Edgewell Personal Care Company (EPC) completed the sale of its feminine care business to Essity (ETTYF) for $340M. Edgewell intends to use the net proceeds from the sale, after taxes and transaction costs, primarily to strengthen its balance sheet and pay down the balance of U.S. revolving credit facility while continuing to invest in the long-term growth of its core businesses. Edgewell expects to work closely with Essity to ensure a smooth transition for employees, customers, and consumers of the Feminin ...

STOCKHOLM, Feb. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hygiene and health company Essity has completed the acquisition of Edgewell Personal Care's feminine care business, including the Carefree, Stayfree and o.b. brands in North America and global feminine care rights for the Playtex brand. The purchase price for the assets amounts to USD 340m (approximately SEK 3bn) on a cash and debt-free basis. The acquisition supports Essity's strategy to focus on high margin categories and to grow market positions in the US, the worl ...

"Completing the sale of our Feminine Care business is a pivotal step in Edgewell's transformation. By simplifying our portfolio and focusing our resources on shave, sun and skin care, and grooming, we are positioning Edgewell to be a more focused, agile and durable personal care company," said Edgewell President and CEO Rod Little. "The proceeds from this transaction will strengthen our balance sheet, support debt reduction and reinvestment behind our core brands and innovation pipeline, as we look to drive ...

Group 1 - Edgewell Personal Care Company will report its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 on February 9, 2026, before the market opens [1] - The results will be discussed during an investor conference call that will be webcast starting at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the same day [1] - The call will be hosted by President and CEO Rod Little and CFO Francesca Weissman [1] Group 2 - Edgewell is a leading pure-play consumer products company with a diversified portfolio of established brand names, including Schick, Wilkinson Sword, Billie, Edge, Skintimate, Playtex, Stayfree, Carefree, o.b., Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic, Bulldog, Jack Black, Cremo, and Wet Ones [2] - The company operates in over 50 markets globally, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Japan, the U.K., and Australia, employing approximately 6,700 people worldwide [2]

Group 1 - Morgan Stanley's household products and beverage analyst, Dara Mohsenian, is leading the presentation [1] - Edgewell is participating in Morgan Stanley's Global Consumer and Retail Conference, represented by President and CEO Rod Little and CFO Fran Weissman [2]

Edgewell Personal Care Company (NYSE:EPC) 2025 Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Edgewell Personal Care Company - **Event**: 2025 Conference - **Date**: December 02, 2025 Key Points Organizational Changes and Strategy - Significant organizational changes have been made, including new leadership in North America and a shift to a regional hub model globally [4][5] - The recent divestiture of the FemCare business is seen as a strategic move to focus on core categories such as shave, grooming, sun, and skincare [17][19] - North America has been identified as an area needing a commercial reset, with a new leadership team in place to drive growth [7][8] Financial Performance and Growth - International growth accounts for 40% of the portfolio, with mid-single-digit growth expected to continue into fiscal 2026 [5][37] - The company has achieved consistent cost productivity improvements of 200-300 basis points year-on-year [6][26] - The divestiture of FemCare was completed for $340 million, providing financial flexibility and operational focus [18][20] Market Environment - The overall growth rate in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) categories is around 2%, with similar trends observed in the U.S. market [13][14] - The promotional environment in the U.S. has become more competitive, particularly in women's shave and FemCare categories [14][12] Capital Allocation and Investment - Post-divestiture, the focus will be on strengthening the balance sheet and paying down debt, with 80% of the FemCare proceeds expected to convert into cash [20][21] - Increased advertising and promotion (A&P) spending is planned for fiscal 2026, rising from 10% to 12% of sales, aimed at driving top-line growth [29][32] Product Categories and Innovation - The grooming category, including brands like Jack Black and Bulldog, is expected to grow at mid to high single-digit rates [45] - The wet shave category is less competitive than in previous years, with Edgewell positioned as a key player alongside Gillette [48][49] - New product innovations and campaigns are being launched to enhance market presence, particularly in the U.S. [30][31] Future Outlook - The company is optimistic about stabilizing organic sales growth in the U.S., with expectations of low single-digit growth in the back half of 2026 [41][42] - Internationally, growth is anticipated to be driven by the sun and grooming categories, with significant potential in markets like Europe and Asia [39][40] Key Risks and Considerations - The company acknowledges challenges in the lower middle-income consumer demographics, which may impact overall category performance [13][14] - There is a focus on managing stranded costs post-FemCare divestiture, with expectations of a $35-$45 million headwind in the short term [22][23] Conclusion - Edgewell Personal Care Company is at a pivotal moment with strategic changes aimed at enhancing growth and operational efficiency. The focus on core categories, coupled with increased investment in marketing and innovation, positions the company for potential recovery and growth in the coming years [51][52]

Core Insights - Edgewell Personal Care Company will participate in a fireside chat at the Morgan Stanley Global Consumer and Retail Conference on December 2, 2025, at 10:15 A.M. ET, with presentations by the CEO Rod Little and CFO Francesca Weissman [1][2] Company Overview - Edgewell is a leading pure-play consumer products company with a diversified portfolio that includes established brands such as Schick®, Wilkinson Sword®, Billie®, Edge®, Skintimate®, Playtex®, Stayfree®, Carefree®, o.b.®, Banana Boat®, Hawaiian Tropic®, Bulldog®, Jack Black®, Cremo®, and Wet Ones® [2] - The company operates in over 50 markets globally, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Japan, the U.K., and Australia, employing approximately 6,700 people worldwide [2] Recent Developments - Edgewell announced the sale of its feminine care business to Essity for $340 million [4]

Business Strategy and Growth - The company plans to sell its Feminine Care segment for $340 million, subject to purchase price adjustments upon closing [38]. - The company expects to drive growth in its Sun and Skin Care business through product innovation, increased distribution, and geographic expansion [35]. - The Bulldog skincare products have expanded sales geographically since acquisition, with continued resource commitment for growth [37]. - The company has a diverse portfolio of personal care brands acquired over the years, enhancing its market position [30]. - Customer orders for Sun Care products are highly seasonal, leading to increased sales during late winter through mid-summer months [48]. Market Position and Competition - The company holds the number two global market share position in wet shaving, with significant presence in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Germany, France, and the U.K. [32]. - The company is one of the top three manufacturers of feminine care products in North America, leveraging competitive product technologies [38]. - The company faces competition from major players like Procter & Gamble and Kimberly Clark in the feminine care market [44]. - The global men's skincare market is expected to continue growing, with the company competing through its Bulldog and Jack Black brands [43]. Financial Performance and Risks - Walmart accounted for approximately 17.4% of the company's net sales in fiscal 2025, with Target Corporation representing about 9.2% for the Sun and Skin Care segment and 10.1% for the Feminine Care segment [46]. - The company maintains a cash flow hedging program related to foreign currency risk, with unrealized pre-tax gains of $1.4 million and $2.4 million at September 30, 2025, and 2024, respectively [287]. - The company is exposed to significant currency rate risks, particularly with the euro, Japanese yen, British pound, Canadian dollar, and Australian dollar, which can impact reported earnings [284]. - Outstanding variable-rate debt instruments amounted to $140.0 million, primarily related to the Revolving Credit Facility and international notes payable [293]. - A one percent increase in applicable interest rates would increase annual interest expense by approximately $1.7 million [293]. Innovation and Intellectual Property - As of September 30, 2025, the company owned 271 unexpired U.S. patents and 1,321 foreign patents, with expiration dates ranging from October 2025 to June 2050 [52]. - The company actively pursues foreign patent protection and routinely prepares additional patent applications, indicating a strong focus on innovation and intellectual property [52]. Sustainability and Compliance - The company aims to achieve operational carbon neutrality across its global operations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of its Sustainable Care 2030 strategy [63]. - The company is subject to various environmental regulations, including those from the U.S. FDA and EPA, which govern the manufacture and distribution of its products [54]. - The company is committed to compliance with discrimination laws and fostering an inclusive work environment [70]. Employee Wellbeing and Culture - The company has approximately 6,700 employees, with around 2,000 based in the United States, fostering a culture centered around the guiding purpose of Making Useful Things Joyful [67]. - The company emphasizes employee wellbeing through various programs, including onsite biometric screening and mental health support, aiming to foster a culture of wellbeing by 2025 [69]. - Employee experience survey results show increased confidence in the company's future and a sense of belonging, with improvements noted year over year [72]. - The company’s human resources policies and wellbeing programs are designed to attract and retain key personnel, contributing to positive employee retention rates [69]. Operational Management - The company utilizes a direct sales force supplemented by strategic distributors and wholesalers, with dedicated commercial organizations in key markets [45]. - The principal raw materials include steel, plastic resins, and organic chemicals, which are sourced regionally or globally and are subject to price and availability fluctuations [49]. - The company has established e-commerce operations across several business lines, including partnerships with T-Mall in China to accelerate e-commerce sales [45]. - The company has a strong focus on safety culture, revitalizing its "Alive and Well" program across manufacturing sites [71]. - The company’s executive team includes experienced leaders, with the Chief Executive Officer having served since March 1, 2019, and the Chief Financial Officer since December 1, 2024 [76][84].

Core Insights - Edgewell Personal Care Company (NYSE:EPC) is recognized as one of the 15 Best 52-Week Low Dividend Stocks to Invest in [1] - RBC Capital has reduced its price target for Edgewell from $26 to $23 while maintaining an Outperform rating, citing a slight revenue beat in Q4 but disappointing profitability and FY26 outlook [2] - The planned divestiture of the Fem Care division is expected to enhance Edgewell's growth and margins over time, although significant improvements are not anticipated in the short term [3] Financial Performance - For fiscal Q4 2025, Edgewell reported revenue of $537.2 million, reflecting a 3.8% increase year-over-year and exceeding analysts' estimates by $4.38 million [5] - The company ended the quarter with $225.7 million in cash and returned $119.5 million to shareholders through $90.2 million in buybacks and $29.3 million in dividends [5] Strategic Moves - Edgewell announced a definitive agreement to sell its feminine care division to Essity for $340 million, with the deal expected to close in Q1 2026, pending regulatory approvals [4] - The company plans to utilize most of the after-tax proceeds from the sale to strengthen its balance sheet and continue investing in long-term growth across its core brands [4]

Core Insights - Edgewell Personal Care (EPC) reported revenue of $537.2 million for the quarter ended September 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 3.8% [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) for the same period was $0.68, down from $0.72 a year ago, indicating a decline [1] - The reported revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $536.03 million by 0.22%, while the EPS fell short of the consensus estimate of $0.82 by 17.07% [1] Revenue Performance - Net Sales in Feminine Care reached $67.3 million, slightly below the average estimate of $67.62 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 0.9% [4] - Net Sales in Wet Shave amounted to $321.9 million, compared to the estimated $328.88 million, showing a year-over-year increase of 1.2% [4] - Net Sales in Sun and Skin Care were reported at $148 million, surpassing the average estimate of $139.53 million, with a significant year-over-year increase of 11.5% [4] Stock Performance - Over the past month, shares of Edgewell Personal have declined by 6.2%, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's increase of 4.6% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), suggesting potential underperformance relative to the broader market in the near term [3]