Smith & Wesson Q4 Earnings Beat
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:SWBI) posted fourth‑quarter 2026 results that substantially exceeded analyst forecasts. Adjusted earnings per share were $0.36, well above the consensus estimate of $0.21. Revenue for the quarter reached $178.4 million, representing a 26.7 % increase from the same quarter a year earlier and surpassing the $142.25 million forecast. Gross margin expanded to 29.8 % from 28.8 % in the prior year period. Cash generated from operations totaled $74.6 million.
Deana McPherson, the company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, said handgun shipments accounted for more than 80 % of units shipped, with handgun unit sales to the sporting‑goods channel rising 23.2 % year‑over‑year while NICS sales grew only 1.1 %, indicating strong consumer preference. New‑product introductions contributed 37.5 % of total quarterly revenue.
For the full fiscal year 2026, which ended 30 April, net sales were $523.8 million, up 10.4 % YoY, and adjusted EPS was $0.41 versus $0.33 in fiscal 2025. During the year the company repaid $60.0 million on its revolving credit facility and returned $23.2 million to shareholders via dividends. The board authorized a quarterly dividend of $0.13 per share, payable on 15 July 2026 to shareholders of record on 1 July 2026.
McPherson indicated that the company expects firearm‑industry demand in fiscal 2027 to remain healthy and to be slightly higher than fiscal 2026 levels.
Shares surged 16 % in after‑hours trading on Wednesday following the earnings release.