Business Context and Reporting Period
Company: The Clorox Company (CLX)
Filing Type: Form 10-Q (Unaudited)
Reporting Period: Quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2026
Business Overview: A leading multinational manufacturer of consumer and professional products including cleaning, disinfecting, household, and lifestyle brands. The company operates through four reportable segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International.
Key Financial Metrics
| Metric (in millions) | 3 Months Ended 3/31/2026 | 9 Months Ended 3/31/2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Net Sales | $1,670 | $4,772 |
| Gross Profit | $722 | $2,040 |
| Gross Margin | 43.2% | 42.7% |
| Net Earnings (Attributable to Clorox) | $187 | $424 |
| Diluted EPS | $1.54 | $3.47 |
| Operating Cash Flow | N/A | $282 |
| Cash and Equivalents (Ending) | $1,187 | $1,187 |
| Total Debt (Short + Long Term) | $4,078 | $4,078 |
Note: Short-term debt of $1,591 million primarily consists of commercial paper borrowings used to finance the GOJO acquisition and the Venture Agreement termination payment.
Material Changes vs. Prior Period
- Revenue: Net sales were flat ($1,670M) for the quarter compared to the prior year, but declined 7% ($4,772M vs. $5,116M) for the nine-month period. The nine-month decline was driven by lower shipments following incremental ERP-related shipments in the prior year's fourth quarter.
- Profitability: Gross margin decreased 140 basis points to 43.2% for the quarter and 200 basis points to 42.7% for the nine months, primarily due to higher manufacturing and logistics costs.
- Earnings: Diluted EPS increased 3% to $1.54 for the quarter but decreased 10% to $3.47 for the nine months. The nine-month decline was impacted by lower sales, higher costs, and the lapping of insurance recoveries from a prior cyberattack.
- Cash Flow: Operating cash flow for the nine months dropped significantly to $282M from $687M in the prior year, largely due to a $476M cash payment to terminate the Venture Agreement with P&G.
- Balance Sheet: Cash and cash equivalents increased to $1,187M from $167M at the end of the prior fiscal year, funded by short-term borrowings. Total liabilities increased to $6,344M.
Guidance, Outlook, and Material Events
- GOJO Acquisition: On April 1, 2026 (subsequent to the reporting period), the company completed the acquisition of GOJO Industries for approximately $2,250 million. This was financed via a $1,250M draw on a Delayed Draw Term Credit Agreement and commercial paper.
- Venture Agreement Termination: The company paid $476M in cash on March 2, 2026, to purchase P&G's 20% interest in the Glad bags and wraps business, ending the venture agreement.
- Transformation Costs: The company completed its ERP transition in Q3 FY2026. Total incremental transformational investment was approximately $580M. Digital capabilities and productivity enhancement costs were $10M for the quarter and $59M for the nine months.
- Outlook: Management anticipates a volatile operating environment due to macroeconomic uncertainty, trade policies, and geopolitical instability. The company expects to continue investing in brands and capabilities to drive profitable growth.
- Risks: Key risks include integration of the GOJO business, supply chain disruptions, raw material cost volatility, and potential impacts from tariffs and geopolitical conflicts.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Debt Structure: Verify the terms and interest rates of the new $1,250M Delayed Draw Term Credit Agreement and the $1,000M 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement entered into for the GOJO acquisition.
- Acquisition Accounting: Monitor the fourth-quarter FY2026 filing for the final purchase price allocation of the GOJO acquisition, specifically the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets.
- Margin Recovery: Assess whether cost savings initiatives will offset the reported increases in manufacturing and logistics costs to restore gross margins.
- Cash Flow Sustainability: Evaluate the impact of the $476M Venture Agreement payment and the GOJO acquisition financing on future operating cash flow and liquidity ratios.
- ERP Stabilization: Confirm that the ERP transition is fully stabilized and that no further significant incremental transformation costs are expected.