H.B. Fuller reports positive first quarter

St. Paul, MN – H.B. Fuller Company reported financial results for its first quarter that ended February 28, 2026.

First Quarter 2026 Noteworthy Items: Net revenue was $771 million; organic revenue was down 6.6% year-on-year; Gross margin was 30.6%; adjusted gross margin of 31.3% increased 170 basis points year-on-year driven by restructuring savings from Quantum Leap, the impact of acquisitions, and targeted price and raw material cost actions; Net income was $21 million; adjusted EBITDA was $119 million, up 4% versus last year, with pricing and raw material cost actions more than offsetting the impact of lower volumes; Adjusted EBITDA margin was 15.4%, up 90 basis points year-on-year; Reported EPS (diluted) was $0.38; adjusted EPS (diluted) was $0.57, up 6% year-on-year, driven by higher adjusted net income and lower shares outstanding.

Summary of First Quarter 2026 Results: The Company’s net revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 was $771 million, down 2.3% versus the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Pricing increased net revenue by 0.6%, which was more than offset by lower volume, resulting in a 6.6% organic revenue decline year-on-year. Foreign currency translation and the impact of acquisitions increased net revenue by 3.6% and 0.7%, respectively.
Gross profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 was $236 million. Adjusted gross profit was $241 million. Adjusted gross profit margin of 31.3% increased 170 basis points year-on-year. The net impact of pricing and raw material cost actions, cost savings associated with Quantum Leap, and the impact of acquisitions drove the year-on-year increase in adjusted gross profit margin.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense was $184 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 and adjusted SG&A was $176 million, up 4% year-on-year. Adjusting for the impact of acquisitions and foreign exchange, adjusted SG&A was down slightly year-on-year, reflecting diligent expense management.
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 was $21 million. Adjusted net income attributable to H.B. Fuller for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 was $32 million. Reported EPS (diluted) was $0.38 and Adjusted EPS (diluted) was $0.57, up 6% year-on-year.
Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 was $119 million, up 4% year-on-year, driven principally by the net impact of pricing and raw material cost actions and restructuring savings.

“In the first quarter, we delivered on our profit commitment and executed with discipline in a challenging operating environment,” said Celeste Mastin, president and chief executive officer. “We continued to expand margins by leveraging our global sourcing strength and maintaining a focused approach to cost and portfolio management.”

“Looking ahead, the geopolitical instability in the Middle East adds significant complexity, disruption, and cost to global supply chains. H.B. Fuller is acting swiftly and decisively to ensure we are best positioned to maintain supply continuity for our customers. In addition, we recently announced a strategic pricing initiative to responsibly manage additional costs. This will allow us to further differentiate ourselves while we continue to advance our strategic priorities and create sustainable long-term value for our customers and shareholders.”

Balance Sheet and Working Capital: Net debt at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2026 was $1,968 million, down $106 million year-on-year. Net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA was 3.1X, consistent with fiscal year-end 2025 and down from 3.5X at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2025.
Net working capital in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 was 19.0% as a percentage of annualized net revenue and increased $20 million sequentially versus the fourth quarter. Cash flow from operations improved $49 million year-on-year, primarily driven by higher income. As previously communicated, cash flow delivery for 2026 is expected to be weighted to the second half of the year.
Fiscal 2026 Outlook:
As a result of our year-to-date performance and current macroeconomic conditions, we are updating our previously communicated financial guidance for the following items for fiscal 2026:
 Net revenue for fiscal 2026 is now expected to be up mid-single digits; organic revenue is now expected to be up low-single digits and the impact from foreign exchange is now expected to be positive 1% to 2%;
 Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2026 is now expected to be in the range of $645 million to $675 million;
 Adjusted EPS (diluted) is now expected to be in the range of $4.55 to $4.90;
 Net revenue for the second quarter of 2026 is expected to be up low-single digits; adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2026 is expected to be in the range of $175 million to $185 million.