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Edge16 Oct 2026
Winner, Winner: The Chicken McNugget Story
How a 1940s breeding contest, a Cornell food scientist, and a hedge by Ray Dalio helped McDonald's turn the Chicken McNugget into a fast-food icon.
Hayward
Hayward (HAYW) investor relations material
Hayward Q3 2026 earnings summary
Complete event summary combining all related documents: earnings call transcript, report, and slide presentation.Q3 2026 earnings summary28 Oct, 2026
Executive summary
Q3 net sales rose 6.5% YoY to $260.1M; net income increased to $32.4M from $24.0M, adjusted EBITDA rose 9% to $64.5M, and adjusted diluted EPS increased 29% to $0.18.
Aftermarket demand, North America strength, favorable pricing, modest volume growth and share gains supported results amid pressured new construction and weaker Europe & Rest of World sales.
Financial highlights
Q3 gross profit was $124.7M, up 6.8%; gross margin was 47.9%, up 10 bps, while adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 60 bps to 24.8%.
Nine-month sales increased 7.9% to $833.7M; adjusted EBITDA was $213.6M, up 9%, and adjusted diluted EPS rose 21% to $0.58.
Q3 R&D and engineering expense rose 21% to $8.6M; SG&A declined 3% to $59.4M, partly reflecting no repeat of the prior-year litigation expense.
Outlook and guidance
FY 2026 net sales growth guidance increased to 5%-6% from ~5%; adjusted diluted EPS guidance rose to $0.86-$0.88 from $0.84-$0.87, implying 12%-14% YoY growth.
FY 2026 free cash flow is expected at ~$200M, exceeding 100% of net income; assumptions include capex ~$40M, net interest expense ~$47M and a normalized tax rate ~24%.
Q4 sales are expected flat to +3% YoY; mix may include more discounted Early Buy orders and fewer full-price in-season orders.
Early Buy orders in North America were ahead of prior year at Q3 end, with the program expected to close with solid YoY growth.
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Latest events from Hayward
- Q2 2026 net sales up 6.3%, net income $45.6M, guidance reaffirmed, net leverage at 1.5x.HAYW
Q2 2026 - All directors, executive pay, and auditor ratification were approved by majority vote.HAYWAGM 2026
- Double-digit sales and profit growth in Q1 FY2026 led to increased full-year guidance.HAYWQ1 2026
- Director elections, executive pay, auditor ratification, and ESG priorities headline the annual meeting.HAYWProxy filing
- Annual proxy statement outlines voting items and procedures for the upcoming shareholder meeting.HAYWProxy filing
- FY2025 saw 7% sales growth, margin expansion, and strong cash flow with a positive 2026 outlook.HAYWQ4 2025
- Q3 net sales up 3.3%, margin and earnings rose, and guidance improved on aftermarket strength.HAYWQ3 2024
- High-margin growth driven by tech innovation, aftermarket focus, and strategic acquisitions.HAYWJefferies Global Industrial Conference 2024
- Q2 net income up 28%, record 51.0% margin, ChlorKing boosts commercial growth.HAYWQ2 2024
Next Hayward earnings date
Q4 202626 Feb, 2027
Hayward
Next Hayward earnings date
Q4 202626 Feb, 2027
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Frequently asked questions
Residential and Commercial Swimming Pools
Hayward Holdings Inc. is an American company specializing in pool equipment and associated automation systems industry. The company designs, manufactures, and markets a comprehensive range of products and systems for residential and commercial swimming pools. Their product lineup includes various pool equipment such as pumps, filters, heaters, cleaners, sanitization systems, and automation solutions designed for pool maintenance and efficiency. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and its shares are traded on the NYSE.
Innovative use of Plastics
Hayward’s rise to prominence in the pool equipment industry is notably attributed to its innovative use of plastics. In the mid-20th century, when metal was the dominant material in pool equipment, Hayward foresaw the potential of plastics in this sector. They pioneered the integration of durable, corrosion-resistant plastics in manufacturing pool equipment, a move that revolutionized the industry and helped Hayward establish itself for real in the industry.
Pool Equipment Experts
The company specializes in designing, manufacturing, and marketing residential and commercial pool equipment. Their product line is diverse, encompassing a wide range of items including pool pumps, filters, heaters, cleaners, and sanitization systems. In addition to these core products, the company integrates smart technology into its equipment, allowing for automated control and monitoring of pool systems, in turn making maintenance more efficient and less time-consuming. Hayward is one of the most well-known publicly traded companies focused on pools together with Leslie’s and Pool Corporation.
The Customers
Hayward sells products for both commercial and private customers. For commercial pools, they provide robust, high-capacity equipment designed to endure extensive usage and meet regulatory standards. This includes larger-scale filtration systems and pumps, as well as advanced sanitization and automation technologies suited for public or high-traffic pools. In the private pool market, Hayward emphasizes user-friendly, energy-efficient products like automated cleaners and smart control systems, catering to homeowners seeking ease of maintenance and operational cost savings.