By Kelly Cloonan
H.B. Fuller logged higher profit in its latest quarter despite lower revenue, helped by efforts to raise prices and keep a lid on costs.
The adhesives manufacturer on Wednesday posted a profit of $21 million, or 38 cents a share for its fiscal first quarter, compared with $13.2 million, or 24 cents a share, a year earlier.
Adjusted earnings per share were 57 cents, compared with estimates of 55 cents a share according to analysts polled by FactSet.
Revenue fell 2.3% to $770.8 million, compared with analyst estimates of $785 million.
Organic revenue also fell, driven by lower volume, which was partially offset by higher prices, the company said.
Chief Executive Celeste Mastin said the company expanded margins during the quarter by taking advantage of its global sourcing and focusing on cost management, despite a challenging operating environment.
Mastin also said the company is working to maintain supply for its customers as tensions in the Middle East continue.
"The geopolitical instability in the Middle East adds significant complexity, disruption, and cost to global supply chains," Mastin said.
The company raised its guidance for the current fiscal year, projecting adjusted earnings per share of $4.55 to $4.90, compared to a prior forecast of $4.35 to $4.70. It now expects revenue to be up mid-single digits, compared to a previous range of flat to up 2%.
H.B. Fuller said earlier this month it will implement a minimum 10% price increase across its product lines globally, effective April 1, in order to ensure reliable supply and consistent service to customers amid a dynamic materials environment.
The company said at the time that it would implement significantly higher price adjustments for certain technologies and regions.
Write to Kelly Cloonan at kelly.cloonan@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 25, 2026 16:29 ET (20:29 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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