Pyxus International, Inc. Reports Solid Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results

Core Insights - Pyxus International, Inc. reported a year-over-year gross margin expansion and a $13.7 million increase in operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, reflecting strong performance and operational execution [1][2][10] - The company has updated its full-year sales guidance to a range of $2.4 billion to $2.6 billion, up from the previous range of $2.3 billion to $2.5 billion, and tightened its adjusted EBITDA guidance to $215 million to $235 million [15] Financial Performance - Second quarter sales and other operating revenues increased to $570.2 million compared to $566.3 million in the prior year's second quarter, driven by larger crop volumes in Africa and South America [5] - Gross profit as a percentage of sales improved to 15.4% in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 from 13.3% in the same period last year, attributed to a better product mix and increased processing volumes [7][10] - The company's operating income rose to $46.7 million from $33.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, while adjusted EBITDA increased to $54.8 million from $44.3 million [10] Inventory and Market Conditions - Tobacco inventory at the end of the second quarter was $1,102.8 million, up from $943.3 million a year earlier, reflecting larger crop availability [12] - Uncommitted inventory represented 2.7% of total processed inventory, indicating steady customer demand despite recent oversupply conditions in the global tobacco market [13] Operational Efficiency - The company reduced its average operating cycle time to 167 days in the second quarter, down from 179 days in the same period last fiscal year, enhancing operational efficiency [14] - Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased slightly to $40.1 million, remaining well managed [9] Strategic Focus - Pyxus is focused on optimizing its operating cycle and accelerating the repayment of seasonal financing to strengthen its balance sheet [4] - The company anticipates steady demand in the near term but is preparing for a potential market shift to oversupply with another large crop projected next season [3]