Hain Celestial(US:HAIN)2025-09-15 13:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an organic net sales decline of 11% year over year for Q4 2025, driven by lower sales in both North America and international segments [24][27] - Adjusted gross margin decreased to 20.5%, down approximately 290 basis points year over year, attributed to lower volume mix, cost inflation, and higher trade spend [24][26] - Adjusted net loss was $2 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $11 million, or $0.13 per diluted share in the prior year [26] - Adjusted EBITDA was $20 million, down from $40 million a year ago, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 5.5% [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In North America, organic net sales declined 14% year over year, primarily due to lower sales in snacks and meal preparation products [27] - Adjusted gross margin in North America was 19.2%, a decrease of 340 basis points, with adjusted EBITDA of $10 million compared to $21 million in the prior year [27] - International organic net sales declined 6%, primarily driven by lower sales in meal preparation products and beverages, with adjusted gross margin at 22.1% [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The snacks category saw organic net sales growth down 19% year over year, attributed to velocity challenges and distribution losses [29] - The beverages category experienced a 3% decline in organic net sales, driven by softness in tea in North America and private label non-dairy beverages in Europe [30] - The company gained market share in the UK, particularly in the total UK business, despite challenges in other areas [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a turnaround strategy that includes optimizing cash, deleveraging the balance sheet, stabilizing sales, and improving profitability [6][21] - Key actions include streamlining the portfolio, accelerating brand renovation and innovation, and enhancing digital capabilities to grow e-commerce [10][21] - The company is exiting unprofitable or low-margin SKUs and businesses where it is structurally disadvantaged, such as the meat-free category in North America [12][11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed disappointment with Q4 performance, citing challenges in both North America and international segments [4][5] - The company is committed to decisive actions to improve its trajectory and financial health, with a focus on driving innovation and revenue growth management [10][17] - Future expectations include aggressive cost-cutting and improved performance in the second half of fiscal 2026 compared to the first half [33] Other Important Information - The company has implemented a restructuring program with expected charges of $100 million to $110 million by fiscal 2027 [25] - Free cash flow in Q4 was an outflow of $9 million, compared to an inflow of $31 million in the prior year [31] - The company closed the quarter with cash on hand of $54 million and net debt of $650 million, having reduced net debt by $14 million in the quarter [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the company manage reinvestment in the context of a strained balance sheet? - Management emphasized the need for financial flexibility and tough decisions to focus investments on high-return areas [37][38] Question: What are the differences in the current strategy compared to the previous Hain Reimagined program? - Management highlighted a shift towards decisive actions, increased innovation, and local empowerment in the operating model [46][49] Question: What is the expected timeline for restructuring and CEO appointment? - The restructuring process is ongoing, with most changes effective between October 1 and November 1, while the CEO search is progressing in parallel with the strategic review [71][79]