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Hanesbrands Inc. (HBI)·Q3 2026 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Net sales were $0.892B, down 1.0% YoY, with underlying organic constant-currency sales down 4.9% due to mix and a late-quarter order shift; adjusted EPS was $0.15 (up 25% YoY), while GAAP EPS was $0.76 due to a $0.64 discrete tax benefit .
- Versus guidance (provided in Q2), Q3 net sales (~$900M guided) came in slightly lower at $891.7M, adjusted operating profit ($122M guided) came in at $116.1M, and adjusted EPS ($0.16 guided) came in at $0.15; GAAP EPS was far above guidance due to the discrete tax benefit .
- Versus S&P Global consensus, adjusted EPS modestly missed and revenue came in light: EPS $0.15 vs $0.1609*, revenue $0.892B vs $0.905B*; the company will not host a call due to the pending acquisition by Gildan, and withdrew formal forward guidance, noting it believes it is on track to meet its prior full-year EPS outlook .
- Cost productivity and lower input costs continued to support margins YoY, but unfavorable mix and transition services revenue created headwinds; U.S. segment margin expanded to 22.2% while International margin declined to 10.2% .
- Balance sheet leverage improved to 3.3x net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA (from 4.3x), but operating cash flow of $28M and FCF of $22M were below prior year due to working capital and mix; inventory rose 10% YoY largely due to tariffs .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Cost actions and productivity drove operating profit growth (+14% YoY) and operating margin expansion to 12.1% GAAP and 13.0% adjusted; SG&A fell as a percent of sales due to savings and discipline .
- U.S. segment margin rose to 22.2% (+20 bps YoY) on lower input costs and cost savings; POS trends improved sequentially each month and back-to-school was strong, with Hanes gaining market share .
- “The continued execution of our cost savings initiatives drove operating profit growth and operating margin expansion, which along with lower interest expense, combined to generate a 25% increase in adjusted earnings per share in the quarter,” said CEO Steve Bratspies .
What Went Wrong
- Unanticipated late-quarter ordering shift at a large U.S. retail partner impacted replenishment orders, pressuring the top line and creating mix headwinds; Gross margin fell 70 bps YoY to 40.8% .
- International sales declined 8% reported (6% constant currency), with margin down 230 bps YoY on lower volumes and higher brand investment; Americas softness and Australia intimate apparel headwinds weighed on results .
- Operating cash flow ($28M) and FCF ($22M) were below prior year ($92M and $88M) due to working capital dynamics; inventory rose 10% YoY ($991M) with tariffs as the key driver .
Financial Results
Consolidated Performance vs Prior Periods and Estimates
Consensus vs Actual (Q3)
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment Breakdown (Q3)
KPIs
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Our top-line results for the quarter reflect an unanticipated late quarter shift in replenishment orders at one of our large U.S. retail partners; however, we saw underlying fundamentals of our business continue to improve in the quarter… We are also pleased with our strong back-to-school season as the Hanes brand continued to gain market share.” — CEO Steve Bratspies .
- “The continued execution of our cost savings initiatives drove operating profit growth and operating margin expansion… generate a 25% increase in adjusted earnings per share in the quarter.” — CEO Steve Bratspies .
- “We will not be hosting a conference call… and will not be providing guidance going forward due to the pending transaction [with Gildan].” — Company statement .
- Prior quarter: “We’re leveraging advanced analytics with the use of AI to drive operational improvement around the globe, including inventory and assortment management.” — CEO Steve Bratspies .
Q&A Highlights
- Tariff timing and mitigation: Costs begin flowing through Q4; multiple levers (cost cuts, pricing, supply chain shifts) support full mitigation and are built into outlook .
- Pricing in mass channel: Strategic, surgical pricing planned; confidence supported by brand strength and innovation; prior pricing has held .
- International profitability gap: Heavier retail-fixed cost base; top-line leverage critical; seasonal 4Q volume expected to improve margins .
- Input costs: Cotton is a relatively small portion of COGS; broader raw material and productivity tailwinds drove GM expansion; full-year GM up ~55 bps expected .
- Competitive dynamics: Private label losing share in men’s underwear; mixed in women’s; branded innovation and retailer partnerships remain core defense .
Estimates Context
- Versus S&P Global consensus for Q3: Revenue $905.3M* vs actual $891.7M (miss); Primary EPS $0.1609* vs adjusted EPS $0.15 (miss). GAAP EPS was $0.76 due to a discrete tax benefit and is not indicative of core earnings power .
- Guidance-to-actual framing: Adjusted OP and EPS modestly below the Q2 guided levels; mix and late-quarter orders were key drivers .
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Adjusted earnings power modestly missed consensus and guided levels, while GAAP EPS was inflated by a non-recurring tax benefit; focus on adjusted EPS ($0.15) and adjusted OP ($116.1M) for core trend analysis .
- Margin structure remains improved YoY, but mix headwinds (transition services revenue, Intl softness) and late-quarter order timing limited sequential performance; watch mix normalization in Q4 .
- U.S. fundamentals solid: sequential POS improvement, strong BTS, and Hanes share gains support near-term sell-through; pricing actions are expected to offset tariff impacts .
- International remains a swing factor: Japan strength vs Americas/Australia headwinds, with seasonal leverage in Q4 potentially aiding margin recovery .
- Balance sheet progress (3.3x leverage) and prior refinancing enhance flexibility; however, Q3 CFO/FCF were soft—monitor working capital and cash conversion in Q4 .
- Corporate actions: Pending Gildan acquisition removed formal guidance and call, creating a visibility gap; M&A closure, regulatory steps, and integration expectations are key stock catalysts .
- Near-term trading setup: Watch holiday demand, tariff/price pass-through, Q4 mix, and M&A milestones; any confirmation of tariff mitigation and strong POS could drive estimate revisions.
Additional Notes
- Non-GAAP adjustments included restructuring and other action-related charges; GAAP-to-non-GAAP reconciliations provided in company tables .
- Company reiterated being on track to meet prior full-year EPS outlook, but withdrew formal guidance due to the pending transaction; investors should anchor on underlying operational KPIs and adjusted earnings .