National Beverage Declares $3.25 Special Dividend, Reports Stable Fiscal 2026 Results
FIZZ is trading near its 52-week low of $30.75 (6.7% above the low) on elevated volume (2.6× avg).
Summary
National Beverage Corp. announced a substantial $3.25 per share special cash dividend alongside its Fiscal 2026 annual report, which showed stable financial performance and a significantly strengthened cash position.
Key Events · Earnings and Guidance · FIZZ
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Significant Special Cash Dividend Declared
The Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $3.25 per share, payable by July 30, 2026, to shareholders of record on July 13, 2026. This payout totals approximately $304.2 million, a substantial return of capital to shareholders.
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Stable Fiscal 2026 Financial Performance
For the fiscal year ended May 2, 2026, net sales decreased slightly to $1.18 billion from $1.20 billion, and net income was $183.6 million compared to $186.8 million in the prior year. Basic EPS was $1.96, down from $2.00, primarily due to one less selling week and a 6.7% decline in case volume, but gross margin remained constant at 37.0%.
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Strengthened Balance Sheet and Liquidity
Cash and cash equivalents significantly increased by $155.7 million to $349.5 million. The company maintains unsecured revolving credit facilities totaling $150 million with no outstanding borrowings, indicating a very strong liquidity position.
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Minimal Share Repurchase Activity
During Fiscal 2026, the company repurchased 20,000 shares for $0.7 million, with 1.87 million shares remaining authorized under the program.
Analysis · FIZZ · Manufacturing
This annual 10-K filing confirms the declaration of a significant $3.25 per share special cash dividend, representing approximately $304.2 million, which is a substantial return of capital to shareholders (over 10% of the company's market capitalization). This action signals strong financial health and management confidence. While net sales and EPS saw a slight decline year-over-year, attributed partly to one less selling week and volume shifts, gross margins remained stable. The company also significantly increased its cash reserves and maintains a strong balance sheet with no outstanding debt, reinforcing its robust financial position.
At the time of this filing, FIZZ was trading at $32.81 on NASDAQ in the Manufacturing sector, with a market capitalization of approximately $2.9B. The 52-week trading range was $30.75 to $47.89. This filing was assessed with positive market sentiment and an importance score of 9 out of 10.