Key facts
- Brown-Forman reported Q4 net sales of $912 million, beating estimates of $879.6 million.
- Demand for premium brands like Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve, and Old Forester drove sales.
- The company rejected a $15 billion acquisition offer from Sazerac.
- Merger discussions with Pernod Ricard have collapsed.
- Brown-Forman anticipates challenging macroeconomic pressures and geopolitical instability for fiscal year 2027.
Whiskey maker Brown-Forman announced fourth-quarter net sales of $912 million, exceeding Wall Street's average estimate of $879.6 million. The company attributed the performance to steady demand for its premium brands, including Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve, and Old Forester, particularly among affluent consumers in international markets, helping to offset weaker U.S. discretionary spending. This quarterly report is the first since Brown-Forman rejected a roughly $15 billion acquisition approach from Sazerac and follows the collapse of separate merger discussions with France's Pernod Ricard. The company anticipates the operating environment for fiscal year 2027 to remain challenging due to macroeconomic pressures and geopolitical instability.