EPS Ahead of Last Year 
Updates Outlook for Full Year 2025
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 31, 2025-- Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) today announced its third quarter 2025 financial results.
Chris Peterson, Newell Brands President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our turnaround continues to advance, even as Newell and the broader industry navigated significant trade disruptions in the third quarter. Our team responded swiftly with strategic measures including sourcing changes, pricing actions, and productivity initiatives to mitigate the impact. Sales were affected by reduced retail inventory levels, softness in international markets—particularly in Brazil—and moderated demand following tariff driven pricing actions. We believe the retailer inventory adjustment was a one-time event, as tariff-related inventory values were absorbed and retailer delivery preferences shifted away from direct import. Looking ahead, we expect our international business to return to growth in the fourth quarter. Competitive pricing actions are gaining traction, especially in key categories like Writing, where our strong domestic manufacturing base gives us a distinct advantage. We are confident that our decisive actions are paving the way for the company to return to sustainable top-line growth in the future."
Mark Erceg, Newell Brands Chief Financial Officer, said, "Newell Brands' third quarter results included a number of positives despite a challenging top line. First, gross margin would have expanded by 55 basis points in the third quarter if not for the temporary impact of one-time China tariffs. Second, we continued to invest behind innovation and brand building with advertising and promotion at the highest rate, as a percentage of sales, in nearly 10 years. Third, normalized overheads as a percentage of sales declined for the first time in three years, dropping by approximately 120 basis points and, looking forward, we expect this trend to continue as we continue to focus on improving the efficiency of our operating model and deploy leading edge AI tools across the organization."
Third Quarter 2025 Highlights
- Net sales were $1.8 billion, a decline of 7.2% compared with the prior year period. Core sales declined 7.4% compared with the prior year period. 
- Gross margin decreased to 34.1% compared with 34.9% in the prior year period. Normalized gross margin decreased to 34.5% compared with 35.4% in the prior year period. 
- Operating margin improved to 6.6% compared with negative 6.2% in the prior year period. Normalized operating margin decreased to 8.9% compared with 9.5% in the prior year period. 
- Net income was $21 million compared with net loss of $198 million in the prior year period. Normalized net income was $70 million compared with $69 million in the prior year period. 
- Diluted EPS was $0.05 compared with diluted loss per share of $0.48 in the prior year period. Normalized diluted EPS was $0.17 compared with $0.16 in the prior year period. 
- Normalized EBITDA was $225 million compared with $250 million in the prior year period. 
- Updated full year 2025 outlook. 
Third Quarter 2025 Operating Results
Net sales were $1.8 billion, a decline of 7.2% compared with the prior year period, reflecting a core sales decline of 7.4% and favorable foreign exchange.
Gross margin was 34.1% compared with 34.9% in the prior year period, with the positive impact from gross productivity and pricing more than offset by headwinds from tariff costs, volume declines and inflation. Gross margin would have expanded by 55 basis points in the third quarter if not for the temporary $24 million impact of one-time China tariffs. Normalized gross margin was 34.5% compared with 35.4% in the prior year period.
Operating income was $119 million compared with operating loss of $121 million in the prior year period. Operating margin was 6.6% compared with negative 6.2% in the prior year period. The prior year period included a non-cash impairment charge of $260 million related to acquired intangible assets. The improvement in the current period also reflects savings from restructuring actions and lower restructuring and restructuring-related charges in the current quarter, partially offset by higher advertising and promotion spend. Normalized operating income was $162 million, or 8.9% of sales, compared with $185 million, or 9.5% of sales, in the prior year period.
Net interest expense was $83 million compared with $75 million in the prior year period.
Income tax provision was $21 million compared with benefit of $7 million in the prior year period. The normalized income tax provision was $6 million compared with $34 million in the prior year period.
Net income was $21 million compared with a net loss of $198 million in the prior year period. Normalized net income was $70 million compared with $69 million in the prior year period. Normalized EBITDA was $225 million compared with $250 million in the prior year period.
Diluted EPS was $0.05 compared with diluted loss per share of $0.48 from the prior year period. Normalized diluted EPS was $0.17 compared with $0.16 in the prior year period.
An explanation of non-GAAP measures disclosed in this release and a reconciliation of these non-GAAP results to comparable GAAP measures, if available, are included in the tables attached to this release.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
Year-to-date operating cash flow was $103 million compared with $346 million in the prior year period. The current year operating cash flow was impacted by a use of working capital due to lapping of significant prior year reductions and cash tariff costs, as well as a lower cash bonus payout in the prior year.
At the end of the third quarter, Newell Brands had debt outstanding of $4.8 billion and cash and cash equivalents of $229 million, compared with $5.0 billion and $494 million, respectively, at the end of the third quarter of 2024.
Third Quarter 2025 Operating Segment Results
The Home & Commercial Solutions segment generated net sales of $942 million compared with $1.0 billion in the prior year period, reflecting a core sales decline of 9.8%, as well as the impact of favorable foreign exchange. Operating income was $40 million, or 4.2% of sales, compared with operating loss of $94 million, or negative 9.0% of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $64 million, or 6.8% of sales, compared with $122 million, or 11.7% of sales, in the prior year period.
The Learning & Development segment generated net sales of $681 million compared with $717 million in the prior year period, reflecting a core sales decline of 5.6%, as well as the impact of favorable foreign exchange. Operating income was $124 million, or 18.2% of sales, compared with $75 million, or 10.5% of sales, in the prior period. Normalized operating income was $130 million, or 19.1% of sales, compared with $154 million, or 21.5% of sales, in the prior year period.
The Outdoor & Recreation segment generated net sales of $183 million in both the current and prior year period, reflecting a core sales decline of 0.9%, which was equal to the impact of favorable foreign exchange. Operating loss was $8 million, or negative 4.4% of sales, compared with $23 million, or negative 12.6% of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating loss was $1 million, or negative 0.5% of sales, compared with $15 million, or negative 8.2% of sales, in the prior year period.
Outlook
The Company initiated its outlook for the fourth quarter and updated its outlook for the full year 2025. Included in the full year 2025 updated outlook, the Company is estimating an incremental cash tariff cost, compared to 2024, of approximately $180 million. Of this, the gross profit impact, prior to mitigating actions in 2025, is estimated to be approximately $115 million, or $0.23 per share after tax, compared to 2024.
| 
 | Q4 2025 Outlook | Updated Full Year 2025 Outlook | 
| Net Sales | (4.0%) to (1.0%) | (5.0%) to (4.5%) | 
| Core Sales | (5.0%) to (3.0%) | (5.0%) to (4.0%) | 
| Normalized Operating Margin | 9.0% to 9.5% | 8.4% to 8.6% | 
| Normalized EPS | $0.16 to $0.20 | $0.56 to $0.60 | 
The Company updated its outlook for full year 2025 operating cash flow to a range of $250 million to $300 million.
The Company has presented forward-looking statements regarding core sales, normalized operating margin and normalized EPS. These non-GAAP financial measures are derived by excluding certain amounts, expenses or income, from the corresponding financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. The determination of the amounts that are excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures is a matter of management judgement and depends upon, among other factors, the nature of the underlying expense or income amounts recognized in a given period in reliance on the exception provided by item 10(e)(1)(i)(B) of Regulation S-K. The Company is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking normalized operating margin or normalized EPS to the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures because such information is not available, and management cannot reliably predict all of the necessary components of such GAAP measures without unreasonable effort or expense. In addition, the Company believes such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that would be confusing or misleading to investors. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on the Company's future financial results. These non-GAAP financial measures are preliminary estimates and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among others, changes in connection with quarter-end and year-end adjustments. Any variation between the Company's actual results and preliminary financial data set forth above may be material.
Conference Call
Newell Brands’ third quarter 2025 earnings conference call will be held today, October 31, at 7:30 a.m. ET. A link to the webcast is provided under Events & Presentations in the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.newellbrands.com. A webcast replay will be made available in the Quarterly Earnings section of the Company’s website.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This release and the accompanying remarks contain non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and includes a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures that are included in this press release, the additional financial information and accompanying remarks both to explain its results to stockholders and the investment community and in the internal evaluation and management of its businesses. The Company’s management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures and the information they provide are useful to investors since these measures (a) permit investors to view the Company’s performance and liquidity using the same tools that management uses to evaluate the Company’s past performance, reportable segments, prospects for future performance and liquidity, and (b) determine certain elements of management incentive compensation.
The Company’s management believes that core sales provides a more complete understanding of underlying sales trends by providing sales on a consistent basis as it excludes the impacts of acquisitions, divestitures, retail store openings and closings, certain market and category exits, changes in foreign exchange and customer returns due to a product recall from year-over-year comparisons. The effect of changes in foreign exchange on reported sales is calculated by applying the prior year average monthly exchange rates to the current year local currency sales amounts (excluding acquisitions and divestitures), with the difference between the current year reported sales and constant currency sales presented as the foreign exchange impact increase or decrease in core sales. The Company’s management believes that “normalized” gross margin, "normalized" overheads, “normalized” operating income, “normalized” operating margin, "normalized EBITDA", “normalized” net income, “normalized” diluted earnings per share and “normalized” income tax benefit or expense, which exclude restructuring and restructuring-related expenses; impairment charges; amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets; divestiture costs; costs related to the acquisition, integration and financing of acquired businesses; inflationary adjustments and one-time and other events such as expenses related to certain legal proceedings, costs related to the extinguishment of debt; certain tax benefits and charges; pension settlement charges; costs related to a product recall; certain facility fire related costs; and certain other items, are useful because they provide investors with a meaningful perspective on the current underlying performance of the Company’s core ongoing operations and liquidity. “Normalized EBITDA” is an ongoing liquidity measure (that excludes non-cash items) and is calculated as normalized earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expense.
The Company uses a "with" and "without" approach to calculate normalized income tax expense or benefit. At an interim period, the Company determines the year to date tax effect of the pretax items excluded from normalized results by allocating the difference between the calculated GAAP and calculated normalized tax expense or benefit.
The Company defines "net debt" as short-term debt, current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents.
While the Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company’s performance and liquidity, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for or superior to the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures presented by other companies.
About Newell Brands
Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Rubbermaid, Sharpie, Graco, Coleman, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Yankee Candle, Paper Mate, FoodSaver, Dymo, EXPO, Elmer’s, Oster, NUK, Spontex and Campingaz. Newell Brands is focused on delighting consumers by lighting up everyday moments.
This press release and additional information about Newell Brands are available on the Company’s website, www.newellbrands.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements in this press release and its exhibits, particularly those anticipating future financial performance, business prospects, growth, operating strategies, the benefits and savings associated with the Realignment Plan announced in January 2024, future macroeconomic conditions and similar matters, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements generally can be identified by the use of words or phrases, including, but not limited to, "guidance," "outlook," “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “target,” “plan,” “expect,” “setting up,” "beginning to,” “will,” “should,” “would,” "could," “resume,” “remain confident,” "remain optimistic," "seek to," or similar statements. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees because there are inherent difficulties in predicting future results. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
- the Company’s ability to optimize costs and cash flow and mitigate the impact of soft global demand and retailers' inventory rebalancing through discretionary and overhead spend management, advertising and promotion expense optimization, demand forecast and supply plan adjustments and actions to improve working capital; 
- the Company’s dependence on the strength of retail and consumer demand and commercial and industrial sectors of the economy in various countries around the world; 
- the Company’s ability to improve productivity, reduce complexity and streamline operations; 
- risks related to the Company’s substantial indebtedness, potential increases in interest rates or changes in the Company’s credit ratings including the failure to maintain financial covenants which if breached could subject us to cross-default and acceleration provisions in our debt documents; 
- the impact on the Company’s operations and financial condition resulting from the current global macroeconomic environment, including the impact of tariffs imposed by the U.S. and retaliatory tariffs imposed by foreign countries, and the Company’s ability to effectively execute its mitigation plans; 
- competition with other manufacturers and distributors of consumer products; 
- major retailers’ strong bargaining power and consolidation of the Company’s customers; 
- supply chain and operational disruptions in the markets in which we operate, including as a result of geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions and any global military conflicts including those between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East; 
- changes in the prices and availability of labor, transportation, raw materials and sourced products, including significant inflation, and the Company’s ability to offset cost increases through pricing and productivity in a timely manner; 
- the Company’s ability to effectively execute its turnaround plan, including the Realignment Plan and other restructuring and cost saving initiatives; 
- the Company’s ability to develop innovative new products, to develop, maintain and strengthen end-user brands and to realize the benefits of increased advertising and promotion spend; 
- the risks inherent to the Company’s foreign operations, including currency fluctuations, exchange controls and pricing restrictions; 
- future events that could adversely affect the value of the Company’s assets and/or stock price and require additional impairment charges; 
- unexpected costs or expenses associated with dispositions; 
- the cost and outcomes of governmental investigations, inspections, lawsuits, legislative requests or other actions by third parties, the potential outcomes of which could exceed policy limits, to the extent insured; 
- the Company’s ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; 
- risk associated with the use of artificial intelligence in the Company’s operations and the Company’s ability to properly manage such use; 
- a failure or breach of one of the Company’s key information technology systems, networks, processes or related controls or those of the Company’s service providers; 
- the impact of United States and foreign regulations on the Company’s operations, including environmental remediation costs and legislation and regulatory actions related to product safety, data privacy and climate change; 
- the potential inability to attract, retain and motivate key employees; 
- changes in tax laws and the resolution of tax contingencies resulting in additional tax liabilities; 
- product liability, product recalls or related regulatory actions; 
- the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights; 
- the impact of climate change and the increased focus of governmental and non-governmental organizations and customers on sustainability issues, as well as external expectations related to environmental, social and governance considerations; 
- significant increases in the funding obligations related to the Company’s pension plans; and 
- other factors listed from time to time in our SEC filings, including but not limited to our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings. 
The consolidated condensed financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Management’s application of U.S. GAAP requires the pervasive use of estimates and assumptions in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements. The company continues to be impacted by inflationary pressures, soft global demand, major retailers' focus on tight control over inventory levels, elevated interest rates and indirect macroeconomic impacts from geopolitical conflicts, which has required greater use of estimates and assumptions in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements. Although we believe we have made our best estimates based upon current information, actual results could differ materially and may require future changes to such estimates and assumptions, including reserves, which may result in future expense or impairment charges.
The information contained in this press release and the tables is as of the date indicated. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company has correctly identified and assessed all of the factors affecting the Company or that the publicly available and other information the Company receives with respect to these factors is complete or correct.
 
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251031319781/en/
    Investor Contact: 
Joanne Freiberger 
SVP, Investor Relations & Chief Communications Officer 
+1 (727) 947-0891 
joanne.freiberger@newellco.com
    Media Contact: 
Danielle Clark 
Director, External Communications 
+1 (404) 783-0419 
danielle.clark@newellco.com
