MONROE, Mich., Feb. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE: LZB), a global leader in the retail and manufacture of residential furniture, will report its Fiscal 2026 Third Quarter results for the period ended January 24, 2026 after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and will hold its quarterly investor conference call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time the following day, Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The conference call will be webcast live with corre ...

Core Insights - La-Z-Boy Incorporated has been recognized as one of America's Most Iconic Companies for 2026 by TIME magazine, highlighting its significant role in shaping American history through influence, longevity, and cultural impact [1][2] Company Overview - Founded in 1927, La-Z-Boy operates as a vertically integrated enterprise, managing all aspects of its business from retail to manufacturing and distribution [3][6] - The company has a retail network of 370 La-Z-Boy stores and strategic partnerships with national brands, with approximately 90% of its products manufactured in the United States [3][7] Strategic Initiatives - La-Z-Boy's Century Vision strategy and consumer-first approach have led to sustainable growth, with the company growing at more than twice the market rate over the past five years [4] - Recent strategic investments in operations and distribution have reinforced the company's ability to succeed in various market environments [4] Cultural Impact - The recognition as an iconic company reflects the lasting connection generations of families have with La-Z-Boy, emphasizing its commitment to transforming homes and enhancing consumer experiences [5][8] - La-Z-Boy will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027 with a program designed to engage various stakeholders and highlight its rich heritage [5]

Core Insights - The Zacks Furniture industry is focusing on long-term growth through innovation, digital expansion, and product evolution, leveraging e-commerce, AI-driven personalization, and AR/VR tools to enhance customer engagement [1][4][5] - Demand for multifunctional furniture, particularly from millennials and Gen Z, is driving new product development, while strategic acquisitions and partnerships are enhancing growth opportunities [1][6] Industry Overview - The Zacks Furniture industry includes manufacturers, designers, and marketers of residential and commercial furnishing solutions, with involvement in various sectors such as construction, healthcare, and retail [3] - Companies are diversifying their portfolios and expanding their geographic reach, particularly in resilient sectors like healthcare and public infrastructure [6] Trends Impacting the Industry - The industry is experiencing significant growth in e-commerce and digital transformation, with investments in technology to improve customer experiences and operational efficiency [4][5] - There is a rising demand for multifunctional furniture due to urban living constraints, with products like convertible sofas and foldable tables gaining popularity [4] Economic Challenges - Near-term headwinds include cautious consumer spending and weak housing activity, which are negatively impacting demand for big-ticket furniture [2][7] - Elevated costs related to labor, occupancy, and marketing, along with competitive pricing and supply-chain inefficiencies, are pressuring profit margins [2][9] Performance Metrics - The Zacks Furniture industry has underperformed compared to the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector and the S&P 500, declining 20.4% over the past year [13] - The industry is currently trading at a forward P/E of 10.12X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 23.11X and the sector's 18.24X [17] Company Highlights - La-Z-Boy is expanding its retail footprint and optimizing its portfolio, with a focus on its core upholstery business, which is expected to enhance margins [19][20] - Bassett is benefiting from product innovation and improved customer engagement through its Custom Studio concept, which is expected to drive profitability despite market challenges [24][28] - MillerKnoll is experiencing growth through strategic retail expansion and product innovation, particularly in contract markets, supported by a return-to-office trend [27][30]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are encouraged to consider La-Z-Boy (LZB) due to improving earnings estimates and positive short-term price momentum [1] Earnings Estimates - Analysts are increasingly optimistic about La-Z-Boy's earnings prospects, leading to higher estimates that are expected to positively impact the stock price [2] - The Zacks Rank system indicates strong agreement among analysts in raising earnings estimates, significantly increasing consensus estimates for the next quarter and full year [3] Current Quarter and Year Estimates - For the current quarter, La-Z-Boy is expected to earn $0.59 per share, reflecting a decrease of 13.2% from the previous year, but the consensus estimate has risen by 5.36% over the last 30 days with no negative revisions [6] - For the full year, the expected earnings are $2.65 per share, a decrease of 9.3% from the prior year, with a similar positive trend in estimate revisions as one estimate has increased without any negative changes [7] Zacks Rank and Performance - La-Z-Boy currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating strong potential for outperformance based on favorable estimate revisions [8] - Stocks with Zacks Rank 1 and 2 have historically outperformed the S&P 500, suggesting a positive outlook for La-Z-Boy [8] Stock Performance - La-Z-Boy's stock has increased by 34.8% over the past four weeks due to strong estimate revisions, indicating potential for further upside [9]

Core Insights - La-Z-Boy Incorporated has appointed William (Bill) Boor to its Board of Directors, effective December 8, 2025, enhancing its leadership team as it pursues its Century Vision growth strategy [1][2]. Company Overview - La-Z-Boy Incorporated is a leading vertically integrated retailer and manufacturer of high-quality, custom furniture, with a legacy of nearly 100 years in the industry [5]. - The company operates a retail network of 370 La-Z-Boy stores, including 222 company-owned locations, and has a strong digital presence through its website [6]. - Approximately 90% of La-Z-Boy's products are manufactured in North America, showcasing its commitment to local production [6]. Leadership and Strategy - Bill Boor, the new board member, is the President and CEO of Cavco Industries, Inc., and has a proven track record in driving transformational growth and strong governance [2]. - Under Boor's leadership at Cavco, the company has focused on strategic brand acquisitions, organizational restructuring, and enhanced digital marketing investments [2]. - Boor's extensive experience in supply chain oversight and corporate culture transformation is expected to provide valuable insights to La-Z-Boy's Board [2][3]. Market Position - La-Z-Boy was recognized as No. 1 in the furniture category on Newsweek's 2025 list of America's Best Retailers, indicating its strong market position and brand reputation [6].

Core Viewpoint - La-Z-Boy is recognized as a fundamentally strong consumer company, showing resilience in a challenging retail environment and is currently rated as a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1][2]. Financial Performance - Analysts have increased earnings estimates for La-Z-Boy, with the current year’s estimate rising from $2.86 to $2.95 and next year’s from $2.75 to $2.93, indicating confidence in the company's ability to improve margins [3]. - La-Z-Boy trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.79x, while consistently beating earnings expectations and expanding gross margins [4]. Market Position - The company has effectively managed its supply chain and focused on higher-margin custom orders, maintaining demand for upholstery and custom furniture despite broader market concerns [2][3]. - La-Z-Boy benefits from a strong balance sheet and a loyal customer base that spans generations, positioning it well for future growth as consumer confidence improves [5].

Core Viewpoint - La-Z-Boy (LZB) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on rising earnings estimates, which significantly influence stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Performance - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the importance of earnings estimate revisions, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - La-Z-Boy's earnings estimates have been revised upward, with a 3.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months, projecting earnings of $2.95 per share for the fiscal year ending April 2026, showing no year-over-year change [8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank stock-rating system categorizes stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - La-Z-Boy's upgrade to Zacks Rank 1 places it in the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on "buying high and selling higher," contrasting with traditional strategies of "buying low and selling high" [1] Group 1: Momentum Investing Strategy - Momentum investing can be risky as stocks may lose momentum when their valuations exceed future growth potential [1] - A safer approach involves investing in bargain stocks that exhibit recent price momentum, identified through the Zacks Momentum Style Score [2] Group 2: La-Z-Boy (LZB) Analysis - La-Z-Boy (LZB) has shown a four-week price change of 15.3%, indicating strong investor interest [3] - LZB has gained 2% over the past 12 weeks, demonstrating its ability to deliver positive returns over a longer timeframe [4] - The stock has a beta of 1.26, suggesting it moves 26% higher than the market in either direction [4] - LZB holds a Momentum Score of B, indicating a favorable entry point for investors [5] - The stock has a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) due to upward revisions in earnings estimates, which attract more investors [6] - LZB is trading at a Price-to-Sales ratio of 0.74, indicating it is reasonably valued at 74 cents for each dollar of sales [6] Group 3: Investment Opportunities - LZB is positioned for further growth, and there are other stocks that meet the criteria of the 'Fast-Paced Momentum at a Bargain' screen [7] - Investors can explore over 45 Zacks Premium Screens tailored to different investing styles to identify potential winning stocks [8]

Group 1 - The retail stocks within The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund ETF (XLY) have experienced significant declines due to tariff fears, leading to a bearish outlook in the market [1] - Despite the bearish sentiment, there are opportunities for undervalued growth companies that can justify a premium based on developments not yet reflected in their stock prices [1] - The experience from institutions like Goldman Sachs and Citigroup has contributed to the ability to identify special opportunities in long/short equity portfolios [1]

Core Insights - The retail stocks within The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund ETF (XLY) have experienced significant declines due to tariff fears, suggesting a bearish outlook for the sector [1] Group 1: Market Conditions - The current environment has led to a bear case for retail stocks, which may be justified given the prevailing tariff concerns [1] Group 2: Analyst Background - The analyst has extensive experience from institutions like Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, focusing on deep dives into companies and identifying special opportunities in long/short equity portfolios [1] - The analyst emphasizes a focus on undervalued growth companies that can command a premium based on developments not yet reflected in stock prices [1]