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Clorox Posts Mixed Q3 Results, Lowers Fiscal 2026 Outlook

Story Highlights
  • Clorox’s Q3 2026 results showed flat sales, higher costs, but improving adjusted earnings.
  • Clorox cut its 2026 outlook as ERP-related inventory effects and GOJO costs weigh on margins and EPS.
  • Looking for the best stocks to buy? Follow the recommendations of top-performing analysts.
Clorox Posts Mixed Q3 Results, Lowers Fiscal 2026 Outlook

Meet Samuel – Your Personal Investing Prophet

An announcement from Clorox ( (CLX) ) is now available.

On April 30, 2026, Clorox reported mixed results for its third quarter ended March 31, 2026, with net sales flat at $1.67 billion and organic sales down 1% versus a year earlier, while gross margin compressed by 140 basis points to 43.2% on higher manufacturing and logistics costs and unfavorable mix. Diluted EPS rose 3% to $1.54 and adjusted EPS climbed 13% to $1.64 on cost savings and lower advertising and administrative spending, but year-to-date operating cash flow fell 59% to $282 million, largely due to a Glad joint venture termination payment.

Segment performance was uneven, with Household and International units posting higher sales and adjusted EBIT, Health and Wellness seeing flat sales and lower profitability, and Lifestyle experiencing a 9% sales decline offset by cost cuts. Strategically, Clorox closed its acquisition of GOJO Industries on April 1, adding the Purell brand and expanding its health and hygiene portfolio, while it also rolled out a slate of product innovations and earned multiple brand trust and sustainability accolades, reinforcing its positioning despite near-term margin and cash-flow pressure.

Updating its fiscal 2026 outlook, Clorox now expects net sales to decline about 6% and organic sales to fall about 9%, largely reflecting the unwinding of roughly two weeks of inventory shipped ahead of demand during an ERP transition in fiscal 2025, which is projected to reduce EPS by about $0.90. The company also now forecasts a 250–300 basis-point drop in gross margin, diluted EPS of $4.78 to $4.98—down 24% to 27% year over year—and modest EPS dilution from the GOJO acquisition, which is expected to add roughly 3 percentage points to net sales but carry transaction-related and mix headwinds to profitability.

The most recent analyst rating on (CLX) stock is a Hold with a $127.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Clorox stock, see the CLX Stock Forecast page.

Spark’s Take on CLX Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, CLX is a Neutral.

CLX scores mid-range primarily because improving profitability and solid free cash flow are offset by a highly pressured balance sheet (negative equity, high debt) and weak revenue trend. Technicals are also bearish, while valuation is helped by a high dividend yield and a reasonable P/E. Guidance was reaffirmed with expected back-half margin improvement, but near-term category and promotional pressures plus ERP-related volatility keep the overall score restrained.

To see Spark’s full report on CLX stock, click here.

More about Clorox

The Clorox Company is a U.S.-based consumer products manufacturer best known for its namesake cleaning and disinfecting products, as well as brands such as Burt’s Bees, Glad, Kingsford, Hidden Valley and Pine-Sol. The company operates across health and wellness, household, lifestyle and international segments, with a focus on everyday home, personal care and hygiene categories in both domestic and global markets.

Average Trading Volume: 2,280,248

Technical Sentiment Signal: Sell

Current Market Cap: $11.46B

See more insights into CLX stock on TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.

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