FIRST QUARTER FISCAL 2026 SUMMARY
-- Net Sales increased 12% year-over-year to $255.2 million -- Net Income increased 63% year-over-year to $23.4 million -- Adjusted EBITDA* increased 15% year-over-year to $56.4 million -- Diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased 83% year-over-year to $0.11 -- Adjusted diluted EPS* increased 30% year-over-year to $0.13 CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 2026--
Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HAYW) ("Hayward," the "Company," "we," "us, " or "our"), a leading global specialty water management company focused on designing and manufacturing pool and outdoor living technology and industrial flow control products, today announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, ended March 28, 2026. Comparisons are to financial results for the prior-year first fiscal quarter.
CEO COMMENTS
"Hayward delivered an outstanding first quarter highlighted by double-digit net sales growth and increased profitability," said Kevin Holleran, Hayward's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Net sales increased 12% year-over-year, primarily driven by further strong price realization and positive volume growth, underscoring the strength of our predominantly installed base aftermarket business model and disciplined execution of our strategic initiatives. We achieved another quarter of margin expansion while making targeted investments in new product innovation and customer service. Based on our strong start to the year, we are increasing our full year guidance and remain confident in our ability to deliver continued profitable growth and stockholder value."
FIRST QUARTER FISCAL 2026 CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
Net sales increased by 12% to $255.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. The increase in net sales during the quarter was driven by positive net price to offset inflation and tariffs, the favorable impact from foreign currency translation, and an increase in volume.
Gross profit increased by 13% to $118.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Gross profit margin increased by 50 basis points to 46.5% primarily due to positive net price and operating efficiencies, partially offset by an increase in cost of sales driven by tariffs and inflation.
Selling, general, and administrative expense ("SG&A") increased by 10% to $62.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. The increase in SG&A was mainly attributable to the timing of certain sales expenses during the year, incremental advertising expense for trade shows and new customers, and increased software costs. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased to 24.5% for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 as compared to 24.9% in the prior-year period, a decrease of 40 basis points, as the growth in net sales exceeded the growth in SG&A.
Research, development, and engineering expense ("RD&E") increased by 13% to $6.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. The increase was primarily driven by investments in new product development and new product performance improvements. As a percentage of net sales, RD&E remained relatively consistent as 2.6% for both the first quarters of fiscal 2026 and 2025.
Operating income increased by 27% to $42.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, due to the aggregated effects of the items described above. Operating income as a percentage of net sales was 16.6% for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, a 200 basis point increase compared to 14.6% in the prior-year period.
Interest expense, net, decreased by 16% to $11.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, primarily due to higher interest income on cash deposits and decreased net interest expense on bank debt.
Net income increased by 63% to $23.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Net income margin increased by 290 basis points to 9.2%. Adjusted net income* increased by 35% to $29.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Adjusted net income margin* increased by 200 basis points to 11.7%.
Adjusted EBITDA* increased by 15% to $56.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to $49.1 million in the prior-year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin* increased by 60 basis points to 22.1%.
Diluted EPS increased by 83% to $0.11 for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Adjusted diluted EPS* increased by 30% to $0.13 for the first quarter of fiscal 2026.
FIRST QUARTER FISCAL 2026 SEGMENT RESULTS
North America ("NAM")
Net sales increased by 12% to $209.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. The increase was driven by positive net price to offset inflation and tariffs, an increase in volume, and the favorable impact from foreign currency translation.
Segment income increased by 16% to $50.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Adjusted segment income* increased by 13% to $57.3 million.
Europe & Rest of World ("E&RW")
Net sales increased by 9% to $45.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. The increase was primarily due to the favorable impact of foreign currency translation and positive net price, partially offset by a modest decrease in volume.
Segment income increased by 27% to $8.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Adjusted segment income* increased by 26% to $8.8 million.
BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW
As of March 28, 2026, Hayward had cash and cash equivalents of $135.8 million, short-term investments of $94.9 million and $186.6 million available for future borrowings under its revolving credit facilities. Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 28, 2026 increased by $144.8 million from the three months ended March 29, 2025. The increase in cash used was primarily driven by higher accounts receivable, largely because there were no sales under the Receivables Purchase Agreement in the current period, whereas the prior year period included the sale of $100.0 million of accounts receivable.
OUTLOOK
Hayward is increasing its full year 2026 guidance reflecting continued sales and earnings growth driven by solid execution across the organization, positive price realization and continued technology adoption. For Fiscal Year 2026, Hayward now expects net sales to increase approximately 5% from Fiscal Year 2025, compared to our prior guidance of approximately 4%. We now expect adjusted diluted earnings per share* of $0.84 to $0.87, an increase of approximately 9% to 13% from Fiscal Year 2025, compared to our prior guidance of $0.82 to $0.86.
Hayward is excited about the long-term dynamics of the pool industry. The installed base of pools increases every year, providing continued growth opportunities, and the Company benefits from favorable secular demand trends in outdoor living, sunbelt migration, and technology adoption. Hayward continues to leverage its competitive advantages and drive increasing adoption of its leading SmartPad$(TM)$ pool equipment products both in new construction and the aftermarket, which represents approximately 85% of net sales. Hayward is confident in its long-term outlook for profitable growth and robust cash flow generation, driven by its technology leadership, operational excellence, strong brand and installed base, and multi-channel capabilities.
Please see the Forward-Looking Statements section of this release for a discussion of certain risks relevant to Hayward's outlook.
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
Hayward will hold a conference call to discuss the results today, April 29, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. $(ET)$.
Interested investors and other parties can listen to a webcast of the live conference call by logging on to the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://investor.hayward.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx. An earnings presentation will be posted to the Investor Relations section of the Company's website prior to the conference call.
The conference call can also be accessed by dialing (877) 423-9813 or (201) 689-8573.
For those unable to listen to the live conference call, a replay will be available approximately three hours after the call through the archived webcast on the Hayward website or by dialing (844) 512-2921 or (412) 317-6671. The access code for the replay is 13759829. The replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 13, 2026.
ABOUT HAYWARD HOLDINGS, INC.
Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HAYW) is a leading global specialty water management company focused on designing and manufacturing pool and outdoor living technology and industrial flow control products. Driven by a mission to transform the experience of water, Hayward offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy--efficient and sustainable pool equipment--including pumps, heaters, sanitizers, filters, LED lighting, water features, and cleaners--integrated through its intuitive, IoT--enabled SmartPad(TM) platform. The Company also provides industrial thermoplastic valves and process control products serving a wide range of applications.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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