Looking back on household products stocks’ Q3 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including WD-40 (NASDAQ: WDFC) and its peers.

Household products stocks are generally stable investments, as many of the industry's products are essential for a comfortable and functional living space. Recently, there's been a growing emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable offerings, reflecting the evolving consumer preferences for environmentally conscious options. These trends can be double-edged swords that benefit companies who innovate quickly to take advantage of them and hurt companies that don't invest enough to meet consumers where they want to be with regards to trends.

The 10 household products stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.9% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 1% above.

While some household products stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 3% since the latest earnings results.

WD-40 (NASDAQ: WDFC)

Short for “Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try”, WD-40 (NASDAQ: WDFC) is a renowned American consumer goods company known for its iconic and versatile spray, WD-40 Multi-Use Product.

WD-40 reported revenues of $163.5 million, up 4.8% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 6.2%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a mixed quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

“We delivered solid results in fiscal 2025, with currency adjusted pro forma net sales of $603 million—an increase of 6 percent over last year and in line with our expectations,” said Steve Brass, president and chief executive officer of WD-40 Company.

WD-40 pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat of the whole group. Still, the market seems discontent with the results. The stock is down 6.6% since reporting and currently trades at $191.79.

Is now the time to buy WD-40? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q3: Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT)

Enhancing the lives of both pets and homeowners, Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT) is a leading producer and distributor of essential products for pet care, lawn and garden maintenance, and pest control.

Central Garden & Pet reported revenues of $678.2 million, up 1.3% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 3.9%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 6.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $33.52.

Is now the time to buy Central Garden & Pet? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Weakest Q3: Energizer (NYSE: ENR)

Masterminds behind the viral Energizer Bunny mascot, Energizer (NYSE: ENR) is one of the world's largest manufacturers of batteries.

Energizer reported revenues of $832.8 million, up 3.4% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. Still, it was a softer quarter as it posted EPS guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a miss of analysts’ gross margin estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 25% since the results and currently trades at $17.89.

Read our full analysis of Energizer’s results here.

Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ: KMB)

Originally founded as a Wisconsin paper mill in 1872, Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) is now a household products powerhouse known for personal care and tissue products.

Kimberly-Clark reported revenues of $4.15 billion, flat year on year. This print met analysts’ expectations. Aside from that, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also produced a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but gross margin in line with analysts’ estimates.

The stock is down 11.7% since reporting and currently trades at $103.03.

Read our full, actionable report on Kimberly-Clark here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Church & Dwight (NYSE: CHD)

Best known for its Arm & Hammer baking soda, Church & Dwight (NYSE: CHD) is a household and personal care products company with a vast portfolio that spans laundry detergent to toothbrushes to hair removal creams.

Church & Dwight reported revenues of $1.59 billion, up 5% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 3.3%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Church & Dwight delivered the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 3.3% since reporting and currently trades at $84.48.

Read our full, actionable report on Church & Dwight here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been on a steady path downward, easing back toward that 2% sweet spot. Fortunately (miraculously to some), all this tightening didn’t send the economy tumbling into a recession, so here we are, cautiously celebrating a soft landing. The cherry on top? Recent rate cuts (half a point in September 2024, a quarter in November) have propped up markets, especially after Trump’s November win lit a fire under major indices and sent them to all-time highs. However, there’s still plenty to ponder — tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and what 2025 might hold for the economy.

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