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Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 raised, 1 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Sales down 1%, organic up 4%: Net sales were $3.7 billion, down 1% on a total basis and up 4% on an organic basis, as defined in the release. Source
  • Tariff refunds added $0.67 to EPS: Reported EPS was $1.83 and adjusted EPS was $2.31; both include about $0.67 from net tariff refunds. Source
  • Tools & Outdoor margin reached 17.0%: Segment profit was $568.7 million, with $18.2 million of charges. Management cited net productivity gains and favorable product mix. Source
  • Power tools led organic growth: Tools & Outdoor organic revenue rose 4%, led by power tools. Source
  • Gross margin up on tariff refunds: Gross margin was 39.0% and adjusted gross margin 39.4%; both included about 430 basis points from net tariff refunds. Source
  • Raised full-year GAAP EPS range: Full-year 2026 GAAP EPS range moved from $4.60 to $5.45 to $5.45 to $5.85. Source
  • Adjusted EPS range raised and tightened: Adjusted EPS range moved from $5.20 to $5.80 to $5.95 to $6.25, a narrower width than before. Source
  • Free cash flow guidance raised: Full-year free cash flow now $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion, from $600 million to $800 million; includes refund realized year to date and CAM-related taxes and fees. Source

“We were particularly encouraged by our organic growth* in the quarter, which was up 4 percent, demonstrating that our brand activation and innovation efforts are yielding results.”

Chris Nelson, Stanley Black & Decker's President & CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
GAAP EPS Sourcefull year 2026$5.45 to $5.85Raised from $4.60 to $5.45
Adjusted EPS Sourcefull year 2026$5.95 to $6.25Raised from $5.20 to $5.80
GAAP EPS growth at midpoint versus 2025 Sourcefull year 2026113%Raised from 90%
Adjusted EPS growth at midpoint versus 2025 Sourcefull year 202631%Raised from 18%
Free cash flow Sourcefull year 2026$1.0 billion to $1.2 billionRaised from $600 million to $800 million
Gap between GAAP and adjusted EPS Sourcefull year 2026$0.40 to $0.50
Share repurchase authorization SourceOctober 29, 2026 through October 29, 2029up to $1 billionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: GAAP EPS range raised from $4.60 to $5.45 to $5.45 to $5.85. Source
  • Guidance raised: Adjusted EPS range raised and tightened from $5.20 to $5.80 to $5.95 to $6.25. Source
  • Guidance raised: Free cash flow range raised from $600 million to $800 million to $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion. Source
  • New: New share repurchase authorization of up to $1 billion approved October 29, 2026. Source
  • New: Debra Crew became Independent Chair of the Board on October 1, 2026. Source
  • Ended: Executive Chair role ended with the retirement of Donald Allan, Jr., as previously announced. Source
  • New: A small Engineered Fastening business was sold in the quarter at a loss. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Sales down 1%, organic up 4%: Net sales were $3.7 billion, down 1% on a total basis and up 4% on an organic basis, as defined in the release. Source
  • Volume rose 6%, pricing fell 2%: Volume added 6 points, pricing subtracted 2 points and portfolio changes subtracted 4 points; currency was flat. Source
  • Tariff refunds added $0.67 to EPS: Reported EPS was $1.83 and adjusted EPS was $2.31; both include about $0.67 from net tariff refunds. Source
  • Net earnings and EBITDA margin rose: Net earnings were 7.3% of sales. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 16.3%, up 400 basis points. Source

Segments and regions

  • Tools & Outdoor sales up 2%: Tools & Outdoor sales were $3,336 million; volume added 7 points and pricing subtracted 3 points. Source
  • Tools & Outdoor margin reached 17.0%: Segment profit was $568.7 million, with $18.2 million of charges. Management cited net productivity gains and favorable product mix. Source
  • North America and Europe growth: North America sales rose 3% in total and 6% organically; Europe fell 1% in total and rose 1% organically. Source
  • Rest of World organic sales declined: Rest of World sales rose 2% in total but fell 1% on an organic basis. Source
  • Engineered Fastening sales fell 21%: Sales fell mainly on the CAM divestiture, which took 22 points; volume and pricing each added 1 point and currency subtracted 1. Source
  • Automotive demand weighed on margin: Engineered Fastening segment margin was 11.7%, down 20 basis points; adjusted margin was also 11.7%, down 110 basis points. Source

“Our third quarter performance reinforces the conviction we have in our full-year outlook and our long-term strategy.”

Chris Nelson, Stanley Black & Decker's President & CEO

Products and channels

  • Power tools led organic growth: Tools & Outdoor organic revenue rose 4%, led by power tools. Source
  • Retail and C&I channels drove volume: Volume gains came mainly from U.S. retail and commercial and industrial channels in Tools & Outdoor. Source
  • Gas walk-behind licensing reduced sales: The shift to licensing for gas walk-behind outdoor products cut Tools & Outdoor sales by 2 points; management called it previously announced. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin up on tariff refunds: Gross margin was 39.0% and adjusted gross margin 39.4%; both included about 430 basis points from net tariff refunds. Source
  • SG&A rose on refund-related costs: SG&A was 24.2% of sales, up 310 basis points; adjusted SG&A was also 24.2%, with increases tied to incremental costs and investments. Source
  • Refund gain stated net of offsets: The refund benefit is stated net of directly attributable incentive compensation, growth investments and, for EPS, taxes. Source
  • Non-GAAP charges of $89.3 million: Charges were mainly restructuring, a non-cash asset impairment and footprint-related costs, some booked in gross profit and SG&A. Source
  • Tax rate 24.0%, adjusted 23.3%: Reported tax rate was 24.0%; the adjusted tax rate was 23.3%. Source

“We delivered a strong third quarter, achieving organic growth and margin expansion as we continued executing our strategy and investing for growth in a dynamic macro environment.”

Patrick Hallinan, EVP, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Administrative Officer

Guidance and cash flow

  • Raised full-year GAAP EPS range: Full-year 2026 GAAP EPS range moved from $4.60 to $5.45 to $5.45 to $5.85. Source
  • Adjusted EPS range raised and tightened: Adjusted EPS range moved from $5.20 to $5.80 to $5.95 to $6.25, a narrower width than before. Source
  • GAAP-to-adjusted gap narrowed: Expected gap between GAAP and adjusted EPS is $0.40 to $0.50, from $0.35 to $0.60; it reflects footprint and cost charges, partly offset by the CAM gain. Source
  • Free cash flow guidance raised: Full-year free cash flow now $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion, from $600 million to $800 million; includes refund realized year to date and CAM-related taxes and fees. Source

Capital, cash and returns

  • Operating cash and free cash flow: Operating cash flow was $659 million and free cash flow $585 million in the quarter. Source
  • Repurchased $250 million of shares: About 2.5 million shares were repurchased, using the full $500 million authorization approved in April 2026. Source
  • New $1 billion buyback authorization: Board approved a further buyback of up to $1 billion, valid until October 29, 2029, extending flexibility to return capital. Source

Strategy, investment and leadership

  • Investing for growth continues: Management said it kept executing its strategy and investing for growth in a dynamic macro environment. Source
  • Brand activation credited for growth: The CEO linked the quarter's organic growth to brand activation and innovation efforts. Source
  • Crew becomes Independent Chair: Debra Crew took the Independent Chair role on October 1, following the retirement of Donald Allan, Jr. as Executive Chair. Source
  • Balanced capital allocation approach: Management framed capital allocation as balanced across growth investment, the dividend and share repurchases. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Volume change, total company Source+6%
Volume change, Tools & Outdoor Source+7%
Volume change, Engineered Fastening Source+1%

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Engineered Fastening margin was affected by automotive demand pressure. Source
  • Demand: Engineered Fastening organic revenue growth was partly offset by automotive results below expectations. Source
  • Operational: Restructuring and footprint-action charges were booked as non-GAAP adjustments in the quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: CFO said the company remains focused on delivering these objectives. Source
  • Met: Repurchases of about 2.5 million shares fully used the April 2026 authorization. Source
  • Met: Transition to Independent Chair took place October 1, as previously announced in January 2026. 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.