Q.E.P. Co., Inc. Reports Fiscal 2026 Full Year Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

QEP (OTCQX: QEPC) reported fiscal 2026 net sales of $233.7 million, down 4.1% from 2025, reflecting softer home improvement demand and tariff impacts. Gross margin was 35.4%.

Net income was $15.8 million ($4.90 diluted EPS). Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $19.8 million (8.5% of sales). Operating cash flow rose to $14.3 million, with working capital at $75.5 million and net cash at $34.1 million. QEP used cash flow and divestiture proceeds for capex, share repurchases, dividends and to increase cash balances.

Positive

• Operating cash flow increased to $14.3 million from $12.7 million
• Working capital rose to $75.5 million from $67.4 million
• Net cash position improved to $34.1 million from $28.4 million
• Operating expenses fell to $64.5 million from $66.8 million
• Provision for income taxes declined to 22.5% from 24.1%
• Capital returned via dividends and share repurchases in fiscal 2026

Negative

• Net sales declined 4.1% to $233.7 million year over year
• Gross profit decreased to $82.6 million from $86.6 million
• Gross margin slipped to 35.4% from 35.5%
• Operating income decreased to $18.2 million from $19.8 million
• Net income from continuing operations fell to $14.8 million from $15.7 million
• Adjusted EBITDA margin declined to 8.5% from 9.1%

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BOCA RATON, Fla., June 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Q.E.P. CO., INC. (OTCQX: QEPC) (the “Company” or “QEP”) today reported financial results for its fiscal year ended February 28, 2026.

Net sales for fiscal 2026 were $233.7 million, compared to $243.8 million for fiscal 2025, a decrease of $10.1 million, or 4.1%. The decrease primarily reflected continued softness in home improvement spending, which the Company believes was influenced by elevated interest rates, inflationary pressures and broader macroeconomic uncertainty. The Company continued to invest in its sales organization and customer development initiatives during fiscal 2026.

Gross profit for fiscal 2026 was $82.6 million, compared to $86.6 million in the prior year, a decrease of $4.0 million or 4.5%. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin was 35.4% in fiscal 2026, compared to 35.5% in fiscal 2025. Gross margin during fiscal 2026 reflected the impact of increased tariffs, which were partially offset by inventory purchases made prior to tariff implementation.

Operating expenses were $64.5 million, or 27.6% of net sales, for fiscal 2026, compared to $66.8 million, or 27.4% of net sales, in fiscal 2025. The decrease in operating expenses primarily reflected lower variable freight costs and reduced administrative expenses, which were partially offset by continued investments in sales and marketing personnel and infrastructure.

Operating income for fiscal 2026 was $18.2 million, compared to $19.8 million for fiscal 2025.

Interest income, net, was $0.9 million for both fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2025.

The provision for income taxes as a percentage of income before taxes was 22.5% for fiscal 2026, compared to 24.1% for fiscal 2025.

Net income for fiscal 2026 was $15.8 million, or $4.90 per diluted share, compared to $16.3 million, or $4.94 per diluted share, for fiscal 2025. Net income from continuing operations for fiscal 2026 was $14.8 million, or $4.59 per diluted share, compared to $15.7 million, or $4.78 per diluted share, for fiscal 2025.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) from continuing operations for fiscal 2026 was $19.8 million, or 8.5% of net sales, compared to $22.2 million, or 9.1% of net sales, for fiscal 2025. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income from continuing operations is included in this press release.

		For the Year Ended
		February 28, 2026				February 28, 2025
Net income from continuing operations		$	14,760			$	15,711
Add:	Interest income, net		(868	)			(876	)
	Provision for income taxes		4,273				4,979
	Depreciation and amortization		1,727				1,385
	(Gain) Loss on sale of business		(71	)			958
EBITDA, as adjusted		$	19,821			$	22,157

Cash provided by operating activities during fiscal 2026 was $14.3 million, compared to $12.7 million in fiscal 2025. Operating cash flow during fiscal 2026 primarily reflected the timing impact of inventory purchases made ahead of tariff increases during the prior fiscal year and related supplier payments during fiscal 2026.

During fiscal 2026, the Company used cash generated from operations, together with proceeds from business divestitures, to fund capital expenditures, repurchase shares of common stock, pay dividends and increase cash balances.

As of February 28, 2026, working capital was $75.5 million, compared to $67.4 million at February 28, 2025. The Company ended fiscal 2026 with a net cash position of $34.1 million, compared to $28.4 million at the end of fiscal 2025.

"Throughout fiscal 2026, we delivered strong operating results and our team did an incredible job engaging with customers and growing Pro market share.  I would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication," said Len Gould, President & Chief Executive Officer. "Additionally, this past fiscal year, our capital allocation strategy enabled us to return value to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases."

Mr. Gould added, "Our year-end results are in line with expectations.  Our industry leading ROBERTS® and QEP® brands continue to grow share with the Pro despite tremendous consumer uncertainty and housing affordability pressure.

We will continue to lean into innovation and unrivaled service, as it is clearly resonating with our customers and end-users alike.”

The Company welcomes investor inquiries via email at ir@qep.com.

About QEP

Founded in 1979, Q.E.P. Co., Inc. designs, manufactures and distributes a broad range of flooring installation solutions for commercial and home improvement projects. QEP offers a comprehensive line of specialty installation tools, adhesives, and underlayment products sold through home improvement retailers, and professional distribution channels, under brands including QEP®, LASH®, ROBERTS®, Capitol®, Premix-Marbletite® (PMM), Brutus® and Homelux®.

QEP is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida and has operations in the United States, Canada and Asia. Additional information is available at www.qepcorporate.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements generally may be identified by words such as “expects,” “plans,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “could,” “should,” and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: general economic conditions; conditions in the home improvement and construction markets; inflationary pressures; tariffs, trade policies and uncertainty relating to the potential recovery of certain tariffs previously paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) including tariffs affecting goods imported from China and Vietnam; global sourcing and supply chain disruptions; raw material and transportation costs; competitive conditions; customer demand; the Company’s ability to maintain and develop customer relationships; foreign currency fluctuations; litigation and regulatory matters; the successful integration of acquisitions and completion of divestitures; and other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the Company’s public filings and disclosures.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

-Financial Information Follows-

Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands except per share data)
	For the Year Ended
	February 28,				February 28,
		2026				2025
Net sales	$	233,715			$	243,831
Cost of goods sold		151,076				157,262
Gross profit		82,639				86,569
Operating expenses:
Shipping		26,616				27,199
General and administrative		23,171				24,705
Selling and marketing		14,903				14,428
Other (income) expense, net		(216	)			423
Total operating expenses		64,474				66,755
Operating income		18,165				19,814
Interest income, net		868				876
Income before provision for income taxes		19,033				20,690
Provision for income taxes		4,273				4,979
Net income from continuing operations		14,760				15,711
Gain from discontinued operations, net of tax		1,011				542
Net income	$	15,771			$	16,253
Basic earnings per share:
From continuing operations	$	4.59			$	4.78
From discontinued operations		0.31				0.17
Basic earnings per share	$	4.90			$	4.95
Diluted earnings per share:
From continuing operations	$	4.59			$	4.78
From discontinued operations		0.31				0.16
Diluted earnings per share	$	4.90			$	4.94
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic		3,219				3,286
Diluted		3,219				3,290

Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except par values)
	February 28, 2026				February 28, 2025
ASSETS
Cash	$	34,092			$	28,552
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses of $63 and $221 at February 28, 2026 and 2025, respectively		29,154				31,752
Inventories, net		33,324				36,595
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		2,680				2,781
Prepaid income taxes		2,424				1,544
Current assets		101,674				101,224
Property and equipment, net		14,245				13,044
Right of use operating lease assets		19,614				21,520
Deferred income taxes, net		834				1,996
Intangibles, net		-				1
Other assets		975				489
Total assets	$	137,342			$	138,274
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Trade accounts payable	$	10,569			$	15,569
Accrued liabilities		12,855				15,251
Current operating lease liabilities		2,775				2,887
Lines of credit		11				105
Current maturities of debt		14				9
Current liabilities		26,224				33,821
Long-term debt		7				10
Non-current operating lease liabilities		18,970				21,084
Other long-term liabilities		437				427
Total liabilities		45,638				55,342
Preferred stock, 2,500 shares authorized, $1.00 par value; 0 shares issued and outstanding at February 28, 2026 and 2025, respectively		-				-
Common stock, 20,000 shares authorized, $.001 par value; 4,005 shares issued: 3,133 and 3,255 shares outstanding at February 28, 2026 and 2025, respectively		4				4
Additional paid-in capital		10,361				10,361
Retained earnings		98,741				85,544
Treasury stock, 872 and 750 shares held at cost at February 28, 2026 and 2025, respectively		(15,033	)			(10,377	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(2,369	)			(2,600	)
Shareholders' equity		91,704				82,932
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	137,342			$	138,274

Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
	For the Year Ended
	February 28, 2026				February 28, 2025
Operating activities:
Net income	$	15,771			$	16,253
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,727				1,385
(Gain) loss on disposal of businesses		(1,404	)			468
Gain on sale of property		(4	)			(2	)
Impairment, net of gain on lease modification		-				(164	)
Impairment of long-lived asset		-				85
Other non-cash adjustments		(173	)			95
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		1,557				(811	)
Inventories		3,435				(8,364	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		3,454				3,162
Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(10,064	)			629
Net cash provided by operating activities		14,299				12,736
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(2,899	)			(4,549	)
Proceeds from sale of businesses		1,374				4,859
Proceeds from sale of property		4				2
Note Receivable		143				-
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(1,378	)			312
Financing activities:
Net repayments under lines of credit		(99	)			(479	)
Repurchase of equity-based awards		-				(1,540	)
Purchase of treasury stock		(4,694	)			(833	)
Principal payments on finance leases		(10	)			(83	)
Dividends paid		(2,574	)			(3,920	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(7,377	)			(6,855	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(4	)			(10	)
Net increase in cash		5,540				6,183
Cash at beginning of period		28,552				22,369
Cash at end of period	$	34,092			$	28,552

Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands, except shares data)
																							Accumulated
																							Other				Total
	Preferred Stock					Common Stock					Paid-in				Retained				Treasury				Comprehensive				Shareholders'
	Shares		Amount			Shares		Amount			Capital				Earnings				Stock				Income				Equity
Balance at February 29, 2024	-		$	-		4,005,370		$	4		$	11,901			$	73,211			$	(9,517	)		$	(2,969	)		$	72,630
Net income																16,253												16,253
Reclassification of currency translation adjustments to earnings																								698				698
Unrealized currency translation adjustments																								(329	)			(329	)
Purchase of treasury stock																				(860	)							(860	)
Repurchase of equity-based awards												(1,540	)															(1,540	)
Dividends paid																(3,920	)											(3,920	)
Balance at February 28, 2025	-			-		4,005,370			4			10,361				85,544				(10,377	)			(2,600	)			82,932
Net income																15,771												15,771
Reclassification of currency translation adjustments to earnings																								(71	)			(71	)
Unrealized currency translation adjustments																								302				302
Purchase of treasury stock																				(4,656	)							(4,656	)
Dividends paid																(2,574	)											(2,574	)
Balance at February 28, 2026	-		$	-		4,005,370		$	4		$	10,361			$	98,741			$	(15,033	)		$	(2,369	)		$	91,704

CONTACT:
Q.E.P. Co., Inc.
Enos Brown
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
561-994-5550

FAQ

How did QEP (QEPC) perform in fiscal 2026 compared to 2025?

QEP reported slightly lower sales and earnings in fiscal 2026 versus 2025. Net sales fell 4.1% to $233.7 million, while net income declined to $15.8 million and diluted EPS to $4.90, according to QEP.

What were QEP (QEPC) fiscal 2026 net sales and net income?

QEP generated fiscal 2026 net sales of $233.7 million and net income of $15.8 million. According to QEP, this compared with 2025 sales of $243.8 million and net income of $16.3 million, reflecting softer home improvement demand and tariff effects.

What was QEP (QEPC) adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for fiscal 2026?

QEP reported fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $19.8 million, or 8.5% of net sales. According to QEP, this compared with $22.2 million and a 9.1% margin in fiscal 2025, based on its non-GAAP reconciliation.

How strong was QEP (QEPC) cash flow and balance sheet in fiscal 2026?

QEP reported higher operating cash flow and improved liquidity in fiscal 2026. According to QEP, operating cash flow was $14.3 million, working capital reached $75.5 million, and net cash increased to $34.1 million at February 28, 2026.

Did QEP (QEPC) return capital to shareholders in fiscal 2026?

QEP used cash to return capital through dividends and share repurchases in fiscal 2026. According to QEP, these actions were funded alongside capital expenditures and helped increase the company’s cash balances during the year.

What factors affected QEP (QEPC) revenue and margins in fiscal 2026?

QEP linked lower revenue to softer home improvement spending and macro pressures. According to QEP, elevated interest rates, inflation, broader uncertainty and higher tariffs pressured sales and gross margin, partly offset by inventory bought before tariff increases.