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Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EPS rose 8%: Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations was $2.82 versus $2.62. Nine-month adjusted EPS was $6.60, up 15%. The company cited the Bonnie Plants joint venture and a lower tax rate. Source
  • GAAP EPS fell 34%: GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations was $1.75 versus $2.64. The company attributed the decline to impairment, restructuring and other non-recurring items. Source
  • U.S. Consumer profit fell 2%: U.S. Consumer segment net sales were flat at $1,032.9 million, and segment profit fell 2% to $229.8 million. Nine-month segment profit rose 6%. Source
  • Margin fell on freight and commodities: GAAP gross margin was 31.2%, down 90 basis points, and adjusted gross margin was 31.3%, down 100 basis points. The company attributed this to higher freight and commodity costs from the Iran conflict. Source
  • Margin expansion still on track: Management said gross margin rate expansion for the year remains on track, citing supply chain automation, expanded AI use, manufacturing capital expenditures and purchasing efficiencies. Source
  • Net leverage improved 0.37x: The net leverage ratio was 3.78x, improved 0.37x from a year earlier. The ratio was 3.71x at the second quarter. Source
  • SMG 2.0 growth strategy advancing: Management described the multi-year SMG 2.0 strategy as progressing through channel expansion, innovation and a changed approach to engaging consumers. Source
  • Baxter named president and CEO: Nate Baxter, who joined in 2023 and had been president and COO, was announced as president and CEO on June 29, succeeding Jim Hagedorn. Source

“Our performance year to date demonstrates we are on track for the guidance we provided at the start of the fiscal year”

Nate Baxter, president and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations SourceFiscal 2026 full year$4.30 to $4.45Raised from $4.15 to $4.35
U.S. Consumer net sales SourceFiscal 2026 full yearlow single-digit growthKept
Non-GAAP adjusted gross margin rate SourceFiscal 2026 full yearat least 32%Kept
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA growth SourceFiscal 2026 full yearmid single-digit growthKept
Free cash flow and leverage ratio SourceFiscal 2026 full year$275 million; leverage ratio down to the high 3sKept
Full-year tax rate SourceFiscal 2026 full year27-28%

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations guidance was raised to $4.30 to $4.45 from $4.15 to $4.35. Source
  • Guidance kept: U.S. Consumer sales growth, adjusted gross margin, adjusted EBITDA growth and free cash flow guidance were reaffirmed. Source
  • New: Nate Baxter was announced as president and CEO on June 29, succeeding Jim Hagedorn. Source
  • Ended: The Hawthorne business in North America was divested, and its results are reported as discontinued operations. Source

Results and earnings per share

  • Adjusted EPS rose 8%: Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations was $2.82 versus $2.62. Nine-month adjusted EPS was $6.60, up 15%. The company cited the Bonnie Plants joint venture and a lower tax rate. Source
  • Net sales rose 1%: Third-quarter net sales were $1.17 billion, up 1% from $1.16 billion. Nine-month net sales were $2.99 billion, up 2%. Source
  • GAAP EPS fell 34%: GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations was $1.75 versus $2.64. The company attributed the decline to impairment, restructuring and other non-recurring items. Source
  • Operating income and EBITDA declined: Third-quarter income from operations was $169.6 million, down 24%, at a 14.5% margin. Adjusted EBITDA was $246.3 million, down 3%, while nine-month adjusted EBITDA rose 5% to $686.6 million. Source

Segments and regions

  • U.S. Consumer profit fell 2%: U.S. Consumer segment net sales were flat at $1,032.9 million, and segment profit fell 2% to $229.8 million. Nine-month segment profit rose 6%. Source
  • Canada business grew faster: The Other segment, which consists of the Canadian consumer business, had net sales up 8% to $139.2 million and segment profit up 10% to $18.6 million. Source
  • Hawthorne left reportable segments: Because Hawthorne is a discontinued operation, prior-period segment amounts were reclassified and Hawthorne is no longer a reportable segment for fiscal 2026. Source

“We have consistently met or exceeded every one of our financial commitments this year by diligently managing our margin profile and strengthening the balance sheet.”

Mark Scheiwer, chief financial officer and chief accounting officer

Gross margin and costs

  • Margin fell on freight and commodities: GAAP gross margin was 31.2%, down 90 basis points, and adjusted gross margin was 31.3%, down 100 basis points. The company attributed this to higher freight and commodity costs from the Iran conflict. Source
  • Margin expansion still on track: Management said gross margin rate expansion for the year remains on track, citing supply chain automation, expanded AI use, manufacturing capital expenditures and purchasing efficiencies. Source
  • Operating expenses rose on charges: Selling, general and administrative expense was $145.6 million, up 1%. Impairment, restructuring and other charges in operating expenses were $47.0 million, against a $1.0 million credit a year earlier. Source
  • Equity income rose on Bonnie Plants: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates was $29.2 million versus $25.3 million. The company cited the Bonnie Plants joint venture as a contributor to adjusted EPS. Source

Non-GAAP items and tax

  • Impairments excluded from adjusted results: Non-GAAP results exclude an $8.7 million impairment on a seller financing loan and a $7.9 million impairment on a convertible debt investment, both recorded in the quarter. Source
  • Investment losses excluded from results: Unrealized losses on non-core equity and other investments were $15.7 million. A $4.0 million settlement with former shareholders of a business acquired in fiscal 2021 was also excluded. Source
  • Tax rate expected to fall: The full-year tax rate is expected at 27-28%, compared with 29% in the prior year, driven by higher earnings and discrete tax items. Source

“The increase in our EPS guidance is a reflection of this work as we continue to take a disciplined approach to execution while making strategic investments in our business and brands to help drive current and future profitability.”

Mark Scheiwer, chief financial officer and chief accounting officer

Capital, cash and leverage

  • Net leverage improved 0.37x: The net leverage ratio was 3.78x, improved 0.37x from a year earlier. The ratio was 3.71x at the second quarter. Source
  • Current debt portion rose: The current portion of debt was $277.0 million, up from $52.1 million a year earlier. Long-term debt was $1,836.3 million and cash and cash equivalents were $27.7 million. Source
  • Receivables higher than a year earlier: Accounts receivable, net was $713.0 million, compared with $545.7 million a year earlier. Total liabilities were $3,376.1 million against an equity deficit of $208.7 million. Source

Strategy and Hawthorne sale

  • SMG 2.0 growth strategy advancing: Management described the multi-year SMG 2.0 strategy as progressing through channel expansion, innovation and a changed approach to engaging consumers. Source
  • Pre-tax loss recorded on sale: The nine-month pre-tax loss tied to the Hawthorne sale was $101.8 million. A $32.6 million reduction to that cumulative loss was recorded in the quarter from closing-date valuation of non-cash consideration. Source
  • Strategy positioned for long-term growth: Management said the company has positioned itself to strengthen the building blocks of SMG 2.0, aiming for long-term sustainable growth and shareholder value. Source

Leadership and shareholder support

  • Baxter named president and CEO: Nate Baxter, who joined in 2023 and had been president and COO, was announced as president and CEO on June 29, succeeding Jim Hagedorn. Source
  • Hagedorn Partnership backs Baxter: The Hagedorn Partnership, the largest shareholder, said it fully supports Baxter and his strategic vision for the company. Source
  • Hagedorn tribute and legacy: Hope Reeves, chair of the Hagedorn Partnership, thanked Jim Hagedorn for his leadership and said the family remains fully committed to the company. Source

Risks management discussed

  • External: Higher freight and commodity costs tied to the Iran conflict reduced gross margin rates year over year in the quarter. Source
  • Financial: A non-cash impairment of $8.7 million was recorded on a seller financing loan, and $7.9 million on a convertible debt investment, within impairment, restructuring and other charges. Source
  • Operational: Employee and executive severance charges were $1.0 million in cost of sales and $21.5 million in impairment, restructuring and other in the quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said year-to-date performance is on track for the guidance given at the start of the fiscal year. Source
  • Met: Management said it has consistently met or exceeded each financial commitment this year. Source
  • On track: Management said gross margin rate expansion remains on track over prior year despite higher freight and commodity costs. 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.