May 2025 and 2 percent growth in Wrangler. Source
  • International surge from DTC expansion: International Wrangler revenue increased 10 percent, with direct-to-consumer up 31 percent and wholesale up 7 percent, demonstrating diversified growth. Source
  • Helly Hansen Q2 revenue exceeded expectations: Helly Hansen global revenue was $114 million in the quarter, with Sport category at $70 million and Workwear at $37 million, exceeding internal expectations. Source
  • EPS guidance raised to 27-29 percent growth: Full year adjusted EPS guidance raised to $5.25-$5.35 from $5.15-$5.25, reflecting 27-29 percent growth versus prior year based on stronger year-to-date results and improved visibility. Source
  • Gross margin guidance strengthened significantly: Adjusted gross margin guidance raised to 49.8-50.0 percent from 48.3-48.5 percent, reflecting stronger year-to-date results and Helly Hansen contribution achieving greater synergies. Source
  • $400M ASR planned from Lee proceeds: Company intends to deploy expected proceeds from Lee divestiture into $400 million Accelerated Share Repurchase agreement, with remaining proceeds allocated to voluntary debt payments. Source
  • Over $900M capital return commitment: Company expects to return more than $900 million to shareholders in 2026 through share repurchases, dividends and voluntary debt payments, including Lee divestiture proceeds. Source

“As we look ahead, we are sharpening our portfolio focus and increased investment on our largest growth opportunities. We are raising our full year outlook based on the strength we have seen in our year-to-date results, and our confidence and visibility as we enter the second half of the year.”

Joe Alkire, President and Chief Financial Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted gross margin from continuing operations Sourcefull year 202649.8 to 50.0 percentRaised from 48.3 to 48.5 percent
Revenue from continuing operations Sourcefull year 2026$2.66 to $2.71 billionKept
Capital expenditures Sourcefull year 2026approximately $30 millionLowered from approximately $40 million
Adjusted SG&A expenses growth Sourcefull year 2026approximately 23 percent increase versus prior yearRaised from approximately 18 percent increase
Adjusted operating income from continuing operations Sourcefull year 2026$413 to $420 millionRaised from $411 to $418 million
Interest expense Sourcefull year 2026approximately $56 millionRaised from approximately $55 million
Effective tax rate on adjusted pre-tax earnings Sourcefull year 2026approximately 20 percentKept
Average shares outstanding Sourcefull year 2026approximately 55.5 millionLowered from approximately 56 million
Total cash from operations Sourcefull year 2026approximately $450 millionKept
Voluntary term loan payments Sourcefull year 2026$225 millionKept
Net leverage ratio Sourceby year-end 2026below 1.5 timesKept
Accelerated Share Repurchase program Sourceto be funded from Lee divestiture proceeds$400 millionNew
Total capital returned to shareholders Sourcefull year 2026more than $900 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full year adjusted EPS guidance raised to $5.25-$5.35 from $5.15-$5.25, representing 27-29 percent growth versus prior year Source
  • Guidance raised: Full year adjusted gross margin raised to 49.8-50.0 percent from 48.3-48.5 percent, an additional 50-70 basis point increase versus prior guidance Source
  • Guidance lowered: Capital expenditure guidance reduced from $40 million to approximately $30 million Source
  • Guidance raised: Full year adjusted SG&A growth rate increased from approximately 18 percent to approximately 23 percent versus prior year Source
  • New: Announced $400 million Accelerated Share Repurchase program to be funded from Lee divestiture proceeds Source
  • New: Disclosed commitment to return more than $900 million total capital in 2026 through repurchases, dividends and debt payments including Lee proceeds Source

Q2 Revenue and Results

  • Revenue growth accelerated by Helly Hansen: Revenue from continuing operations was $584 million, up 19 percent year-over-year, driven by $114 million contribution from Helly Hansen acquisition completed May 2025 and 2 percent growth in Wrangler. Source
  • Adjusted EPS growth of 13 percent: Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.06 increased 13 percent compared to prior year, reflecting improved profitability despite investment in growth initiatives. Source

Wrangler Brand Performance

  • Wrangler organic growth of 2 percent: Wrangler global revenue of $469 million increased 2 percent, with U.S. revenue up 1 percent and international revenue up 10 percent. Source
  • U.S. growth led by direct-to-consumer: U.S. Wrangler revenue increased 1 percent driven by 9 percent growth in direct-to-consumer, while U.S. wholesale remained flat. Source
  • International surge from DTC expansion: International Wrangler revenue increased 10 percent, with direct-to-consumer up 31 percent and wholesale up 7 percent, demonstrating diversified growth. Source

“With the Lee divestiture on track to close in the fourth quarter, we intend to deploy $400 million of the expected proceeds into an Accelerated Share Repurchase agreement based on the confidence we have in our long-term strategy and value creation potential.”

Joe Alkire, President and Chief Financial Officer

Helly Hansen Strong Execution

  • Helly Hansen Q2 revenue exceeded expectations: Helly Hansen global revenue was $114 million in the quarter, with Sport category at $70 million and Workwear at $37 million, exceeding internal expectations. Source
  • H1 2026 double-digit pro-forma growth: For the first half of 2026, Helly Hansen delivered double-digit revenue growth on a pro-forma basis with significant profitability improvement fueled by multi-brand platform benefits. Source
  • Helly Hansen margin pressure offset improvement: Despite $0.06 loss per share from Helly Hansen in Q2, the contribution significantly exceeded expectations due to synergy benefits from operating model. Source

Gross Margin Expansion Drivers

  • Margin expansion offsetting cost pressures: Despite increased product costs from tariffs and other factors, margin expansion reflects strong execution on pricing, channel optimization, and operational efficiencies. Source

Operating Leverage and Efficiency

  • Adjusted operating income grew 19 percent: Adjusted operating income of $94 million increased 19 percent year-over-year, with adjusted operating margin of 16 percent up 10 basis points. Source

Full Year Guidance Raised

  • EPS guidance raised to 27-29 percent growth: Full year adjusted EPS guidance raised to $5.25-$5.35 from $5.15-$5.25, reflecting 27-29 percent growth versus prior year based on stronger year-to-date results and improved visibility. Source
  • Gross margin guidance strengthened significantly: Adjusted gross margin guidance raised to 49.8-50.0 percent from 48.3-48.5 percent, reflecting stronger year-to-date results and Helly Hansen contribution achieving greater synergies. Source

Capital Allocation and Lee Divestiture

  • Lee divestiture on track for Q4 close: Lee business divestiture remains on track to close in fourth quarter 2026, with company committed to deploying proceeds strategically. Source
  • $400M ASR planned from Lee proceeds: Company intends to deploy expected proceeds from Lee divestiture into $400 million Accelerated Share Repurchase agreement, with remaining proceeds allocated to voluntary debt payments. Source
  • Over $900M capital return commitment: Company expects to return more than $900 million to shareholders in 2026 through share repurchases, dividends and voluntary debt payments, including Lee divestiture proceeds. Source
  • Q2 repurchases at $74 per share: Company repurchased $50 million of common stock in Q2 at average price of $74 per share, with year-to-date repurchases of $75 million at average price of $75 per share. Source

Tariff Recovery and Trade Policy

  • IEEPA tariff recovery well underway: Following U.S. Supreme Court ruling that IEEPA does not authorize tariffs, company received $23 million in refunds during third quarter with remainder expected by year-end. Source
  • Section 301 tariff rates implemented: Office of U.S. Trade Representative implemented Section 301 tariff rates of 10-12.5 percent on imports from majority of company's trading partners effective July 2026. Source

Coming up, per management

  • Lee divestiture closing in Q4: Company expects to close divestiture of Lee business in fourth quarter 2026 and deploy proceeds into $400 million ASR program. Source
  • IEEPA tariff refund completion: Company expects to receive remaining IEEPA tariff refunds by end of fiscal 2026 following $23 million received in third quarter. Source
  • Incremental brand investment deployment: Approximately $25 million of incremental brand-building and growth-enabling investments to be deployed throughout remainder of year. Source
  • Second half revenue growth execution: Company expects mid-single-digit revenue growth in second half for Wrangler and Helly Hansen brands, excluding impact of 53rd week in 2025. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Lee divestiture stated as on track to close in fourth quarter 2026 Source
  • On track: Company expects to achieve net leverage below 1.5 times by year-end 2026 Source
  • On track: Guidance raised to $5.25-$5.35 based on strength seen year-to-date and confidence in second half execution Source
  • On track: Full year adjusted gross margin guidance raised to 49.8-50.0 percent based on stronger-than-expected year-to-date results Source

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point carries a quote that is checked word for word against the filing; a point whose quote is not found is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.