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J.M. Smucker Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 25 November 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 5 lowered, 9 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales rose 3 percent: Net sales rose $58.9 million, or 3 percent, to $2.3 billion. Excluding divestitures and currency, net sales rose 5 percent. Source
  • Net price lifted comparable sales: Net price realization added 11 percentage points to comparable net sales, mainly from higher coffee pricing. Source
  • Adjusted EPS fell 24 percent: Adjusted earnings per share was $2.10, down 24 percent. GAAP diluted EPS was $2.26, against a $0.23 loss a year earlier. Source
  • Coffee net sales up 21 percent: U.S. Retail Coffee net sales reached $848.9 million, with net price realization adding 27 percentage points. Source
  • Coffee segment profit fell 24 percent: Coffee segment profit was $154.3 million, down 24 percent, with an 18.2 percent margin, reflecting commodity costs, tariffs and marketing. Source
  • Adjusted gross margin fell to 33.9 percent: Adjusted gross profit margin was 33.9 percent, against 38.7 percent a year earlier; the six-month margin was 34.5 percent. Source
  • Volume and mix subtracted six points: Volume/mix reduced comparable net sales by 6 percentage points, led by declines for coffee, peanut butter and dog snacks. Source
  • Operating and free cash flow fell: Operating cash flow was $346.5 million and free cash flow was $280.2 million, both lower than a year earlier. Source

“We are pleased with our second quarter results and the positive momentum that we are experiencing in our business,”

Mark Smucker, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales growth vs prior year SourceFiscal 20263.5% to 4.5%Lowered from 3.0% to 5.0%
Comparable net sales growth SourceFiscal 2026approximately 5.0% to 6.0%Lowered from 4.5% to 6.5%
Adjusted earnings per share SourceFiscal 2026$8.75 to $9.25Lowered from $8.50 to $9.50
Adjusted gross profit margin SourceFiscal 2026approximately 35.0%Lowered from 35.0% to 35.5%
Interest expense SourceFiscal 2026approximately $380.0 millionKept
Adjusted effective income tax rate SourceFiscal 202623.8%Kept
Free cash flow SourceFiscal 2026approximately $975.0 millionKept
Capital expenditures SourceFiscal 2026$325.0 millionKept
Net cash from operating activities SourceFiscal 2026$1,300.0 millionKept
Weighted-average diluted shares SourceFiscal 2026106.9 millionKept
Divestiture impact on net sales SourceFiscal 2026$134.7 millionKept
Contract manufacturing sales decline SourceFiscal 2026approximately $38.0 millionKept
GAAP net income per diluted share SourceFiscal 2026$5.66 to $6.16Lowered from $5.54 to $6.54
Change in unallocated derivative gains and losses (per share) SourceFiscal 2026$0.72Raised from $0.61
Pension plan termination settlement charge (per share) SourceFiscal 2026$0.32Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Net sales growth range now 3.5% to 4.5%, from 3.0% to 5.0%. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Adjusted EPS range now $8.75 to $9.25, from $8.50 to $9.50. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Comparable net sales growth now approximately 5.0% to 6.0%, from 4.5% to 6.5%. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Adjusted gross profit margin now approximately 35.0%, from 35.0% to 35.5%. Source
  • Guidance lowered: SD&A expenses now in line with the prior year, from an approximate 3.0% increase. Source
  • Guidance kept: Free cash flow of approximately $975.0 million and capital expenditures of $325.0 million unchanged. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales rose 3 percent: Net sales rose $58.9 million, or 3 percent, to $2.3 billion. Excluding divestitures and currency, net sales rose 5 percent. Source
  • Net price lifted comparable sales: Net price realization added 11 percentage points to comparable net sales, mainly from higher coffee pricing. Source
  • Operating income rose on prior-year loss: Operating income rose $248.8 million, or 147 percent, mainly because the prior year included a $260.8 million pre-tax loss on the Voortman business disposal group. Source
  • Adjusted operating income fell 20 percent: Adjusted operating income decreased $96.3 million, or 20 percent, to $394.3 million, a 16.9 percent margin on net sales. Source
  • Adjusted EPS fell 24 percent: Adjusted earnings per share was $2.10, down 24 percent. GAAP diluted EPS was $2.26, against a $0.23 loss a year earlier. Source

Segments and regions

  • Coffee net sales up 21 percent: U.S. Retail Coffee net sales reached $848.9 million, with net price realization adding 27 percentage points. Source
  • Coffee segment profit fell 24 percent: Coffee segment profit was $154.3 million, down 24 percent, with an 18.2 percent margin, reflecting commodity costs, tariffs and marketing. Source
  • Sweet Baked Snacks profit fell sharply: Sweet Baked Snacks profit was $21.8 million, down 69 percent, with an 8.5 percent margin, on higher costs and divested-business comparisons. Source
  • Frozen handheld sales slipped: U.S. Retail Frozen Handheld and Spreads net sales decreased 5 percent to $461.1 million; segment profit fell 12 percent to $102.1 million. Source
  • Pet foods profit edged up: U.S. Retail Pet Foods segment profit rose 2 percent to $124.4 million on lower costs and higher pricing, despite lower volume. Source
  • International and Away From Home grew: International and Away From Home net sales rose 9 percent to $350.8 million; segment profit rose 12 percent to $76.4 million. Source

“Our top-line growth was driven by ongoing demand for our portfolio of leading brands, and our bottom-line results reflect disciplined cost management and business execution.”

Mark Smucker, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross profit fell 2 percent: Gross profit decreased $16.2 million, or 2 percent, as commodity costs, volume/mix, tariffs and divestitures outweighed higher net pricing. Source
  • Adjusted gross margin fell to 33.9 percent: Adjusted gross profit margin was 33.9 percent, against 38.7 percent a year earlier; the six-month margin was 34.5 percent. Source
  • Marketing spend rose as a share of sales: Marketing expense was 6.1 percent of net sales, up from 5.4 percent, while general and administrative costs fell to 5.3 percent from 6.1 percent. Source
  • SD&A expenses rose 2 percent: Selling, distribution and administrative expenses were $398.2 million in the quarter, up 2 percent, or 17.1 percent of net sales. Source

Demand and volume

  • Volume and mix subtracted six points: Volume/mix reduced comparable net sales by 6 percentage points, led by declines for coffee, peanut butter and dog snacks. Source
  • Frozen volume declined on spreads: Frozen Handheld and Spreads volume/mix reduced net sales by 8 percentage points, mainly from peanut butter and fruit spreads. Source
  • Sweet Baked Snacks volume eased: Sweet Baked Snacks volume/mix reduced net sales by 2 points, led by snack cakes, private label and breakfast, partly offset by donuts. Source
  • Pet volume down on dog snacks: Pet Foods volume/mix cut net sales by 8 points, mainly from dog snacks and lapping divested-brand contract manufacturing. Source

“Through our focused strategy we are confident in our ability to deliver our financial outlook for this fiscal year and advance our longer-term objectives to increase shareholder value.”

Mark Smucker, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board

Cash, debt and dividends

  • Operating and free cash flow fell: Operating cash flow was $346.5 million and free cash flow was $280.2 million, both lower than a year earlier. Source
  • Working capital absorbed cash: Management said operating cash fell as more cash went to working capital, partly offset by lower income tax payments. Source
  • Capital spending came down: Capital expenditures were $66.3 million in the quarter, down from $87.0 million a year earlier. Source
  • Dividend rose 2 percent: Dividends declared were $1.10 per share in the quarter, up 2 percent, and $2.20 for the six months. Source
  • Small share repurchases: Purchases of treasury shares were $0.4 million in the quarter and $5.0 million in the six months. Source
  • Short-term borrowings rose: Short-term borrowings were $748.2 million at October 31, up from $640.8 million at April 30. Source

Portfolio changes and strategy

  • Divestitures shape the comparison: Results reflect the divestiture of certain Sweet Baked Snacks value brands on March 3, 2025, and the Voortman business on December 2, 2024. Source
  • Pet contract manufacturing ended: Contract manufacturing for the divested pet food brands ended at the close of fiscal 2025, reducing fiscal 2026 sales. Source
  • Three strategic priorities cited: Management cited three priorities: accelerating organic growth, embedding transformation in everyday work, and a Be Bold mindset. Source
  • Full-year guidance updated: The company said it updated its full-year fiscal 2026 guidance, narrowing several ranges and keeping free cash flow and capital expenditures. Source

Coming up, as management said on 25 November 2025

  • Pre-recorded management discussion posted: Pre-recorded management discussion, transcript and supplemental materials to be posted to the investor website on the release date. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Volume/mix effect on comparable net sales Source-6 percentage points

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management cited a dynamic environment, including tariffs, regulatory and policy changes, input inflation and shifts in consumer behavior. Source
  • Financial: Derivative gains and losses cannot be projected on a forward-looking basis; they vary each quarter with market conditions and positions taken. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said it is confident in delivering its fiscal 2026 financial guidance through its focused strategy. Source
  • Not stated: A non-recurring pension settlement charge is anticipated during fiscal 2026, upon settlement of the pension obligations. 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.