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Sturm Ruger & Co. Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales rose 4.1 percent: Net sales were $141.4 million, up 4.1% from $135.7 million a year earlier. Net firearms sales were $140.9 million and castings sales were $0.5 million. Source
  • Diluted EPS fell to $0.01: Diluted EPS was $0.01 against $0.46 a year earlier. Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.27 on the same comparison. Net income was $128 thousand against $7.8 million. Source
  • New products reached 41% of firearms: New products were $51.6 million, or 41% of firearm sales, against 33% of 2025 firearm sales, when new products totaled $173 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin declined: Adjusted EBITDA was $10.9 million, down 23.9%. The margin was 7.7% against 10.5% in the prior-year period. Source
  • Full-year capex planned at $30 million: First-quarter capital expenditures were $4.8 million. Full-year spending is planned at $30 million for new products, capacity, upgrades and facilities. Source
  • Dividend raised to $0.11: The Board declared a $0.11 per share dividend for the first quarter, up from $0.08 per share for the fourth quarter, payable May 29, 2026. Source
  • Strategic Cooperation Agreement executed: Ruger and Beretta Holding executed the Agreement, announced May 4, 2026. Management describes it as a shared commitment to long-term value creation. Source

“Our first quarter results reflect both the strength of our underlying business and the actions we have taken to position Ruger for the future,”

Todd Seyfert, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Capital expenditures Sourcefull year 2026$30 millionNew
Quarterly dividend Sourcefirst quarter 2026, payable May 29, 2026$0.11 per shareRaised from $0.08 per share

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Quarterly dividend raised to $0.11 per share from $0.08 per share declared for the prior quarter. Source
  • New guidance: A full-year 2026 capital expenditure figure of $30 million was given. The prior release contained no 2026 capital expenditure figure. Source
  • New: Ruger and Beretta Holding executed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement, announced May 4, 2026. Source
  • New: A reduction-in-force was executed in February as part of efforts to align the organization with strategic priorities and the future operating model. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales rose 4.1 percent: Net sales were $141.4 million, up 4.1% from $135.7 million a year earlier. Net firearms sales were $140.9 million and castings sales were $0.5 million. Source
  • Fourth straight quarter of sales growth: Management said this was the fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year sales growth and that the company continues to outperform the market in top-line sales. Source
  • Diluted EPS fell to $0.01: Diluted EPS was $0.01 against $0.46 a year earlier. Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.27 on the same comparison. Net income was $128 thousand against $7.8 million. Source
  • Operating result moved to a loss: Operating loss was $1.9 million against operating income of $8.5 million. General and administrative expense rose to $20.7 million from $12.0 million. Source

Products, launches and castings

  • New products reached 41% of firearms: New products were $51.6 million, or 41% of firearm sales, against 33% of 2025 firearm sales, when new products totaled $173 million. Source
  • Castings sales declined slightly: Net castings sales were $460 thousand, compared with $543 thousand in the first quarter of 2025. Source

“we continue to focus on innovation, have great demand across our offerings and see encouraging signs in the market.”

Todd Seyfert, President and Chief Executive Officer

Demand, sell-through and inventory

  • Sell-through grew faster than NICS: Estimated sell-through from distributors to retailers rose 3.2% in Q1 2026 from Q1 2025, against 1.6% growth in adjusted NICS over the same period. Source
  • Finished goods stock fell sharply: Finished goods inventories fell 95,800 units and distributor inventories fell 26,400 units versus Q1 2025. Management linked this to retail pull-through of new products. Source
  • Net inventories fell about 25%: Net inventories were $32.2 million at March 28, 2026, against $42.9 million at December 31, 2025. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Adjusted EBITDA margin declined: Adjusted EBITDA was $10.9 million, down 23.9%. The margin was 7.7% against 10.5% in the prior-year period. Source
  • Gross profit fell on higher costs: Gross profit was $28.1 million against $29.9 million, as cost of products sold rose to $113.3 million from $105.8 million. Source
  • One-time expense outside adjusted EPS: A one-time non-recurring expense of $1.7 million, or $0.07 per share, was recorded and is excluded from adjusted EPS. Source
  • Agreement fees of $3.2 million: Legal, professional and advisory fees and other expenses on the Agreement negotiations and related matters totaled about $3.2 million in the quarter. Source

“As these temporary expenses roll off, we expect improved visibility into the underlying earnings power of the business.”

Todd Seyfert, President and Chief Executive Officer

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Operating cash flow of $18.8 million: Cash from operations was $18.8 million. Cash and short-term investments were $105.2 million at March 28, 2026, and the company has no debt. Source
  • Full-year capex planned at $30 million: First-quarter capital expenditures were $4.8 million. Full-year spending is planned at $30 million for new products, capacity, upgrades and facilities. Source
  • Dividend raised to $0.11: The Board declared a $0.11 per share dividend for the first quarter, up from $0.08 per share for the fourth quarter, payable May 29, 2026. Source
  • No share repurchases in quarter: The company repurchased no shares and paid $1.3 million in dividends. In the first quarter of 2025 it had repurchased $3.0 million of shares. Source
  • Dividend about 40% of adjusted EPS: Management said the dividend equates to about 40% of adjusted net income of $0.27 per share for the first quarter. Source

Beretta Holding agreement and governance

  • Strategic Cooperation Agreement executed: Ruger and Beretta Holding executed the Agreement, announced May 4, 2026. Management describes it as a shared commitment to long-term value creation. Source
  • Agreement costs called non-recurring: Management said Agreement-related expenses are largely non-recurring and limited in duration, and do not relate to the underlying performance of the core business. Source
  • Independence and shareholder interests cited: Management said the Agreement and related actions ensure the company's independence and strengthen its operational foundation, in shareholders' interests. Source

Workforce reduction and organization

  • February reduction-in-force: The company executed a reduction-in-force in February to align the organization with strategic priorities and the future operating model. Source
  • Severance of $2.5 million recorded: Severance and related expense of $2.5 million was recognized in the quarter. Management said it is not indicative of ongoing operations. Source
  • Efficiency gains cited: Management said the moves improve efficiency and accountability and position the company for long-term profitable growth. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Finished goods inventory change vs Q1 2025 Sourcedecreased 95,800 units
Estimated sell-through growth, Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025 Source3.2%
Adjusted NICS growth, same period Source1.6%
New product share of firearm sales Source41%

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Agreement-related expenses may continue into subsequent periods, adding to costs beyond the first quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said the February reduction-in-force actions are consistent with changes outlined in the 2026 Plan and the broader Ruger 2030 framework. 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.