Quarterly Report for Quarter Ending March 31, 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; and ZICAM® cold shortening and relief products. 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 transitory impacts in 2026.

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 March 31, 2026 were $1,469.3, an increase of $2.2 or 0.2% as compared to the same period in 2025. The components of the net sales increase are as follows:

Gross Profit / Gross Margin

Our gross profit was $681.4 for the three months ended March 31, 2026, a $21.8 increase as compared to the same period in 2025. Gross margin increased 140 basis points ("bps") in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to the impact of productivity programs of 150 bps, benefits of the Touchland Acquisition combined with the impact of business exits of 110 bps, favorable volume/price/mix of 50 bps and favorable foreign exchange of 10 bps, partially offset by the impact of higher manufacturing costs of 180 bps (including labor, inflation in commodities and transportation and higher tariffs, net of tariff mitigation actions).

Operating Expenses

Marketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2026 were $139.4, an increase of $2.8 or 2.0% as compared to the same period in 2025. Marketing expenses as a percentage of net sales in the first quarter of 2026 increased by 20 bps to 9.5% compared to 9.3% in the same period in 2025 due to increased investment in our brands and new products, supporting our innovation initiatives and organic growth.

SG&A expenses were $251.0 in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of $23.3 or 10.2% as compared to the same period in 2025. SG&A as a percentage of net sales increased 160 bps to 17.1% in the first quarter of 2026 as compared to 15.5% in the same period in

2025. The increase is primarily due to the Touchland Acquisition and focused investments in new growth initiatives, e-commerce and our international business.

Income from Operations

Operating margin decreased 40 basis points to 19.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2026, as compared to 20.2% in the same period in 2025.

Nonoperating Expenses

Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 decreased $6.8 to $2.5 as compared to the same period in 2025 due to lower investment income from lower average cash balances.

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2026 increased $0.7 to $24.0, as compared to the same period in 2025.

Other income (expense) was nominal for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was 20.7%, compared to 22.0% in the same period in 2025. The decrease is primarily due to lower state income taxes offset by lower stock option exercises.

Diluted EPS

We reported diluted net earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2026 of $0.91, an increase of approximately 2.2% from diluted net earnings per share of $0.89 for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

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 months ended March 31, 2026 and March 31, 2025 are as follows:

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 first quarter of 2026 were $1,117.7, a decrease of $12.1 or 1.1% 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 Touchland increased for the three months ended March 31, 2026, reflecting growth from THERABREATH® mouth wash and toothpaste, ARM & HAMMER® Cat Litter, HERO® acne treatment products, and OXICLEAN® powder, partially offset by declines in WATERPIK® Oral Care.

Consumer Domestic income from operations for the first quarter of 2026 was $240.2, a decrease of $4.6 as compared to the first quarter of 2025. Consumer Domestic income from operations benefited from strong organic sales growth across household and personal care, plus sales volume from the Touchland Acquisition. Partially offsetting these volume benefits is the sales impact from the exited businesses. In total, increased sales volumes and changes in mix, primarily from the exited businesses, resulted in a net benefit of $17.2. Additionally, Consumer Domestic realized the benefit of productivity programs of $19.2 and a reduction in marketing expenses of $3.7 due to the exited businesses. These benefits were offset by higher manufacturing and distribution expenses of $29.2 due to inflation and sales volumes as well as higher SG&A expenses of $15.2 primarily related to the Touchland Acquisition.

Consumer International

Consumer International net sales were $273.9 in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of $12.0 or 4.6% as compared to the same period in 2025. The components of the net sales change were as follows:

Net sales excluding business exits, the acquisition of Touchland and changes in foreign exchange rates increased in the first quarter ended March 31, 2026 primarily driven by THERABREATH® mouth wash, BATISTE® dry shampoo and HERO® acne treatment products in the Global Markets Group, HERO® acne treatment products in Germany and UK, and ARM & HAMMER® Cat Litter in Canada partially offset by lower sales in the middle east region.

Consumer International income from operations was $39.9 in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of $2.2 as compared to the first quarter of 2025. Consumer International income from operations benefited from strong organic sales growth across the portfolio, plus sales volume from the Touchland Acquisition. Partially offsetting these volume benefits is the sales impact from the exited businesses. In total, increased sales volumes and changes in mix, primarily from the exited businesses, resulted in a net benefit of $6.4. Consumer International also experienced favorable manufacturing and distribution expenses of $5.4. These benefits were partially offset by higher SG&A expenses of $7.3 primarily due to the Touchland Acquisition, higher marketing expenses of $6.5 to support growth, and unfavorable price/mix of $3.3. Income from operations was also impacted by favorable foreign exchange rates of $7.6.

Specialty Products ("SPD")

SPD net sales were $77.7 in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of $2.3 or 3.1% as compared to the same period in 2025. The components of the net sales change were as follows:

Net sales increased in the three months ended March 31, 2026 primarily due to growth in our sodium bicarbonate and animal nutrition businesses.

SPD income from operations was $10.9 in the first quarter of 2026, a decrease of $1.9 compared to the first quarter of 2025 due to higher SG&A expenses of $2.3 and unfavorable manufacturing costs of $1.1, partially offset by favorable price/mix of $0.8, higher volumes of $0.5 and lower marketing expenses of $0.3.

Equity in Earnings of Affiliates

Equity in earnings of affiliates represents the results of Armand in the three months ended March 31 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 March 31, 2026, we had $503.4 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.

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 the Company's 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.

We have $228.9 of share repurchase availability under the 2021 Share Repurchase Program as of March 31, 2026.

The 2021 Share Repurchase Program 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 our incentive plans.

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 on an annualized basis.

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 $130.0 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 three months ended March 31, 2026 decreased by $10.9 to $174.8 as compared to $185.7 in the same period in 2025 due to an increase in working capital partially offsetting an increase in cash earnings (net income adjusted for non-cash items). The increase in working capital is primarily related to the timing of income tax payments and higher inventory purchases to support growth partially offset by an increase in accounts payable. We measure working capital effectiveness based on our cash conversion cycle. The following table presents our cash conversion cycle information for the quarters ended March 31, 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 Company considers the four-period average preferable to the previously employed two-period average as it mitigates period-to-period volatility. If the prior two-period average method had been applied as of March 31, 2025, DIO would still reflect a decrease of six days and the cash conversion cycle would still reflect a decrease of eight days compared to the previous year. The decrease in DIO is primarily attributable to enhanced inventory management initiatives. 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 three months of 2026 was $33.5, primarily reflecting $31.9 for additions to property, plant, and equipment. Net cash used in investing activities during the first three months of 2025 was $16.7, primarily reflecting $16.5 for property, plant and equipment additions.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities - Net cash used in financing activities during the first three months of 2026 was $44.9, reflecting $72.9 of cash dividend payments and $19.8 related to business acquisition liability payments, partially offset by a $36.2 source of cash from the Company's TSA agreement with Piping Rock and proceeds from stock option exercises of $16.6. Net cash used in financing activities during the first three months of 2025 was $61.0, reflecting $72.4 of cash dividend payments and $5.9 related to the payment of a business acquisition liability, partially offset by $19.3 of proceeds from stock option exercises.