Clorox (CLX) Q3 2026 Earnings
How Did CLX Stock React to Q3 2026 Earnings?
S&P 500 over the same 30 days: +4.66%.
Did CLX Beat Earnings? Q3 2026 Results
Yes. Clorox reported Q3 2026 earnings of $1.64 a share on Apr 30, 2026, beating the $1.50 consensus estimate by 9.3%. Revenue was $1.7B against a $1.7B estimate.
Clorox posted a headline beat in its fiscal third quarter, but the real story was the sharp downgrade to its full-year outlook that overshadowed stronger-than-expected earnings. The company reported adjusted EPS of $1.64, clearing the $1.55 consensus estimate by 6.05%, while revenue of $1.67 billion edged past expectations by 0.10% and held essentially flat year-over-year, up just 0.1%. The adjusted earnings gain, up 13% from $1.45 a year ago, was driven primarily by cost savings and lower selling and administrative expenses, though gross margin contracted 140 basis points to 43.2% as higher manufacturing and logistics costs took a toll. The more consequential news was the company's substantially lowered FY2026 guidance, with full-year adjusted EPS now expected at $5.45 to $5.65, down from a prior range of $5.95 to $6.30, as the ERP transition inventory normalization, GOJO acquisition costs, and higher energy costs weigh on the back half; organic sales are now seen declining approximately 9% for the full year.
- Cost savings contributed 170 basis points to gross margin
- Lower advertising investments and lower selling and administrative expenses drove adjusted EPS growth
- Higher manufacturing and logistics costs (210 bps headwind) and unfavorable mix pressured gross margin
- Household segment volume growth of 3 points driven by shipment ahead of consumption in Cat Litter and Grilling
- International segment benefited from favorable foreign exchange rates (6 points) and higher volume
- Lifestyle segment declined on lower consumption and retail inventory adjustments
- Glad joint venture termination payment of $476 million reduced year-to-date operating cash flow
“Our third-quarter results were mixed, with continued momentum in some parts of our portfolio and slower-than-anticipated market share recovery in others.”
Clorox CEO, on the earnings call
What Was Clorox's Outlook in Q3 2026?
Clorox significantly lowered its FY2026 outlook. Net sales are now expected to decline about 6% (previously low end of 6%–10% decline), including ~3 points of positive impact from the GOJO acquisition, less than 1 point of negative impact from the VMS divestiture, and less than 1 point of positive FX impact. Organic sales are now expected to decline about 9% (previously low end of 5%–9% decline), including ~7.5 points of headwind from ERP transition inventory normalization. Gross margin is now expected to decline 250–300 basis points (previously 50–100 bps decline), reflecting GOJO transaction costs (~60 bps headwind), ERP shipment reversal (~100 bps), and higher energy costs. Full-year GAAP diluted EPS is expected at $4.78–$4.98 (previously low end of $5.60–$5.95), a 24%–27% YoY decrease. Full-year adjusted EPS is expected at $5.45–$5.65 (previously low end of $5.95–$6.30), a 27%–29% YoY decrease, including 2–4 cents dilution from GOJO. The ~$0.90 ERP transition shipment reversal remains the most significant driver of the year-over-year decline. SG&A is still expected at ~16% of net sales, advertising at ~11% of net sales, and effective tax rate at ~24%.
CLX YoY Financials
| Metric | Q3 2026 | Q3 2025 | Year over year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $1.7B | $1.7B | +0.1% |
| Gross Profit | $722.0M | $739.0M | −2.3% |
| Net Income | $187.0M | $186.0M | +0.5% |
CLX Revenue by Segment
Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.