WD 40 Co.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call
What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 9 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 raised, 2 lowered, 3 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.
Key takeaways
- Net sales rose 24 percent: Net sales were $195.1 million, up 24 percent. Currency translation added about $7.3 million; constant-currency net sales rose 20 percent to $187.8 million. Source
- Operating income up 47 percent: Operating income was $40.3 million, up 47 percent. Net income was $30.2 million, up 44 percent. The company attributed the gain to operating leverage and scale. Source
- Cost increases and pricing actions: Management cited higher-than-expected cost increases, which lowered gross margin guidance by a further 60 basis points. Pricing and cost-saving actions are in place, mostly benefiting fiscal 2027. Source
- New $100 million authorization: A new $100.0 million program takes effect September 1, 2026. It has no expiration date and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at Board discretion. Source
- Net sales and operating income guidance raised: Constant-currency net sales now $652 million to $667 million. Non-GAAP operating income now $107 million to $113 million, both above the prior ranges. Source
- Gross margin range lowered: Gross margin range is 54.5% to 55.5%, down from 55.5% to 56.5%. The change includes 40 basis points from the homecare reclassification and 60 basis points from higher cost increases. Source
- Americas homecare brands reclassified: Management stopped actively marketing the Americas homecare and cleaning brands and reclassified them as held for use, moving them out of assets held for sale. Source
“We delivered an exceptional third quarter, with net sales increasing 24% and operating income increasing 47% , demonstrating the operating leverage inherent in our business model,”
Steve Brass, president and chief executive officer
Guidance
| Area | Period | Figure | Against last quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net sales, constant currency Source | fiscal 2026 | $652 million to $667 million; growth of 6% to 9% vs pro forma fiscal 2025 | Raised from $630 million to $655 million; growth of 5% to 9% |
| Net sales, reported Source | fiscal 2026 | $675 million to $690 million; growth of 10% to 12% vs pro forma fiscal 2025 | New |
| Gross margin Source | fiscal 2026 | 54.5% to 55.5% | Lowered from 55.5% to 56.5% |
| Advertising and promotion, percent of net sales Source | fiscal 2026 | approximately 6% | Kept |
| Non-GAAP operating income Source | fiscal 2026 | $107 million to $113 million; growth of 5% to 11% vs pro forma fiscal 2025 | Raised from $103 million to $110 million; growth of 5% to 12% |
| Provision for income tax Source | fiscal 2026 | around 22.5% | Lowered from 22.5% to 23.5% |
| Non-GAAP diluted EPS Source | fiscal 2026 | $6.05 to $6.35 on an estimated 13.5 million weighted-average shares | Raised from $5.75 to $6.15 on an estimated 13.4 million weighted-average shares |
| Euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate assumption Source | fourth fiscal quarter of 2026 | approximately 1.17 average | Raised from approximately 1.15 for the back half of fiscal 2026 |
| One-time amortization excluded from non-GAAP guidance Source | third quarter of fiscal 2026 | $1.3 million | New |
| Share repurchase authorization Source | effective September 1, 2026 | up to $100.0 million | New |
What changed from last quarter
- Guidance raised: Constant-currency net sales guidance raised at both ends and growth range narrowed to 6% to 9%. Source
- Guidance raised: Non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP diluted EPS guidance both raised. Source
- Guidance lowered: Gross margin guidance lowered to 54.5% to 55.5% from 55.5% to 56.5%. Source
- New: Americas homecare and cleaning brands reclassified from assets held for sale to assets held for use and included in guidance. Source
- Ended: Active marketing of Americas homecare and cleaning brands stopped during the quarter. Source
- New: New $100.0 million share repurchase program approved, effective September 1, 2026. Source
Third-quarter results and growth
- Net sales rose 24 percent: Net sales were $195.1 million, up 24 percent. Currency translation added about $7.3 million; constant-currency net sales rose 20 percent to $187.8 million. Source
- Operating income up 47 percent: Operating income was $40.3 million, up 47 percent. Net income was $30.2 million, up 44 percent. The company attributed the gain to operating leverage and scale. Source
- Diluted EPS and one-time item: Diluted EPS was $2.24 against $1.54. Excluding a one-time $1.3 million amortization charge, adjusted diluted EPS was $2.33, up 51 percent. Source
Segments and regional growth
- Americas grew 29 percent: Americas net sales rose 29 percent to $101.2 million, 52 percent of total. United States sales rose $17.2 million and Latin America $2.6 million on WD-40 Multi-Use Product. Source
- EIMEA rose 17 percent: EIMEA net sales rose 17 percent to $66.6 million, 34 percent of total. Management cited customer inventory builds ahead of anticipated supply constraints and price increases. Source
- Asia-Pacific up 24 percent: Asia-Pacific net sales rose 24 percent to $27.3 million. China rose $3.0 million on promotions and volume, and buying ahead of planned later price increases also contributed. Source
- Constant-currency growth by segment: Constant-currency net sales rose 27 percent in Americas, 10 percent in EIMEA and 18 percent in Asia-Pacific, against reported growth of 29, 17 and 24 percent. Source
“During the quarter, we decided to shift our focus and no longer actively market our Americas homecare and cleaning brands and have reclassified those assets as held for use.”
Steve Brass, president and chief executive officer
Product groups and homecare
- Maintenance products up 26 percent: Maintenance product sales were $189.7 million, up 26 percent, and 97 percent of net sales. WD-40 Multi-Use rose 26 percent and WD-40 Specialist rose 27 percent. Source
- Homecare and cleaning sales fell 17 percent: Homecare and cleaning product sales were 3 percent of net sales, down 17 percent. The prior-year comparison included $1.1 million from UK brands divested in fiscal 2025. Source
- Customers and channels: United States growth came from expanded distribution, online channel strength and a high-impact promotional program. WD-40 Specialist grew 22 percent in the Americas on new distribution. Source
Gross margin, costs and pricing
- Gross margin edged up: Gross margin was 56.6 percent, against 56.2 percent a year earlier. Cost of products sold rose to $84.7 million from $68.8 million. Source
- SG&A and advertising rose: SG&A was $56.7 million, up 10 percent. Advertising and sales promotion was $11.9 million, up 30 percent, or 6.1 percent of net sales against 5.8 percent. Source
- Reclassification added amortization: The homecare and cleaning reclassification recorded $1.3 million of additional amortization expense in the quarter, excluded from non-GAAP results. Source
- Cost increases and pricing actions: Management cited higher-than-expected cost increases, which lowered gross margin guidance by a further 60 basis points. Pricing and cost-saving actions are in place, mostly benefiting fiscal 2027. Source
“Based on this action and our strong year-to-date performance, we are updating our guidance to include the homecare and cleaning business in our outlook and narrowing the guidance ranges for the remainder of fiscal year 2026.”
Steve Brass, president and chief executive officer
Cash flow and balance sheet
- Receivables absorbed cash: For the nine months, operating cash flow was $54.8 million against $58.0 million a year earlier. Trade receivables used $29.1 million, compared with $4.6 million provided in the prior year. Source
- Cash and borrowings: Cash and equivalents were $59.1 million at May 31, 2026. Short-term borrowings rose to $15.3 million from $0.8 million; long-term borrowings were $85.3 million. Source
- Share repurchases and dividends: In the nine months, treasury stock purchases were $22.5 million and dividends paid were $40.3 million. Net proceeds from the revolving credit facility were $14.5 million. Source
Dividend and share repurchases
- Quarterly dividend of $1.02: The board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.02 per share on June 15, 2026, payable July 31, 2026, to holders of record on July 17, 2026. Source
- Third-quarter buyback volume: During the third quarter the Company repurchased 31,250 shares at a total cost of $6.8 million. Source
- New $100 million authorization: A new $100.0 million program takes effect September 1, 2026. It has no expiration date and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at Board discretion. Source
Fiscal 2026 guidance update
- Net sales and operating income guidance raised: Constant-currency net sales now $652 million to $667 million. Non-GAAP operating income now $107 million to $113 million, both above the prior ranges. Source
- Gross margin range lowered: Gross margin range is 54.5% to 55.5%, down from 55.5% to 56.5%. The change includes 40 basis points from the homecare reclassification and 60 basis points from higher cost increases. Source
- EPS range raised: Non-GAAP diluted EPS now $6.05 to $6.35 on about 13.5 million shares, up from $5.75 to $6.15 on 13.4 million shares. Guidance excludes the $1.3 million one-time amortization. Source
- Euro rate assumption rises: The assumed average euro-to-dollar rate for the fourth quarter is about 1.17, against about 1.15 assumed in the prior release for the back half. Source
Homecare and cleaning brands decision
- Americas homecare brands reclassified: Management stopped actively marketing the Americas homecare and cleaning brands and reclassified them as held for use, moving them out of assets held for sale. Source
- Earlier divestiture contingency: The prior release stated that guidance would be positively impacted if the Americas homecare divestiture were unsuccessful. That contingency is not repeated in the current release.
Coming up, as management said on 9 July 2026
- Dividend payable July 31: The $1.02 quarterly dividend is payable July 31, 2026, to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 17, 2026. Source
- New buyback program starts September 1: The $100.0 million repurchase program becomes effective on September 1, 2026. Source
- Most pricing benefit in fiscal 2027: Management expects the majority of the benefit from pricing and cost-saving actions to arrive in fiscal 2027. Source
Figures management reported
| Figure | Reported |
|---|---|
| Maintenance products share of net sales Source | 97 percent |
Risks management discussed
- Operational: Higher-than-expected cost increases added 60 basis points of pressure to the revised gross margin range. Source
- Operational: Management noted anticipated supply constraints, which led customers in EIMEA to build inventory ahead of price increases. Source
- External: Management said unanticipated inflationary pressures and other unforeseen events could materially affect the financial results. Source
Earlier plans management reported on
- Not stated: Management said pricing and cost-saving initiatives are in place, with most of the expected benefit in fiscal 2027. Source
- Not stated: Management reports continued progress in its Must-Win Battles, with double-digit year-to-date growth across four named areas. 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.