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3 Fresh Stock Buybacks: These are the Ones to BuyHelen of Troy NASDAQ: HELE reported fiscal second-quarter 2027 results that met its sales outlook and exceeded its adjusted earnings expectations, aided by growth in its Home & Outdoor segment, improving cash flow and a net benefit from tariff refunds that the company plans largely to reinvest.

Chief Executive Officer Scott Uzzell said the company remains focused on a multiyear effort to strengthen its operating foundation before pursuing broader growth. “Our recovery will not be linear,” Uzzell said, describing fiscal 2027 as a year for demonstrating progress in brand growth, marketplace execution, organizational capabilities and balance-sheet discipline.

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Sales growth led by Home & Outdoor Helen of Troy and NanoString Technologies Trade Set-ups Consolidated sales increased 2.1% in the second quarter, in line with management’s outlook. Home & Outdoor sales rose 9.2%, with growth across Osprey, OXO and Hydro Flask. Beauty & Wellness sales declined 4.5%, as growth in wellness and nail care was more than offset by declines across the remainder of the Beauty business.

Uzzell said Osprey again led growth within Home & Outdoor, supported by consumer demand, product introductions and improvements in international distribution. OXO benefited from inventory-composition actions, distribution gains and new products, while Hydro Flask was aided by inventory actions, innovation and a partial recovery of tariff-related disruption in its corporate channel.

Helen Of Troy Is What We Fear Most About Q2 Earnings International sales rose 3.7%, led by Hydro Flask, OXO and Osprey. The company cited new products, expanded distribution and improved execution in selected markets, including a new Australian distributor.

Within Beauty & Wellness, management highlighted growth at Vicks and Braun, supported by distribution gains, comparisons with prior tariff-related items and new products. Olive & June also posted another solid quarter, driven by consumer demand, replenishment orders and new or expanded distribution.

However, Uzzell said some Beauty brands continue to face softer demand and require additional work on commercial execution and demand creation. During the quarter, the company appointed a new leader for the Beauty & Wellness business.

Tariff refunds lift profitability, fund reinvestment Chief Financial Officer Brian Grass said second-quarter results included approximately $26.9 million of gross pretax tariff refunds. After planned reinvestment, the company recorded an estimated net pretax benefit of about $4 million, equal to roughly $0.12 per diluted share after tax.

For the full fiscal year, Helen of Troy expects gross refunds covering the full amount of paid IEEPA tariffs of $80.5 million. The company plans to reinvest between $66.5 million and $70.5 million, resulting in an estimated net pretax benefit of $10 million to $14 million and an adjusted diluted EPS benefit of $0.30 to $0.45.

Management said it intends to use the funds for foundational and longer-term investments, including brand-building, product development, packaging, consumer insights, growth strategy and inventory cleanup. Grass said about 25% of the spending is expected to generate a fiscal 2027 return, while other investments are intended to better position the company for fiscal 2028.

Grass cautioned that the refunds do not fully offset the broader cumulative impact of tariffs. The company has also faced unreimbursed tariffs, supply-chain diversification expenses, longer lead times, disruption to certain revenue streams and higher interest expense associated with cash tariff payments.

Consolidated gross margin increased 800 basis points to 52.2%. The company attributed approximately 560 basis points of the gain to tariff refunds net of higher tariff costs, along with lower retail trade and promotional spending. These benefits were partly offset by inflation in commodities, fuel, freight, currency and supply availability, as well as less favorable inventory obsolescence.

The SG&A ratio increased 540 basis points to 46.4%, reflecting tariff-refund reinvestment, spending on the organization, go-to-market structure and brands, as well as higher packaging costs and divestiture litigation costs. Adjusted EBITDA increased $13.2 million, while adjusted EBITDA margin improved 280 basis points.

Balance sheet improves as inventory and debt decline Helen of Troy generated $56.5 million in cash flow from operations and $38 million in free cash flow during the first half. Inventory ended the quarter at $480 million, down $49 million from a year earlier. The percentage of active inventory improved by seven percentage points in the first half, and management is targeting a 12-percentage-point improvement by year-end.

Total debt fell to $673 million, down $221 million from the prior-year period and $108 million since the beginning of the fiscal year. Net leverage declined to 3.0 times from 3.5 times at the end of the first quarter. The company now expects to end fiscal 2027 with net leverage of 2.7 times or lower.

Full-year outlook revised The company narrowed its fiscal 2027 net sales outlook to $1.768 billion to $1.822 billion. It expects Home & Outdoor sales of $851 million to $876 million and Beauty & Wellness sales of $917 million to $946 million.

Base-business adjusted EBITDA guidance was maintained at $193 million to $196 million. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA guidance was raised to $203 million to $210 million, including the net tariff-refund benefit. Base-business adjusted EPS guidance was narrowed to $3.30 to $3.70. Consolidated adjusted EPS guidance was raised to $3.60 to $4.15. Free cash flow guidance was raised to $120 million to $140 million, despite a $9 million increase in planned capital expenditures. For the third quarter, Helen of Troy expects sales of $478.3 million to $504.5 million and consolidated adjusted EPS of $2.05 to $2.40. That estimate includes a projected tariff-refund benefit of $0.66 to $0.77 per share, as the company expects to recognize its remaining $51.8 million in gross IEEPA tariff refunds during the quarter.

Management said the outlook reflects continuing inflationary and supply-disruption risks related largely to conflict in the Middle East, as well as elevated fuel costs, higher interest and mortgage rates, discretionary-category softness, cautious retailer inventory management and a more promotional competitive environment.

Uzzell said the company remains confident in its strongest brands but expects a challenging consumer environment. He said Hydro Flask faces a more saturated and promotional beverageware market, while management seeks to maintain the brand’s premium positioning through consumer messaging, product innovation and expansion into adjacent categories.

About Helen of Troy (NASDAQ:HELE)Helen of Troy Limited is a global consumer products company that develops, markets and distributes branded products across the home and outdoor, beauty, and health and wellness categories. Its portfolio includes household and organization products, drinkware and outdoor equipment, personal-care appliances, hair-care products, and consumer health products.

The company's principal brands include OXO, Hydro Flask, Osprey, Drybar and Hot Tools. Helen of Troy also markets certain health and wellness products under licensed brands, including Vicks, Braun and Honeywell, as well as beauty products under selected licensed and owned brands.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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3 Fresh Stock Buybacks: These are the Ones to BuyHelen of Troy NASDAQ: HELE shareholders approved all four proposals at the company’s 2026 annual general meeting, including the election of nine directors, an advisory vote on executive compensation, an expansion of the company’s stock incentive plan and the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as its auditor for fiscal 2027.

The virtual meeting was chaired by Timothy Meeker, who said shareholders could vote online and submit questions during the session. CEO G. Scott Uzzell said 23,292,061 common shares were issued, outstanding and eligible to vote as of the June 18, 2026, record date. The company reported that holders of a majority of eligible shares were represented in person or by proxy, establishing a quorum.

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Shareholders Approve Board and Compensation Proposals Helen of Troy and NanoString Technologies Trade Set-ups Shareholders elected all nine nominees proposed by the board’s nominating committee: Uzzell, Krista L. Berry, Thurman K. Case, Marlow M. Cormier, Mitchell Fadel, Tabata L. Gomez, Elena B. Otero, Beryl B. Raff and Darren G. Woody.

They also approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the company’s named executive officers. In addition, shareholders voted in favor of an amendment to the Helen of Troy 2025 Stock Incentive Plan that increases the number of shares available for issuance.

Helen Of Troy Is What We Fear Most About Q2 Earnings The fourth proposal, appointing Grant Thornton LLP as the company’s auditor and independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2027 and authorizing the audit committee to set its remuneration, also received majority support.

Anne Rakunas, Helen of Troy’s director of external communications and the meeting’s voting official, announced the preliminary results. Uzzell said final voting results would be disclosed in a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CEO Outlines Multi-Year Roadmap Following the formal meeting, Uzzell described fiscal 2026 as “a dynamic and challenging year,” citing selective consumers, cautious retailer inventory management, tariffs and changing global trade patterns that pressured costs and working capital.

Uzzell, who said he joined the company less than a year ago, outlined priorities to re-energize brands and employees, adapt the company’s structure around consumers, strengthen the portfolio for more predictable growth and improve asset efficiency while maintaining shareholder-friendly policies.

He said the company began shifting in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 from a primary focus on cost containment to protecting investments in people, innovation, brands and commercial capabilities. The company maintained cost discipline while directing resources toward brands, products and markets where it sees its strongest opportunities, he said.

Among actions taken during fiscal 2026, Uzzell said Helen of Troy:

Kept inventory levels essentially flat despite higher tariffs embedded in inventory. Mitigated tariff pressures through supplier diversification, SKU streamlining and targeted pricing actions. Created greater supply-chain flexibility to address future trade developments. Generated strong cash flow, reduced debt and strengthened its balance sheet. Simplified priorities and moved decisions closer to consumers and the marketplace. “We did not fully offset the pressures we faced, and we still have considerable work to do,” Uzzell said.

Fiscal 2027 Called a Foundation Year Uzzell characterized fiscal 2027 as the foundation year for a multi-year, three-phase roadmap intended to stabilize the business and move toward a more focused portfolio of “powerhouse brands.” He said the company’s guiding principles are becoming better before becoming bigger, concentrating resources on the highest-impact opportunities and bringing decisions closer to consumers.

The company plans to selectively reinvest in businesses to restore brand momentum, accelerate growing brands and rebuild top-line momentum in declining scale brands, Uzzell said. Its operating priorities center on consumer-first innovation, commercial and operational excellence, and people and culture.

Uzzell said the company recorded year-over-year point-of-sale growth in tracked North American channels, concentrated in Braun, Osprey, OXO and Olive & June. He also cited sequential improvement in key areas, with the greatest improvement in beauty and wellness, as well as lower ending inventory and further debt reduction.

Helen of Troy is also implementing a general-management model with five segment general managers and three geographic general managers. Uzzell said the structure is intended to place accountability and decision-making closer to consumers and key markets.

Uzzell also recognized Meeker and board member Vince Carson for their service, noting that both are retiring from the board. No shareholder questions were submitted during the meeting.

About Helen of Troy (NASDAQ:HELE)Helen of Troy Limited is a global consumer products company that designs, sources and markets a diversified portfolio of household, health and beauty brands. Headquartered in El Paso, Texas, the company operates through three principal segments—Health & Home, Housewares and Beauty—offering products under well-known names including OXO, Vicks, Braun, Honeywell Home, PUR and Hot Tools. Helen of Troy distributes its products through a combination of mass, specialty and e-commerce channels to consumers, retailers and distributors worldwide.

The Housewares segment features kitchen tools, gadgets and organizational solutions marketed primarily under the OXO brand, recognized for its ergonomic “Good Grips” design.

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Key Takeaways Helen of Troy posted 8.2% sales growth in fiscal Q1 2027, with gains in both operating segments.HELE benefited from new products, wider distribution and stronger demand across key leadership brands.Tariffs, freight, currency pressure and cautious spending kept margins and earnings under strain. Helen of Troy Limited (HELE - Free Report) is showing early signs of stabilization as execution improves across its two operating segments.

The investment debate now centers on whether better sales momentum in leadership brands can build a durable recovery while margins remain under pressure from tariffs, costs and cautious consumer spending.

Helen of Troy Rebuilds Core BrandsHelen of Troy is focusing its strategy on leadership brands, including OXO, Hydro Flask, Osprey, Vicks, Braun, PUR, Hot Tools, Drybar, Curlsmith, Revlon and Olive & June.

This prioritization is designed to concentrate investment behind brands with clearer consumer relevance, stronger innovation pipelines and better channel potential. It also gives HELE a more disciplined base for restoring momentum after a difficult operating stretch.

The approach resembles the broader consumer-products playbook, where portfolio focus matters. The Clorox Company (CLX - Free Report) also operates through widely recognized household and wellness brands, while Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (CHD - Free Report) competes across fabric care, health and personal care categories.

HELE Gains From Innovation and ReachIn the first quarter of fiscal 2027, Helen of Troy’s consolidated net sales rose 8.2% to $402.1 million, with growth in both segments. Home & Outdoor sales increased 9.5%, while Beauty & Wellness sales rose 7%.

Home & Outdoor benefited from international demand for packs, new product launches and expanded distribution in home and insulated beverageware. Osprey gained from distribution and e-commerce momentum, while OXO and Hydro Flask benefited from wider retail placement and new products.

Beauty & Wellness was helped by nail care, fans and thermometers. The Wellness portfolio also benefited from growth across Braun, Vicks, Honeywell and PUR, supported by expanded distribution and solid point-of-sale trends.

Helen of Troy Expands Beyond the U.S.International growth adds another support to HELE’s recovery story, although the trend is uneven. International sales increased 1.1% in the fiscal first quarter, helped by Osprey distribution improvements and wellness growth.

Management is leaning into a hybrid market model that combines local partners with direct consumer engagement. That approach could help Helen of Troy widen its reach in selected global markets without overextending investment.

The company is still dealing with category-level softness outside the United States. Lower international sales in home and insulated beverageware offset some Home & Outdoor gains, while kitchenware and hair appliances remained weaker areas.

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HELE Still Faces Margin PressureSales improvement has not yet produced a clean earnings rebound. Consolidated gross margin declined 110 basis points to 46% in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, mainly due to tariffs, inventory obsolescence and a less favorable customer mix within Home & Outdoor.

Adjusted operating margin slipped 30 basis points to 4%. Adjusted earnings were 17 cents per share, down from 41 cents in the year-ago quarter, despite higher sales and lower interest expense.

The cost backdrop remains challenging. Management expects pressure from commodity inputs, unfavorable Chinese yuan movements, higher inbound and outbound freight and spending to secure supply. A promotional marketplace and cautious retailer purchasing also limit pricing flexibility.

How HELE’s Rank Fits This SetupThe bottom line is that HELE is rebuilding revenue momentum, but the earnings path remains uneven. Better execution, product launches and expanded distribution support the recovery case, while tariff and cost pressures keep profitability visibility limited.

Helen of Troy currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). That rank fits a wait-and-see setup, with improving sales trends balanced against margin compression and a cautious consumer backdrop. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

For now, HELE looks like a stabilization story rather than a clean acceleration story. Investors may want clearer evidence that leadership-brand momentum can translate into steadier earnings before treating the recovery as more durable.

Key Takeaways Helen of Troy is expected to report Q1 fiscal 2027 revenue growth of 0.9% to $375.1 million.HELE's earnings estimate sits at 2 cents a share, implying a 95.1% drop from the prior year.Tariff costs, weak discretionary demand and retailer caution may weigh on HELE's profitability. Helen of Troy Limited (HELE - Free Report) is likely to witness top-line growth when it reports first-quarter fiscal 2027 earnings on July 8. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $375.1 million, indicating an increase of 0.9% from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure.

The consensus mark for earnings has remained unchanged over the past 30 days at 2 cents a share, which suggests a decline of 95.1% from the figure reported in the year-ago period. HELE has a trailing four-quarter negative surprise of around 5%, on average.

Factors Likely to Influence HELE’s Upcoming ResultsHelen of Troy’s first-quarter fiscal 2027 results are likely to reflect continued progress in its brand revitalization strategy. The company entered the year with a greater focus on innovation, marketing and consumer engagement, supported by new product launches across several key brands, including Hydro Flask, OXO, Revlon, Osprey and Olive & June. Continued investments in digital capabilities, social commerce and international expansion may also have supported consumer engagement and sales execution during the quarter.

Operational initiatives are also expected to have remained supportive. Helen of Troy continued to diversify its manufacturing footprint, strengthen dual sourcing and enhance supply-chain capabilities to mitigate tariff exposure and improve operational resilience. The company also maintained its focus on working-capital efficiency, inventory optimization and technology investments, including advanced planning and AI-enabled capabilities, which could have aided execution during the quarter.

Our model suggests organic volumes to dip 0.5% in the first quarter, indicating an improvement from a 6.1% decline witnessed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026.

However, the first-quarter performance may have been constrained by a difficult operating backdrop. On its fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings call, management continued to anticipate inflationary pressures, cautious discretionary spending, conservative retailer inventory management and a highly competitive promotional environment. These factors may have weighed on demand across discretionary categories and kept retailer ordering patterns measured, limiting the pace of top-line recovery.

First-quarter profitability may have been hurt by higher tariff-related costs, as the company expected them to weigh more heavily in the first half of fiscal 2027. Continued spending on marketing, innovation and talent to rebuild brand momentum is also likely to have limited margin gains. Our model suggests an adjusted operating margin contraction of 130 basis points to 3% for the first quarter.

Q1 Earnings Whispers for HELEOur proven model doesn’t conclusively predict an earnings beat for Helen of Troy this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is not the case here.

 Helen of Troy currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 and has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Stocks With the Favorable CombinationHere are some companies worth considering, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.39% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Kimberly-Clark’s upcoming quarterly revenues is pegged at $4.23 billion. The figure implies a 1.7% increase from the prior-year quarter. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Kimberly-Clark’s quarterly earnings per share is pegged at $1.99, indicating a 3.7% gain from the year-ago period figure. KMB delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 19.1%, on average.

Celsius Holdings, Inc. (CELH - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.30% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The consensus estimate for CELH’s quarterly revenues is pinned at $891.5 million, which calls for 20.6% growth from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Celsius Holdings’ upcoming quarter’s EPS is pegged at 42 cents, which implies a 10.6% decrease year over year. CELH delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 58.1%, on average.

Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +2.17% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The consensus estimate for Tyson Foods’ quarterly revenues is pinned at $14.29 billion, which suggests 2.9% growth from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the upcoming quarter’s EPS is pegged at $1.04, which implies a 14.3% increase year over year. TSN delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of nearly 18.1%, on average.