Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a merchandise margin expansion of 110 basis points, exceeding the guidance of 30 basis points year-over-year [3][4] - Over the past seven years, the company has seen a total of 700 basis points of merchandise margin expansion [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The exclusive brand penetration met expectations, contributing to growth but not the margin beat [3] - Lower markdowns compared to previous years allowed for better full-price selling, positively impacting margins [4] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has expanded its Total Addressable Market (TAM) from $40 billion to $58 billion, incorporating the Country Lifestyle segment and denim [22][23] - The average new store volume is approximately $3.2 million, with plans to open stores in both legacy and new markets [24][28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on building a proper sourcing team for exclusive brands and reinvigorating the work boot business [7][10] - Marketing initiatives are being tailored to reach a broader Country Lifestyle customer base, including partnerships with mainstream events like NASCAR and the NFL [20][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism regarding the economic landscape, noting that tax refunds and household income trends could positively impact sales [43][44] - The company aims for a mid-teens EBIT margin over time, currently tracking around 13% for the fiscal year [38] Other Important Information - The company is leveraging social media, particularly TikTok, to market stores and products, focusing on authenticity through everyday creators rather than professional influencers [35][36] - The company plans to raise prices on exclusive brands post-holiday to preserve margin rates, with low single-digit increases expected [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the drivers behind the merchandise margin expansion? - Management highlighted better buying economies of scale, lower markdowns, and improved inventory management as key drivers [4][3] Question: How is the company approaching pricing in relation to tariffs? - The company has held exclusive brand pricing through the holiday season and plans to implement low single-digit price increases post-holiday [16][12] Question: What is the strategy for reaching the Country Lifestyle customer? - The company is expanding marketing efforts to include mainstream partnerships and events, targeting customers who embody a rural lifestyle without being traditional ranchers [19][20] Question: What are the expectations for store growth? - The company has raised its store growth target to 1,200 locations, with a focus on both legacy and new markets [24][25] Question: How is the company performing in urban markets? - The company has seen success in urban areas, indicating strong performance in densely populated regions [32][34]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a merchandise margin expansion of 110 basis points, exceeding the guidance of 30 basis points year-over-year [2][3] - Over the past seven years, the company has seen a total of 700 basis points of merchandise margin expansion [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The exclusive brand penetration met expectations, contributing to growth but not the margin beat [3] - Lower markdowns compared to historical levels have allowed for better full-price selling, positively impacting margins [4] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The total addressable market (TAM) was increased from $40 billion to $58 billion, with the Country Lifestyle segment contributing to this growth [22][23] - The company is expanding its store count target from 900 to 1,200, indicating a broad-based growth strategy across various markets [24][25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on building a proper sourcing team for exclusive brands to enhance margin gains [7][8] - Marketing initiatives are being tailored to attract the Country Lifestyle customer, with partnerships in mainstream events like NASCAR and the NFL [20][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the economic landscape, noting that tax refunds and increased disposable income could positively impact sales trends [44][45] - The company is targeting a mid-teens EBIT margin over time, with current projections around 13% for the fiscal year [38] Other Important Information - The company is leveraging social media, particularly TikTok, to enhance brand visibility and drive store traffic [35][36] - The ideal new store format is approximately 12,000 sq ft, with an average new store volume of about $3.2 million [24][27] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the drivers behind the merchandise margin expansion? - The company attributed the margin expansion to better buying economies of scale and lower markdowns compared to previous years [2][4] Question: How is the company approaching pricing in relation to tariffs? - The company has decided to hold exclusive brand pricing through the holiday season and plans to implement low single-digit price increases post-holiday to preserve margin [16] Question: What is the strategy for reaching the Country Lifestyle customer? - The company is engaging in mainstream marketing initiatives and partnerships to attract this demographic, which includes sponsoring events like Stagecoach [20][21] Question: How does the company view the economic landscape affecting its core customer? - Management noted that the core customer, with a household income of around $75,000-$80,000, could benefit from tax refunds and increased disposable income, which may positively influence sales [44][45]

Core Insights - Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT) reported preliminary third-quarter fiscal 2026 results that exceeded management's expectations, showcasing strong same-store sales growth across all regions and major merchandise categories [1][9]. Financial Performance - The company expects net sales to reach $705.6 million, reflecting a 16% increase from the previous year, driven by a same-store sales increase of 5.7% [2][8]. - Retail store same-store sales are projected to grow by 3.7%, while e-commerce same-store sales are anticipated to rise by 19.6%, contributing to a two-year stacked consolidated same-store sales growth of 14.3% [2][8]. - Income from operations is expected to be $114.8 million, representing 16.3% of net sales, an increase from $99.5 million in the prior-year period [3][9]. - Earnings per share are projected to be approximately $2.79, up from $2.43 in the third quarter of fiscal 2025 [4][8]. Operational Highlights - Boot Barn Holdings ended the third quarter with a total of 514 stores, having opened 76 new stores in the past 12 months [5]. - The company aims to reach an estimated 529 stores across 49 states for fiscal 2026, reflecting a formal guidance to increase its store base by 15% during the current fiscal year [5]. - Boot Barn has identified a potential for 1,200 stores in the United States, more than double its current footprint [5]. Strategic Positioning - The preliminary results highlight Boot Barn's ability to convert broad-based consumer demand into stronger operating performance through its omnichannel platform [9]. - The company’s consistent execution in both physical stores and online, supported by disciplined merchandising and supply-chain improvements, indicates effective scaling of its business model [9].

Financial Performance - Q3 Fiscal Year 2026 total sales reached $706 million, exceeding the high-end guidance [8] - Q3 Fiscal Year 2026 earnings per share (EPS) were $2.79, surpassing the high-end guidance [8] - Q3 Fiscal Year 2026 income from operations was $114.8 million, also exceeding the high-end guidance [8] - Q3 Fiscal Year 2026 same-store sales (SSS) increased by 5.7% [8] - The company has experienced over a decade of strong sales growth, with Q3 Fiscal Year 2026 TTM (trailing twelve months) total sales reaching $2169 million [19] - Q3 Fiscal Year 2026 GAAP Earnings Per Share is $2.79, with 15% Growth vs LY[16] Strategic Initiatives - The company is focused on new store growth, with a target of 15% new store growth in Fiscal Year 2026 [26] - New stores are expected to have first-year net sales of approximately $3.2 million and a total net investment of around $1.7 million, resulting in a cash-on-cash return of approximately 53% and a payback period of about 1.8 years [24] - The company estimates a total addressable market (TAM) of approximately $58 billion and a potential for 1,200 stores in the U S [28] Margin and Exclusive Brands - The company's Q3 Fiscal Year 2026 YTD merchandise margin growth is estimated to have expanded by 790 basis points [54] - Exclusive brands penetration reached 41.1% in Q3 Fiscal Year 2026 YTD, enhancing margins by approximately 1,000 basis points compared to third-party brands [56] - Q3 Exclusive Brands Penetration % is 41.5%, +240bps vs LY[60]

Group 1 - Sify Technologies Ltd. is expected to report a quarterly loss of 1 cent per share on revenue of $165 million, with shares falling 3.3% to $14.50 in after-hours trading [1] - Boot Barn Holdings Inc. reported preliminary third-quarter net sales of $705.6 million, reflecting a growth of 16% year-over-year, while shares slipped 0.4% to $194.95 in after-hours trading [1] - Wealthfront Corp is anticipated to post quarterly earnings of 10 cents per share on revenue of $93.23 million, with shares rising 1.7% to $13.05 in after-hours trading [1] - Plus Therapeutics Inc. announced an offering of 22,321,429 pre-funded units at $0.56 per unit, leading to a 10% dip in shares to $0.50 in after-hours trading [1] - Solowin Holdings Ltd. reported a first-half loss of 7 cents per share, an improvement from a loss of 39 cents per share a year ago, with sales increasing to $5.842 million from $1.055 million, and shares gaining 2.4% to $4.28 in after-hours trading [1]

Core Insights - Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. announced preliminary results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026, indicating strong performance exceeding expectations [2] - The company will report detailed third quarter results on February 4, 2026, along with fourth quarter guidance [2] Financial Performance - Net sales are expected to be approximately $705.6 million, reflecting a growth of 16.0% compared to the prior year [6] - Same store sales increased by approximately 5.7%, with retail store same store sales growth at 3.7% and e-commerce same store sales growth at 19.6% [6] - Income from operations is projected to be around $114.8 million, up from $99.5 million in the prior-year period [6] - Net income per diluted share is estimated at approximately $2.79, compared to $2.43 in the prior-year period [6] Business Operations - The company opened 25 new stores in the third quarter, totaling 514 stores across 49 states [6][4] - The CEO highlighted broad-based growth across all geographies and major merchandise categories, with significant performance in men's and ladies' western boots and apparel [2] Upcoming Events - Boot Barn will host a fireside chat at the 2026 ICR Conference on January 12, 2026, which will be webcast live [3]

Group 1 - Boot Barn (BOOT) has shown strong year-to-date performance, with a return of approximately 17.4%, outperforming the average gain of 6.9% in the Retail-Wholesale sector [4] - The Zacks Rank for Boot Barn is currently 2 (Buy), indicating positive analyst sentiment and an improving earnings outlook, with a consensus estimate for full-year earnings increasing by 8.3% over the past three months [3] - Boot Barn belongs to the Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry, which has seen a decline of about 1.1% this year, further highlighting Boot Barn's superior performance within its industry [5] Group 2 - The Retail-Wholesale group consists of 196 companies and is currently ranked 8 within the Zacks Sector Rank, which evaluates 16 different sector groups [2] - Compagnie Financiere Richemont AG (CFRUY) is another notable stock in the Retail-Wholesale sector, having returned 42.2% since the beginning of the year, and also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [4][5] - The Retail - Jewelry industry, to which Compagnie Financiere Richemont AG belongs, is ranked 55 and has experienced a decline of 0.5% this year [6]

Core Insights - The retail apparel and footwear industry is poised for a significant upcycle in 2026, driven by stabilizing interest rates, improving wage growth, and healthier inventory levels [2][3] Industry Overview - The apparel and footwear sector has undergone a reset, focusing on clearing excess inventory, reducing promotional intensity, and enhancing supply-chain efficiency to protect margins [4] - Easing freight costs and improved demand forecasting are helping restore pricing power, allowing brands to convert modest top-line growth into stronger profitability [4] Company Highlights American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO) - AEO is implementing a brand-led growth strategy with a focus on merchandising, marketing, and operational execution, particularly in denim [6] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AEO's current fiscal-year sales implies a growth of 2.4%, while EPS is expected to decline by 23.6% [8] Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN) - URBN's diversified brand portfolio is driving growth and market share gains, supported by improved merchandising and strong customer engagement [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for URBN's current fiscal-year sales indicates a growth of 10.8%, with EPS expected to rise by 29.8% [11] Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT) - Boot Barn is recognized for its strong brand position in western and work-related apparel, with a focus on store-first growth and omnichannel capabilities [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BOOT's current fiscal-year sales suggests a growth of 16.2%, while EPS is expected to increase by 20.5% [14] The Gap, Inc. (GAP) - The Gap is making progress in stabilizing its business through better inventory management and cost control, which is helping to improve margins [15] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Gap's current fiscal-year sales implies a growth of 1.8%, with EPS expected to decline by 2.7% [17]

Industry Overview - The retail apparel and footwear industry is poised for a significant upcycle, driven by stabilizing interest rates, improving wage growth, and healthier inventory levels, with 2026 expected to be a turning point for consumer spending [1][3] - Retailers have focused on clearing excess inventory and improving supply-chain efficiency, which has helped restore pricing power and protect margins [3][8] Key Stocks to Watch - American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) is implementing a brand-led growth strategy with improved merchandising and operational discipline, particularly in denim, leading to higher traffic and digital engagement [5][6] - Urban Outfitters (URBN) benefits from a diversified brand portfolio and strong customer engagement, with investments in product curation and inventory flow enhancing operational efficiency [11][12] - Boot Barn Holdings (BOOT) is recognized for its strong brand position in western and work-related apparel, executing a store-first growth strategy while enhancing customer experience through omnichannel capabilities [16][17] - The Gap, Inc. (GAP) is stabilizing its business through better inventory management and disciplined cost control, aiming to reduce promotional pressure and improve margins [21][22] Financial Performance Estimates - American Eagle's current fiscal-year sales are estimated to grow by 2.4%, while EPS is expected to decline by 23.6%. For the next fiscal year, sales are projected to rise by 2.6% and earnings by 18.8% [7][9] - Urban Outfitters anticipates a 10.8% increase in sales and a 29.8% rise in EPS for the current fiscal year, with a 7.8% sales growth and 9.6% earnings growth expected for the next year [13][14] - Boot Barn's current fiscal-year sales are projected to grow by 16.2% and EPS by 20.5%, with a 13.3% rise in sales and 13.8% growth in earnings for the next fiscal year [18][19] - The Gap expects a 1.8% increase in sales and a 2.7% decline in EPS for the current fiscal year, with a 2.4% rise in sales and 6.5% growth in earnings anticipated for the next year [23][24]

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: Boot Barn (BOOT) - Boot Barn currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B, indicating a favorable momentum characteristic [2] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting strong potential for outperformance in the market [3] Performance Metrics - Over the past week, Boot Barn shares increased by 1.25%, while the Zacks Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry rose by 1.35% [5] - In the last month, Boot Barn's stock price changed by 18.16%, outperforming the industry's 9.28% [5] - Over the past quarter, shares of Boot Barn have risen by 17.76%, and over the last year, they have gained 35.65%, compared to the S&P 500's increases of 3.47% and 13.15%, respectively [6] Trading Volume - Boot Barn's average 20-day trading volume is 452,562 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [7] Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, five earnings estimates for Boot Barn have been revised upward, with no downward revisions, leading to an increase in the consensus estimate from $6.56 to $7.01 [9] - For the next fiscal year, four estimates have also moved higher, with no downward revisions during the same period [9] Conclusion - Considering the positive momentum indicators and earnings outlook, Boot Barn is positioned as a 2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B, making it a strong candidate for near-term investment [11]