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Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2026
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates — The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the financial statement dates and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Our significant estimates include the accrual for warranty, reserves for excess and obsolete inventory, rebates and other promotions, valuation of intangible assets, and costs associated with the Relocation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Principles of Consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Smith & Wesson Inc., Smith & Wesson Sales Company, and Smith & Wesson Online, LLC. In our opinion, all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows at April 30, 2026 and 2025 and for the periods presented, have been included. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications We have reclassified certain amounts relating to prior period results to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications have not changed the results of operations of prior periods.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments — Unless otherwise indicated, the fair values of all reported assets and liabilities, which represent financial instruments not held for trading purposes, approximate the carrying values of such amounts because of their short-term nature or market rates of interest.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. We maintain our cash in bank deposit accounts that, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses in such accounts. As of April 30, 2026, all of our accounts exceeded federally insured limits.

Trade Receivables — We extend credit to our domestic customers and some foreign distributors based on their financial condition. We sometimes offer discounts for early payment on invoices. When we believe the extension of credit is not advisable, we rely on either a prepayment or a letter of credit. We write off balances deemed uncollectible by us against our allowance for credit losses. We estimate our allowance for credit losses through current past due balances, knowledge of our customers’ financial situations, and past payment history.

Concentrations of Credit Risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, and trade receivables. We place our cash and cash equivalents in overnight U.S. government securities or money market mutual funds. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited by the large number of customers comprising our customer base and their geographic and business dispersion. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and generally do not require collateral.

For fiscal 2026, sales to two of our customers represented 24.7% of our total net sales, and, as of April 30, 2026, two customers accounted for 30.2% of our total accounts receivable. No other customer represented more than 10% of our fiscal 2026 net sales or accounted for more than 10% of our accounts receivable as of April 30, 2026. For fiscal 2025, sales to one of our customers represented 14.6% of our total net sales, and, as of April 30, 2025, this customer accounted for 36.1% of our total accounts receivable. No other customer represented more than 10% of our fiscal 2025 net sales or accounted for more than 10% of our accounts receivable as of April 30, 2025.

Inventories — We value inventories at the lower of cost, using the first-in, first-out, or FIFO, method or net realizable value. An allowance for potential non-saleable inventory due to excess stock or obsolescence is based upon a detailed review of inventory, past history, and expected future usage.

Property, Plant, and Equipment — We record property, plant, and equipment, consisting of land, building, improvements, machinery, equipment, software, hardware, furniture, and fixtures, at cost and depreciate them using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. We charge expenditures for maintenance and repairs to earnings as incurred, and we capitalize additions, renewals, and betterments. Upon the retirement or other disposition of property and equipment, we remove the related cost and accumulated depreciation from the respective accounts and include any gain or loss in operations. We lease certain of our real estate, machinery, and photocopiers under non-cancelable operating and finance lease agreements, and we recognize expenses under our operating lease assets and liabilities at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are based on the expected life of the lease. A summary of the estimated useful lives is as follows:

 

Description

 

Useful Life

 

Building and improvements

 

 

10 to 40 years

 

Software and hardware

 

 

2 to 7 years

 

Machinery and equipment

 

 

2 to 10 years

 

Office equipment and furniture

 

 

5 years

 

 

We include tooling, dies, and fixtures as part of machinery and equipment and depreciate them over a period generally not exceeding ten years.

Intangible Assets — We record intangible assets at cost or based on the fair value of the assets acquired. Intangible assets consist of developed technology, customer relationships, trademarks, trade names, and patents. We amortize intangible assets over their estimated useful lives or in proportion to expected yearly revenue generated from the intangibles that were acquired.

Revenue Recognition — We recognize revenue in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Generally, all performance obligations are satisfied and revenue is recognized when the risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the customer, which is generally upon shipment but could be delayed until the receipt of customer acceptance.

In some instances, sales include multiple performance obligations. The most common of these instances relates to sales promotion programs under which customers are entitled to receive free goods based upon their purchase of our products, which we have identified as a material right. The fulfillment of these free goods is our responsibility. In such instances, we allocate the revenue of the promotional sales based on the estimated level of participation in the sales promotional program and the timing of the shipment of all of the products included in the promotional program, including the free goods. We recognize revenue related to the material right proportionally as each performance obligation is satisfied. The net change in contract liabilities for a given period is reported as an increase or decrease to sales.

We generally sell our products free on board, or FOB, shipping point and provide payment terms to most commercial customers ranging from 20 to 60 days of product shipment with a discount available to some customers for early payment. Generally, framework contracts define the general terms of sales, including payment terms, freight terms, insurance requirements, and cancelation provisions. Purchase orders define the terms for specific sales, including description, quantity, and price of each product purchased. We estimate variable consideration relative to the amount of cash discounts to which customers are likely to be entitled. As a result of utilizing practical expedients in accordance with ASC 606, we do not consider these extended terms to be a significant financing component of the contract because the payment terms are less than one year. In all cases, we consider our costs related to shipping and handling to be a cost of fulfilling the contract with the customer.

Research and Development — We engage in both internal and external research and development, or R&D, in order to remain competitive and to exploit possible untapped market opportunities. We approve prospective R&D projects after analysis of the cost and benefits associated with the potential product. Costs in R&D expense include, among other items, salaries, materials, utilities, and administrative costs.

Earnings per Share — We calculate basic and diluted earnings per common share in accordance with the provisions of ASC 260-10, Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per common share equals net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share equals net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including the effect of outstanding stock-based instruments if their effect is dilutive.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the net income amounts and weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares used to determine basic and diluted earnings per common share (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

 

For the Year Ended April 30,

 

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

Net income

 

$

18,481

 

 

$

13,425

 

 

$

41,363

 

Weighted average shares outstanding — Basic

 

 

44,420

 

 

 

44,484

 

 

 

45,813

 

Effect of dilutive stock awards

 

 

513

 

 

 

448

 

 

 

436

 

Weighted average shares outstanding — Diluted

 

 

44,933

 

 

 

44,932

 

 

 

46,248

 

Earnings per share — Basic

 

$

0.42

 

 

$

0.30

 

 

$

0.90

 

Earnings per share — Diluted

 

$

0.41

 

 

$

0.30

 

 

$

0.89

 

 

For fiscal 2026, 2025, and 2024, the number of shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share was 24,041, 29,935, and 18,009, respectively, because the effect would be antidilutive.

Valuation of Long-lived Tangible and Intangible Assets — We evaluate the recoverability of long-lived assets, or asset groups, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. When such evaluations indicate that the related future undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying values of the assets, such carrying values are reduced to fair value and this adjusted carrying value becomes the asset’s new cost basis. We determine fair value primarily using future anticipated cash flows that are directly associated with and are expected to arise as a direct result of the use and eventual disposition of the asset, or asset group, discounted using an interest rate commensurate with the risk involved.

We have significant long-lived tangible and intangible assets, which are susceptible to valuation adjustments as a result of changes in various factors or conditions. The most significant long-lived tangible and intangible assets, other than goodwill, are property, plant, and equipment, right of use assets, developed technology, customer relationships, patents, trademarks, and trade names. We amortize all finite-lived intangible assets either on a straight-line basis or based upon patterns in which we expect to utilize the economic benefits of such assets. We initially determine the values of intangible assets by a risk-adjusted, discounted cash flow approach. We assess the potential impairment of identifiable intangible assets and fixed assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate

that the carrying values may not be recoverable and at least annually. Factors we consider important, which could trigger an impairment of such assets, include the following:

significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results;
significant changes in the manner or use of the assets or the strategy for our overall business;
significant negative industry or economic trends;
a significant decline in our stock price for a sustained period; and
a decline in our market capitalization below net book value.

Future adverse changes in these or other unforeseeable factors could result in an impairment charge that could materially impact future results of operations and financial position in the reporting period identified.

In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, we evaluate goodwill for potential impairment on an annual basis, as of February 1, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. Under the guidance, we may assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If this assessment indicates it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative test for goodwill impairment would be performed. If the fair value of our single reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of our net assets, including goodwill, goodwill is not impaired. If the carrying value of our net assets, including goodwill, exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then we would determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of our goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then we would record an impairment loss equal to the difference. We did not record any goodwill impairments during the fiscal years ended April 30, 2026 or 2025.

The re-measurement of goodwill is classified as a Level 3 fair value assessment as described in Note 9 - Fair Value Measurement, due to the significance of unobservable inputs developed using company-specific information.

Income Taxes – We use the asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting income taxes. The provision for income taxes is based upon income reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as required by ASC 740, Income Taxes. We determine our deferred tax assets and liabilities based on temporary differences between financial reporting and tax bases in assets and liabilities, which are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. We recognize the effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates in the period that includes the enactment date. In assessing the realization of our deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of our deferred tax assets depends upon generating future taxable income during the periods in which our temporary differences become deductible and before our net operating loss carryforwards expire. We evaluate the recoverability of our deferred tax assets by assessing the need for a valuation allowance on a quarterly basis. If we determine that it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will not be recovered, we establish a valuation allowance against some or all of our deferred tax assets. Recording or reversing a valuation allowance could have a significant effect on our future results of operations and financial position.

Warranty — We generally provide a limited one-year warranty and a lifetime service policy to the original purchaser of our new firearm products. We will also repair or replace certain products or parts found to be defective under normal use and service with an item of equivalent value, at our option, without charge during the warranty period. In addition, we sometimes experience certain manufacturing and design issues with respect to our firearms and initiate product recalls and safety alerts.

We quantify and record an estimate for warranty-related costs based on our actual historical claims experience and current repair costs. We adjust accruals as warranty claims data and historical experience warrant. Should we experience actual claims and repair costs that are higher than the estimated claims and repair costs used to calculate the provision, our operating results for the period or periods in which such claims or additional costs materialize would be adversely impacted. Warranty expense for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2026, 2025, and 2024 amounted to $2.1 million, $2.4 million, and $2.6 million, respectively.

The following table sets forth the change in accrued warranties, a portion of which is recorded as a non-current liability, in the fiscal years ended April 30, 2026 and 2025 (in thousands):

 

Balance as of April 30, 2024

 

$

3,884

 

Warranties issued and adjustments to provisions

 

 

2,390

 

Warranty claims

 

 

(2,998

)

Balance as of April 30, 2025

 

 

3,276

 

Warranties issued and adjustments to provisions

 

 

2,122

 

Warranty claims

 

 

(2,607

)

Balance as of April 30, 2026

 

$

2,791

 

 

Advertising Costs We expense advertising costs, primarily consisting of magazine advertisements, printed materials, television advertisements, digital advertisements, radio advertisements, and billboards, either as incurred or upon the first occurrence of the advertising. Advertising expense, included in selling, marketing, and distribution expenses, for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2026, 2025, and 2024, amounted to $13.7 million, $15.2 million, and $14.7 million, respectively.

Shipping and Handling — In the accompanying consolidated financial statements, we included amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling in net sales. Inbound freight charges and internal transfer costs are included in cost of goods sold; however, costs incurred to distribute products to customers are included in selling, marketing, and distribution expenses.

Insurance Reserves — In January 2020, we formed a wholly owned captive insurance company, which provides product liability insurance to us and our subsidiaries. We are self-insured through retentions or deductibles for the majority of our workers’ compensation, automobile, general liability, product liability, and group health insurance programs. Self-insurance amounts vary up to $10.0 million per occurrence; however, we believe the likelihood of reaching the maximum per occurrence limit is remote. We record our liability for estimated premiums and incurred losses in the accompanying consolidated financial statements on an undiscounted basis.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards — In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires entities to disclose in their rate reconciliation table additional categories of information about federal, state, and foreign income taxes and provide more details about the reconciling items in some categories if items meet a quantitative threshold. Entities will have to provide qualitative disclosures about the new categories. The guidance will require all entities to disclose income taxes paid, net of refunds, disaggregated by federal (national), state, and foreign taxes for annual periods, and to disaggregate the information by jurisdiction based on a quantitative threshold. The guidance makes several other changes to the disclosure requirements. Entities are required to apply the guidance prospectively, with the option to apply it retrospectively. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, or the fiscal year ending April 30, 2026 for us. We adopted ASU 2023-09 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026. The adoption of this guidance resulted in additional financial statement disclosures and had no impact to our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. See Note 13 - Income Taxes, which includes the disclosures resulting from our adoption of this guidance.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which requires entities to disclose, in the notes to financial statements, specified information about certain costs and expenses included in each relevant expense caption presented on the face of the income statement. Entities will also be required to disclose qualitative descriptions of the amounts remaining in relevant expense captions that are not separately disaggregated quantitatively. Entities will need to disclose the total amount of selling expenses and, in annual reporting periods, an entity’s definition of selling expenses. Entities are generally required to apply the guidance prospectively. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, or the fiscal year ending April 30, 2028 for us. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on financial disclosures.