WD-40 (NASDAQ:WDFC) Sees Strong Trading Volume on Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Key Points

• WD-40 beat Q2 estimates with EPS of $1.50 (vs. $1.39) and revenue of $161.7M (+10.7% YoY), but the report flagged profitability compression and produced a mixed market reaction and modest near-term guidance (~7% pro forma growth, ~ $5.95 FY EPS midpoint).
• Trading and shareholder returns picked up — volume rose to ~201,426 shares (+12%), the company announced a $1.02 quarterly dividend (annualized $4.08, ~1.9% yield) and is accelerating buybacks, while an insider also purchased shares.
• Wall Street sentiment is broadly positive with a "Moderate Buy" consensus and a $300 average price target, and institutional ownership is very high (about 91.5%).

Shares of WD-40 Company (NASDAQ:WDFC - Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. Approximately 201,426 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 12% from the previous session's volume of 179,995 shares.The stock last traded at $218.97 and had previously closed at $223.02.

The specialty chemicals company reported $1.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $161.67 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $154.90 million. WD-40 had a return on equity of 30.10% and a net margin of 14.42%.WD-40's revenue for the quarter was up 10.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.32 EPS.

WD-40 Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Investors of record on Friday, April 17th will be issued a $1.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 17th. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. WD-40's payout ratio is presently 62.10%.

Key WD-40 News

Here are the key news stories impacting WD-40 this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Top-line and consensus beats — Q2 net sales climbed ~11% to $161.7M and EPS beat street estimates. Revenue and gross-profit gains outpaced expectations, supporting near-term investor confidence. WD-40 Company Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results
• Positive Sentiment: Strong cash flow and shareholder returns — operating cash flow rose materially, management is accelerating share buybacks and the company has a long dividend increase streak, which underpins valuation and supports the stock. WD-40 Company NASDAQ: WDFC - MarketBeat
• Neutral Sentiment: Guidance and outlook — company expects full-year pro forma growth near ~7% and EPS around $5.95 at the midpoint, which largely validates sell-side support but leaves limited near-term upside until delivery. WD-40 Company 2026 Q2 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation
• Negative Sentiment: Profitability compression — despite revenue and gross-profit gains, net income and diluted EPS fell roughly 30%+ year-over-year, reflecting rising costs and other pressures that concern margin-focused investors. WD-40 Company (WDFC) Releases Q2 2026 Earnings: Revenue Up, EPS Down Despite Beat
• Negative Sentiment: Mixed market reaction & near-term sensitivity — some outlets noted the results as a mixed print (revenue beat but profit weakness), which can produce volatility as investors weigh growth vs margin risks. WD-40 Co. stock edges lower on Q2 earnings miss despite revenue beat

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have weighed in on WDFC. William Blair initiated coverage on WD-40 in a report on Monday. They issued an "outperform" rating for the company. Weiss Ratings restated a "hold (c)" rating on shares of WD-40 in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $300.00.

Insider Activity at WD-40

In other news, Director David Pendarvis bought 424 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $247.15 per share, with a total value of $104,791.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 6,898 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,704,840.70. This trade represents a 6.55% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.78% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of WD-40

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its holdings in shares of WD-40 by 4,133.3% in the fourth quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 127 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP boosted its holdings in WD-40 by 1,462.5% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 125 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 117 shares during the last quarter. HM Payson & Co. bought a new stake in WD-40 in the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its stake in WD-40 by 340.5% in the 3rd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 163 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 126 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of WD-40 by 207.8% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 157 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. 91.52% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

WD-40 Stock Performance

The company's 50-day simple moving average is $228.68 and its 200 day simple moving average is $209.44. The stock has a market cap of $2.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.51 and a beta of 0.25. The company has a current ratio of 2.97, a quick ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

WD-40 Company Profile

WD-40 Company, headquartered in San Diego, California, is best known for its flagship WD-40® Multi-Use Product, a water-displacing spray used for lubrication, rust prevention and cleaning. Since its introduction in 1953 by the Rocket Chemical Company, the WD-40 brand has become a household and industrial staple. Over time, the company has broadened its portfolio to include complementary maintenance and cleaning brands such as 3-IN-ONE® oils, Lava® hand cleaners, Solvol® solvents, Spot Shot® stain removers and X-14® cleaning products.

WD-40 Company distributes its products in more than 176 countries through retail, industrial and automotive channels.

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