Brown-Forman stock falls 1.11 percent as EPS rises 6 percent
Published on 09/23/2026 at 18:32 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Brown-Forman stock was trading at USD 26.64 on the NYSE on September 23, 2026, down 1.11 percent from the previous session. The latest operating update showed diluted EPS rising 6 percent to USD 0.38 in the first quarter of fiscal 2027.
Sales slipped as EPS improved
According to Brown-Forman on September 2, 2026, reported net sales fell 1 percent to USD 911 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2026. Reported operating income decreased 3 percent to USD 252 million, while diluted EPS increased 6 percent to USD 0.38.
The mix was uneven rather than uniformly weak. Ready-to-drink sales increased 20 percent, and New Mix sales rose 48 percent, according to The Lane Report on September 2, 2026.
Margins offset the sales decline
Brown-Forman's gross margin expanded 40 basis points to 60.2 percent in fiscal Q1 2027, despite pressure from foreign exchange and price mix. That improvement helps explain why earnings per share rose while reported sales and operating income both declined.
Cash generation also strengthened during the same quarter. Operating cash flow reached USD 173 million, an increase of USD 13 million from the prior-year quarter, while free cash flow rose by USD 32 million to USD 161 million.
For investors, the contrast between the top line and profitability is the central operating signal. The company produced higher EPS and cash flow in the quarter, but its reported sales decline keeps brand innovation and regional demand in view for the rest of fiscal 2027.
Stock stays below its yearly high
At USD 26.64 on September 23, 2026, the Class A stock stood 14.45 percent below its 52-week high of USD 31.14 and USD 3.63 above its 52-week low of USD 23.01. Brown-Forman's market capitalization was USD 12,215,023,656 on the same date.
The price snapshot places the stock in the lower half of its yearly range while the latest quarterly figures show a sharper split between revenue and per-share earnings. That combination makes the next reported sales trend more important than the single-quarter EPS increase.
Brown-Forman market data
- Company: Brown-Forman Corporation
- Ticker: BFA
- Trading venue: NYSE
- Price (as of September 23, 2026, 12:30 p.m. ET): USD 26.64
- Market capitalization: USD 12,215,023,656 as of September 23, 2026
- 52-week range: USD 23.01-31.14 as of September 23, 2026
- Sector / Industry: Consumer Defensive / Beverages and Distilleries
