Core Insights - Procter & Gamble Company (PG) reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 results with earnings per share (EPS) exceeding estimates and year-over-year sales growth driven by improved pricing and a favorable mix [1][2] Financial Performance - The company achieved net sales of $22.21 billion, reflecting a 1% increase year over year, although it fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $22.29 billion [2] - Organic sales remained flat year over year, with a 1% increase from pricing offset by a 1% drop in volumes [2][4] - Core EPS was reported at $1.88, flat compared to the previous year but slightly above the Zacks Consensus Estimate [1] Segment Performance - Sales growth was led by a 5% increase in both Beauty and Health Care segments, a 1% increase in Fabric & Home Care, and a 2% increase in Grooming, while Baby, Feminine & Family Care saw a 3% decline [4] - Organic sales rose 4% for Beauty, 3% for Health Care, and remained flat for Grooming and Fabric & Home Care, with a 4% decline for Baby, Feminine & Family Care [4] Margin Analysis - Core gross margin declined by 50 basis points year over year to 51.9%, while reported gross margin fell by 120 basis points [6] - Core operating margin decreased by 70 basis points to 25.5%, primarily due to adverse currency effects [7] Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns - The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $10.8 billion and generated an operating cash flow of $5 billion [9] - Procter & Gamble returned $4.8 billion to shareholders, including $2.5 billion in dividends and $2.3 billion in share buybacks [10] Fiscal 2026 Guidance - The company reiterated its fiscal 2026 guidance, expecting organic sales growth and core EPS growth between flat to 4% [11] - Revised net EPS growth outlook is now between 1-6%, down from the previous 3-9% range, reflecting increased non-core restructuring charges [12] - Anticipated commodity costs are expected to be neutral, with foreign exchange providing a tailwind of approximately $200 million after tax [13]

Core Viewpoint - Needham analyst Gerald Pascarelli has reiterated a Buy rating on Constellation Brands, Inc. but has lowered the price forecast from $215 to $195, anticipating a weak start to fiscal year 2026 with first-quarter results expected on July 1 [1][3]. Group 1: Financial Performance Expectations - Pascarelli predicts that Constellation Brands will report beer revenue and margins below the lower end of full-year guidance, which may negatively impact Street estimates [1]. - The analyst has reduced his first-quarter earnings per share (EPS) estimate to $3.20, and lowered fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027 EPS estimates to $12.64 and $13.76, respectively [3][5]. - The price forecast of $195 implies a ~20% discount to the company's historical average multiple of ~14x [3]. Group 2: Market Trends and Challenges - Over the past three months, beer volumes have declined sequentially, with a forecasted beer depletion of -3.0%, which is 120 basis points below the -1.8% consensus [2][4]. - Volume trends have weakened since February due to category softness, ongoing consumer challenges, and poor weather in May and early June [3]. - Increased investment spending, particularly in marketing (estimated at 9.5% of sales), along with volume pressure, contributes to a forecasted beer margin of 38.0%, notably below the Street's 39.8% [4]. Group 3: Segment Performance and Guidance - Pascarelli is 10 points below consensus on wine and spirits revenue, expecting a ~30% organic decline, with the Svedka divestiture contributing to a ~5-point hit [5]. - The analyst models a 70% drop in segment operating income due to volume deleverage and distributor repayments [5]. - Despite a weak start to fiscal year 2026, the initial beer guidance was conservative enough to allow the company to meet its full-year targets, with management typically avoiding guidance revisions in the first quarter [6].