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Edgewell Personal Care reported its first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, ended December 31, 2025, posting sales growth and progress in the strategic restructuring of its portfolio following the completion of the sale of its feminine care division.
Considering continuing operations only, the company reported net sales of US$ 422.8 million for the quarter, representing a 1.9% increase compared with the same period last year. On an organic basis, sales declined slightly by 0.5%, mainly reflecting volume variations across different categories and markets.
“We had a solid start to fiscal year 2026. Our first-quarter performance modestly exceeded our expectations for organic net sales, adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA,” said Rod Little, President and CEO of Edgewell. “In addition to strong execution across our core businesses, we successfully completed the divestiture of the feminine care business, a key milestone in our transformation journey that further sharpens our portfolio focus and strengthens our balance sheet.”
Performance in North America was driven by volume growth in sun care and grooming categories, while international sales were impacted by volume declines in sun care and wet shave, including sales calendar adjustments in Japan and in distributor-served markets.
Gross margin for the quarter was 38.1%, a decline of 350 basis points compared with the prior-year period, pressured by cost inflation, tariffs and product mix. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations totaled US$ 25 million, down from US$ 30.9 million in the first quarter of the previous fiscal year.
The company also recorded restructuring charges of US$ 24.4 million during the period, related to initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency and simplifying the organizational structure, including the consolidation of Wet Shave operations.
STRATEGY AND OUTLOOK FOR 2026
Edgewell maintained its full-year outlook for continuing operations unchanged, even after excluding the feminine care business from its portfolio. The company expects reported net sales growth of between 0.5% and 3.5% in fiscal year 2026, with a positive impact from foreign exchange.
Adjusted earnings per share are expected to range between US$ 1.70 and US$ 2.10, while adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between US$ 245 million and US$ 265 million.
The company also forecasts adjusted free cash flow of between US$ 80 million and US$ 110 million, with capital expenditures equivalent to approximately 3% to 3.5% of net sales.
According to the CEO, “after adjusting for the impact of the divestiture, our full-year outlook for continuing operations remains unchanged versus our prior outlook for sales, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow.”
The company notes that, with a more focused portfolio and stronger operational discipline, its strategy for 2026 is aimed at sustainable growth, increased industrial efficiency and strengthening the supply chain, particularly in grooming, sun care and skin care categories.
