ACCO Brands reported first‑quarter 2026 results, posting net sales of $343.7 million, up 8.3 % from $317.4 million a year earlier. The increase was driven by a 4.8 % lift in EPOS revenue, favorable foreign‑exchange gains, and growth in Latin‑American and computer‑accessory sales.
GAAP diluted earnings per share were $0.20, a $0.25 beat over the consensus estimate of a $0.05 loss. Adjusted diluted EPS rose to $0.02, beating the $0.02 loss forecast. The earnings beat was largely a result of the $37.6 million bargain‑purchase gain from the EPOS acquisition and disciplined cost management that offset the $10.4 million operating loss.
Operating loss of $10.4 million was largely offset by the EPOS gain and $10.7 million in restructuring charges, leaving adjusted operating income at $11.7 million, up from $6.9 million in Q1 2025. Gross margin contracted to 31.1 % from 31.4 % year‑over‑year, reflecting an unfavorable product mix, while adjusted operating margin expanded to 3.4 % from 2.2 %, driven by the cost‑reduction program and integration of EPOS.
ACCO reiterated its full‑year 2026 guidance, projecting reported net sales of $1.525 billion to $1.570 billion, adjusted EPS of $0.84 to $0.89, and free cash flow of $75 million to $85 million. The guidance signals confidence in the technology‑peripheral pivot and the $100 million cost‑reduction target, while management noted that the dynamic operating environment will require continued focus on cost discipline.
Management highlighted that the company returned $6.9 million to shareholders through dividends, underscoring its commitment to shareholder value amid a constrained dividend policy. The results reinforce ACCO’s strategic shift away from declining paper‑based products toward higher‑margin tech accessories, positioning the company for upside if the transformation gains traction.
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