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McCormick & Co. Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 31 March 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 11 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales rose 16.7%: Net sales were $1,873.9 million against $1,605.5 million. Acquisition added 12.4 points, currency 3.1 points, and organic growth 1.2 points. Source
  • Adjusted operating income rose: Adjusted operating income was $268 million, up 18.8% from $225 million. Reported operating income was $228 million, against $225 million a year earlier. Source
  • Diluted EPS lifted by gain: Diluted EPS was $3.77 against $0.60. A non-cash gain on the previously held equity interest added $3.22, and special charges reduced it by $0.11. Source
  • Consumer sales rose 25%: Consumer net sales were $1,145 million, including a 20% contribution from McCormick de Mexico and 3% from currency. Organic growth was 2%, driven by price. Source
  • Price drove organic growth: Organic sales growth was driven primarily by price, with price adding 1.9 points to total net sales. Source
  • Adjusted gross margin up 100 bps: Adjusted gross margin was 38.6%, up 100 basis points, supported by McCormick de Mexico, pricing and CCI cost savings. Source
  • Acquisition used $729.9 million: Cash paid for the acquisition, net of cash acquired, was $729.9 million. Short-term borrowings rose by a net $928.5 million, and long-term debt borrowings were $497.4 million. Source

“We are pleased to begin the year with first quarter results that demonstrate the strength and resilience of our business.”

Brendan M. Foley, Chairman, President, and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales growth, reported Sourcefiscal 202613% to 17%Kept
Net sales growth, constant currency Sourcefiscal 202612% to 16%Kept
Contribution from McCormick de Mexico Sourcefiscal 202611% to 13%Kept
Organic sales growth Sourcefiscal 20261% to 3%Kept
Adjusted operating income growth, reported Sourcefiscal 202616% to 20%Kept
Adjusted operating income growth, constant currency Sourcefiscal 202615% to 19%Kept
Adjusted EPS, dollars Sourcefiscal 2026$3.05 to $3.13Kept
Adjusted EPS growth, reported Sourcefiscal 20262% to 5%Kept
Adjusted EPS growth, constant currency Sourcefiscal 20261% to 4%Kept
Foreign currency impact Sourcefiscal 2026favorably impact net sales by 1%, adjusted operating income by 1%, and adjusted earnings per share by 1%Kept
Effective tax rate Sourcefiscal 2026approximately 24%Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: Fiscal 2026 sales growth, adjusted operating income and adjusted EPS guidance was reaffirmed, with the same ranges as in the January release. Source
  • New: Results now consolidate McCormick de Mexico from the acquisition date, replacing the prior equity-method treatment of the 50% stake. Source

Quarter results and growth

  • Net sales rose 16.7%: Net sales were $1,873.9 million against $1,605.5 million. Acquisition added 12.4 points, currency 3.1 points, and organic growth 1.2 points. Source
  • Adjusted operating income rose: Adjusted operating income was $268 million, up 18.8% from $225 million. Reported operating income was $228 million, against $225 million a year earlier. Source
  • Diluted EPS lifted by gain: Diluted EPS was $3.77 against $0.60. A non-cash gain on the previously held equity interest added $3.22, and special charges reduced it by $0.11. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose 10%: Adjusted EPS was $0.66 against $0.60, up 10.0%, mainly from higher adjusted operating income. Source

Segments and regions

  • Consumer sales rose 25%: Consumer net sales were $1,145 million, including a 20% contribution from McCormick de Mexico and 3% from currency. Organic growth was 2%, driven by price. Source
  • Consumer profit rose 22%: Consumer operating income excluding special charges reached $180 million, up 22%, or 20% in constant currency, on higher gross profit partly offset by brand marketing and technology spending. Source
  • Flavor Solutions sales rose 6%: Flavor Solutions net sales were $729 million, with 3% from currency and 2% from McCormick de Mexico. Organic growth was 1%, driven by price. Source
  • Flavor Solutions profit rose 12%: Flavor Solutions operating income excluding special charges reached $88 million, up 12%, or 7% in constant currency, on higher gross profit partly offset by technology spending. Source
  • Consumer Americas led regional sales: Consumer Americas net sales rose 30.4% as reported, with 1.2% organic growth. Consumer EMEA rose 15.5% and Consumer APAC rose 6.2%. Source

“We remain on track to achieve our 2026 outlook and remain committed to our vision of being a global flavor leader, while continuing to drive shareholder value.”

Brendan M. Foley, Chairman, President, and CEO

Demand, volume and pricing

  • Price drove organic growth: Organic sales growth was driven primarily by price, with price adding 1.9 points to total net sales. Source
  • Volume and mix subtracted: Volume and mix were negative for total net sales, while price added to growth. Source
  • Volume drivers named by management: Management named brand investments, innovation in both segments and distribution gains as the drivers expected to lift volume. Source

Margins and costs

  • Adjusted gross margin up 100 bps: Adjusted gross margin was 38.6%, up 100 basis points, supported by McCormick de Mexico, pricing and CCI cost savings. Source
  • Reported gross margin up 20 bps: Reported gross margin was 37.8%, up 20 basis points, after a $15.0 million step-up of acquired inventory recognized in cost of goods sold. Source
  • SG&A rose on acquisition and brand spend: SG&A expense rose to $456.3 million from $378.8 million, driven by acquisition-related costs, brand marketing and technology spending. CCI cost savings, including SG&A streamlining, supported adjusted operating income. Source
  • Operating margin split by measure: Reported operating margin was 12.1%, down 190 basis points. Adjusted operating margin was 14.3%, up 30 basis points, with special charges of $40.1 million excluded. Source
  • Special charges reduced reported EPS: Special charges, including transaction and integration costs, reduced reported diluted EPS by $0.11 and were excluded from adjusted measures. Source

McCormick de Mexico and accounting effects

  • Remeasurement gain excluded from adjusted results: The $866.8 million non-cash gain on remeasuring the previously held equity interest is excluded from adjusted results. Source
  • Adjusted tax rate rose: Adjusted income tax rate was 26.0% against 22.3% a year earlier. The reported income tax rate was 26.3%. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Operating cash flow fell: Operating cash flow was $50.9 million against $115.5 million, with payables and other liabilities reducing cash in the quarter. Source
  • Acquisition used $729.9 million: Cash paid for the acquisition, net of cash acquired, was $729.9 million. Short-term borrowings rose by a net $928.5 million, and long-term debt borrowings were $497.4 million. Source
  • Debt balances increased: Short-term borrowings and the current portion of long-term debt were $1,319.3 million, and long-term debt was $3,604.1 million, both higher than at November 30, 2025. Source
  • Capital spending slightly lower: Capital expenditures including software were $32.5 million, against $37.1 million a year earlier. Source
  • Dividend increase authorized in November: The Board authorized a 7% quarterly dividend increase in November, the 40th consecutive year of increases. Dividends paid were $128.9 million in the quarter.
  • Share purchases lower: Common stock acquired by purchase was $10.9 million, against $17.2 million a year earlier. Source

Strategy, investment and people

  • Investment in prioritized categories: Fiscal 2026 guidance reflects prioritized investment in key categories to sustain volume trends and support long-term profitable growth. Source
  • CCI program funds growth: The CCI program is described as funding growth investments while also driving operating margin expansion. Source
  • Power of People culture: Management said it is strengthening its Power of People culture and building a future-ready organization to support growth. Source
  • Employees credited for success: Chairman, President, and CEO Brendan M. Foley credited employees' dedication and said they are the foundation of the company's success. Source

Full-year expectations

  • Gross margin expansion expected: Adjusted gross margin expansion is expected to reflect recovery from 2025. Source
  • SG&A cost headwinds: SG&A faces cost headwinds from digital transformation and rebuilding incentive compensation, alongside growth investments. Source
  • Adjusted projections not reconciled: Projected adjusted operating income and EPS are not reconciled to reported figures, because special charges cannot be predicted. Source

Coming up, as management said on 31 March 2026

  • Volume growth expected to build: Management expects sequential improvement, with growth building through the year. Source
  • Cash flow and dividends expected: Fiscal 2026 cash flow is expected to be driven by profit and working capital initiatives, with a portion returned to shareholders as dividends. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Volume/mix, total net sales Source(0.7)%
Volume/mix, Consumer Source(0.4)%
Volume/mix, Flavor Solutions Source(1.0)%

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management cited uncertainty in the consumer and macro environment, including global trade policies and the Middle East conflict. Source
  • Operational: Higher commodity costs are expected to partly offset favorable factors for fiscal 2026. Source
  • Financial: Net interest expense is higher, mainly because of the McCormick de Mexico transaction. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management said first quarter total volumes were in line with its expectations. 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.