Avient (AVNT) Q3 2026 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Q3 sales rose 10.5% to $891.2M, with organic growth of 10.6%; adjusted EPS increased 23% to $0.86, above the $0.80 outlook.

• Adjusted EBITDA margin reached a Q3 record 17.3%, up 80 bps YoY; both segments contributed to growth.

• FY2026 adjusted EPS guidance increased, while low-end adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow guidance rose.

Financial highlights

• Q3 adjusted EBITDA was $154.4M, up 16.2% as reported; adjusted EPS was $0.86 versus $0.70 a year earlier.

• September YTD sales were $2,655.6M, up 4.2% organically and 6.2% as reported; adjusted EBITDA was $472.4M, up 8.1% organically.

• September YTD adjusted EPS was $2.65, up 13.2% organically and 17.3% as reported; adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 70 bps to 17.8%.

• Q3 GAAP operating income was $82.6M versus $67.1M; diluted EPS was $0.46 versus $0.36.

• September YTD operating cash flow was $180.0M versus $133.8M.

Outlook and guidance

• FY2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance is $593M–$603M, implying 9%–11% growth, revised from $575M–$603M; adjusted EPS guidance is $3.22–$3.32, revised from $3.10–$3.25.

• FY2026 free cash flow guidance is $215M–$230M, up from $210M–$230M; revenue growth outlook is mid- to high-single digits as reported.

• FY2026 capital expenditure outlook is ~$120M, directed toward growth-vector investments.

• Year-end 2026 net leverage is expected at 2.2x–2.3x, versus 2.6x at year-end 2025.

• Guidance balances improving consumer and infrastructure spending and faster EU and US defense spending against inflation, higher rates, and global demand uncertainty.