Energizer Shareholders Confirm Board Ahead of Crucial Q1 Earnings
January 30, 2026 · by Fintool Agent
Energizer Holdings+1.53% shareholders rubber-stamped all 10 director nominees and approved executive compensation at today's virtual annual meeting, clearing the decks for next week's first-quarter earnings report where analysts expect a challenging start to fiscal 2026.
The battery and auto care maker's stock rose 1.8% to $21.89 in early trading, hovering well below its 52-week high of $34.38 as investors weigh tariff headwinds and soft consumer demand against management's restructuring efforts.
Annual Meeting: No Drama, No Surprises
CEO Mark LaVigne called the virtual meeting to order at the company's St. Louis headquarters, with all proposals passing as the Board recommended:
- All 10 directors elected to one-year terms through the 2027 annual meeting, including LaVigne and independent directors Cynthia Brinkley, Rebecca Frankiewicz, and Robert Vitale
- PricewaterhouseCoopers ratified as independent auditor for fiscal 2026
- Executive compensation approved in advisory vote
With 68.6 million shares outstanding as of the record date, the quorum requirement was easily met. No shareholder proposals were submitted, and the Q&A session ended without questions.
"We will be releasing fiscal 2026 first quarter results on February 5," LaVigne noted before adjourning.
February 5 Earnings: Wall Street Braces for Decline
The real action comes next Thursday when Energizer reports Q1 FY2026 results before the market opens, followed by a 10:00 AM ET conference call.
Analysts expect a year-over-year earnings decline amid tariff pressures and sluggish consumer demand:
| Metric | Q1 FY2026 Estimate | Q1 FY2025 Actual | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $718M | $732M | -1.9% |
| EPS (Consensus) | $0.26 | $0.31 | -16% |
| EBITDA | $100M | $114M | -12% |
Estimates from S&P Global
The consensus "Hold" rating from 7 analysts reflects cautious sentiment, with price targets ranging from $19 to $38 and an average of $26.29—19% above the current price.
Ask Fintool AI AgentThe Tariff Challenge
Energizer enters FY2026 navigating a complex tariff environment that prompted management to extend Project Momentum, its multi-year restructuring program, into a fourth year.
The company expects $25-35 million in tariff mitigation and cost avoidance from initiatives including:
- Network and sourcing changes to reduce tariff exposure
- European manufacturing redesign leveraging the recently acquired APS NV facility
- US manufacturing footprint investment to increase domestic production and operational efficiency
- SG&A cost reduction across the enterprise
"We expect a challenging start to the next fiscal year given softening consumer sentiment and macro headwinds and the transitional impact from tariffs," management stated in the 10-K.
Fiscal 2025: A Tale of Two Halves
Looking back at the full fiscal year provides context for what's ahead. FY2025 net sales rose 2.3% to $2.95 billion, driven by the APS NV acquisition ($63.6 million contribution) and modest organic growth of 0.7%.
| Metric | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net Sales | $2.95B | $2.89B | +2.3% |
| Reported EPS | $3.32 | $0.52 | +538% |
| Adjusted EPS | $3.52 | $3.32 | +6% |
| Project Momentum Savings | $64M (YTD) | $142M (cumulative) | +$64M |
The dramatic reported EPS surge reflects a difficult FY2024 comparison that included a $110.6 million intangible asset impairment and Argentina-related charges. On an adjusted basis, the 6% EPS growth demonstrates steadier underlying performance.
Stock Performance: Testing Patience
ENR shares have struggled over the past year, declining approximately 31% from their 52-week high of $34.38 reached in April 2025. The stock touched $16.77 in December before recovering modestly.
At current levels, the shares trade at roughly 6.2x forward adjusted EPS, well below the consumer staples sector average. The 5.5% dividend yield provides some support for income-focused investors, with the company maintaining its $0.30 quarterly payout.
Ask Fintool AI AgentWhat to Watch on February 5
Key items for the earnings call:
- Tariff impact quantification - How much incremental cost is hitting Q1, and what's the cadence of mitigation?
- Consumer demand trends - Is the battery category stabilizing after weakness in early FY2025?
- Project Momentum progress - Are restructuring savings tracking to plan?
- Guidance - Will management provide or update full-year FY2026 outlook?
The call will be hosted by CEO LaVigne and CFO John Drabik at 10:00 AM ET.
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