Clorox Company Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: The Clorox Company (CLX) - **Date**: June 04, 2025 - **Speakers**: Linda Rendell (CEO), Luke Belay (CFO) Key Industry Insights - **Consumer Health**: The company anticipated increased pressure on consumers, expecting category growth to slow from the typical 2-2.5% to about 0-1% [4][5] - **Value-Seeking Behavior**: Consumers are increasingly seeking value, opting for larger sizes for better price per use or smaller sizes to reduce spending [6][10] - **Tariff Impact**: Changes in consumer spending patterns were noted due to macroeconomic factors, particularly tariffs affecting grocery purchases [8][9] - **Category Performance**: Categories ended flat, with a significant change in trajectory observed from the beginning to the end of the quarter, indicating volatility in consumer behavior [11][12] Financial Performance - **Earnings Outlook**: Despite top-line slowdowns, the company expects to deliver strong earnings performance due to improved margin capabilities [12][14] - **Long-Term Confidence**: The company remains confident in the essential nature of its categories and the potential for growth once consumer behavior stabilizes [13][14] Retailer Dynamics - **Inventory Management**: Retailers are actively managing inventory levels, leading to some destocking, but this is viewed as a temporary adjustment rather than a structural change [15][18] Strategic Initiatives - **IGNITE Strategy**: The strategy aims to accelerate growth and transform the company for future resilience, with a focus on margin transformation and digital infrastructure [21][22] - **Digital Transformation**: A significant digital transformation is underway, enhancing data infrastructure and operational efficiency [22][23] ERP Transition - **Upcoming ERP Implementation**: A new ERP system is set to go live in July, marking a significant upgrade after over 25 years [34][35] - **Risk Management**: The company has developed a robust plan to manage risks associated with the ERP transition, including building excess inventory to mitigate out-of-stock risks [38][49] Category-Specific Insights - **Litter Category**: Despite competitive pressures and a cyberattack impact, the litter category remains a strong growth area [61][64] - **Trash Bags**: The trash bag category is experiencing elevated promotional activity, but the company is well-equipped to manage through this cycle [66][69] - **Hidden Valley Ranch**: The salad dressing category has seen a decline, but the brand continues to grow share and has a strong innovation pipeline [73][75] - **Cleaning Business**: The cleaning segment, particularly liquid bleach, has shown consistent growth and strong margins, with plans for continued investment [78][80] Margin and Cash Flow Management - **Margin Goals**: The company aims to grow EBIT margin by 25-50 basis points annually, with a strong pipeline for margin expansion [86][88] - **Free Cash Flow**: The goal is to generate free cash flow between 11-13% of sales, with expectations to meet this target despite ERP transition impacts [91][92] Capital Allocation Strategy - **Priorities**: The company focuses on investing in core business, supporting dividends, managing debt leverage, and returning excess cash to shareholders [99][100] Future Outlook - **Growth and Innovation**: The company aims to maximize value creation from its transformation efforts, focusing on faster growth and superior consumer experiences [106][108] - **Long-Term Goals**: By 2030, the company aspires to report stronger growth, improved margins, and consistent returns for shareholders [109][110]

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Core Insights - Burt's Bees and Mike's Hot Honey have launched a limited-edition moisturizing lip balm that combines Burt's Bees' beeswax formula with Mike's Hot Honey's signature sweet and spicy flavor, available starting May 29, 2025 [1][2][4] Company Overview - Burt's Bees is recognized as the 1 dermatologist-recommended natural skin care brand, known for its original Beeswax Lip Balm and commitment to using natural ingredients without harmful additives [6] - Mike's Hot Honey is the original and leading brand of hot honey in the U.S., known for its unique sweet-then-heat flavor that enhances various dishes and has gained popularity since its inception in 2010 [7] Product Details - The Burt's Bees x Mike's Hot Honey lip balm will be sold exclusively on Burtsbees.com and Burt's Bees TikTok Shop for $3.99, while supplies last [4] - This collaboration aims to provide a playful and flavor-forward experience for consumers, aligning with the summer season [3][4]

Core Insights - Clorox Company (CLX) is enhancing its portfolio structure to improve sales and profitability through brand investment and innovation [1] - The introduction of Kingsford x Miller Lite Beercoal aims to drive additional sales and align with Clorox's IGNITE strategy [4] Product Innovation - Kingsford x Miller Lite Beercoal is a new product that combines charcoal briquets with real Miller Lite beer, designed to enhance grilling flavor [2][3] - The product is easy to use, grill-ready in approximately fifteen minutes, and available for a limited time at retailers [3] Strategic Initiatives - Clorox's IGNITE strategy focuses on operational efficiency and innovation, building on the foundation of the 2020 Strategy [5][6] - The long-term financial targets under the IGNITE strategy include net sales growth of 2-4%, EBIT margin expansion of 25-50 basis points, and free cash flow generation of 11-13% of sales [6] Financial Performance - Clorox's recent fiscal results indicate challenges due to economic uncertainty, shifts in consumer behavior, and cost inflation, leading to lower sales and missed earnings estimates [7] - The company's shares have declined by 10.2%, contrasting with a 1.4% rise in the industry [8]

Core Viewpoint - The Clorox Company has elected Gina Boswell to its board of directors, effective May 19, 2025, enhancing its leadership with her extensive experience in the consumer goods sector [1][2][3]. Group 1: Board Appointment - Gina Boswell, 62, is the CEO of Bath & Body Works and has held senior roles at Unilever, Avon, Ford, and Estée Lauder, bringing a wealth of operational and leadership experience [2]. - Boswell's background in retail, marketing, brand building, business development, operations, and innovation will provide valuable insights into Clorox's business strategy and growth [2][3]. - With Boswell's appointment, the total number of Clorox board members will increase to 12 [3]. Group 2: Company Overview - The Clorox Company, headquartered in Oakland, California, has been a leader in integrating ESG into its business reporting since 1913 [4]. - Clorox was ranked No. 1 on Barron's 100 Most Sustainable Companies list for the third consecutive year in 2025 [4].

Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool. ...

New contract expands product solutions available to Vizient's diverse customer basePLEASANTON, Calif., May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Clorox Professional (CloroxPro), the trusted makers of a broad portfolio of healthcare and commercial cleaning solutions, is proud to announce our new contract with Vizient, the nation's largest provider-driven healthcare performance improvement company. This new agreement reflects CloroxPro's commitment to supporting healthcare and cleaning professionals with expanded solutions ...

Core Viewpoint - Clorox's recent quarterly report revealed disappointing sales and earnings, leading to a decline in stock price and a revised outlook for the fiscal year [2][4][6]. Financial Performance - Clorox reported non-GAAP adjusted earnings per share of $1.45 and sales of $1.67 billion for fiscal Q3, missing analyst estimates by $0.11 per share and falling short of sales expectations by $50 million [4]. - Year-over-year sales decreased by 7.7%, while earnings per share dropped by 15%. Despite an increase in gross margin from 42.2% to 44.6%, it was insufficient to counterbalance the sales decline [5]. Future Guidance - The company now anticipates sales for the fiscal year to be down 1% to flat, a revision from previous guidance of down 1% to up 2%. Organic sales growth is projected to be between 4% and 5%, down from earlier expectations of 4% to 7% [6]. - Clorox maintained its adjusted earnings per share guidance for the year at $6.95 to $7.35, with a likelihood of performance aligning closer to the lower end of this range [7].

Core Insights - Clorox Company reported third-quarter fiscal 2025 results with both revenue and earnings missing Zacks Consensus Estimates and declining year-over-year [1][4] - The results reflect ongoing economic uncertainty affecting consumer shopping habits and overall sales, yet the company maintained strong fundamentals by holding market share and expanding profit margins [2][3] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings were $1.45 per share, missing the estimate of $1.57 and down 15% from $1.71 in the same quarter last year [4] - Net sales were $1.67 billion, an 8% decline from the previous year, missing the consensus of $1.71 billion; organic sales decreased by 2% due to an unfavorable price mix [4][5] Segment Analysis - Health and Wellness segment sales increased by 3% year-over-year to $630 million, driven by a 7-point increase in volume, despite a 4-point unfavorable price mix [6] - Household segment sales fell 11% to $469 million, primarily due to a 9-point decrease in volume and a 2-point unfavorable price mix [7] - Lifestyle segment sales decreased by 3% to $306 million, attributed to a 2-point decrease in volume and a 1% unfavorable price mix [8] - International segment sales declined 15% to $263 million; however, organic sales grew by 2% when excluding the impact of Argentina and foreign exchange rates [9] Margin and Cost Management - Gross margin expanded by 240 basis points year-over-year to 44.6%, marking the 10th consecutive quarter of margin expansion, driven by cost-saving initiatives and divestitures [5][3] - The company is investing $560-$580 million over five years to upgrade technology and operations, with 70% of this amount expected to be recorded as incremental operating costs [12] Guidance and Outlook - Clorox updated its FY25 outlook, expecting net sales to decline 1% to flat, reflecting weaker consumer demand and impacts from divestitures [14] - Organic sales are anticipated to increase by 4-5%, down from a previous estimate of 4-7%, with a negative impact from the ERP system transition [14][17] - The gross margin is expected to expand by 150 basis points, driven by margin management efforts, despite cost inflation and higher promotional expenses [15] Earnings Projections - The company projects a GAAP EPS of $5.73-$6.13, indicating a year-over-year increase of 155-172% [16] - Adjusted EPS is expected to be $6.95-$7.35, reflecting a 13-19% year-over-year increase [17]

Core Viewpoint - Clorox Co's fiscal third-quarter earnings and revenue missed estimates, leading to a 2.5% decline in share price to $134.96, with profits of $1.45 per share falling below the $1.71 per share from the same quarter last year [1] Group 1: Earnings and Revenue Performance - Clorox reported fiscal third-quarter earnings of $1.45 per share, which is a decrease from $1.71 per share in the same quarter a year ago [1] - The company's revenue also missed market expectations, contributing to the decline in share price [1] Group 2: Analyst Reactions - Following the earnings report, several analysts reduced their price targets for Clorox, with Morgan Stanley lowering its target from $165 to $150 [1] - Despite the price target reductions, there have been no downgrades, as 16 out of 17 brokerages maintain a "hold" or worse rating on the stock [1] Group 3: Stock Performance and Options Activity - Clorox shares traded as low as $129.74 earlier in the day, with the $130 level providing some support against further losses, similar to trends observed in June and July [2] - Since the beginning of the year, Clorox's stock has decreased by 17% [2] - The options market has seen a significant increase in activity, with Clorox stock experiencing quadruple the typical options volume, particularly with the May 125 put being the most popular [2]