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Kenvue Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 October 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales grew 3.2 percent: Net sales were $3,886 million, up 3.2%, with organic sales up 2.9% and a 0.3% foreign currency benefit. Nine-month net sales were $11,750 million against $11,344 million. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose to $0.29: Diluted EPS was $0.22 against $0.21 and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.29 against $0.28. Nine-month diluted EPS was $0.71 against $0.59. Source
  • Self Care sales grew 5.9 percent: Self Care net sales were $1,656 million, up 5.9%, with organic growth of 5.4%. Segment adjusted operating income was $537 million against $520 million. Source
  • Skin Health and Beauty was flat: Skin Health and Beauty net sales were $1,039 million, up 0.1%, with organic sales down 0.5%. Segment adjusted operating income was $149 million against $137 million. Source
  • Gross margin rose modestly: Gross profit margin rose about 0.4 points to 59.5%, and adjusted gross profit margin rose about 0.3 points to 61.5%. Source
  • Free cash flow rose to $1.6 billion: Nine-month free cash flow was $1.6 billion against $1.0 billion. Capital expenditures were $0.3 billion against $0.4 billion. Source

“Our results reflect continued momentum from disciplined execution, ongoing productivity initiatives, and investment in our brands and innovation.”

Kirk Perry, Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Restructuring expenses and other charges Sourcefiscal year 2026approximately $250 millionKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: The company again gave no forward-looking guidance, citing the pending Kimberly-Clark transaction, as it did in the prior quarter. Source
  • New: Neutrogena Cloud Tech featuring BEMT was launched as part of expanded North America Sun Care. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales grew 3.2 percent: Net sales were $3,886 million, up 3.2%, with organic sales up 2.9% and a 0.3% foreign currency benefit. Nine-month net sales were $11,750 million against $11,344 million. Source
  • Fourth straight quarter of growth: Management described this as the fourth consecutive quarter of net and organic sales growth. The prior quarter was reported as the third. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose to $0.29: Diluted EPS was $0.22 against $0.21 and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.29 against $0.28. Nine-month diluted EPS was $0.71 against $0.59. Source

Segments and regions

  • Self Care sales grew 5.9 percent: Self Care net sales were $1,656 million, up 5.9%, with organic growth of 5.4%. Segment adjusted operating income was $537 million against $520 million. Source
  • Skin Health and Beauty was flat: Skin Health and Beauty net sales were $1,039 million, up 0.1%, with organic sales down 0.5%. Segment adjusted operating income was $149 million against $137 million. Source
  • Essential Health grew 2.5 percent: Essential Health net sales were $1,191 million, up 2.5% with no currency effect. Segment adjusted operating income was $315 million against $307 million. Source
  • Regional net sales by geography: Asia Pacific rose to $741 million from $672 million and Latin America to $414 million from $368 million. EMEA reached $970 million and North America was $1,761 million. Source

“I want to thank our entire organization for their dedication to delighting our consumers and customers, disciplined execution, and delivering what was promised.”

Kirk Perry, Chief Executive Officer

Products and customers

  • Tylenol gained U.S. share: Tylenol gained U.S. market share despite lower seasonal incidence, and U.S. consumption trends improved sequentially. Source
  • Hair Care grew low double digits: Hair Care was led by Rogaine, which posted its fourth consecutive quarter of market share gains, with continued momentum behind OGX. Source
  • Smoking Cessation grew double digits: Smoking Cessation grew low double digits organically, led by Europe, Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific, on Nicorette demand. Source
  • Baby Care grew across regions: Baby Care grew in all regions on Johnson’s Baby. Stayfree grew in India, and o.b. returned to growth in EMEA after its brand restage and pricing actions. Source
  • Motrin outperformed on flu rise: Motrin outperformed the market in Asia Pacific as flu incidence rose, and Pepcid continued to outperform its category. Source

Margins, costs and pricing

  • Gross margin rose modestly: Gross profit margin rose about 0.4 points to 59.5%, and adjusted gross profit margin rose about 0.3 points to 61.5%. Source
  • Productivity and tariff refunds drove gains: Management attributed the gross margin change mainly to supply chain productivity savings, U.S. tariff refunds and favorable value realization. Source
  • Operating margin rose to 18.2%: Operating income margin was 18.2% against 16.7%, and adjusted operating income margin was 21.9% against 21.5%. Source
  • Cost savings partly offset brand support: Cost optimization savings, including the 2026 Restructuring Initiative and Our Vue Forward, were partly offset by higher brand support. Source
  • Tax rate and interest expense rose: Interest expense, net was $89 million against $93 million. The effective tax rate was 29.4% against 24.3%, and the adjusted rate was 24.7% against 24.0%. Source

Cash flow and balance sheet

  • Operating cash flow rose to $1.9 billion: Nine-month operating cash flow was $1.9 billion against $1.3 billion, reflecting higher net income and lower working capital use. Source
  • Free cash flow rose to $1.6 billion: Nine-month free cash flow was $1.6 billion against $1.0 billion. Capital expenditures were $0.3 billion against $0.4 billion. Source
  • Debt lower, net debt $7.2 billion: Total debt was $8.2 billion, down from $8.5 billion at December 28, 2025. Cash was $1.0 billion against $1.1 billion, leaving net debt of $7.2 billion. Source

Transaction, restructuring and disclosure

  • Deal-related costs recorded this quarter: Pending Kimberly-Clark transaction costs were $28 million in the quarter and $60 million for the nine months, covering advisory, legal and professional fees. Source
  • Restructuring charges below prior year: Restructuring and operating model charges were $41 million against $97 million a year earlier, including $31 million of information technology and project costs. Source
  • Board-approved operating model initiative: The initiative is aimed at optimizing the operating model, transforming the supply chain, reducing complexity and driving operational efficiencies. Source
  • No quarterly conference call: No conference call was held because of the pending transaction, and the release was posted on the company website. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 October 2026

  • Kimberly-Clark combination nearing completion: Management said the company is nearing completion of the combination with Kimberly-Clark. The release gives no closing date. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Organic sales volume growth, total company Source1.6%
Self Care volume growth Source3.4%
Skin Health and Beauty volume change Source-1.7%
Essential Health volume growth Source2.0%

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Skin Health and Beauty organic sales declined on U.S. distribution losses and promotion timing, and on retailer negotiations in Europe. Source
  • External: Gross margin was partly offset by inflation and unfavorable transactional foreign exchange. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said the business transformation it began last year is on track. 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.