WD 40 CO (WDFC)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 FY25 delivered 5% revenue growth to $146.1M, 220 bps gross margin expansion to 54.6%, and GAAP diluted EPS of $2.19 aided by a one-time $11.9M tax benefit; non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS was $1.32 .
- Against S&P Global consensus, WDFC missed on normalized EPS ($1.32 vs $1.42*) and revenue ($146.1M vs $154.4M*), with EBITDA also below ($25.3M vs $30.1M*); GAAP EPS headline “beat” reflects the non-cash tax release rather than operations .
- Management raised FY25 guidance for gross margin (55–56%) and non-GAAP EPS ($5.25–$5.55), maintained net sales and operating income ranges, and lowered the tax rate to ~22.5% .
- Mix was strongest in EIMEA (+10% YoY) and Latin America (Americas +3% YoY overall, with Brazil direct model tailwinds); Asia-Pacific was -1% YoY but showed March recovery, setting up a stronger H2 .
- Near-term stock catalysts: upward EPS/gross margin guidance and EIMEA strength offset by normalized EPS/revenue/EBITDA misses and noted FX headwinds; watch execution on HCCP divestiture and tariff impacts (management expects minimal FY25 effect) .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Gross margin expanded 220 bps YoY to 54.6%, driven by lower can costs (110 bps) and specialty chemical input costs (90 bps); EIMEA gross margin rose to 58.1% and Americas to 50.1% .
- EIMEA and Latin America volume strength: EIMEA sales +10% (Italy +28%, Benelux +27%, France +13%); Latin America WD-40 Multi-Use Product up 47% helped by the Brazil direct go-to-market .
- Management raised full-year gross margin and EPS guidance; tone confident on offsetting tariffs via supply chain cost savings and diversified local manufacturing footprint .
Quote: “We’re particularly pleased with the volume performance…double-digit volume growth both in the second quarter and year to date, led by EIMEA…we continue to expand our gross margin” — CEO Steve Brass .
What Went Wrong
- Revenue and normalized EPS misses vs consensus, and EBITDA below expectations, reflecting FX headwinds and SG&A/A&P timing; A&P was 5.1% of sales, tracking below full-year plan due to timing .
- Asia-Pacific declined 1% YoY, with distributor markets down 8% (timing/FX pass-through) partially offset by China +5% and Specialist +10% .
- FX masked operating income uplift from margin gains; management kept OI guidance unchanged and called out currency as the driver .
Financial Results
Consolidated Performance vs Prior Year and Prior Quarter
Note: Q2 FY25 included a non-cash, one-time tax release of $11.9M benefiting GAAP EPS by $0.87; non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS was $1.32 .
Segment Breakdown (Net Sales)
Product Group Breakdown (Net Sales)
KPIs
Regional gross margin snapshot (from call): EIMEA 58.1%, Americas 50.1%, Asia-Pacific 58.4% in Q2 FY25 .
Guidance Changes
Note: If HCCP divestiture is not completed, guidance would be positively impacted by ~$23M net sales, ~$6M operating income, and ~$0.33 diluted EPS for FY2025 .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- Strategic focus: “Few things, many places, bigger impact” across core maintenance products and geographic expansion (Brazil/Mexico direct models, China sampling and distribution, EIMEA hubs) .
- Margin trajectory: “We believe we will achieve gross margin of between 55% and 56% in fiscal year 2025, 1 year earlier than previously projected” — CFO Sara Hyzer, with can and specialty chemical cost tailwinds and continued supply chain initiatives .
- Tariffs: “We currently believe…supply chain optimization and cost-saving measures will largely offset any impact of tariffs for the remainder of this fiscal year” — CEO Steve Brass .
- FX: OI guidance held flat due to FX masking margin improvements; euro strength could be a tailwind if it holds .
- Asia cadence: Distributor timing/FX pass-through pressured Q2, but recovery began in March; expecting strong H2 .
Q&A Highlights
- Tariffs: Company expects minimal global impact due to localized manufacturing; monitoring Americas (Mexico/Canada) more closely; cost savings to offset FY25 impact .
- FX and guidance: OI unchanged despite higher gross margin due to FX headwinds; euro firming could provide upside if sustained .
- Supply chain diversification: Multi-pronged optimization (diversified geographic footprint, supplier partnerships); onboarding new aerosol filler can take 18–24 months .
- A&P/SG&A cadence: A&P below full-year plan in H1 due to timing; investments ramp in H2 to reach ~6%; SG&A increases tied to employee incentives, ERP, and Brazil expenses .
- Asia and Brazil phasing: APAC slower start given strong prior-year comp; Brazil’s direct model growth concentrated in H1 .
Estimates Context
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Additional context: Q1 2025 revenue beat ($153.5M vs $147.4M*), while normalized EPS beat ($1.39 vs $1.26*) .
Coverage note: Very limited analyst participation (e.g., 1 estimate for revenue and EPS in recent quarters*), which can increase volatility relative to consensus.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Operational quality continues to improve: gross margin now tracking 55–56% for FY25, with supply chain cost initiatives and premiumization supporting mix .
- The Q2 “miss” vs consensus is largely FX/timing and A&P phasing; GAAP EPS strength reflects one-time tax release — focus on non-GAAP EPS and EBITDA/volume trends .
- EIMEA is the growth engine, Latin America remains strong with Brazil’s direct model; APAC recovery underway into H2 (watch distributor order timing and FX pass-through) .
- Guidance constructive: EPS and margin raised; net sales and OI maintained; if HCCP divestiture slips, reported results likely trend to the high end via add-back (+$23M sales, +$6M OI, +$0.33 EPS) .
- Near-term trading setup: upward EPS/margin guidance vs normalized EPS/revenue/EBITDA misses; limited sell-side coverage heightens reaction risk; monitor FX, tariff headlines, and H2 A&P ramp .
- Capital returns steady (dividend $0.94, buybacks to offset equity issuance); asset-light capex (1–2% of sales) supports FCF resilience .
- Strategic narrative: “few things, many places, bigger impact” — expect continued focus on core maintenance brands, premium formats (>10% CAGR target), and digital/ESG/ERP execution to sustain mid-single-digit to high-single-digit top-line growth with improving profitability .