Core Insights - The earnings season has shown unexpected resilience among many S&P 500 companies, leading to new all-time highs for major indices despite challenges like tariff wars and declining sentiment [1] - Lululemon Athletica Inc. has raised concerns by cutting EPS estimates and guidance for the second half of 2025, indicating potential struggles in a competitive market [2][3] Company Performance - Lululemon matched EPS projections but only achieved a slight revenue beat, with comparable sales growth at just 1%. The company lowered its next quarter EPS guidance from $3.31 to a range of $2.85 to $2.90 and revenue expectations from $2.6 billion to $2.5 billion [3][4] - Analysts reacted swiftly, with 15 out of 31 stock analysts lowering their price targets for Lululemon, with significant cuts from JPMorgan Chase, KeyCorp, and Morgan Stanley [5] - Jim Cramer expressed concerns over Lululemon's stock, noting a 25% decline over the past month and suggesting that the bottom may not have been reached [6] Competitive Landscape - Despite Lululemon's struggles, some competitors are thriving. Amer Sports reported a 28% year-over-year growth in its technical apparel segment and a 25% growth in its Outdoor Performance segment, with EPS tripling year-over-year [9][10] - Urban Outfitters is better positioned to manage margins, anticipating only a 20-basis-point drop in gross margins due to tariffs, compared to Lululemon's projected hit of at least 110 basis points [13][14] - Urban Outfitters achieved record sales of $1.3 billion in Q1 and received multiple upgrades from analysts, indicating a more favorable outlook compared to Lululemon [15] Market Sentiment - On Holdings has also shown strong performance, beating revenue projections by 18% and raising full-year guidance, despite a recent stock decline [19] - Analysts are currently favoring other stocks over Lululemon, with the latter not being included in the list of top recommendations by leading analysts [20]

Group 1 - Amer Sports, Inc. (AS) has returned 34.8% year-to-date, outperforming the average gain of 8.2% in the Consumer Discretionary sector [4] - The Zacks Rank for Amer Sports, Inc. is 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook with a 10.9% increase in the consensus estimate for full-year earnings over the past 90 days [3] - Amer Sports, Inc. is part of the Leisure and Recreation Products industry, which has gained an average of 15.2% this year, showing better performance compared to its industry peers [5] Group 2 - Manchester United (MANU) has also outperformed the Consumer Discretionary sector with a year-to-date return of 10.9% [4] - The consensus EPS estimate for Manchester United has increased by 48.6% over the past three months, and it holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [5] - The Leisure and Recreation Services industry, to which Manchester United belongs, is ranked 65 and has seen a modest gain of 0.2% this year [6]

Investment Rating - The report gives an "Overweight" rating for the company, predicting a net profit of $447 million and $566 million for 2025 and 2026 respectively, with a target price of $42.00 based on a PE valuation of 52X for 2025 [2][4]. Core Insights - The company has a strong high-end positioning and is rapidly expanding its business in Greater China, driven by local shareholders. The DTC strategy of Arc'teryx has significantly boosted profitability, and the core brands still have substantial potential for store expansion and improvement in store efficiency, leading to a continuous increase in profitability [1][2]. Financial Summary - Revenue is projected to grow from $3.549 billion in 2022 to $8.228 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 17.4% [2]. - Gross profit is expected to rise from $1.764 billion in 2022 to $4.740 billion in 2027 [2]. - The company is forecasted to turn a net profit of $73 million in 2024, with significant growth to $447 million in 2025 and $566 million in 2026, indicating a strong recovery trajectory [2]. Business Strategy and Market Position - The company has streamlined its brand matrix post-acquisition, focusing on core brands like Arc'teryx, Salomon, and Wilson, which are positioned for high growth in the premium sports segment [6][7]. - The DTC revenue share is expected to increase significantly, enhancing gross margins, with Arc'teryx leading this growth [2][69]. - The outdoor sports segment is experiencing robust growth, particularly in China, which is projected to become the largest market for outdoor footwear and apparel by 2030 [2][3]. Brand Performance - Arc'teryx is expected to see its revenue double, with a strong focus on expanding its DTC channels and improving store efficiency [44]. - Salomon is in a growth phase, with plans to expand its store presence significantly in key markets, including China [45][68]. - Wilson is diversifying its product lines and is expected to recover from previous growth challenges, with a focus on increasing its footwear offerings [68]. Market Trends - The global outdoor footwear and apparel market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.1%, with Asia-Pacific leading the growth [3][4]. - The report highlights the increasing interest in women's sports events, indicating a strong growth potential for women's athletic footwear and apparel [3].

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Accumulate" rating for Amer Sports [1] Core Views - The company is positioned in the high-end multi-brand outdoor sports segment, with strong growth potential driven by its core brands and strategic expansion in the Greater China region [3][6] - The company has streamlined its brand matrix post-acquisition, focusing on high-potential brands like Arc'teryx, Salomon, and Wilson, which are expected to drive significant revenue growth [10][12] Financial Summary - Revenue is projected to grow from $3.55 billion in 2022 to $8.23 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 17.4% [5] - Net profit is expected to turn positive in 2024, reaching $730 million by 2027, with a significant increase of 515.9% in 2025 [5] - The company’s PE ratio is projected to decrease from 293.59 in 2024 to 29.96 by 2027, indicating improving profitability [5] Market Expansion and Brand Performance - The company has seen a revenue increase of 542% in the Greater China region from 2020 to 2024, with a revenue share increase of 17 percentage points to 25% [6][31] - Arc'teryx is expected to double its revenue, driven by strong DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) strategies and store expansion [42] - Salomon and Wilson are also expected to see significant growth, with Salomon's revenue projected to reach $1.44 billion in 2024 [45][64] Strategic Initiatives - The company is focusing on enhancing its DTC sales, which have grown significantly, with a 43.8% annual increase from 2019 to 2024 [31] - The management team has been restructured to include experienced leaders from various high-profile brands, enhancing operational efficiency and brand strategy [26][27] Competitive Landscape - The outdoor sports market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% in the Asia-Pacific region, with China projected to become the largest market for outdoor footwear and apparel by 2030 [6][18] - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth due to its strong local shareholder backing and brand recognition [6][10]

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Accumulate" rating for Amer Sports [1] Core Views - The company is positioned in the high-end multi-brand outdoor sports segment, with strong growth potential driven by its core brands and strategic expansion in the Greater China region [3][6] - The financial outlook is positive, with projected net profits for 2025 and 2026 expected to reach $447 million and $566 million, respectively, reflecting significant growth [6] Financial Summary - Revenue is projected to grow from $3,549 million in 2022 to $8,228 million by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.4% [5] - Gross profit is expected to increase from $1,764 million in 2022 to $4,740 million in 2027, indicating a strong upward trend in profitability [5] - The company is forecasted to achieve a net profit of $73 million in 2024, transitioning from losses in previous years [5] Market and Brand Positioning - Amer Sports has streamlined its brand matrix post-acquisition, focusing on high-potential brands like Arc'teryx, Salomon, and Wilson, which are expected to drive revenue growth [10][12] - The company has seen a significant increase in market share in China, with revenue from the Greater China region increasing sixfold from 2020 to 2024 [6][16] - Direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales have risen significantly, with DTC revenue expected to grow at an annual rate of 43.8% from 2019 to 2024 [31] Growth Drivers - The outdoor sports market is experiencing robust growth, with the Asia-Pacific region projected to lead the market, driven by increasing consumer interest in outdoor activities [6][18] - The company is expanding its store footprint, particularly in China, where it plans to increase the number of Salomon stores significantly [43][64] - Arc'teryx is expected to double its revenue, supported by a strong product lineup and effective marketing strategies [42][50] Brand Performance - Arc'teryx is leading in the functional apparel category, with a projected revenue of $2,019 million in 2024, reflecting a CAGR of 38% since 2019 [45] - Salomon's footwear segment is expected to see double-digit growth, with a focus on expanding its market presence in key cities [60] - Wilson is recovering from previous inventory challenges and is expected to return to double-digit growth in the near future [64]

Group 1: Company Overview - Amer Sports, Inc. (AS) is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector, which includes 255 companies and ranks 10 in the Zacks Sector Rank [2] - The Zacks Rank for Amer Sports, Inc. is 2 (Buy), indicating a favorable outlook based on earnings estimate revisions [3] Group 2: Performance Metrics - Over the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Amer Sports' full-year earnings has increased by 13.1%, reflecting improved analyst sentiment [4] - Year-to-date, Amer Sports has returned 34.2%, significantly outperforming the Consumer Discretionary sector average return of 6.1% [4] Group 3: Industry Context - Amer Sports belongs to the Leisure and Recreation Products industry, which consists of 23 stocks and currently ranks 184 in the Zacks Industry Rank, with an average gain of 10.1% year-to-date [6] - In contrast, Colruyt SA Unsponsored ADR, another outperforming stock in the Consumer Discretionary sector, belongs to the Consumer Products - Discretionary industry, which has declined by 8.3% year-to-date [6]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Company Overview: Amer Sports, Inc. (AS) - Amer Sports, Inc. currently holds a Momentum Style Score of A, indicating strong momentum characteristics [2] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting it is positioned for potential outperformance in the market [3] Performance Metrics - Over the past week, shares of Amer Sports have increased by 18.95%, while the Zacks Leisure and Recreation Products industry has declined by 4.04% [5] - In a longer timeframe, the monthly price change for Amer Sports is 51.96%, significantly outperforming the industry's 3.23% [5] - Over the last three months, shares have risen by 30.26%, and over the past year, they have surged by 145.18%, compared to the S&P 500's movements of -0.42% and 13.57%, respectively [6] Trading Volume - The average 20-day trading volume for Amer Sports is 5,509,491 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [7] Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, three earnings estimates for Amer Sports have been revised upwards, while none have been revised downwards, leading to an increase in the consensus estimate from $0.68 to $0.78 [9] - For the next fiscal year, two estimates have moved up, while one has been revised down [9] Conclusion - Given the strong performance metrics and positive earnings outlook, Amer Sports, Inc. is positioned as a solid momentum pick with a Momentum Score of A and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [11]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" (maintained) [1] Core Insights - The outdoor performance department has shown strong performance, with rapid store expansion in the Greater China region [2] - The company reported a revenue of $1.473 billion for FY2025 Q1, a year-on-year increase of 26%, exceeding market expectations [8] - The company has raised its FY2025 revenue guidance to a year-on-year increase of 15%-17% [9] Financial Performance - The technical apparel department generated $664 million in revenue for FY2025 Q1, a year-on-year increase of 32%, surpassing market expectations of $631 million [3] - The outdoor performance department's revenue reached $502 million for FY2025 Q1, a year-on-year increase of 29%, exceeding market expectations of $452 million [3] - The company expects a revenue growth of 20%-22% for the technical apparel department in 2025 [3] Store Expansion and Market Strategy - The company plans to close some cooperative stores in the Greater China region in 2025, focusing on store optimization rather than expansion [3] - The Salomon brand has seen over 60% year-on-year sales growth in the Greater China and Asia-Pacific regions [3] - The company anticipates reaching 300 stores in China by the end of 2025 [3] Profitability Metrics - The adjusted gross margin improved to 58.0%, a year-on-year increase of 3.3 percentage points [8] - The adjusted operating profit for FY2025 Q1 was $232 million, a year-on-year increase of 79% [8] - The diluted EPS for FY2025 Q1 was $0.27, exceeding market expectations of $0.16 [8] Future Projections - The company forecasts revenues of $6.09 billion, $6.96 billion, and $7.90 billion for the fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, with year-on-year growth rates of 17%, 14%, and 14% [10] - The projected diluted EPS for 2025 is $0.71, with significant growth expected in subsequent years [10]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company, expecting a relative stock price return of over 20% within the next six months [10]. Core Insights - The company reported strong Q1 FY25 results with revenue of $1.5 billion, a year-on-year increase of 26%, and adjusted net income of $150 million, up 196% year-on-year [1]. - The company has raised its full-year guidance for FY25, projecting revenue growth of 15-17% and adjusted EPS of $0.67-$0.72 [3][4]. - The outdoor performance segment showed significant improvement, with the Greater China region leading growth at 43% year-on-year [2]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - Q1 FY25 revenue reached $1.5 billion, with an adjusted gross margin of 58% and an adjusted operating profit margin (OPM) of 16% [1]. - Adjusted net income for Q1 was $150 million, translating to a diluted EPS of $0.27 [1]. Segment Performance - By category, technical apparel revenue was $700 million (+32% YoY), outdoor revenue was $500 million (+29% YoY), and racquet sports revenue was $300 million (+13% YoY) [2]. - By region, Greater China revenue grew by 43%, while the Americas and EMEA regions saw a 12% increase [2]. Store Expansion and Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Growth - The company opened 220 technical apparel stores (+30 YoY) and 243 outdoor stores (+104 YoY), contributing to a DTC revenue increase of 39% [2]. - Same-store sales growth was 19% for technical apparel, 28% for outdoor, and 12% for racquet sports [2]. Revised Guidance - The company has adjusted its FY25 guidance upwards, now expecting revenue growth of 15-17% and an adjusted OPM of 11.5-12% [3]. - For Q2 FY25, the guidance includes revenue growth of 16-18% and an adjusted EPS of $0-$0.02 [3]. Earnings Forecast - The company forecasts revenues of $6 billion, $6.9 billion, and $7.9 billion for FY24, FY25, and FY26 respectively, with adjusted net income estimates of $380 million, $510 million, and $630 million [4]. - Corresponding EPS estimates are $0.69, $0.92, and $1.14 for FY24, FY25, and FY26 respectively [4].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company, expecting a relative stock price return of over 20% within the next six months [10]. Core Insights - The company reported strong Q1 FY25 results with revenue of $1.5 billion, a year-on-year increase of 26% (at constant currency), and adjusted net income of $150 million, up 196% year-on-year [1]. - The company has raised its full-year guidance for FY25, projecting revenue growth of 15-17% year-on-year and adjusted EPS of $0.67-$0.72 [3][4]. - The outdoor performance segment showed significant improvement, with the Greater China region leading growth at 43% year-on-year [2]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - Q1 FY25 revenue reached $1.5 billion, with an adjusted gross margin of 58% (up 3 percentage points year-on-year) and adjusted operating profit margin (OPM) of 16% (up 5 percentage points year-on-year) [1]. - Adjusted net income for Q1 was $150 million, translating to a diluted EPS of $0.27 [1]. Segment Performance - By category, technical apparel revenue was $700 million (up 32% year-on-year), outdoor revenue was $500 million (up 29% year-on-year), and racquet sports revenue was $300 million (up 13% year-on-year) [2]. - By region, revenue in the Americas grew by 12%, Greater China by 43%, EMEA by 12%, and Asia-Pacific by 49% [2]. Guidance and Projections - The company has adjusted its FY24-26 revenue forecasts to $6 billion, $6.9 billion, and $7.9 billion respectively, up from previous estimates of $5.2 billion, $6 billion, and $6.9 billion [4]. - Adjusted net income projections for FY24-26 are now $380 million, $510 million, and $630 million, respectively [4].