Quarterly Report for Quarter Ending September 30, 2026 (Form 10-Q)

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of the Company's financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, which was filed with the SEC on February 12, 2026, and the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Overview

We develop, manufacture and market a broad range of consumer household and personal care products and specialty products focused on animal nutrition, chemicals and commercial products. Our well-recognized brands include ARM & HAMMER® baking soda, cat litter, laundry detergent, carpet deodorizer and other baking soda-based products; OXICLEAN® stain removers, cleaning solutions, laundry detergents and bleach alternatives; BATISTE® dry shampoo; WATERPIK® water flossers; THERABREATH® oral care products; HERO® acne treatment products; TOUCHLAND® hand sanitizers; TROJAN® condoms, lubricants and vibrators; FIRST RESPONSE® home pregnancy and ovulation test kits; NAIR® depilatories; ORAJEL® oral analgesic; XTRA® laundry detergent; ZICAM® cold shortening and relief products and MISS MOUTH'S® stain removers. Seven of those brands are designated as "power brands" because they compete in large categories, and we believe they have the potential for significant global expansion. Those seven brands are ARM & HAMMER®; OXICLEAN®; BATISTE®; WATERPIK®; THERABREATH®; HERO® and TOUCHLAND® and represent approximately 70% of our net sales and profits.

We sell our consumer products under a variety of brands through a broad distribution platform that includes supermarkets, mass merchandisers, wholesale clubs, drugstores, convenience stores, home stores, dollar and other discount stores, pet and other specialty stores and websites and other e-commerce channels, all of which sell our products to consumers. We sell our specialty products to industrial customers, livestock producers and through distributors.

We operate in three principal segments: Consumer Domestic, Consumer International, and our Specialty Products Division ("SPD").

Recent Developments

Global Economic Conditions and Trade Policies

We have experienced higher manufacturing costs and economic uncertainty due to changes in U.S. trade policies including ongoing reviews and modifications to tariffs and other U.S. trade measures. We continue to evaluate these evolving developments and have taken actions to mitigate their impact on our business, including exiting certain business lines, shifting production and relocating manufacturing operations, finding alternative sources of supply, selectively increasing prices, adjusting inventories, seeking exemptions with respect to tariffs, and most notably ceasing the import of substantially all Waterpik flossers and certain other products from China into the U.S. While the tariffs remain fluid, we are focused on managing these challenges. We believe our existing tariff cost exposure will be mitigated through the above-mentioned actions, future additional supply chain efforts and surgical pricing.

Middle East Conflict

The ongoing geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waterways, resulting in incremental inflationary pressure on certain commodities and transportation costs, as well as increased volatility in logistics and supply chain planning. While the situation remains fluid and unpredictable, we have implemented mitigation measures, including supplier diversification, alternative routing and incremental productivity programs. Based on current conditions, we believe we can mitigate a significant portion of these impacts in 2026.

U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act Tariffs

On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unlawful but did not establish a process for issuing refunds. U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") launched its program to administer phase I and phase II refund requests in April 2026 and June 2026, respectively. A process to administer refund requests for phase III was established in October 2026. We paid approximately $23.0 in IEEPA tariffs of which approximately $17.1 in phase II refunds have been received in the third quarter of 2026 and are reported as a reduction in cost of sales in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Income. The Company intends to invest refund proceeds in consumer-facing activities and to offset inflationary pressures.

Miss Mouth's Acquisition

On May 28, 2026, we completed the acquisition of the Miss Mouth's Messy Eater® brand ("Miss Mouth's"). We paid $300.0 cash at closing and deferred payment of $25.0 of the purchase price with $10.0 paid in the third quarter of 2026, and an additional $5.0 expected to be paid in the fourth quarter of 2026 related to required post-closing activities of the seller. The remaining amount relates to certain indemnity obligations with $4.0 payable in the second quarter of 2029, and $6.0 payable in the second quarter of 2031. The Miss Mouth's acquisition was financed with cash on hand and commercial paper borrowings and is managed in the Consumer Domestic segment. Miss Mouth's annual net sales for the year ended December 31, 2025 were approximately $80.0.

Share Repurchase Authorization

On October 27, 2026, the Company's Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $1,000.0 of its common stock (the "2026 Share Repurchase Program"). The 2026 Share Repurchase Program has no expiration date and replaces the Company's 2021 Share Repurchase Program.

Other

For additional discussion, please refer to Item 1A, Risk Factors, and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Results of Operations

Consolidated results

Net Sales

Net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 were $1,602.1, an increase of $16.5 or 1.0% as compared to the same period in 2025. Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 were $4,601.4, an increase of $42.4 or 0.9% over the comparable nine month period of 2025. The components of the net sales increase are as follows:

Gross Profit / Gross Margin

Our gross profit was $749.4 for the three months ended September 30, 2026, a $35.0 increase as compared to the same period in 2025. Gross margin increased 170 basis points ("bps") in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. The increase is due to the impact of productivity programs of 150 bps, favorable volume and mix of 50 bps, the mix benefits of acquisitions combined with the favorable impact of business exits of 160 bps, partially offset by the impact of higher manufacturing and transportation costs of 180 bps (including labor and commodities costs, partially offset by tariff refunds) and unfavorable foreign exchange of 10 bps.

Gross profit was $2,124.7 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, a $103.7 increase compared to the same period in 2025. Gross margin increased 190 bps in the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Excluding one-time costs associated with exiting the Flawless, Spinbrush, and Waterpik showerheads businesses in the prior year, gross margin increased 120 bps which includes the impact of productivity programs of 150 bps, favorable volume and mix of 100 bps, benefits of acquisitions combined with the favorable operational impact of business exits of 130 bps, partially offset by the impact of higher manufacturing and transportation costs of 260 bps (including labor and commodities costs, partially offset by tariff refunds).

Operating Expenses

Marketing expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2026 were $190.7, a decrease of $12.2 or 6.0% as compared to the same period in 2025. Marketing expenses as a percentage of net sales in the third quarter of 2026 decreased by 90 bps to 11.9% compared to 12.8% in the same period in 2025 due to 80 bps on lower expense and 10 bps of leverage on higher net sales. Marketing expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 were $495.4, a decrease of $1.2 or 0.2% as compared to the same period in 2025. Marketing expenses as a percentage of net sales for the first nine months of 2026 decreased by 10 bps to 10.8% as compared to 10.9% in the same period in 2025 due to 10 bps of leverage on higher net sales.

SG&A expenses were $267.3 in the third quarter of 2026, an increase of $10.4 or 4.0% as compared to the same period in 2025. SG&A as a percentage of net sales increased 50 bps to 16.7% in the third quarter of 2026 as compared to 16.2% in the same period in 2025. The increase reflects 70 bps of higher expenses from the Miss Mouth's acquisition, focused investments in new growth initiatives as well as e-commerce and our international business and higher incentive compensation, offset by 20 bps of leverage associated with higher sales. SG&A expenses for the first nine months of 2026 were $770.5, an increase of $57.7 or 8.1% as compared to the same period in 2025. SG&A as a percentage of net sales increased 110 bps to 16.7% in the first nine months of 2026 compared to 15.6% in 2025. The increase reflects 130 bps of higher intangible asset amortization from the Touchland and Miss Mouth's acquisitions, focused investments in new growth initiatives as well as e-commerce, technology and our international business and higher incentive compensation, offset by 20 bps of leverage associated with higher sales.

Income from Operations

Operating margin increased 210 basis points to 18.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2026, as compared to 16.1% in the same period in 2025. Operating margin increased 90 basis points to 18.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, as compared to 17.8% in the same period in 2025.

Nonoperating Expenses

Interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 decreased $0.2 and $14.8 to $2.7 and $6.6 as compared to the same period in 2025 due to lower investment income from lower average cash balances.

Interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 increased $0.3 and $1.7 to $24.1 and $72.3 respectively, as compared to the same period in 2025.

Other income (expense) was nominal for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2026 was 22.0%, compared to 22.9% in the same period in 2025. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 was 21.1%, compared to 22.8% in the same period in 2025. The decrease for both the three and nine month periods was primarily due to our continued tax planning initiatives.

The Company's U.S. federal income tax return for 2024 is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

Diluted EPS

We reported diluted net earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2026 of $0.89, an increase of 18.7% from diluted net earnings per share of $0.75 for the three months ended September 30, 2025. We reported diluted net earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 of $2.65, an increase of 10.0% from diluted net earnings per share of $2.41 for the nine months ended September 30, 2025. Diluted net earnings per share for three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 include charges related to exiting the Flawless, Spinbrush and Waterpik showerhead businesses.

Segment results

We operate three reportable segments: Consumer Domestic, Consumer International and SPD. These segments are determined based on differences in the nature of products and organizational structure.

Segment net sales and income from operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and September 30, 2025 are as follows. In 2025, we exited the VMS, Flawless, Spinbrush and Waterpik showerhead businesses.

Product line revenues from external customers are as follows:

Household Products include laundry, deodorizing, and cleaning products. Personal Care Products include condoms, pregnancy kits, oral care products, skin and hair care products, and cold and remedy products.

Consumer Domestic

Consumer Domestic net sales in the third quarter of 2026 were $1,225.1, an increase of $5.4 or 0.4% as compared to the same period in 2025. Consumer Domestic net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 were $3,498.6, a decrease of $5.0 or 0.1% as compared to the same period in 2025. The components of the net sales change were as follows:

Net sales excluding business exits and the acquisition of Miss Mouth's increased for the three months ended September 30, 2026, reflecting growth from ARM & HAMMER® Liquid Laundry Detergent, THERABREATH® mouth wash and toothpaste, ARM & HAMMER® Cat Litter, and WATERPIK® water flossers. Net sales excluding business exits and the acquisitions of Touchland and Miss Mouth's, increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, reflecting growth from THERABREATH® mouth wash and toothpaste, ARM & HAMMER® Cat Litter, ARM & HAMMER® Liquid Laundry detergent, SIMPLY SALINE® nasal saline moisturizers and solutions, and HERO® acne treatment products.

Consumer Domestic income from operations for the third quarter of 2026 was $249.4, an increase of $32.3 as compared to the third quarter of 2025. Strong organic sales growth across household and personal care, plus sales volume from the Touchland and Miss Mouth's acquisitions, partially offset by the sales impact from exited businesses contributed $25.3. Consumer Domestic also realized the benefit of productivity programs of $19.2, lower marketing expenses of $13.1 and favorable price/mix of $9.9. These benefits were partially offset by inflation, including Middle East conflict-related commodity and transportation costs of $28.9 (partially offset by tariff refunds) as well as higher SG&A expenses of $5.8 reflecting higher expenses from the Miss Mouth's acquisition, focused growth investments and higher incentive compensation.

Consumer Domestic income from operations for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2026, was $713.0, a $33.9 increase as compared to the first nine months of 2025. The prior year included costs associated with exiting the Flawless, Spinbrush, and Waterpik showerheads businesses of $47.2. In the current year, strong organic sales growth across household and personal care, plus sales volume from the Touchland and Miss Mouth's acquisitions, partially offset by the sales impact from the exited businesses, contributed $64.1. Consumer Domestic also realized the benefit of productivity programs of $57.9, favorable price/mix of $24.1 and lower marketing expenses of $13.8, partially offset by inflation, including Middle East conflict-related commodity and transportation costs of $114.6 (partially offset by tariff refunds) and higher SG&A expenses of $58.7 reflecting higher intangible asset amortization from the Touchland and Miss Mouth's acquisitions, focused growth investments and higher incentive compensation.

Consumer International

Consumer International net sales were $297.4 in the third quarter of 2026, an increase of $7.3 or 2.5% as compared to the same period in 2025. Consumer International net sales in the first nine months of 2026 were $868.8, an increase of $39.2 or 4.7% as compared to the same period in 2025. The components of the net sales change were as follows:

The net sales increase for the three months ended September 30,2026, excluding business exits and changes in foreign currency exchange rates, was primarily driven by THERABREATH® mouth wash in the Global Markets Group ("GMG"), Canada and Mexico, BATISTE® dry shampoo in GMG and Europe, TOUCHLAND® in Canada, the UK, and Australia, OXICLEAN® powder in GMG and HERO® acne treatment products in GMG, Canada, and Mexico. The net sales increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, excluding business exits, changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the Touchland acquisition, was primarily driven by THERABREATH® mouth wash, BATISTE® dry shampoo and HERO® acne treatment products in the Global Markets Group, and HERO® acne treatment products and BATISTE® dry shampoo in the UK, Canada, Germany, and France.

Consumer International income from operations was $31.1 for the first three months of 2026, an increase of $2.3 as compared to the third quarter of 2025. Consumer International income from operations benefited from strong organic sales growth across the portfolio, increasing income from operations by $10.6. The income from operations impact from increased sales volumes was partially offset by higher SG&A expenses of $5.0 reflecting focused growth investments and higher incentive compensation, higher marketing expenses of $1.3 to support growth, unfavorable foreign exchange rates of $1.1, and higher manufacturing and transportation costs of $0.9.

Consumer International income from operations for the first nine months of 2026 was $112.6, a $13.5 increase as compared to the first nine months of 2025. The prior year included costs associated with exiting the Flawless, Spinbrush, and Waterpik showerheads businesses of $3.8. In the current year, the increase is due primarily to the impact of strong organic sales volumes across the portfolio, plus sales volume from the Touchland acquisition, increasing income from operations by $25.7, favorable foreign exchange rates of $8.4, a favorable price/mix of $5.5 and lower manufacturing and transportation costs of $2.4, partially offset by higher SG&A expenses of $19.3 reflecting higher expenses from intangible asset amortization for the Touchland acquisition, focused growth investments, higher incentive compensation, and higher marketing expenses of $13.1 to support growth.

Specialty Products ("SPD")

SPD net sales were $79.6 in the third quarter of 2026, an increase of $3.8 or 5.0% as compared to the same period in 2025. SPD net sales were $234.0 for the first nine months of 2026, an increase of $8.2, or 3.6% as compared to the same period in 2025. The components of the net sales change were as follows:

Net sales increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 primarily due to growth in our sodium bicarbonate and animal nutrition businesses.

SPD income from operations was $10.9 in the third quarter of 2026, an increase of $2.2 compared to the third quarter of 2025 due to higher sales volumes increasing income by $1.8, favorable price/mix of $1.6, and lower marketing expenses of $0.3, offset by unfavorable manufacturing costs of $1.0 and higher SG&A expenses of $0.5. SPD income from operations was $33.2 in the first nine months of 2026, a decrease of $0.2 as compared to the same period in 2025 due to unfavorable manufacturing costs of $4.4 and higher SG&A expenses of $4.2, partially offset by higher sales volumes increasing income by $4.0, favorable price/mix of $3.5, and lower marketing expenses of $0.8.

Equity in Earnings of Affiliates

Equity in earnings of affiliates represents the results of Armand in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

On July 17, 2025, the Company entered into a new unsecured revolving Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement replaced the Company's prior $1,500.0 unsecured revolving credit facility that was entered into on June 16, 2022. The aggregate commitments of the lenders under the Credit Agreement are $2,000.0, with an option to increase such commitments to $2,750.0. The revolving credit facility matures on July 17, 2030, unless extended. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are available for general corporate purposes and are used to support our $2,000.0 commercial paper program.

As of September 30, 2026, we had $446.9 in cash and cash equivalents, and approximately $1,993.0 available through our revolving credit facility and our commercial paper program. To preserve our liquidity, we invest cash primarily in government money market funds, prime money market funds, short-term commercial paper and short-term bank deposits.

Our 3.15% Senior Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $425.0 mature on August 1, 2027 and are classified as current portion of long-term debt as of September 30, 2026.

The current economic environment presents risks that could have adverse consequences for our liquidity. See "Our operating results have been, and could be in the future, adversely affected by natural disasters, public health crises, political crises, or other catastrophic events, or unfavorable worldwide, regional and local economic and financial market conditions" under "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of the Form 10-K. We continue to manage all aspects of our business including, but not limited to, monitoring the financial health of our customers, suppliers and other third-party relationships, implementing gross margin enhancement strategies and developing new opportunities for growth. We do not anticipate that current economic conditions will adversely affect our ability to comply with the financial covenant in the Credit Agreement because we currently are, and anticipate that we will continue to be, in compliance with the maximum leverage ratio requirement under the Credit Agreement.

On October 28, 2021, the Board authorized our share repurchase program, under which we may repurchase up to $1,000.0 in shares of Common Stock (the "2021 Share Repurchase Program"). The 2021 Share Repurchase Program does not have an expiration and replaced the 2017 Share Repurchase Program. As of September 30, 2026, there remained $228.9 of share repurchase availability under the 2021 Share Repurchase Program.

On October 27, 2026, the Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to $1,000.0 of its common stock (the "2026 Share Repurchase Program"). The 2026 Share Repurchase Program has no expiration date and replaces our 2021 Share Repurchase Program.

The 2021 and 2026 Share Repurchase Programs did not modify our evergreen share repurchase program, authorized by the Board on January 29, 2014, under which we may repurchase, from time to time, Common Stock to reduce or eliminate dilution associated with issuances of Common Stock under its incentive plans.

During the third quarter of 2026, we executed open market purchases of 0.4 million shares for $37.1, inclusive of fees, of which all 0.4 million shares were purchased under the evergreen program. The shares were purchased at an average share price of $94.91 and we used cash on hand to fund the open market purchases. In October 2026, we executed open market purchases of 1.4 million shares for $130.2, inclusive of fees, of which all 1.4 million shares were purchased under the evergreen program. These shares were purchased at an average share price of $94.41 and we used cash on hand to fund the open market purchases.

On January 28, 2026, the Board declared a 4.2% increase in the regular quarterly dividend from $0.295 to $0.3075 per share (equivalent to an annual dividend of $1.23 per share) payable to stockholders of record as of February 13, 2026. The increase raises the annualized dividend payout from $287.0 to approximately $291.0.

We anticipate that our cash from operations, together with our current borrowing capacity, will be sufficient to fund our share repurchase programs to the extent implemented by management, pay debt and interest as it comes due, pay dividends at the latest approved rate, and meet our capital expenditure program costs, which are expected to be approximately $125.0 in 2026 including manufacturing capacity investments for THERABREATH® and Sterimar and an enterprise resource planning (ERP) project. Cash, together with our current borrowing capacity, may be used for acquisitions that would complement our existing product lines or geographic markets.

Cash Flow Analysis

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities - Our primary source of liquidity is the cash flow provided by operating activities, which is dependent on net income and changes in working capital. Our net cash provided by operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2026 decreased by $10.8 to $841.2 as compared to $852.0 in the same period in 2025 due to a decrease in cash earnings (net income adjusted for non-cash items) offset by working capital improvement. The improvement in working capital is primarily related to higher accounts payable as we extend payment terms with certain vendors and the timing of income tax payments, partially offset by higher inventory purchases to support growth. We measure working capital effectiveness based on our cash conversion cycle. The following table presents our cash conversion cycle information for the quarters ended September 30, 2026 and 2025:

The cash conversion cycle (defined as the sum of DSO and DIO less DPO) is calculated using a quarter-to-quarter four-period average method. The decrease in DIO is primarily attributable to enhanced inventory management initiatives. The increase in DPO is primarily related to extending payment terms with certain vendors. We continue to focus on reducing our working capital requirements.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities - Net cash used in investing activities during the first nine months of 2026 was $402.7, primarily reflecting $300.0 for the Miss Mouth's acquisition, $91.6 for additions to property, plant, and equipment, and $10.0 for a business acquisition liability payment. Net cash used in investing activities during the first nine months of 2025 was $725.3, primarily reflecting $656.4 for the Touchland Acquisition and $67.2 for property, plant and equipment additions.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities - Net cash used in financing activities during the first nine months of 2026 was $397.9, primarily attributable to $219.6 of cash dividend payments, $180.5 of business acquisition liability payments and $37.1 of treasury stock purchases, partially offset by $46.9 of proceeds from stock option exercises. Net cash used in financing activities during the first nine months of 2025 was $793.9, reflecting $600.0 of share repurchases, $216.4 of cash dividend payments and $5.9 related to the payment of a business acquisition liability, partially offset by $33.1 of proceeds from stock option exercises.