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Laird Superfood, Inc. (LSF)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Net Sales grew 10% year-over-year to $12.9M; wholesale +39% YoY now 53% of mix, while e-commerce -11% YoY to 47% . Gross margin contracted to 36.5% from 43.0% YoY and 39.9% in Q2, driven by non-recurrence of a 2024 supplier settlement, commodity inflation, and tariffs .
- GAAP diluted EPS was -$0.09; adjusted EBITDA turned positive to $0.2M. Management cited higher marketing/selling costs and a $0.66M intangible impairment (Picky Bars) as drivers of the GAAP net loss .
- Full-year 2025 guidance was cut: Net Sales growth now ~15% vs prior 20–25%; GM reiterated “upper 30%” and breakeven adjusted EBITDA; GAAP net loss reaffirmed .
- The company reported positive operating cash flow of approximately $1.1M in Q3 and ended with $5.3M cash and no debt; inventory was reduced sequentially versus Q2 as supply normalizes .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Wholesale acceleration: +39% YoY; mix shift to 53% of sales as distribution gains and velocity improvements drove growth .
- Profitability resilience: Adjusted EBITDA positive at $0.2M; management executed productivity initiatives despite inflation/tariff pressures .
- Product and retail momentum: New fall Maple Instant Latte; expanded Costco availability across key regions, reinforcing retail strategy and brand reach .
- Quote: “Despite the ongoing economic challenges for US consumers, I’m pleased to report another quarter of double-digit growth… expand distribution, improve operational efficiency, and innovate in our core categories.” — CEO Jason Vieth .
What Went Wrong
- Gross margin compression to 36.5% (vs 43.0% YoY; 39.9% Q2) due to non-recurrence of the 2024 supplier settlement, commodity cost inflation, and tariffs .
- E-commerce softness: -11% YoY, with DTC new customer acquisition weaker; Amazon partially offset the decline .
- GAAP net loss widened to $1.0M (EPS -$0.09) vs -$0.2M a year ago driven by Picky Bars intangible impairment and higher marketing/selling costs .
Financial Results
Core Financials vs Prior Year and Sequential
Consensus vs Actual (Q3 2025)
Values marked with an asterisk were retrieved from S&P Global.
Revenue by Channel (Q3)
Revenue by Brand (Q3)
Revenue by Product (Q3)
KPIs and Balance Sheet
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- Prepared remarks emphasized resilient growth amid consumer headwinds and continued execution: “double-digit growth… expand distribution, improve operational efficiency, and innovate in our core categories” — CEO Jason Vieth .
- Q3 call highlighted upcoming innovation: organic relaunch of creamers in post-consumer recycled packaging and entrance into protein-enhanced coffee aligning with health/GLP-1 trends .
- Strategy shift: planned discontinuation of Picky Bars to redeploy resources to Laird Superfood brand scale (discussed on call) .
Q&A Highlights
- Tariffs and GM management: Management reiterated ability to manage current tariff levels within P&L and maintain upper-30s GM through spend levers and supply actions, with pricing as a potential lever if tariffs rose materially .
- Wholesale strength and velocity: Discussion focused on distribution gains and velocity improvements across creamers and instant lattes; continued promotional efficiency driving trial and momentum .
- Product roadmap: Call commentary on organic creamers relaunch and Protein Coffee introduction to access a broader category, supporting wellness trends .
Estimates Context
- Revenue missed Street: Actual $12.90M vs consensus ~$14.14M*; EPS missed: -$0.09 vs consensus -$0.04333* .
- Consensus EBITDA (standard) implied a loss; actual standard EBITDA was modestly negative* while non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA printed positive $0.2M — definition differences matter for comparability .
- Given the pivot to wholesale and e-comm softness, Street models likely need to temper top-line growth and near-term GM assumptions due to tariff/commodity/mix dynamics.
Values marked with an asterisk were retrieved from S&P Global.
Q3 2025 Consensus vs Actual (S&P Global)
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Guidance cut to ~15% FY Net Sales growth is a negative surprise; GM and adjusted EBITDA targets held — expect models to recalibrate growth/mix assumptions. Bold miss: revenue below consensus; EPS more negative than expected .
- Mix is structurally shifting toward wholesale; near-term variability from retail order timing increases, but broader distribution should sustain growth .
- Margin headwinds (tariffs, commodity inflation, loss of one-time settlement) continue; productivity initiatives and mix management are offsetting, but GM likely in upper-30s rather than 40%+ .
- Cash discipline evident: Q3 operating cash flow positive and cash balance improved sequentially, with no debt — reduces near-term financing risk .
- Strategic focus sharpening: Picky Bars impairment and planned brand exit point to resource redeployment to higher-potential Laird Superfood portfolio .
- Product innovation and retail expansion (Costco, seasonal lattes, protein coffee) should support velocity and category reach; monitor execution and consumer uptake .
- Near-term trading implication: Expect sensitivity to wholesale order timing headlines and GM prints; medium-term thesis rests on scaling wholesale distribution and maintaining upper-30s margin with positive adjusted EBITDA trajectory .