Luxury lifestyle company Ralph Lauren is rolling out an artificial intelligence-powered conversational shopping experience that is designed to serve as a stylist.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.Dubb ...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ralph Lauren today introduced Ask Ralph, a new AI-powered conversational shopping experience in the Ralph Lauren app. ...

Twenty-five years after it became one of the first luxury brands to sell online, Ralph Lauren's chief branding and innovation officer is preparing for the latest shifts in how customers want to shop ...

Market Overview - U.S. equity markets closed higher, driven by optimism over potential monetary easing despite concerns about softening labor data [1][2] - The S&P 500 rose by 0.83% to 6,502.08, the Nasdaq Composite increased by 0.98% to 21,707.69, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 350.06 points, or 0.77%, to settle at 45,621.29 [1] Economic Data - The ADP private payrolls report indicated only 54,000 jobs were added in August, significantly below the revised 106,000 jobs in July, suggesting a slowdown in job creation [2] - Despite the weak employment numbers, stock prices increased as traders interpreted the data as supportive of a potential rate cut by the Federal Reserve [2] Focus on Financially Resilient Stocks - In the current macroeconomic environment, it is crucial to focus on companies with strong financial fundamentals beyond just sales and earnings [3] - A critical analysis of a company's financial background, including coverage ratios, is essential for informed investment decisions [4] Interest Coverage Ratio - The Interest Coverage Ratio is a key indicator of a company's ability to pay interest on its debt, calculated as Earnings before Interest & Taxes (EBIT) divided by Interest Expense [5][6] - Companies with strong interest coverage ratios, such as Vertiv Holdings, Stride, Ralph Lauren, and The Cheesecake Factory, are highlighted for their financial resilience [10] Company Performance - Vertiv Holdings: Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates sales and EPS growth of 24.5% and 34% respectively, with shares advancing 75.2% in the past year [14] - Stride, Inc.: Expected sales and EPS growth of 11% and 5.9% respectively, with a stock increase of 104.1% in the past year [15] - Ralph Lauren Corporation: Anticipated sales and EPS growth of 6% and 19.8% respectively, with shares rising 85.6% in the past year [16] - The Cheesecake Factory: Projected sales and EPS growth of 5.1% and 9.6% respectively, with a stock increase of 63.1% in the past year [17]

Core Viewpoint - Ralph Lauren (RL) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system is based on the consensus measure of EPS estimates from sell-side analysts, reflecting the company's changing earnings picture [1][2]. - Changes in future earnings potential, as indicated by earnings estimate revisions, are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements, particularly influenced by institutional investors [4][5]. Recent Performance and Outlook - Ralph Lauren is expected to earn $14.77 per share for the fiscal year ending March 2026, with no year-over-year change, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 8.4% over the past three months [8]. - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 1 indicates an improvement in Ralph Lauren's underlying business, which is likely to attract investor interest and push the stock price higher [5][10]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Only the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a "Strong Buy" rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions and potential for market-beating returns [9][10].

Core Viewpoint - Investors are increasingly seeking growth stocks that demonstrate above-average growth potential, with Ralph Lauren identified as a strong candidate due to its favorable growth metrics and Zacks Rank [1][2][10] Group 1: Earnings Growth - Ralph Lauren has a historical EPS growth rate of 50.4%, with projected EPS growth of 19.8% for the current year, significantly outperforming the industry average of -7.5% [4][3] Group 2: Cash Flow Growth - The company exhibits a year-over-year cash flow growth of 10.2%, surpassing the industry average of -1.1%, and has an annualized cash flow growth rate of 5.4% over the past 3-5 years compared to the industry average of 4.8% [5][6] Group 3: Earnings Estimate Revisions - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for Ralph Lauren, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year increasing by 7.4% over the past month, contributing to its Zacks Rank 1 status [7][8][10]

Core Viewpoint - Jefferies reports that Ralph Lauren (RL.US) is expected to benefit from the publicity surrounding Taylor Swift's engagement to Travis Kelce, which could lead to significant sales growth for the company due to increased consumer interest in its products [1][2] Group 1: Impact of Celebrity Engagement - Taylor Swift's engagement announcement has generated substantial social media buzz, with her engagement post receiving over 16 million likes and 600,000 shares shortly after being published [1] - The engagement photo features both Swift and Kelce wearing Ralph Lauren clothing, which has sparked market interest and discussions about the brand [2] Group 2: Brand Strength and Market Trends - Jefferies analyst Ashley Helgans views the engagement as a positive catalyst for Ralph Lauren, especially with Swift's new album release and Kelce's football season starting soon [2] - Google Trends data indicates a significant increase in consumer searches for "Ralph Lauren dresses" and "Taylor Swift Ralph Lauren," reflecting heightened interest in the brand [2] Group 3: Company Performance and Stock Outlook - Jefferies maintains a "buy" rating on Ralph Lauren stock, which has risen 30% this year, outperforming the S&P 500 index [3] - Ralph Lauren is a global fashion and lifestyle company that designs, markets, and distributes a range of high-end and accessible lifestyle products across five categories: apparel, footwear and accessories, home, fragrances, and dining/hotel services [3]

Core Insights - Ralph Lauren Corporation's first-quarter fiscal 2026 results highlight a strong commitment to a digital-first growth strategy, with global direct-to-consumer comparable store sales increasing by 13% [1][8] - The company's e-commerce platforms are functioning as both a sales engine and a storytelling hub, enhancing brand experiences without heavy discounting [2] - Management remains cautious about the retail environment due to macroeconomic pressures, currency headwinds, and competitive dynamics [3] Digital Strategy - Digital channels are becoming a larger share of direct-to-consumer sales, helping Ralph Lauren engage younger and more diverse consumers, particularly in Asia and Europe [2][8] - Initiatives to enhance omnichannel fulfillment and improve product discovery aim to create a seamless brand journey [4] - The sustainability of the digital strategy will depend on consumer demand resilience and the ability to adapt to shifting luxury and apparel industry dynamics [4] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like lululemon, G-III Apparel Group, and Guess are also focusing on digital growth, enhancing site functionality, and leveraging data for personalization [5][6][7] - These companies are expanding their direct-to-consumer reach and improving online experiences to counteract softer retail trends [6][7]

Corporate Leadership and Performance - The shift towards gender-diverse leadership is transforming corporate cultures and enhancing business performance across various sectors, including technology and healthcare [2][4] - Women-led firms are setting new benchmarks for strategic growth and operational excellence, often outperforming their industry peers [2][4] Case Studies of Women-Led Companies - American Water Works' Cheryl Norton has advanced infrastructure resilience and innovation, earning multiple leadership awards [3] - Apple's Deirdre O'Brien has significantly shaped the company's global retail presence and internal culture, overseeing flagship store expansions and community engagement programs [3] Financial Market Recognition - ESG-focused funds are increasingly prioritizing companies with women in executive roles, recognizing the value of gender-diverse leadership [4] - Women entrepreneurs own 42% of U.S. businesses, employing 9.4 million workers and generating $1.9 trillion in annual revenues [4] Funding Challenges for Women Entrepreneurs - Women-led startups receive only about 2% of venture capital funding in the U.S. and Europe, partly due to biases in the investment community [5] - Women entrepreneurs are less likely to seek financing, with only 25% pursuing loans compared to 33% of male business owners [5] Investment Opportunities in Women-Led Companies - Companies like Newmont Corporation, Ralph Lauren Corporation, Automatic Data Processing, Inc., and Casey's General Stores exemplify strong leadership and strategic vision, making them attractive investment opportunities [6] - Newmont's recent performance includes adjusted earnings per share of $1.43 and revenue of approximately $5.32 billion, with a record $1.7 billion in quarterly free cash flow [9][10] - Ralph Lauren reported a 14% year-over-year revenue increase, with an 8% uptick in North America, indicating growth potential under new leadership [13][14] - Automatic Data Processing achieved 7% revenue growth and 9% adjusted EPS growth in fiscal 2025, supported by a people-centric strategy [15][17] - Casey's reported $15.9 billion in revenues and $546.5 million in net income for fiscal 2025, reflecting strong operational execution [19][20]

Core Viewpoint - Ralph Lauren (RL) is positioned as a strong investment opportunity due to its improving earnings outlook and positive analyst sentiment, which is reflected in rising earnings estimates [1][2]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - The trend of increasing earnings estimates is driven by growing analyst optimism regarding Ralph Lauren's earnings prospects, which is expected to positively impact the stock price [2]. - For the current quarter, Ralph Lauren is projected to earn $3.28 per share, representing a 29.1% increase from the previous year, with a consensus estimate increase of 18.42% over the last 30 days [5]. - For the full year, the earnings estimate stands at $14.77 per share, indicating a 19.8% year-over-year change, with six estimates moving higher recently and an overall increase of 8.35% in the consensus estimate [6][7]. Zacks Rank and Performance - Ralph Lauren currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), reflecting strong agreement among analysts in raising earnings estimates, which historically correlates with stock performance [3][8]. - Stocks with a Zacks Rank 1 and 2 have shown significant outperformance compared to the S&P 500, with Zacks 1 stocks averaging a 25% annual return since 2008 [3][8]. Market Reaction - The stock has gained 6.1% over the past four weeks, driven by solid estimate revisions, suggesting potential for further growth in earnings and stock price [9].