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Helen of Troy Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates, Sales Outlook Raised
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Key Takeaways
Helen of Troy beat FYQ1 estimates as net sales rose 8.2%, though adjusted EPS fell from a year ago.
Home & Outdoor sales grew 9.5% on pack demand, launches, distribution gains and order timing.
HELE raised fiscal 2027 sales guidance to $1.759B-$1.831B while keeping EPS outlook unchanged.
Helen of Troy Limited (HELE - Free Report) reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 results, wherein both top and bottom lines beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. While net sales increased, earnings decreased from the year-ago period’s actuals. Management raised net sales guidance for fiscal 2027.
Helen of Troy posted adjusted earnings of 17 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 2 cents. However, the bottom line declined 58.5% from 41 cents reported in the year-ago period.
Helen of Troy Limited Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
The company reported net sales of $402.1 million, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $375 million. The top line increased 8.2% from $371.7 million posted in the year-ago period, driven by growth across both business segments. Home & Outdoor benefited from strong international demand for packs, successful new product launches and a favorable comparison to the prior year due to tariff-related order timing. Beauty & Wellness growth was led by strong sales of nail care products, fans and thermometers.
The consolidated gross margin decreased 110 basis points to 46% in the quarter, primarily due to the net unfavorable impact of tariffs, higher inventory obsolescence costs compared with the prior year and a less favorable customer mix within Home & Outdoor. We estimated a 47.5% gross margin.
The consolidated SG&A ratio decreased to 31% from 45.1% posted in the year-ago period, reflecting a $54.9 million pre-tax gain from the sale of a distribution facility, lower outbound freight costs, reduced depreciation and amortization, favorable operating leverage and the absence of $3.5 million in CEO succession costs incurred in the prior-year period.
The adjusted operating income remained flat at $16.1 million, while the adjusted operating margin decreased 30 bps to 4%. The margin compression was primarily caused by tariff-related cost pressures, a less favorable inventory obsolescence impact year over year and an unfavorable customer mix within Home & Outdoor, partially offset by reduced outbound freight costs and favorable operating leverage. We expected an adjusted operating margin of 3% for the quarter.
HELE’s Segmental Performance
Net sales in the Home & Outdoor segment increased 9.5% to $194.9 million, driven by strong international demand for technical, lifestyle and travel packs, new product launches, expanded distribution in the home and insulated beverageware categories, and a favorable comparison to the prior year due to tariff-related order timing. These gains were partially offset by lower international sales in the home and insulated beverageware categories.
Home & Outdoor adjusted operating income increased 39.2% to $12.3 million, while the segment adjusted operating margin increased 130 bps to 6.3%.
Net sales in the Beauty & Wellness segment gained 7% to $207.2 million, driven by growth in nail care from new and expanded distribution, higher fan and thermometer sales benefiting from an easier comparison against prior-year tariff-related direct import cancellations and disruptions in the China thermometry market, and incremental sales from new Wellness product launches.
Beauty & Wellness adjusted operating income declined 48.2% to $3.8 million, while the segment adjusted operating margin decreased 190 bps to 1.8%.
HELE’s Financial Position
Helen of Troy ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $21.7 million and total short and long-term debt of $716.1 million. Net cash used by operating activities for the fiscal first quarter was $0.6 million. The free cash flow for the same period was negative $6.4 million.
HELE’s Outlook
For fiscal 2027, the company raised its net sales guidance to $1.759-$1.831 billion, from the previous range of $1.751-$1.822 billion. The updated outlook includes Home & Outdoor sales of $859-$884 million (previously $854-$882 million) and Beauty & Wellness sales of $900-$947 million (previously $897-$940 million).
Adjusted earnings are still expected in the range of $3.25 to $3.75 per share, with adjusted EBITDA of $190 million to $197 million and free cash flow of $85 million to $100 million.
Management expects continued inflationary pressures, weak discretionary demand, cautious retailer inventory management and a highly promotional environment. The outlook assumes current tariff rates remain in place, includes $9.2 million in Phase 1 tariff refunds and excludes potential future refunds due to uncertainty. It also factors in higher product and freight costs, unfavorable Chinese yuan movements, and ongoing geopolitical and supply-chain risks that may increase input costs and disrupt supply.
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has gained 50.5% in the past three months compared with the industry’s growth of 15.4%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Estee Lauder’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings calls for growth of 4.5% and 59.6%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers. EL delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 39.1%.
Mama's Creations, Inc. (MAMA - Free Report) manufactures and markets fresh deli-prepared foods in the United States. At present, MAMA holds a Zacks Rank of 2. Mama's Creations delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 129.2%, on average.
The consensus estimate for Mama's Creations’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 30% and 73.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL - Free Report) develops, processes and distributes various meat, nuts and other food products to foodservice, convenience store and commercial customers in the United States and internationally. It carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. HRL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 3.2%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hormel Foods’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 1.5% and 9.5%, respectively, from the prior-year reported levels.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
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Helen of Troy Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates, Sales Outlook Raised
Key Takeaways
Helen of Troy Limited (HELE - Free Report) reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 results, wherein both top and bottom lines beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. While net sales increased, earnings decreased from the year-ago period’s actuals. Management raised net sales guidance for fiscal 2027.
HELE’s Quarterly Performance: Key Metrics & Insights
Helen of Troy posted adjusted earnings of 17 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 2 cents. However, the bottom line declined 58.5% from 41 cents reported in the year-ago period.
Helen of Troy Limited Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Helen of Troy Limited price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Helen of Troy Limited Quote
The company reported net sales of $402.1 million, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $375 million. The top line increased 8.2% from $371.7 million posted in the year-ago period, driven by growth across both business segments. Home & Outdoor benefited from strong international demand for packs, successful new product launches and a favorable comparison to the prior year due to tariff-related order timing. Beauty & Wellness growth was led by strong sales of nail care products, fans and thermometers.
The consolidated gross margin decreased 110 basis points to 46% in the quarter, primarily due to the net unfavorable impact of tariffs, higher inventory obsolescence costs compared with the prior year and a less favorable customer mix within Home & Outdoor. We estimated a 47.5% gross margin.
The consolidated SG&A ratio decreased to 31% from 45.1% posted in the year-ago period, reflecting a $54.9 million pre-tax gain from the sale of a distribution facility, lower outbound freight costs, reduced depreciation and amortization, favorable operating leverage and the absence of $3.5 million in CEO succession costs incurred in the prior-year period.
The adjusted operating income remained flat at $16.1 million, while the adjusted operating margin decreased 30 bps to 4%. The margin compression was primarily caused by tariff-related cost pressures, a less favorable inventory obsolescence impact year over year and an unfavorable customer mix within Home & Outdoor, partially offset by reduced outbound freight costs and favorable operating leverage. We expected an adjusted operating margin of 3% for the quarter.
HELE’s Segmental Performance
Net sales in the Home & Outdoor segment increased 9.5% to $194.9 million, driven by strong international demand for technical, lifestyle and travel packs, new product launches, expanded distribution in the home and insulated beverageware categories, and a favorable comparison to the prior year due to tariff-related order timing. These gains were partially offset by lower international sales in the home and insulated beverageware categories.
Home & Outdoor adjusted operating income increased 39.2% to $12.3 million, while the segment adjusted operating margin increased 130 bps to 6.3%.
Net sales in the Beauty & Wellness segment gained 7% to $207.2 million, driven by growth in nail care from new and expanded distribution, higher fan and thermometer sales benefiting from an easier comparison against prior-year tariff-related direct import cancellations and disruptions in the China thermometry market, and incremental sales from new Wellness product launches.
Beauty & Wellness adjusted operating income declined 48.2% to $3.8 million, while the segment adjusted operating margin decreased 190 bps to 1.8%.
HELE’s Financial Position
Helen of Troy ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $21.7 million and total short and long-term debt of $716.1 million. Net cash used by operating activities for the fiscal first quarter was $0.6 million. The free cash flow for the same period was negative $6.4 million.
HELE’s Outlook
For fiscal 2027, the company raised its net sales guidance to $1.759-$1.831 billion, from the previous range of $1.751-$1.822 billion. The updated outlook includes Home & Outdoor sales of $859-$884 million (previously $854-$882 million) and Beauty & Wellness sales of $900-$947 million (previously $897-$940 million).
Adjusted earnings are still expected in the range of $3.25 to $3.75 per share, with adjusted EBITDA of $190 million to $197 million and free cash flow of $85 million to $100 million.
Management expects continued inflationary pressures, weak discretionary demand, cautious retailer inventory management and a highly promotional environment. The outlook assumes current tariff rates remain in place, includes $9.2 million in Phase 1 tariff refunds and excludes potential future refunds due to uncertainty. It also factors in higher product and freight costs, unfavorable Chinese yuan movements, and ongoing geopolitical and supply-chain risks that may increase input costs and disrupt supply.
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has gained 50.5% in the past three months compared with the industry’s growth of 15.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to Consider
The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (EL - Free Report) manufactures, markets and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products worldwide. It currently has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Estee Lauder’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings calls for growth of 4.5% and 59.6%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers. EL delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 39.1%.
Mama's Creations, Inc. (MAMA - Free Report) manufactures and markets fresh deli-prepared foods in the United States. At present, MAMA holds a Zacks Rank of 2. Mama's Creations delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 129.2%, on average.
The consensus estimate for Mama's Creations’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 30% and 73.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL - Free Report) develops, processes and distributes various meat, nuts and other food products to foodservice, convenience store and commercial customers in the United States and internationally. It carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. HRL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 3.2%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hormel Foods’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 1.5% and 9.5%, respectively, from the prior-year reported levels.