Q3 26 EPS
$1.64
BEAT +9.33%
Est. $1.50
Q3 26 Revenue
$1.67B
BEAT +0.10%
Est. $1.67B
vs S&P Since Q3 26
-7.6%
TRAILING MARKET
CLX -4.3% vs S&P +3.3%
Market Reaction
Did CLX Beat Earnings? Q3 2026 Results
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… Read more 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.
Key Takeaways
- • 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
CLX Forward Guidance & Outlook
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
Q3 2026 vs Q3 2025, source: SEC Filings
CLX Revenue by Segment
With YoY comparisons, source: SEC Filings
“Our third-quarter results were mixed, with continued momentum in some parts of our portfolio and slower-than-anticipated market share recovery in others.”
— Linda Rendle, Q3 2026 Earnings Press Release
CLX Earnings Trends
CLX vs Market 30 Day Price Reactions
30-day stock return vs benchmark after each earnings
CLX EPS Trend
Earnings per share: estimate vs actual
CLX Revenue Trend
Quarterly revenue: estimate vs actual
CLX Quarterly Results
5 quarters of earnings data
| Quarter | EPS Est. | EPS Act. | Surprise | Revenue | Rev. Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 26 BEAT | $1.50 | $1.64 | +9.33% | $1.67B | +0.10% |
| Q2 26 MISS | $1.43 | $1.39 | -2.80% | $1.67B | +2.19% |
| Q1 26 BEAT | $0.78 | $0.85 | +8.97% | $1.43B | +2.21% |
| Q4 25 BEAT FY | $2.21 | $2.87 | +29.86% | $1.99B | +3.05% |
| FY Full Year | $7.06 | $7.72 | +9.38% | $7.10B | +0.83% |
| Q3 25 MISS | $1.56 | $1.45 | -7.05% | $1.67B | -2.86% |