Adjusted EBITDA Stability and Full-Year Guidance Reaffirmed
Adjusted EBITDA of $80.0M in Q3 was essentially consistent with prior year (record third quarter last year). Year-to-date adjusted EBITDA was $164.2M, broadly in line with last year. Management reaffirmed full-year fiscal 2026 guidance of $2.4B–$2.6B in net sales and $215M–$235M of adjusted EBITDA.
Strong Third-Party Processing Contribution
Expanded third‑party processing drove scale benefits: contributed approximately $7M of Q3 margins and $28.8M year-to-date, demonstrating the value of the company's processing expertise and flexible global platform.
Improved Gross Margin Percentage
Gross margin percentage improved modestly to 15.2% in Q3 and year-to-date gross margin percentage increased to 14.6% from 13.9% last year, supported by larger South American crops and increased third‑party processing.
SG&A Reduction and Operating Income
SG&A expense fell to $38.3M in Q3, an $8.2M improvement year-over-year, with year-to-date SG&A at $118.8M. Operating income was $51.3M for the quarter and $119M year-to-date, reflecting improved earnings quality.
Improved Equity Pickup from JV
Equity pickup from unconsolidated affiliates increased by $8.1M to $12.4M in the quarter, driven primarily by strong performance from China Brasil Tabacos (joint venture with China Tobacco International), benefitting from larger South American crops.
Strong Liquidity Position and Undrawn ABL
Liquidity remains strong with no borrowings on the $150M ABL facility and $130M of cash on hand to fund fourth-quarter shipments and seasonal maturities, supporting confidence in converting inventory to cash.
Sustainability Milestones Achieved
Released FY2025 sustainability report: achieved 2030 operational waste reduction targets ahead of schedule, recycled 30,000 metric tons of waste, and reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by ~7,800 metric tons (equivalent to emissions from ~1,815 gasoline cars for one year).
Visible Q4 Shipping Cadence
Management reports clear visibility into Q4 shipments (peak shipping period) and expects significant working capital release, inventory conversion to cash, seasonal line paydown, lower leverage and improved interest coverage at year-end.