Sally Beauty Holdings (NYSE:SBH) Q4 2025 Earnings Call November 13, 2025 08:30 AM ET Company ParticipantsDenise Paulonis - President and CEOSydney Wagner - Equity Research AssociateJeff Harkins - VP of Investor Relations and TreasurerConference Call ParticipantsOlivia Tong - Managing Director and Senior AnalystNone - AnalystOperatorGood morning, everyone, and welcome to the Sally Beauty Holdings conference call to discuss the company's fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2025 results. All participants have ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2025, the company reported comparable sales growth of 1.3%, with a gross margin expansion of 100 basis points to 52.2% and adjusted operating margin of 9.4% [5][22] - Full year revenue reached $3.7 billion, with adjusted diluted earnings per share increasing by 12% to $1.90 [5][25] - The company generated strong cash flow from operations of $275 million, with over $50 million returned to shareholders through share repurchases [6][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Sally segment, net sales increased by 1.4% to $542 million, with comparable sales up 1.2% [25][26] - The BSG segment saw net sales increase by 1.1% to $406 million, with comparable sales up 1.4% [27][28] - E-commerce sales for Sally US and Canada grew by 34%, while global e-commerce sales increased by 15% to $105 million [12][23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company maintained a strong margin profile, with gross margin expanding 100 basis points to 52.2% in Q4, driven by the Fuel for Growth program [22][23] - The company expects to maintain a healthy margin profile in fiscal 2026, offsetting potential cost increases through vendor partnerships and sourcing optimization [23][24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on four key growth drivers: understanding and activating the customer, unlocking digital value, differentiating with product assortment, and accelerating new growth pathways [9][21] - The Sally Ignited initiative aims to enhance the customer experience through physical and digital refreshes, category expansion, and immersive experiences [17][18] - The company plans to refresh up to 1,500 stores, with 30 completed by the end of fiscal 2025 [18][42] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate a complex environment, highlighting resilient customer behavior and strong performance in the color category [37][56] - The company anticipates continued growth in the core color category, with additional opportunities in care, nails, and new categories like skin and spa [50][61] - Management remains cautious about the impact of government shutdowns on lower-income consumers but expects a rebound as conditions improve [56][57] Other Important Information - The company generated cumulative run rate benefits of $74 million from the Fuel for Growth program, with expectations to reach $120 million by the end of fiscal 2026 [20][25] - The company is committed to returning approximately 50% of free cash flow to shareholders through share repurchases [21][30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Key factors driving performance in Q4 - Management noted strong color performance in both segments, with marketplaces outperforming and innovation driving positive sales growth in care [32][33] Question: Consumer environment and comp guidance - Management highlighted resilient customer behavior, particularly in the color category, while noting some pressure on lower-income consumers due to government shutdowns [36][37] Question: Update on store remodel program - The company has completed 30 store refreshes under the Sally Ignited initiative, with plans for 50 more in fiscal 2026 [40][42] Question: Long-term outlook for EBIT growth - Management expressed confidence in achieving long-term EBIT growth through top-line growth drivers and continued optimization from the Fuel for Growth program [47][48] Question: Expectations for category growth - Management anticipates continued growth in color, care, and nails, with new opportunities in skin and spa and other categories [50][61]