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Newmarket Corp.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Second-quarter net income rose: Second-quarter net income was $133.8 million, or $14.54 per share, against $111.2 million, or $11.84 per share, a year earlier. Net sales were $747.1 million, against $698.5 million. Source
  • Petroleum profit up in quarter: Petroleum additives sales were $675.6 million, against $653.9 million. Segment operating profit was $149.4 million, against $139.8 million a year earlier. Source
  • Specialty sales and profit up: Specialty materials sales were $67.2 million, against $42.0 million, and operating profit was $22.3 million, against $10.5 million. The 2025 period excludes Calca, acquired October 1, 2025. Source
  • Surcharges lifted petroleum profit: Management attributed the higher petroleum additives operating profit to surcharges on higher costs from Middle East supply chain disruptions, together with operational efficiency. Source
  • Net debt ratio reduced to 1.0x: Net Debt to EBITDA was 1.0x at June 30, against 1.2x at March 31 and 1.1x at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Expansion targets defense chemicals: The expanded capacity is intended to support domestic production of critical aerospace and defense chemicals. Source

“We are pleased with the performance of both our petroleum additives and specialty materials segments during the first half of 2026.”

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas E. Gottwald

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Specialty materials production capacity Sourceend of 2026towards the end of 2026Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • New: The pricing action is now described as surcharges on higher costs. The prior release described price adjustments to offset expected cost increases. Source
  • New: The capacity expansion now names ammonium perchlorates and high purity hydrazine. The prior release referred only to expanding specialty materials production. Source

Earnings and profit growth

  • Second-quarter net income rose: Second-quarter net income was $133.8 million, or $14.54 per share, against $111.2 million, or $11.84 per share, a year earlier. Net sales were $747.1 million, against $698.5 million. Source
  • First-half net income rose: First-half net income was $251.8 million, or $27.14 per share, against $237.2 million, or $25.11 per share, in the first half of 2025. First-half net sales were $1.42 billion, against $1.40 billion. Source
  • EBITDA higher in both periods: EBITDA was $210.6 million in the second quarter, against $186.5 million a year earlier, and $402.4 million for the first half, against $389.7 million. Source

Segment results and sales

  • Petroleum profit up in quarter: Petroleum additives sales were $675.6 million, against $653.9 million. Segment operating profit was $149.4 million, against $139.8 million a year earlier. Source
  • First-half petroleum sales flat: First-half petroleum additives sales were $1.3 billion in both years. First-half operating profit was $284.4 million, against $281.9 million. Source
  • Specialty sales and profit up: Specialty materials sales were $67.2 million, against $42.0 million, and operating profit was $22.3 million, against $10.5 million. The 2025 period excludes Calca, acquired October 1, 2025. Source

“While the operating environment remains dynamic, we believe these actions position us well to continue delivering solid results.”

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas E. Gottwald

Specialty materials results

  • First-half specialty results higher: First-half specialty materials sales were $125.3 million, against $95.8 million. First-half operating profit was $34.8 million, against $33.7 million. Source
  • Specialty quarterly results to vary: Management said specialty materials results will vary from quarter to quarter on an ongoing basis, given the nature of the business. Source
  • First-quarter specialty profit lower: Specialty materials operating profit in the first quarter was $12.4 million, against $23.2 million in the first quarter of 2025, as reported in the prior release.

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Surcharges lifted petroleum profit: Management attributed the higher petroleum additives operating profit to surcharges on higher costs from Middle East supply chain disruptions, together with operational efficiency. Source
  • Cost of goods sold rose: Cost of goods sold was $504.7 million for the quarter, against $477.6 million, and gross profit was $242.4 million, against $221.0 million. Source
  • SG&A up, research spending down: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $48.4 million, against $45.4 million. Research, development and testing expenses were $30.4 million, against $32.4 million. Source

Cash flow and debt

  • Operating cash flow generation described: Management said operations generated cash flow in the first half that funds reinvestment, acquisitions, dividends and share repurchases. Source
  • Net debt ratio reduced to 1.0x: Net Debt to EBITDA was 1.0x at June 30, against 1.2x at March 31 and 1.1x at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Net debt fell to $761.2 million: Net debt was $761.2 million at June 30, against $866.5 million at March 31 and $805.8 million at December 31. Cash was $93.6 million at June 30. Source

Capital spending and shareholder returns

  • First-half capex, dividends and buybacks: First-half capital expenditures were $51.7 million, against $29.3 million a year earlier. Dividends paid were $55.6 million and share repurchases were $126.4 million. Source
  • Shares outstanding declined: Shares outstanding were 9,196,406 at June 30, 2026, against 9,397,364 at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Dividend declared rose to $3.00: Cash dividends declared were $3.00 per share in the second quarter, against $2.75 a year earlier. Source

Capacity and long-term investment

  • Expansion targets defense chemicals: The expanded capacity is intended to support domestic production of critical aerospace and defense chemicals. Source
  • Manufacturing network and technology investment: Management said it will keep investing in technology, cost control and margin management, and advancing its global manufacturing network. Source
  • Long-term objectives cited: Management said team decisions aim to promote long-term value for shareholders and customers, and remain focused on long-term objectives. Source

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management is monitoring the Middle East conflict, the uncertain macroeconomic environment, and changes in trade relations and tariffs. Source
  • Operational: Higher raw materials, utility and logistics costs are being addressed through surcharges and operational actions, which management continues to adjust as conditions evolve. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management referred back to its earlier statement that specialty materials quarterly results vary on an ongoing basis. 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.