Research News and Market Data on ACCO
Apr 30, 2026 4:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time
- Reported net sales increased 8% to $344 million; above the Company’s outlook
- Diluted earnings per share of $0.20, reflecting gain on acquisition
- Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.02, above the Company’s outlook
- Provides 2Q outlook, reaffirms full-year 2026 outlook
- Integration of the EPOS acquisition progressing well, with projected full-year sales in line with expectations and synergies on track
LAKE ZURICH, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2026.
“We delivered a solid start to the year, with both sales and adjusted EPS coming in above our first quarter outlook. Results reflected better-than-anticipated comparable sales and EPOS outperforming expectations. The integration of EPOS is progressing well and we see meaningful opportunities to expand the brand across our global portfolio,” stated ACCO Brands’ President and Chief Executive Officer, Tom Tedford.
“While the operating environment remains dynamic, we remain confident in our ability to deliver future value creation for our shareholders. We continue to focus on pivoting our portfolio to faster growing technology peripherals, supporting our category leading brands, executing and integrating acquisitions like EPOS, while maintaining strong cost discipline. With $75 million to $85 million in expected free cash flow and resulting leverage of 3.7x to 3.9x, and a clear path to our $100 million cost savings target, we are positioned to deliver improved profitability and cash flows in 2026,” added Mr. Tedford.
First Quarter Results
Net sales were $343.7 million for the first quarter, up 8.3 percent from $317.4 million in 2025. The net sales increase reflects the benefit of positive foreign exchange, the EPOS acquisition, growth in Latin America and in computer accessories in the Americas segment.
Operating loss was $10.4 million for the quarter versus an operating loss of $6.7 million in 2025. Restructuring expense primarily related to EPOS and a litigation settlement totaled $10.7 million, compared to $2.3 million in the prior year. Adjusted operating income was $11.7 million, compared to $6.9 million in 2025. The increase in adjusted operating income reflects cost savings, partially offset by lower organic volumes.
For the first quarter, net income was $19.4 million, or $0.20 per share, compared to a net loss of $13.2 million, or $(0.14) per share, in 2025. Net income was positively impacted by $37.6 million, due to a bargain purchase gain related to our preliminary purchase price allocation from the acquisition of EPOS. Adjusted net income was $1.8 million, compared to adjusted net loss of $2.0 million in 2025, and adjusted earnings per share were $0.02 per share, compared to an adjusted loss per share of $(0.02) in 2025.
Cash Flow, Debt and Dividend
For the quarter, operating cash flow was $3.5 million versus $5.5 million in the prior year. Free cash flow was $1.4 million versus $3.3 million in the prior year. The Company’s consolidated leverage ratio as of March 31, 2026 was 4.1x.
In the quarter, the Company paid dividends of $6.9 million.
On April 24, 2026, ACCO Brands announced that its board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share. The dividend will be paid on June 17, 2026 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 22, 2026.
Business Segment Results
ACCO Brands Americas – First quarter segment net sales of $178.5 million increased 2.6 percent from $173.9 million in the prior year. Net sales in the quarter were positively impacted by favorable foreign exchange, the EPOS acquisition, growth in Latin America and computer accessories. Comparable sales were $169.9 million, down 2.3 percent versus prior year. Comparable sales declines reflect reduced demand for office product categories.
First quarter operating income was $3.4 million, compared to $0.9 million a year earlier. Restructuring expense primarily related to EPOS and the multi-year cost reduction program was $2.2 million, compared to $1.8 million in the prior year. Adjusted operating income was $12.8 million, up from $10.0 million in the prior year. The increase in adjusted operating income reflects cost savings, which more than offset unfavorable product mix, as well as lower volume in certain categories.
ACCO Brands International – First quarter segment net sales of $165.2 million increased 15.1 percent from $143.5 million in the prior year, with the increase due to favorable foreign exchange, which increased sales by 9.8 percent and the EPOS acquisition. Comparable sales were $139.5 million, down 2.8 percent versus the prior year. Comparable sales declines reflect reduced demand for office product categories.
First quarter operating income was $2.4 million, compared to $5.1 million in the prior year. Restructuring expense related to EPOS and the multi-year cost reduction program of $4.5 million, compared to $0.5 million in the prior year. Adjusted operating income was $11.1 million, compared with $9.6 million in the prior year. The increase in adjusted operating income primarily reflects cost savings.
Outlook
“The first quarter performance gives us confidence in our full-year outlook. The combination of EPOS, stabilizing demand in several categories and favorable foreign exchange position us for revenue growth in 2026. Our multi-year cost reduction program is on track to deliver $100 million in savings by year-end, and we are positioned to deliver improved profitability, while investing in higher-growth technology peripherals,” concluded Mr. Tedford.
For the full year, the Company continues to expect reported sales to be in the range of flat to up 3.0%. This range anticipates the potential softening in customer demand reflecting the recent macroeconomic uncertainties. Full year adjusted EPS is expected to be within the range of $0.84 to $0.89. The Company expects 2026 free cash flow to be within the range of $75 million to $85 million, with a consolidated leverage ratio within a range of 3.7x to 3.9x.
In the second quarter, the Company expects reported sales to be in the range of up 1.0% to 4.0%, with a reduced foreign exchange impact. Adjusted EPS is projected to be within a range of $0.24 to $0.28.
Webcast
At 8:30 a.m. ET on May 1, 2026, ACCO Brands Corporation will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s first quarter 2026 results. The call will be broadcast live via webcast. The webcast can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of www.accobrands.com. The webcast will be in listen-only mode and will be available for replay following the event.
About ACCO Brands Corporation
ACCO Brands is the leader in branded consumer products that enable productivity, confidence and enjoyment while working, when learning and while playing. Our widely recognized brands, include AT-A-GLANCE®, Five Star®, Kensington®, Leitz®, Mead®, PowerA®, Swingline®, Tilibra® and many others. More information about ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) can be found at www.accobrands.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to financial results reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), we have provided certain non-GAAP financial information in this earnings release to aid investors in understanding the Company’s performance. Each non-GAAP financial measure is defined and reconciled to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure in the “About Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this earnings release.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained herein, other than statements of historical fact, particularly those anticipating future financial performance, business prospects, growth, strategies, business operations and similar matters, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, and those relating to cost reductions and anticipated pre-tax savings and restructuring costs are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management based on information available to us at the time such statements are made. These statements, which are generally identifiable by the use of the words “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “future”, “project,” “plan,” and similar expressions, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no duty or obligation to update them. Forward-looking statements are subject to the occurrence of events outside the Company’s control and actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those suggested or implied by such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Investors and others are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements when deciding whether to buy, sell or hold the Company’s securities.
Our outlook is based on certain assumptions which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. These include, without limitation, assumptions regarding consumer demand, tariffs, global geopolitical and economic uncertainties, and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and the other factors described below.
Among the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements are: changes in trade policy and regulations, including changes in trade agreements and the imposition of tariffs, and the resulting consequences; global political and economic uncertainties; a limited number of large customers account for a significant percentage of our sales; sales of our products are affected by general economic and business conditions globally and in the countries in which we operate; risks associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; challenges related to the highly competitive business environment in which we operate; our ability to develop and market innovative products that meet consumer demands and to expand into new and adjacent product categories; our ability to successfully expand our business in emerging markets and the exposure to greater financial, operational, regulatory, compliance and other risks in such markets; the continued decline in the use of certain of our products; risks associated with seasonality, the sufficiency of investment returns on pension assets, risks related to actuarial assumptions, changes in government regulations and changes in the unfunded liabilities of a multi-employer pension plan; any impairment of our intangible assets; our ability to secure, protect and maintain our intellectual property rights, and our ability to license rights and receive certifications from equipment and software businesses to support our technology accessories business; the introduction by third parties of new and successful gaming consoles; our ability to grow profitably through acquisitions, and successfully integrate them; our ability to successfully execute our multi-year restructuring and cost savings program and realize the anticipated benefits; continued disruptions in the global supply chain; risks associated with inflation and other changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, transportation, labor, and other necessary supplies and services and the cost of finished goods; risks associated with outsourcing production of certain of our products, information technology systems and other administrative functions; the failure, inadequacy or interruption of our information technology systems or their supporting infrastructure; risks associated with a cybersecurity incident or information security breach, including that related to a disclosure of personally identifiable information; risks associated with the use by us and other suppliers of artificial intelligence, risks associated with our indebtedness, including limitations imposed by restrictive covenants, our debt service obligations, and our ability to comply with financial ratios and tests; a change in or discontinuance of our stock repurchase program or the payment of dividends; product liability claims, recalls or regulatory actions; the impact of litigation or other legal proceedings; the impact of additional tax liabilities stemming from our global operations and changes in tax laws, regulations and tax rates; our failure to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations and self-regulatory requirements, the costs of compliance and the impact of changes in such laws; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the volatility of our stock price; risks associated with circumstances outside our control, including those caused by telecommunication failures, labor strikes, power and/or water shortages, public health crises, such as the occurrence of contagious diseases, severe weather events, war, terrorism and other geopolitical incidents; and other risks and uncertainties described in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts
For further information:
Christopher McGinnis
Investor Relations
(847) 796-4320
Kori Reed
Media Relations
(224) 501-0406
