The Estee Lauder Companies Reports Fiscal 2027 First Quarter Results

Delivered Strong First Quarter Results across Sales, Margins and EPS

Net Sales Growth Across Nearly All Product Categories and Every Geographic Region

Raises Fiscal 2027 Full-Year Outlook on Sales, Margin and EPS

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended September 30, 2026.

“Our first quarter of fiscal 2027 marks another powerful step forward for The Estée Lauder Companies. Growth is accelerating, profitability is strengthening significantly, and the impact of Beauty Reimagined is becoming increasingly evident across our business. We are bringing more breakthrough innovation to consumers, amplifying the desirability of our brands with bold, high impact campaigns, and building a faster, more agile organization that is converting momentum into stronger financial performance,” said Stéphane de La Faverie, President and CEO.

“We have moved beyond restoring growth. We are building diverse drivers for sustained profitable growth. The energy and determination of our teams, combined with the strength of our brands and the progress of our transformation, give me greater confidence than ever in the opportunities that lie ahead. We are raising our fiscal 2027 outlook, reflecting both our strong start and our conviction in the future we are creating.”

FISCAL 2027 FIRST QUARTER SELECT FINANCIAL RESULTS (unaudited)^1,2,3

• As Reported Net sales increased 7% to $3.7 billion. Organic Net sales increased 6%.
• As Reported Gross margin expanded 230 basis points, to 75.7% from 73.4% in the prior year and Adjusted Gross margin expanded 240 basis points, to 75.7% from 73.3%. This reflects net benefits from cost and operational efficiencies enabled through the Company’s Profit Recovery and Growth Plan (“PRGP”), sales leverage and the net benefit of strategic pricing actions, which collectively offset inflation. The PRGP benefits included procurement savings, expense optimization and manufacturing efficiencies.
• As Reported Operating margin expanded 610 basis points, to 11.0% from 4.9% in the prior year and Adjusted Operating margin expanded 480 basis points, to 12.1% from 7.3%, driven by operating leverage and gross margin expansion, which provided funding for increased consumer-facing investments⁴. As Reported Operating margin also reflects the year-over-year decrease in restructuring and other charges of $45 million.
• As Reported Effective tax rate decreased to 32.5% from 56.9% in the prior year and Adjusted Effective tax rate decreased to 31.9% from 40.5%, reflecting the impact of lower pre-tax income in the fiscal 2026 first quarter. The decrease was primarily driven by a more favorable estimated full-year mix of earnings, partially offset by an estimated increase in unrecognized tax benefits, primarily related to transfer pricing matters.

• As Reported Diluted net earnings per common share increased to $.64 from $.13 in the prior year and Adjusted Diluted net earnings per common share increased to $.72, compared with $.32.
• For the three months ended September 30, 2026, Cash and cash equivalents increased to $3.20 billion compared with $2.22 billion in the prior year. This reflects decreases of $300 million and $702 million for the three months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively, driven by:
  • Net cash flows used for operating activities decreased to $166 million, compared with $340 million in the prior year, primarily reflecting higher net earnings, excluding non-cash items. The improvement also reflects the favorable change in operating assets and liabilities, net of the increase in restructuring payments and investments in working capital to support the business.
  • Capital expenditures decreased to $69 million from $96 million in the prior year, reflecting the timing of projects and the Company’s continued focus on optimizing overall spend, prioritizing consumer-facing investments to fuel growth.
  • Free Cash Flow⁵ improved to negative $235 million from negative $436 million in the prior year, reflecting the improvement in cash flows used for operations as well as the timing of capital expenditures. The Company continues to focus on improving Free Cash Flow through operational efficiencies and the optimization of its investments.
  • Dividend payments of $126 million.

SELECT FISCAL 2027 FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS⁶

Beauty Gains and Achievements

• Prestige beauty share gains in some key markets:
  • Mainland China: Value share gains driven by Makeup, Skin Care and Fragrance, led by TOM FORD, The Ordinary, Le Labo and La Mer
  • Japan: Value share gains led by Makeup and Fragrance, driven by double-digit retail sales growth from Le Labo, M·A·C and TOM FORD
  • Korea: Double-digit retail sales growth, with share gains in Makeup led by M·A·C and TOM FORD
  • U.S.⁷: Volume share gains, driven by The Ordinary and M·A·C, and value share gains in Fragrance and Hair Care
  • Western Europe⁸: Value share gains in Skin Care and Fragrance

Operations and Execution

• Expanded online consumer coverage on Amazon, reaching 13 brands across 17 markets, and on TikTok Shop, now with 15 brands across 11 markets
• Broadened specialty-multi distribution in the UK with Jo Malone London’s launch at Boots and Space NK, in August and September 2026, respectively
• Boosted consumer-facing investments, increasing 8% compared to the prior year
• Fortified the Company’s One Operating Ecosystem as the first prestige beauty company to partner with AI marketing platform, Profound, to bring enterprise-wide global AI insights and Generative Engine Optimization across emerging digital touchpoints, announced in September 2026
• Continued modernizing its digital technology infrastructure to deliver best-in-class consumer experiences with the full deployment of Shopify for M·A·C and Clinique on their US and UK brand.com, as well as the initial rollout for M·A·C freestanding stores in the US and UK
• Enhanced its global value chain agility and efficiency with the opening of its Hainan Fulfillment Center in July 2026 and investment in advanced water infrastructure at its Oevel manufacturing campus in Belgium, announced in October 2026
• Continued to invest for long-term growth, completing the acquisition of the remaining equity interest in Mountain Valley Springs India Private Limited, the owner of the Forest Essentials brand in October 2026

Product and Commercial Innovation

• Launched breakthrough, on-trend and commercial innovations across categories, including:
  • Elevated iconic heroes with enhanced efficacy, claims, and shade rosters including La Mer’s new The Concentrate Serum, Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base, and M·A·C Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
  • Harnessed breakthrough science in nighttime and longevity skin care with Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Recovery Treatment Essence/Treatment Lotion and Re-Nutriv Age Reversal Ultimate Diamond Recovery
  • Captured emerging ingredient trends across prestige price tiers with Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Collagen + PDRN Cream and The Ordinary Lacto-PDRN* 4% + B9 Eye Cream
  • Unlocked white space opportunities with new and trending forms including M·A·C Lustreglass Stainglass Lip Tint, M·A·C Studio Radiance Skin Tint Stick, and Clinique Daily Calm Makeup Balm Foundation
  • Deepened local relevance in high-growth sub-categories in the East with Estée Lauder Double Wear SkinFit Cushion and M·A·C Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Cushion Foundation, and expanded artistry offerings in eye and brow from M·A·C with Kajal Excess Longwear Smoky Eye Liner, Pro Brow Styler and Pro Brow Whipgrip Mousse
  • Drove new consumer acquisition in fragrance with Estée Lauder Glimmer, KILIAN PARIS The Cocktails Collection, and Balmain Beauty Destin de Balmain Parfum in the prestige price tier; from newness in signature luxury scent territories with Jo Malone London Sea Salt & Bergamot, TOM FORD Ombre Leather Reserve, and TOM FORD Tobacco Chocolat; and new Beijing City Exclusive scent from Le Labo, Shiu 25
  • Captured growing demand for salon quality multi-benefit haircare with Aveda One For All Leave-In Elixir and Bumble and bumble’s Seaweed Oil Control Collection
  • Drove consumer engagement through bold campaigns and commercial innovation for flagship franchises including “Feels Like Moisture Surge” for Clinique, “We All Wear M·A·C” for M·A·C, and “Energy of Change” for La Mer

Social Impact & Sustainability

• Published the Company’s annual SI&S report in October 2026 highlighting progress towards newly announced 2030 goals, including being on track to achieve 16 of the 17 goals, and for fiscal 2026, significant reductions in water withdrawal and waste, 100% renewable energy across operations, and more than $16 million invested in programs supporting women and girls
• Advanced the Company’s longstanding commitment to breast cancer research with a $15 million, five-year commitment to establish the largest global research initiative focused on breast cancer in younger women with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
• Signed a second green Virtual Power Purchase Agreement for onshore wind in Spain in August 2026, supporting The Estée Lauder Company’s renewable energy supply and price, while also strengthening grid energy security and decarbonization

Capital Markets Experience: China Ecosystem Immersion

• The Company announced that it will webcast presentations from its Capital Markets Experience in Shanghai, China, on November 4, 2026. The presentations will discuss its long-term strategy to drive sustainable growth and stronger profitability, featuring senior and local leaders discussing Beauty Reimagined in action in China and its role as a blueprint for deploying global capabilities.

FISCAL 2027 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS BY PRODUCT CATEGORY AND BY REGION

The product category net sales commentary below reflects organic net sales, excluding the (favorable)/unfavorable impacts from foreign currency translation. As there were no non-GAAP adjustments to product category results in the fiscal 2027 and 2026 first quarters, the commentary below reflects both reported and adjusted operating results. In addition to the Operational Highlights above, below are the drivers of the Company’s performance.

Skin Care

• Skin Care net sales increased 4%, primarily driven by growth from La Mer and The Ordinary.
  • Net sales increased from La Mer, benefitting from innovation, including the new The Concentrate Serum, as well as continued success of The Treatment Lotion product franchise.
  • The Ordinary net sales increased, reflecting targeted expanded consumer reach, along with growth in existing distribution supported by key activations, by the success of its Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner and the launch of Lacto‑PDRN 4% + B9 Eye Cream.
• Skin Care operating income increased 40%, primarily due to the increase in net sales as well as the reduction in non-consumer-facing expenses, partially offset by the net increase in consumer-facing investments, including to support new product launches, key activations and distribution expansion.

Makeup

• Makeup net sales grew 1%, primarily driven by M·A·C, partially offset by the decline from Estée Lauder.
  • Net sales increased from M·A·C, benefitting from targeted expanded consumer reach—including the fiscal 2026 second-half launches in select U.S. and Middle East Sephora locations, in Sephora at Kohl’s and online in these markets—which, along with the launches of Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick and Lustreglass Stainglass Lip Tint, fueled the growth in the lip subcategory.
  • Estée Lauder net sales declined, reflecting lower net sales in the face subcategory, including the timing of fiscal 2027 new product launches, partially offset by incremental sales from the next-generation of Double Wear Stay-in-Place Longwear Matte Foundation that launched in the second half of fiscal 2026.
• Makeup operating results improved to income from a loss in the prior year, primarily due to the increase in net sales as well as the reduction in non-consumer-facing expenses. This was partially offset by the net increase in consumer-facing investments—net of the strategic reduction in selling expenses—including those to support distribution expansion, key activations and new product launches.

Fragrance

• Fragrance net sales increased 20%, driven by double-digit growth from the Company’s Luxury Brands—led by Le Labo, TOM FORD, Jo Malone London and KILIAN PARIS—and from Estée Lauder.
  • Net sales increased from Le Labo, primarily due to the ongoing success of its Classic Collection, including Another 13 and Santal 33, and its City Exclusives—including Gaiac 10 and the launch of Shiu 25, the Beijing City Exclusive. This reflects growth from both targeted expanded consumer reach and existing distribution.
  • TOM FORD net sales increased, benefitting from innovation across both the Private Blend and Signature product franchises—including Tobacco Chocolat and Ombré Leather Reserve—which created a halo effect that supported existing product sales growth.
  • Net sales from Jo Malone London increased, driven by innovation—such as Sea Salt & Bergamot—and growth from hero product franchises, both supported by targeted expanded consumer reach.
  • The net sales growth from Estée Lauder was driven by the launch of Glimmer, the brand’s first gourmand scent.
  • Net sales increased from KILIAN PARIS—the Company’s fastest growing Luxury Brand—reflecting innovation success from The Cocktails Collection and continued strength from its hero products, along with growth from targeted expanded consumer reach.
• Fragrance operating income increased 93%, primarily due to the increase in net sales, partially offset by increased consumer-facing investments, including those to support new product launches, key activations and distribution expansion.

Hair Care

• Hair Care net sales were flat, primarily driven by growth from The Ordinary, offset by the decline from Aveda:
  • Net sales growth from The Ordinary was fueled by continued success of Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density as well as targeted expanded consumer reach.
  • The decline in net sales from Aveda, reflected lower shipments primarily due to brand-specific supply chain logistical challenges.
• Hair Care operating results improved to income from a loss in the prior year, reflecting the reduction in non-consumer-facing expenses and lower cost of sales.

The geographic region net sales commentary below reflects organic net sales, excluding the (favorable)/unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation. As there were no non-GAAP adjustments to geographic region results in the fiscal 2027 and 2026 first quarters, the commentary below reflects both reported and adjusted operating results. In addition to the Operational Highlights above, below are the drivers of the Company’s performance.

Organic Net Sales - increased 6%, with growth in every geographic region, led by:

• The growth in Asia/Pacific, primarily due to the Company’s Asia travel retail business, including:
  • Net sales growth from the Beijing and Shanghai airports, reflecting an increase in replenishment orders amid continued stabilization following changes in duty-free retailers—including the related online businesses—that began in the fiscal 2026 second quarter.
  • The increase in net sales in Hainan travel retail, primarily driven by the improvement in online retail sales.
• Growth in Mainland China, driven by both innovation and existing products, including during key shopping moments, with increased consumer-facing investments supporting key activations to drive sales growth. Targeted expanded consumer reach contributed to the growth in both online and brick-and-mortar channels.
• Continued net sales growth in North America, benefitting from targeted expanded consumer reach and innovation, supported by consumer-facing investments to drive sales growth
• The increase in the Company’s Priority Emerging Markets, collectively—led by Turkey, Mexico and India—with successful innovation and targeted expanded consumer reach contributing to growth

Operating Income - increased, due to improvement across all geographic regions.

• The Americas - operating income increased 31%, reflecting higher gross profit from both the increase in net sales and lower cost of sales, partially offset by the net increase in consumer-facing investments to drive sales growth, including to support new product launches and distribution expansion.
• EUKEM - operating margin increased to 4.8% from 0.7%, primarily due the increase in net sales as well as the reduction in non-consumer-facing expenses. This was partially offset by the net increase in consumer-facing investments—net of the strategic reduction in selling expenses—to drive sales growth, including to support distribution expansion and new product launches.
• Asia/Pacific - operating income increased 73%, reflecting higher gross profit due to the increase in net sales as well as lower cost of sales.
• Mainland China - operating margin increased to 5.2% from 2.3%, primarily driven by higher net sales, partially offset by increased consumer-facing investments to support sales growth, including to support new product launches and key activations.

QUARTERLY DIVIDEND
Today, the Company announced a quarterly dividend of $.35 per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, payable in cash on December 15, 2026 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 30, 2026.

OUTLOOK FOR FISCAL 2027 FULL YEAR
The Company is raising its fiscal 2027 full-year outlook, reflecting its strong performance in the fiscal 2027 first quarter while remaining cautious amid ongoing geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty.

The Company’s fiscal 2027 full-year outlook now assumes:

• Organic net sales growth of 4.0% to 5.5%, ranging from the mid-point to above the high-end of the previously communicated range of 3% to 5%
• Adjusted operating margin to range between 12.9% to 13.7%, an increase from the previously communicated range of 12.7% to 13.5%
• Adjusted diluted net earnings per common share to range between $3.20 to $3.45, an increase from the previously communicated range of $3.10 to $3.35

Investors: Rainey Mancini
rmancini@estee.com

Media: Brendan Riley
briley@estee.com