Johnson Outdoors Reports Fiscal Second Quarter Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Johnson Outdoors (Nasdaq: JOUT) reported fiscal Q2 results for the quarter ended April 3, 2026: net sales $194.5M (+16%), operating income $10.3M versus $4.9M prior year, gross margin 38.8% (vs 35.0%), and net income $9.4M ($0.89 diluted).
Year-to-date sales were $335.4M (+21.5%) and net income was $6.1M ($0.58 diluted) versus a loss a year earlier. Cash and short-term investments totaled $107.9M at quarter end. A quarterly dividend was paid April 30, 2026.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- Net sales +16% to $194.5M in Q2 (April 3, 2026)
- Year-to-date net sales +21.5% to $335.4M
- Operating income improved to $10.3M in Q2 from $4.9M
- Gross margin expanded to 38.8% from 35.0%
- Cash and short-term investments increased to $107.9M
Negative
- Operating expenses increased $11.2M to $65.1M in Q2
- Inventories rose modestly to $186.9M ahead of selling season
- Other/Eliminations operating loss widened to $8.9M in Q2
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
JOUT was up 1.04% while close peers showed mixed moves: ESCA (-4.16%), MODG (-0.47%), XPOF (-1.51%), JAKK (+1.09%), LUCK (+1.89%). This points to a stock-specific setup rather than a broad leisure-sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 24 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | -1.3% | Announcement of May 8 release date and earnings conference call details. |
| Feb 27 | Cash dividend | Positive | -5.2% | Quarterly cash dividend declaration with specified per-share amounts and key dates. |
| Feb 06 | Q1 earnings | Positive | -3.1% | Strong Q1 sales growth and margin improvement despite a remaining net loss. |
| Jan 29 | Annual meeting | Neutral | +1.1% | Details of fully virtual annual shareholder meeting and participation logistics. |
| Jan 27 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | -0.3% | Scheduling of fiscal Q1 results release and related webcast information. |
Positive or shareholder-friendly news (earnings, dividends) has often been followed by short-term negative price reactions.
Over the last few months, Johnson Outdoors has focused on regular investor communications and capital returns. An earnings-date notice on Jan 27 and the virtual annual meeting announcement on Jan 29 saw limited price impact. Fiscal Q1 results on Feb 6 showed strong sales and margin improvement but the stock fell 3.1%. A cash dividend declaration on Feb 27 coincided with a 5.22% decline. Today’s Q2 report follows this pattern of operational strength alongside historically mixed price reactions.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights a solid turnaround in profitability, with Q2 net sales of $194.5M, gross margin improving to 38.8%, and diluted EPS of $0.89. Year-to-date, net sales reached $335.4M and operating income turned positive at $7.4M. Management also emphasized cost discipline and noted rising cost pressures and modest inventory increases ahead of the selling season. Investors may focus on segment growth durability, expense trends, and cash levels of $107.9M when evaluating future updates.
Key Terms
forward-looking statements regulatory
form 10-k regulatory
risk factors regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
RACINE, Wis., May 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Johnson Outdoors Inc. (Nasdaq:JOUT), a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technology, today announced operating results for the Company’s second fiscal quarter ending April 3, 2026.
“We delivered a strong second quarter, with growth across all of our business segments as retail conditions improved and our innovation continued to perform well. We are proud of our market-leading brands that continue to resonate with consumers,” said Helen Johnson-Leipold, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “By staying focused on disciplined execution of our strategic priorities and strengthening our competitive position, we are confident we are taking the right actions to navigate the current macroeconomic environment while building long-term resilience.”
SECOND QUARTER RESULTS
Total Company net sales in the second fiscal quarter increased 16 percent to
- Fishing revenue increased 18 percent mainly due to improved trade conditions, a stronger competitive position in the market, and pricing
- Camping & Watercraft Recreation sales were up 1 percent, primarily due to increased ecommerce sales
- Diving sales increased 9 percent, driven by improved market conditions and growth in ecommerce
Total Company operating income was
Profit before income taxes was
YEAR-TO-DATE RESULTS
Fiscal 2026 year-to-date net sales were
Profit before income taxes for the year-to-date period was
OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Company reported cash and short-term investments of
“Our ongoing efforts to strategically manage costs helped boost margins in the second quarter. At the same time, we are seeing increased cost pressures, along with a modest increase in inventory as we prepare for the upcoming selling season,” said David W. Johnson, Chief Financial Officer. “Despite uncertainties in the broader economic environment, we remain focused on our financial discipline and will continue to closely manage the business to balance near-term pressures with long-term value creation.”
WEBCAST
The Company will host a conference call and audio web cast at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, May 8, 2026. A live listen-only web cast of the conference call may be accessed at Johnson Outdoors’ home page or here. A replay of the call will be available for 30 days on the Internet.
About Johnson Outdoors Inc.
JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technologies that inspire more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft Recreation, Fishing, Diving and Camping. Johnson Outdoors' iconic brands include: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Carlisle® paddles; Minn Kota® trolling motors, shallow water anchors and battery chargers; Cannon® downriggers; Humminbird® marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO® dive equipment; and Jetboil® outdoor cooking systems.
Visit Johnson Outdoors at http://www.johnsonoutdoors.com
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain matters discussed in this press release are “forward-looking statements,” intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical fact are considered forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "anticipate,'' "believe,'' "confident," "could,'' "expect,'' "intend,'' "may,'' "planned,'' "potential,'' "should,'' "will,'' "would'' or the negative of those terms or other words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those currently anticipated. Factors that could affect actual results or outcomes include the matters described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12, 2025, and the following: changes in economic conditions, consumer confidence levels and discretionary spending patterns in key markets; uncertainties stemming from political instability (and its impact on the economies in jurisdictions where the Company has operations), uncertainties stemming from changes in U.S. trade policies, tariffs, and the reaction of other countries to such changes; the global outbreaks of disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected, and may continue to affect, market and economic conditions, along with wide-ranging impacts on employees, customers and various aspects of our operations; the Company’s success in implementing its strategic plan, including its targeted sales growth platforms, innovation focus and its increasing digital presence; litigation costs related to actions of and disputes with third parties, including competitors; the Company’s continued success in its working capital management and cost-structure reductions; the Company’s success in integrating strategic acquisitions; the risk of future write-downs of goodwill or other long-lived assets; the ability of the Company’s customers to meet payment obligations; the impact of actions of the Company’s competitors with respect to product development or enhancement or the introduction of new products into the Company’s markets; movements in foreign currencies, interest rates or commodity costs; fluctuations in the prices of raw materials or the availability of raw materials or components used by the Company; any disruptions in the Company’s supply chain as a result of material fluctuations in the Company’s order volumes and requirements for raw materials and other components, or the demand for those same raw materials and components by third parties, necessary to manufacture and produce the Company’s products including related to shortages in procuring necessary raw materials and components to manufacture and produce such products; the success of the Company’s suppliers and customers and the impact of any consolidation in the industries of the Company’s suppliers and customers; the ability of the Company to deploy its capital successfully; unanticipated outcomes related to outsourcing certain manufacturing processes; unanticipated outcomes related to litigation matters; and adverse weather conditions. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included herein are only made as of the date of this filing. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
| JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC. | ||||||||||||
| (thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||
| THREE MONTHS ENDED | SIX MONTHS ENDED | |||||||||||
| Operating results | April 3, 2026 | March 28, 2025 | April 3, 2026 | March 28, 2025 | ||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 194,480 | $ | 168,349 | $ | 335,415 | $ | 275,998 | ||||
| Cost of sales | 118,992 | 109,483 | 208,317 | 184,949 | ||||||||
| Gross profit | 75,488 | 58,866 | 127,098 | 91,049 | ||||||||
| Operating expenses | 65,139 | 53,965 | 119,661 | 106,387 | ||||||||
| Operating profit (loss): | 10,349 | 4,901 | 7,437 | (15,338 | ) | |||||||
| Interest income, net | (584 | ) | (557 | ) | (1,847 | ) | (1,543 | ) | ||||
| Other income, net | 726 | 1,300 | 332 | 974 | ||||||||
| Profit (loss) before income taxes | 10,207 | 4,158 | 8,952 | (14,769 | ) | |||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 798 | 1,854 | 2,843 | (1,783 | ) | |||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 9,409 | $ | 2,304 | $ | 6,109 | $ | (12,986 | ) | |||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - Dilutive | 10,383 | 10,272 | 10,370 | 10,272 | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) per common share - Diluted | $ | 0.89 | $ | 0.22 | $ | 0.58 | $ | (1.26 | ) | |||
| Segment Results | ||||||||||||
| Net sales: | ||||||||||||
| Fishing | $ | 159,025 | $ | 134,891 | $ | 271,395 | $ | 217,363 | ||||
| Camping & Watercraft Recreation | 18,053 | 17,852 | 28,654 | 27,303 | ||||||||
| Diving | 17,315 | 15,820 | 35,289 | 31,504 | ||||||||
| Other / Eliminations | 87 | (214 | ) | 77 | (172 | ) | ||||||
| Total | $ | 194,480 | $ | 168,349 | $ | 335,415 | $ | 275,998 | ||||
| Operating profit (loss): | ||||||||||||
| Fishing | $ | 18,705 | $ | 9,469 | $ | 26,225 | $ | 1,208 | ||||
| Camping & Watercraft Recreation | 788 | 1,246 | (330 | ) | 600 | |||||||
| Diving | (236 | ) | (413 | ) | (572 | ) | (1,321 | ) | ||||
| Other / Eliminations | (8,908 | ) | (5,401 | ) | (17,886 | ) | (15,825 | ) | ||||
| Total | $ | 10,349 | $ | 4,901 | $ | 7,437 | $ | (15,338 | ) | |||
| Balance Sheet Information(End of Period) | ||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments | $ | 107,876 | $ | 93,951 | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 126,852 | 116,776 | ||||||||||
| Inventories, net | 186,900 | 180,057 | ||||||||||
| Total current assets | 427,728 | 407,079 | ||||||||||
| Total assets | 618,273 | 624,474 | ||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 122,781 | 104,833 | ||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 199,388 | 183,372 | ||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 418,885 | 441,102 | ||||||||||
| Johnson Outdoors Inc. | |
| David Johnson | Patricia Penman |
| Chief Financial Officer | Chief Marketing Officer |
| 262-631-6600 | 262-631-6600 |
