Sally Beauty (NYSE: SBH) Q1 2026 results show higher margins but lower GAAP earnings
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Sally Beauty Holdings reported first quarter fiscal 2026 net sales of $943.2 million, up 0.6% from a year earlier, with consolidated gross margin improving to 51.2%. GAAP net earnings were $45.6 million, down 25.3%, and diluted EPS was $0.45, down 22.4%.
On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net earnings were $48.5 million and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.48. Adjusted EBITDA was $111.0 million, representing an 11.8% margin. Free cash flow reached $57.5 million, supported by $93.2 million of operating cash flow.
The company ended December 31, 2025 with $157 million in cash, inventory of $978.8 million, total assets of $2.85 billion and a net debt leverage ratio of 1.5x. Management reaffirmed most fiscal 2026 guidance and nudged full-year adjusted diluted EPS to $2.02–$2.10.
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Insights
Mixed quarter: stable sales, higher margins, lower GAAP earnings, guidance essentially reaffirmed.
Sally Beauty Holdings delivered modest top-line growth with net sales of $943.168M, up 0.6% year over year, and slightly stronger gross margin at 51.2%. However, higher selling, general and administrative expenses at 43.2% of sales compressed operating margin to 8.1% from 10.7%.
GAAP net earnings fell 25.3% to $45.557M, with diluted EPS down to $0.45, while non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS was $0.48. Adjusted EBITDA was broadly flat at $111.042M, indicating underlying profitability held up once restructuring and relocation costs were excluded.
Cash generation was solid, with operating cash flow of $93.239M and free cash flow of $57.455M, supporting debt repayment and share repurchases. For fiscal 2026, management kept net sales, adjusted operating earnings, capital expenditure and free cash flow guidance unchanged, slightly tightening adjusted EPS to $2.02–$2.10, so subsequent filings may provide more detail on execution versus this outlook.