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Constellation Brands, Inc.: Q2 FY2027 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2027, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 October 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 3 lowered, 11 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Reported EPS up 25%, comparable 3%: Reported diluted EPS was $3.32 against $2.65. Comparable EPS was $3.74 against $3.63, up 3%; comparable adjustments added $0.42 per share. Source
  • Comparable operating income up 1%: Comparable operating income was $896.6 million, up 1%, at a 34.1% comparable operating margin against 35.7%. Reported operating income fell 8% to $805.0 million. Source
  • Beer net sales up 5% on shipments: Beer net sales were $2,473.6 million, up 5%, on shipments of 123.9 million cases, up 5.5%. Beer segment operating income rose 1% to $964.2 million. Source
  • Beer margin down 160 basis points: Beer operating margin fell to 39.0% from 40.6%. Lower tariff expenses and favorable fixed cost absorption were more than offset by higher marketing and other SG&A spend. Source
  • Wine and Spirits net sales up 17%: Net sales were $159.4 million, up 17%, on shipments up 15.4% to 1.5 million 9-liter case equivalents. Source
  • Wine and Spirits margin rose to 3.8%: Segment operating income was $6.1 million against a $19.8 million loss, a 3.8% margin. Management cited recoveries of U.S. tariffs in cost of product sold and savings in marketing and SG&A. Source
  • Reported margin hit by impairment: Reported operating margin was 30.6% against 35.2%. Comparable adjustments of $91.6 million included a $49.8 million impairment on assets held for sale tied to the planned Nelson’s Green Brier divestiture. Source
  • Operating cash flow edged down 1%: Six-month operating cash flow was $1,478.6 million, down 1%, and free cash flow was $1,124.5 million, up 4%. Source

“We have sharpened our execution and increased investment across the business, and are beginning to see early returns through accelerating dollar and volume share gains in both our Beer and Wine & Spirits businesses relative to the first quarter.”

Nicholas Fink - President & CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Reported EPS SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)$11.85 - $12.55Raised from $11.50 - $12.20
Comparable EPS SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)$11.20 - $11.90Kept
Net sales SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)$8,910 - $9,090 millionKept
GAAP operating income SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)$2,745 - $2,895 millionLowered from $2,833 - $2,983 million
Comparable adjustments to operating income SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)$90 millionRaised from $2 million
Reported operating margin, enterprise SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)31% - 32%Lowered from 32% - 33%
Comparable operating margin, enterprise SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)32% - 33%Kept
Beer operating margin SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)37% - 38%Kept
Wine and Spirits operating margin SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)5% - 6%Kept
Enterprise organic net sales growth SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)(1)% - 1%Kept
Beer net sales growth SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)(1)% - 1%Kept
Wine and Spirits organic net sales growth SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)(1)% - 1%Kept
Tax rate, reported SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)~12%Lowered from ~17%
Operating cash flow SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)$2.4 - $2.5 billionKept
Capital expenditures SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)~$800 millionKept
Free cash flow SourceFiscal 2027 (year ending February 28, 2027)$1.6 - $1.7 billionKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Reported EPS range raised to $11.85 - $12.55 from $11.50 - $12.20. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Reported enterprise operating margin range lowered to 31% - 32% from 32% - 33%. Source
  • Guidance lowered: GAAP operating income range lowered to $2,745 - $2,895 million from $2,833 - $2,983 million. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Reported tax rate assumption lowered to about 12% from about 17%. Source
  • Guidance kept: Comparable EPS, operating cash flow and free cash flow targets reaffirmed at prior ranges. Source
  • New: SpikedAde acquired after quarter end: $75 million at close, plus up to $278 million contingent over five years. Source
  • Ended: Eight New Zealand mainstream wine brands and associated assets sold in June 2026. Source

Quarter results and growth drivers

  • Consolidated net sales rose 6%: Consolidated net sales were $2,633.0 million, up 6%, with organic net sales also up 6%. Six-month net sales were $5,065.7 million, up 1%. Source
  • Reported EPS up 25%, comparable 3%: Reported diluted EPS was $3.32 against $2.65. Comparable EPS was $3.74 against $3.63, up 3%; comparable adjustments added $0.42 per share. Source
  • Comparable operating income up 1%: Comparable operating income was $896.6 million, up 1%, at a 34.1% comparable operating margin against 35.7%. Reported operating income fell 8% to $805.0 million. Source
  • Six-month comparable EPS up 5%: Six-month reported EPS was $7.11, up 28%. Six-month comparable EPS was $7.16, up 5%, and comparable operating income rose 4% to $1,730.8 million. Source

Beer business performance

  • Beer net sales up 5% on shipments: Beer net sales were $2,473.6 million, up 5%, on shipments of 123.9 million cases, up 5.5%. Beer segment operating income rose 1% to $964.2 million. Source
  • Beer depletions slipped 0.6%: Depletions fell 0.6%. Modelo Especial declined about 2% and Corona Extra about 5%, partly offset by Pacifico (about 19%), Victoria (about 15%) and Modelo Chelada (about 5%). Labor Day timing had minimal effect. Source
  • Beer margin down 160 basis points: Beer operating margin fell to 39.0% from 40.6%. Lower tariff expenses and favorable fixed cost absorption were more than offset by higher marketing and other SG&A spend. Source

“As we look to the second half of the year, we remain committed to supporting long-term growth, maintaining financial flexibility, and returning capital to shareholders.”

Garth Hankinson - Executive Vice President & CFO

Wine and Spirits performance

  • Wine and Spirits net sales up 17%: Net sales were $159.4 million, up 17%, on shipments up 15.4% to 1.5 million 9-liter case equivalents. Source
  • Wine and Spirits margin rose to 3.8%: Segment operating income was $6.1 million against a $19.8 million loss, a 3.8% margin. Management cited recoveries of U.S. tariffs in cost of product sold and savings in marketing and SG&A. Source
  • Kim Crawford and Mi CAMPO drove depletions: Depletions rose 10.2%. Kim Crawford grew about 11% and Mi CAMPO about 51%. Source
  • Wine ranked third in dollar share: The wine portfolio was the #3 dollar share gainer in the total wine category, and the portfolio outpaced the total wine and spirits category in dollar and volume sales in Circana U.S. tracked channels. Source

Costs, margins and tax

  • Reported margin hit by impairment: Reported operating margin was 30.6% against 35.2%. Comparable adjustments of $91.6 million included a $49.8 million impairment on assets held for sale tied to the planned Nelson’s Green Brier divestiture. Source
  • Effective tax rate fell to 20.2%: Reported effective tax rate was 20.2% against 37.9% a year earlier. On a comparable basis the rate was 20.4% against 18.5%. Source
  • Gross margin rose in both segments: Beer gross margin was 54.1% against 52.9%. Wine and Spirits gross margin was 44.2% against 40.3%. Consolidated gross profit rose 6% to $1,393.0 million. Source
  • SG&A rose on marketing spend: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $538.2 million against $436.0 million a year earlier. Management cited increased marketing investment as a factor in Beer margin. Source
  • Commodity hedge settlements excluded: Settlements of undesignated commodity derivative contracts were a $14.8 million loss, excluded from comparable results. The quarter's net gain on those contracts was $3.4 million. Source

Demand and market share

  • Beer ranked top share gainer: Beer was the #1 dollar and volume share gainer in Circana U.S. tracked channels, with five of the top-15 dollar share gaining brands across the beer category. Source
  • Pacifico became a top-10 brand: Pacifico was the #2 dollar share gainer and became a top-10 brand by dollar sales. Victoria was the #10 dollar share gainer. Source
  • Modelo Chelada and Corona share: Modelo Especial stayed the #1 brand by dollar sales. Within the Modelo brand family, Chelada Limón y Sal was the #6 dollar share gainer, and Corona Familiar was the #14 dollar share gainer. Source

Capital, cash and debt

  • Operating cash flow edged down 1%: Six-month operating cash flow was $1,478.6 million, down 1%, and free cash flow was $1,124.5 million, up 4%. Source
  • Capital spending lower year-to-date: Six-month purchases of property, plant and equipment were $354.1 million, against $410.1 million a year earlier. Source
  • Repurchases reached $530 million: Share repurchases were $530 million year-to-date through September 2026, up from $324 million through June 2026. Source
  • Long-term debt lower since February: Long-term debt, less current maturities, was $9,096.2 million at August 31, 2026, against $9,692.9 million at February 28, 2026. Current maturities rose to $1,103.0 million. Source

Strategy and acquisitions

  • SpikedAde adds RTD brand: Management said SpikedAde is consistent with its strategy to selectively expand into new demand spaces aimed at sustainable consumer trends. Source
  • Deal leaves guidance unchanged: The SpikedAde acquisition does not affect the fiscal 2027 guidance. Source
  • Deal aligned with capital priorities: Management said the acquisition strengthens the RTD position and remains aligned with its disciplined capital allocation priorities. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 October 2026

  • Dividend payable November 13: The $1.03 quarterly dividend is payable November 13, 2026, to holders of record at the close of business on October 30, 2026. Source
  • Call materials posted before call: Attachments and financial information to be discussed on the call will be posted to the investor relations website before the call. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Beer shipments (24-pack, 12-ounce case equivalents) Source123.9 million cases, up 5.5%
Wine and spirits shipments (9-liter case equivalents) Source1.5 million, up 15.4%
Wine and spirits depletions Sourceup 10.2%
Beer depletions Sourcedown 0.6% for the quarter

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management said it maintained the target comparable net leverage ratio of about 3.0x. 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.