RPM Reports Record Fiscal 2027 First-Quarter Results

• Record first-quarter sales of $2.22 billion increased 4.8% compared to the prior year
• Net income of $256.4 million and diluted EPS of $2.01
• Record adjusted diluted EPS of $1.98 increased 5.3% and record adjusted EBITDA of $405.5 million increased 4.5% compared to the prior year
• Fiscal 2027 second-quarter outlook projects sales and adjusted EBITDA to increase in the low- to mid-single-digit range
• Fiscal 2027 full-year outlook projects sales and adjusted EBITDA to increase in the mid-single-digit range

MEDINA, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RPM International Inc. (NYSE: RPM), a world leader in specialty coatings, sealants and building materials, today reported financial results for its fiscal 2027 first quarter ended August 31, 2026.

Frank C. Sullivan, RPM Chairman and CEO, said, “The resilience of our associates and business model was on full display in the first quarter as we generated another quarter of record sales and adjusted EBITDA. Solid organic growth in our Performance Coatings Group and Consumer Group, and a focus on manufacturing, procurement and SG&A efficiencies overcame multiple challenges, including raw material inflation and a temporary slowdown in our Construction Products Group. This record profitability, combined with improved working capital efficiency, also allowed us to generate another quarter of strong operating cash flow, which we are using to invest in growth opportunities and reward shareholders with dividends and share repurchases.”

First-Quarter 2027 Consolidated Results

Organization and Reporting Update

Effective June 1, 2026, the company modified its organizational structure to manage and report certain businesses in Latin America in PCG. The businesses generate approximately $143 million in annual revenue and were previously part of CPG and Consumer Group. Starting with the first fiscal quarter of 2027, results reflect the updated structure for both current and prior periods presented. These changes have no impact on consolidated results. Recast quarterly results for fiscal year 2026 reflecting this change have been provided in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC.

Record first-quarter sales were driven by solid organic growth in the PCG and Consumer segments, including pricing to offset inflation. Acquisitions also contributed to the growth.

Geographically, all emerging market regions generated revenue increases above 20%, fueled by strong demand for engineered solutions used in high-performance buildings and infrastructure projects and the continued expansion of RPM’s Platform model, which leverages shared regional resources to accelerate growth and improve efficiency. North American growth was driven by PCG and Consumer improvement. Growth in Europe was driven by acquisitions.

Sales included 3.1% organic growth, 1.6% growth from acquisitions net of divestitures, and a 0.1% tailwind from foreign currency translation.

Adjusted EBITDA increased to a record, driven by higher sales and MAP operational improvement initiatives, including SG&A optimization. Healthcare expenses were lower compared to the prior year, driven by procurement efforts to lower prescription drug costs. These gains more than offset higher raw material inflation, warranty expenses from a small European business that is under review for closure, and bad debt expense from a customer bankruptcy.

Record adjusted diluted EPS was primarily driven by improved adjusted EBITDA.

First-Quarter 2027 Segment Sales and Earnings

Lower than expected CPG sales growth was driven by delayed sales resulting from a slowdown in the healthcare and education markets, as well as supplier raw material availability issues affecting certain products. The Kalzip acquisition and pricing actions in response to inflation offset these headwinds.

Sales included a 1.7% organic decline and 2.5% growth from acquisitions net of divestitures.

Adjusted EBITDA declined due to lower fixed-cost absorption from reduced volumes, raw material inflation driven by supply shortages, a $4.4 million increase in bad debt expense related to a customer bankruptcy, and a $6.3 million warranty charge at a small European business under review for closure. SG&A optimization initiatives partially offset these headwinds.

Record PCG sales were driven by broad-based growth, with particular strength in engineered solutions for high-performance buildings, energy and infrastructure projects including in emerging markets, and food coatings and ingredients. Pricing to offset inflation also contributed to sales growth.

Sales included 7.9% organic growth, a 1.8% increase from acquisitions, and a 0.5% benefit from foreign currency translation.

Record adjusted EBITDA was driven by improved sales, higher volumes resulting in improved fixed-cost leverage, and SG&A-focused optimization actions, partially offset by higher raw material inflation.

The Consumer Group’s record sales were driven by solid growth across all businesses and were aided by shelf space wins, new product introductions and pricing to offset inflation, which was higher in the quarter.

Sales included 5.2% organic growth, 0.3% growth from acquisitions, and a 0.2% headwind from foreign currency translation.

The increase in adjusted EBITDA was driven by sales growth and higher volumes resulting in improved fixed-cost utilization, and was further aided by MAP operational improvements, including SG&A-focused optimization actions.

Income before taxes included a $10.8 million gain on the sale of a facility that was closed as part of RPM’s MAP 2025 program. This gain has been excluded from adjusted EBITDA.

Cash Flow and Financial Position

During the first three months of fiscal 2027:

• Cash provided by operating activities was $263.9 million, compared to $237.5 million in the prior-year period, with the increase driven by improved working capital efficiency.
• Capital expenditures were $58.5 million compared to $62.5 million in the prior-year period.
• The company returned $90.5 million to stockholders through cash dividends and share repurchases, an increase of 10.2% compared to the prior year.

As of August 31, 2026:

• Total debt was $2.41 billion compared to $2.67 billion a year ago, with the decrease driven by strong operating cash flow being used to reduce debt.
• Total liquidity, including cash and committed revolving credit facilities, was $1.21 billion, compared to $933.4 million a year ago.

Investor Day Webcast Information

The company will host an investor day on November 9, 2026, at its Stonhard facility in New Jersey. Scheduled speakers include Frank Sullivan, RPM Chairman and CEO; David Dennsteadt, RPM President and COO; Russell Gordon, RPM Vice President and CFO; and Gregory Michael, Performance Coatings Group President. The presentation will be provided prior to the event, and a public webcast will be available at https://www.rpminc.com/investors/presentations-webcasts/. The webcast is expected to start at approximately 12:00 p.m. ET. A replay of the event will be available.

Volteco Acquisition

As previously announced, the company acquired Volteco, an Italy-based leading supplier of below-grade waterproofing solutions, for its Construction Products Group. Volteco had calendar year 2025 sales of €28 million.

Business Outlook

Sullivan continued, “Segment trends in the second quarter are expected to be similar to those in the first with the PCG segment leading growth as it benefits from its success with expanding the Platform emerging-market operating model and good end-market demand. Continued stabilization in the Consumer Group is also anticipated, while CPG demand remains soft. MAP benefits and selling price increases will help to offset gross margin pressure from higher inflation and start-up costs at new facilities. In the second half of the year, we expect to benefit from the continued implementation of MAP operational improvements and pricing increases to offset persistent inflation and more challenging comparisons. We also anticipate that CPG will return to positive organic growth by the end of the year.”

The company’s outlook for the fiscal 2027 second quarter is for:

• Consolidated sales to increase in the low- to mid-single-digit range compared to prior-year results.
• CPG sales to increase in the low-single-digit range compared to prior-year results.
• PCG sales to increase in the mid- to high-single-digit range compared to prior-year results.
• Consumer Group sales to increase in the low- to mid-single-digit range compared to prior-year results.
• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA to increase in the low- to mid-single-digit range compared to prior-year results.

The company’s outlook for fiscal 2027 is for:

• Consolidated sales to increase in the mid-single-digit range compared to prior-year record results. The previous outlook was for 3% to 7% growth.
• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA to increase in the mid-single-digit range compared to prior-year record results. The previous outlook was for 5% to 10% growth.

Earnings Webcast and Conference Call Information

Management will host a conference call to discuss these results beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET today. The call can be accessed via webcast at www.RPMinc.com/Investors/Presentations-Webcasts or by dialing 1-844-481-2915 or 1-412-317-0708 for international callers and asking to join the RPM International call. Participants are asked to call the assigned number approximately 10 minutes before the conference call begins. The call, which will last approximately one hour, will be open to the public, but only financial analysts will be permitted to ask questions. The media and all other participants will be in a listen-only mode.

For those unable to listen to the live call, a replay will be available from October 6, 2026, until October 13, 2026. The replay can be accessed by dialing 1-855-669-9658 or 1-412-317-0088 for international callers. The access code is 8131253. The call also will be available for replay and as a written transcript via the RPM website at www.RPMinc.com.

About RPM

RPM International Inc. owns subsidiaries that are world leaders in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials and related services. The company operates across three reportable segments: consumer, construction products and performance coatings. RPM has a diverse portfolio of market-leading brands, including Rust-Oleum, DAP, Zinsser, Varathane, The Pink Stuff, Stonhard, Carboline, FinishWorks, Tremco, Euclid Chemical, Dryvit and Nudura. From homes and workplaces to infrastructure and precious landmarks, RPM’s brands are trusted by consumers and professionals alike to help build a better world. The company employs approximately 17,500 individuals worldwide. Visit www.RPMinc.com to learn more.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

To supplement the financial information presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“GAAP”) in this earnings release, we use EBIT, adjusted EBIT, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share, which are all non-GAAP financial measures. EBIT is defined as earnings (loss) before interest and taxes, with Adjusted EBIT provided for the purpose of adjusting for items impacting earnings that are not considered by management to be indicative of ongoing operations. We evaluate the profit performance of our segments based on income before income taxes, but also look to EBIT, or adjusted EBIT, as a performance evaluation measure because Interest Income (Expense), Net is essentially related to corporate functions, as opposed to segment operations. For that reason, we believe EBIT is also useful to investors as a metric in their investment decisions. EBIT should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, income before income taxes as determined in accordance with GAAP, since EBIT omits the impact of interest and investment income or expense in determining operating performance, which represent items necessary to our continued operations, given our level of indebtedness. Nonetheless, EBIT is a key measure expected by and useful to our fixed income investors, rating agencies and the banking community all of whom believe, and we concur, that this measure is critical to the capital markets' analysis of our segments' core operating performance. We also evaluate EBIT because it is clear that movements in EBIT impact our ability to attract financing. Additionally, Management believes that investors' understanding of the Company's operating performance is enhanced by the disclosure of Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as earnings (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization adjusted for items impacting earnings that are not considered by management to be indicative of ongoing operations. We evaluate the profit performance of our segments based on income before income taxes, but also look to adjusted EBITDA, as a performance evaluation measure because Interest Income (Expense), Net is essentially related to corporate functions, as opposed to segment operations. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA is an operating measure that provides investors with a measure of operating results unaffected by differences in capital structures, capital investment cycles and ages of related assets among otherwise comparable companies. For these reasons, we believe Adjusted EBITDA is also useful to investors as a metric in their investment decisions. The reader is cautioned that the Company's Adjusted EBITDA should not be compared to other entities unknowingly. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, income before income taxes as determined in accordance with GAAP. EBIT, adjusted EBIT and adjusted EBITDA may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. See the financial statement section of this earnings release for a reconciliation of EBIT, adjusted EBIT and adjusted EBITDA to income before income taxes, and adjusted earnings per share to earnings per share. We have not provided a reconciliation of our second-quarter and full-year fiscal 2027 adjusted EBITDA guidance because material terms that impact such measure are not in our control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted, and therefore a reconciliation of such measure is not available without unreasonable effort.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements relating to our business. These forward-looking statements, or other statements made by us, are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting us and are subject to uncertainties and factors (including those specified below), which are difficult to predict and, in many instances, are beyond our control. As a result, our actual results could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any such forward-looking statements. These uncertainties and factors include (a) global and regional markets and general economic conditions, including uncertainties surrounding the volatility in financial markets, the availability of capital and the viability of banks and other financial institutions; (b) the prices, supply and availability of raw materials, including assorted pigments, resins, solvents, and other natural gas- and oil-based materials; packaging, including plastic and metal containers; and transportation services, including fuel surcharges; (c) continued growth in demand for our products; (d) legal, environmental and litigation risks inherent in our businesses and risks related to the adequacy of our insurance coverage for such matters; (e) the effect of changes in interest rates; (f) the effect of fluctuations in currency exchange rates upon our foreign operations; (g) changes in global trade policies, including the adoption or expansion of tariffs and trade barriers; (h) the effect of non-currency risks of investing in and conducting operations in foreign countries, including those relating to domestic and international political, social, economic and regulatory factors; (i) risks and uncertainties associated with our ongoing acquisition and divestiture activities; (j) the timing of and the realization of anticipated cost savings from restructuring initiatives, the ability to identify additional cost savings opportunities, and the risks of failing to meet any other objectives of our improvement plans; (k) risks related to the adequacy of our contingent liability reserves; (l) risks relating to a public health crisis similar to the Covid pandemic; (m) risks related to acts of war similar to the Middle East conflict and the Russian invasion of Ukraine; (n) risks related to the transition or physical impacts of climate change and other natural disasters or meeting sustainability-related voluntary goals or regulatory requirements; (o) risks related to our or our third parties' use of technology including AI, data breaches and data privacy violations; (p) the shift to remote work and online purchasing and the impact that has on residential and commercial real estate construction; and (q) other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2026, as the same may be updated from time to time. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the filing date of this press release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261006586793/en/

For more information, contact Matt Schlarb, Vice President – Investor Relations & Sustainability, at 330-220-6064 or [email protected].

Source: RPM International Inc.

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