Core Viewpoint - Clorox Company (CLX) is expected to report declines in both revenue and earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, with significant cost pressures impacting profitability [1][4][8]. Financial Performance Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal second-quarter revenues is $1.63 billion, reflecting a 3.3% decline from the previous year [2]. - The consensus estimate for earnings per share (EPS) has decreased by 2.1% over the past 30 days to $1.43, indicating a 7.7% decline year-over-year [2]. - Clorox has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.2%, including a 9% surprise in the last reported quarter [2]. Earnings Prediction Model - The current model indicates that Clorox is unlikely to achieve an earnings beat this quarter, with an Earnings ESP of -1.04% and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3]. Cost Pressures and Profitability - Clorox is facing elevated cost pressures from manufacturing, logistics, and promotional spending, which are expected to negatively impact profitability throughout fiscal 2026 [4][6]. - Operating income is projected to decline by 8.4% year-over-year, with a contraction of 90 basis points in operating margin [5]. Market and Competitive Environment - The company anticipates a challenging external environment in 2026, with consumers remaining value-conscious and overall category consumption expected to be sluggish [7]. - Competitive intensity is expected to remain high, alongside tariff-related uncertainties [7]. Strategic Initiatives - Clorox is focusing on brand strength, disciplined cost management, and the execution of its IGNITE strategy to support recovery [10]. - The company is nearing completion of a multi-year digital transformation, including a new ERP system aimed at enhancing operational efficiency [12]. - A holistic margin-management program is in place to optimize costs and productivity, which is expected to support growth initiatives despite near-term challenges [11]. Valuation Metrics - Clorox stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 17.13X, which is below the industry average of 18.15X [14]. - Over the past three months, Clorox has seen a decline of 2.5%, underperforming the industry’s decline of 0.2% [15].

Core Viewpoint - Clorox Company (CLX) is expected to report significant year-over-year declines in both revenue and earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, primarily due to ERP-related disruptions and macroeconomic challenges [1][3][5]. Revenue and Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal first-quarter revenues is $1.39 billion, reflecting a 21.2% decline from the previous year [2][9]. - The consensus estimate for earnings per share (EPS) has decreased to 78 cents, indicating a 58.1% drop compared to the same quarter last year [2][9]. Operational Challenges - Clorox is facing a challenging start to fiscal 2026, with significant headwinds from ERP-related disruptions and a reduction in retailer inventory built up in late fiscal 2025 [3][4]. - The company anticipates that these ERP transition effects will account for a 14-15 point decline in sales and 200 basis points of margin pressure in the first quarter [4][6]. Margin and Profitability Outlook - Gross margin is projected to be between 41% and 42%, which is below historical levels, primarily due to 200 basis points of pressure from the ERP transition and an additional 100 basis points from storm-related damages [7][9]. - Adjusted operating profit is expected to decline by 50.1% year over year to $165.5 million, with an adjusted operating margin contracting to 11.8% [9]. Market Environment - Clorox operates in a challenging macroeconomic environment, facing increased advertising expenses and stiff competition in the consumer goods sector, which pressures market share and operational performance [8][9]. - The company is also dealing with early impacts of tariffs and elevated selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) costs [8]. Future Outlook - Management remains optimistic about a recovery in the second half of the year as consumption stabilizes and ERP-related effects diminish [5][9]. - Clorox is nearing completion of a multi-year digital transformation, which is expected to enhance supply-chain responsiveness and operational efficiency [12][13].

Core Insights - The Clorox Company (CLX) reported strong fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results, with both revenue and earnings exceeding expectations and showing year-over-year growth [1][3][4] - The company is advancing its long-term strategy with the rollout of a new U.S. enterprise resource planning (ERP) system aimed at enhancing growth and efficiency [2][15] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) reached $2.87, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.24, marking a 57.7% increase from $1.82 in the same quarter last year [3] - Net sales totaled $1.99 billion, a 4.5% increase year-over-year, driven by an 8-point increase in volume, partially offset by a 4-point decline in price mix [4] - Organic sales grew by 8% year-over-year [4] Segment Performance - The Health and Wellness segment saw a 14% increase in sales to $741 million, driven by an 18-point increase in volume [6] - The Household segment reported a 7% increase in net sales to $639 million, with a 13-point increase in volume [7] - The Lifestyle segment's sales grew by 3% to $339 million, reflecting an 8-point increase in volume [8] - The International segment experienced a 1% decline in net sales to $269 million, despite a 5-point increase in volume [9] Gross Profit and Margins - Gross profit increased by 4.5% year-over-year to $924 million, with a gross margin remaining flat at 46.5% [5] - Incremental ERP shipments contributed approximately 150 basis points to gross margin [5] Future Guidance - For fiscal 2026, net sales are expected to decline by 6% to 10%, with organic sales anticipated to decrease by 5% to 9% due to the reversal of incremental shipments from the previous year [16][19] - Adjusted EPS is projected to be between $5.95 and $6.30, indicating a decline of 18% to 23% from the previous year [20]