Adjusted EBITDA Growth and Margin Expansion
Adjusted EBITDA increased 18% ($75M) to $492M; adjusted margin expanded to 10.1% from 8.4% a year ago (+1.7 percentage points), reflecting cost discipline and operational efficiencies.
Strong Adjusted Net Earnings and EPS Improvement
Adjusted net earnings rose 41% to $235M and adjusted EPS increased 46% to $0.57, benefiting from stronger earnings and share repurchases.
Robust Cash Generation and Balance Sheet Strength
Net cash from operations was $401M for the quarter and $1.1B year-to-date; net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA improved to 1.76x (below the long-term target), supporting capital returns and investment flexibility.
Shareholder Returns
Returned $646M to shareholders year-to-date via dividends and repurchase of 12.6M shares under NCIB, demonstrating active capital allocation.
Canada Sector Outperformance
Canada revenue up 4% (5% year-to-date) with adjusted EBITDA up 8% to $189M; second consecutive quarter of record profitability driven by higher volumes, favorable mix (value-added milk, cheese, cultured products), pricing and automation efficiency.
U.S. Operational and Ingredient Capacity Gains
U.S. adjusted EBITDA rose 16% to $185M despite commodity headwinds; investments in ingredients (Waupun whey upgrades increasing WPC80 output ~35% and new lactose dryer) and network consolidation (Green Bay to Franklin) boosted capacity and cost competitiveness.
International and Europe Margin Recovery
International adjusted EBITDA up 61% to $82M on higher volumes and favorable price-to-milk-cost relationship; Europe revenue up 8% to $336M and adjusted EBITDA up 16% to $36M with margin at 11%, aided by branded portfolio investments and operational consolidation (Nuneaton).
Category Wins and Commercial Momentum
Strong commercial execution highlighted by new partnerships (value-added milk), exceptional holiday cream execution (heavy cream +7% growth), mozzarella growth, cottage cheese share gains and branded wins (Cathedral City household penetration).
Network Modernization Delivering Efficiencies
Capital investments and automation are translating into improved fill rates, ~30% output boost at Franklin, earlier efficiencies from a consolidated Midwest warehouse and lower unit costs from production automation.
CapEx and Growth Investment Capacity
Management signals capacity to invest in growth (organic and M&A) with FY27 capex expected to be north of $400M, leveraging strong cash flow and lower net leverage.