iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To read RPM International’s earnings report, separate reported results from management’s adjusted measures, then trace sales growth through its organic, acquisition, and currency components, compare the three operating segments, and treat guidance as a forecast—not a result. RPM’s latest located report is its fiscal 2027 first-quarter release, issued October 6, 2026, for the quarter ended August 31, 2026.
Start by confirming the period and source
RPM’s fiscal 2027 first quarter ended August 31, 2026. The October 6 release reports that quarter; it is not a calendar-quarter label. RPM’s quarterly-results page organizes releases and related materials, including presentations, transcripts, webcasts, and SEC filings. Use the earnings release for the quarter’s summary and commentary, and consult the associated filing when you need fuller financial-statement detail.
Read sales growth beyond the headline
RPM reported net sales of $2.216 billion, up 4.8% from $2.114 billion in the year-ago quarter. The release attributes the increase to three components:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- Organic growth: 3.1%.
- Acquisitions, net of divestitures: 1.6%.
- Foreign currency: a 0.1% tailwind.
The distinction matters: the 4.8% figure is total reported growth, while organic growth excludes the net contribution from acquisitions and divestitures and the currency effect. For comparisons between quarters or years, check each component rather than assuming that the headline growth rate reflects underlying demand alone. RPM provides its reported sales and growth discussion in the quarterly results materials.
#1 Best Overall
Distinguish GAAP earnings from adjusted measures
For the quarter, RPM reported net income attributable to stockholders of $256.4 million and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.01. It also reported adjusted diluted EPS of $1.98, up 5.3%, and adjusted EBITDA of $405.5 million, up 4.5%. These figures are not interchangeable: the first pair is reported under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), while adjusted EPS and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures.
RPM says it excludes items it does not consider indicative of ongoing operations from its adjusted measures. Its release cautions that non-GAAP metrics are not alternatives to GAAP results and that adjusted EBITDA should not be compared with other companies’ similarly named measures without care. Read the reconciliation to see which items were adjusted, rather than treating “adjusted” as a synonym for ordinary operating profit. RPM’s release defines and reconciles the measures in its quarterly results materials.
Keep the margin definitions straight
RPM reported gross profit of $914.0 million on net sales of $2.216 billion. Dividing gross profit by net sales gives a gross margin of about 41.3%—a calculation from the company’s reported figures, not a separately quoted margin. For a year-over-year comparison, use the same numerator and denominator for both periods.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Gross margin is not EBIT margin. Gross margin compares gross profit with sales; EBIT is earnings before interest and taxes. RPM’s reconciliation reports consolidated EBIT of $355.1 million, adjusted EBIT of $352.7 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $405.5 million. Those measures use different definitions, so identify the numerator before comparing a margin or interpreting a change.
Rank #3
Use segment results to locate the growth
RPM reports sales and earnings for Construction Products Group (CPG), Performance Coatings Group (PCG), and Consumer Group. Q1 sales were $859.2 million for CPG, $629.7 million for PCG, and $726.7 million for Consumer. The consolidated growth rate alone does not show which businesses contributed or faced pressure.
- PCG: RPM said record sales were supported by engineered solutions and pricing.
- CPG: RPM cited delayed sales, raw-material availability issues, and lower fixed-cost absorption. Lower fixed-cost absorption means fixed manufacturing costs are spread across less output, which can weigh on profitability.
- Consumer: RPM attributed sales support to growth across businesses, shelf-space wins, new products, and pricing.
When evaluating segment performance, connect sales changes to the company’s discussion of volume, pricing, acquisitions, inflation, cost absorption, and operational programs. These factors can move sales and profit in different directions.
Account for the segment reporting change
Effective June 1, 2026, certain Latin American businesses moved into PCG for reporting purposes. RPM says the current and prior periods shown in the Q1 release use the revised structure, which does not change consolidated results. Use those restated segment comparisons rather than combining them with older segment presentations as if the categories were unchanged.
Interpret guidance by horizon and metric
RPM’s October 6 release gives separate expectations for the next quarter and the full fiscal year:
Best Value
| Horizon | Sales outlook | Adjusted EBITDA outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Fiscal 2027 Q2 | Low- to mid-single-digit growth | Low- to mid-single-digit growth |
| Fiscal 2027 full year | Mid-single-digit growth | Mid-single-digit growth |
The full-year outlook replaced prior ranges of 3%–7% sales growth and 5%–10% adjusted EBITDA growth. These are management projections, not reported results or guarantees. Keep the time horizon and measure attached to each outlook: sales growth is not the same forecast as adjusted EBITDA growth. RPM says forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties that include economic conditions, raw-material prices and availability, demand, foreign exchange, trade policy, acquisitions and divestitures, and execution of restructuring plans.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check cash flow and debt alongside earnings
The release reports $263.9 million in operating cash flow and $58.5 million in capital expenditures for the quarter, with total debt of $2.41 billion as of August 31, 2026. Cash flow and capital spending add context to earnings, while debt is a point-in-time balance-sheet figure. Compare cash-flow figures over consistent periods and debt figures at matching dates; they describe different things.
Quick Recap
A practical comparison checklist
- Compare reported sales growth with organic growth, acquisition and divestiture effects, and currency.
- Read GAAP income and diluted EPS alongside the company’s non-GAAP definitions and reconciliation.
- Use consistent formulas and periods when comparing margins.
- Compare CPG, PCG, and Consumer using RPM’s revised segment structure.
- Separate quarterly guidance from full-year guidance, and compare each with the prior outlook for the same metric.
- Put operating cash flow, capital expenditures, and dated debt figures beside earnings without treating them as equivalent measures.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
