LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Steven Madden, Ltd. (NASDAQ: SHOO), a leading designer and marketer of fashion-forward footwear, accessories and apparel, today announced that the Company plans to release its fourth quarter and fiscal year end 2025 earnings results on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Management will host a conference call to review the results at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The live webcast of the management call can be accessed at the Company’s investor relations website ...

Shoe firms manufacturing private label lines for mass discounters could see challenges ahead. For the better part of 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies and reciprocal tariffs have had shoe firms zigging and zagging as they navigated uncertainties connected to duties on imports. And while late summer saw many countries reach an agreement with the U.S. on parameters for reciprocal trade agreements, the last one to do so was China. In that deal, Trump promised not to raise tariffs at least th ...

Core Insights - The report summarizes significant analyst rating adjustments that could influence market trends, highlighting both upgrades and downgrades across various companies [1]. Upgrades - B. Riley upgraded Snap (SNAP) from Neutral to Buy, maintaining a target price of $10, citing strong growth in high-end subscription revenue and the rollout of high-margin advertising formats [5]. - Seaport Research upgraded FuboTV (FUBO) from Neutral to Buy with a target price of $3, viewing current uncertainties as a quality investment opportunity following a significant stock drop post-earnings [5]. - Wolfe Research upgraded Zoom Video Communications (ZM) from Peer Perform to Outperform, setting a target price of $115, anticipating a re-acceleration in growth and strong performance in its contract center and phone business [5]. - Jefferies upgraded Celanese (CE) from Hold to Buy, raising the target price from $43 to $86, suggesting it is a good time to buy despite potential earnings volatility in the first half of 2026 [5]. - Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded DigitalOcean (DOCN) from Neutral to Overweight, increasing the target price from $47 to $68, emphasizing its focus on digital-native enterprises and a strong foundation for market expansion [5]. Downgrades - Stifel downgraded Microsoft (MSFT) from Buy to Hold, reducing the target price from $540 to $392, citing supply issues with Azure and strong competition from Google Cloud [5]. - Susquehanna downgraded Qualcomm (QCOM) from Positive to Neutral, lowering the target price from $210 to $140, recommending a wait-and-see approach due to industry challenges [5]. - Citigroup downgraded Six Flags Entertainment (FUN) from Buy to Neutral, cutting the target price from $25 to $20, citing overvaluation after a 40% increase since November [5]. - Jefferies downgraded Steven Madden (SHOO) from Hold to Underperform, lowering the target price from $37 to $30, highlighting ongoing pressures in its wholesale business [5]. - JPMorgan downgraded Corteva (CTVA) from Overweight to Neutral, raising the target price from $75 to $77, based on valuation considerations [5]. Initiations - Benchmark initiated coverage on Cava Group (CAVA) with a Buy rating and a target price of $80, recognizing its leading position in the Mediterranean dining category [5]. - H.C. Wainwright initiated coverage on Incyte (INCY) with a Buy rating and a target price of $135, noting potential catalysts that could stabilize revenue expectations post-Jakafi patent expiration [5]. - Bernstein initiated coverage on Coupang (CPNG) with an Underperform rating and a target price of $17, favoring companies with strong growth potential driven by online penetration [5]. - Benchmark initiated coverage on Andersons (ANDE) with a Buy rating and a target price of $75, highlighting the growth momentum in its ethanol business [5]. - Bank of America initiated coverage on Wave Life Sciences (WVE) with a Buy rating and a target price of $38, emphasizing the differentiated advantages of its obesity drug WVE-007 [6].

Key Takeaways SHOO expects international revenues to be a key growth driver, with demand across EMEA and APAC.SHOO plans cross-brand expansion, using its distribution network to grow Kurt Geiger globally.SHOO prioritizes DTC, with Kurt Geiger over 70% DTC and 133 concessions supporting reach.Steven Madden, Ltd. (SHOO) sees international business as a key growth driver, fueled by geographic diversification and deeper brand penetration globally. Management expects core Steven Madden brand revenues outside the ...

Core Viewpoint - Steven Madden (SHOO) has been upgraded 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 Price Movement - The Zacks rating system emphasizes the correlation between changes in earnings estimates and stock price movements, making it a valuable tool for investors [2][4]. - An increase in earnings estimates typically leads to higher fair value calculations by institutional investors, resulting in buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [4]. Company Performance and Investor Sentiment - The upgrade reflects an improvement in Steven Madden's underlying business, suggesting that investors may respond positively by driving the stock price higher [5]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Steven Madden has increased by 14.8%, indicating a favorable trend in earnings expectations [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank 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]. - Steven Madden's upgrade places it in the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Core Insights - Steven Madden's Q3 2025 earnings report showed a decline in earnings and a mixed performance in revenues, with total revenues increasing but earnings per share (EPS) falling significantly [3][4]. Financial Performance - Adjusted quarterly earnings were reported at 43 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 44 cents, and down 52.7% from 91 cents in the prior-year period [4]. - Total revenues rose 6.9% year over year to $667.9 million, but this figure missed the consensus estimate of $699 million [4]. - Adjusted gross profit increased by 11.6% year over year to $289.7 million, surpassing the estimate of $278.5 million, with an adjusted gross margin expanding 180 basis points to 43.4% [5]. - Adjusted operating income fell to $46.3 million, down 45.8% from the prior-year quarter, with an adjusted operating margin decreasing 680 basis points to 6.9% [6]. Segment Performance - Wholesale revenues totaled $442.7 million, a decline of 10.7% year over year, with a 19% decrease when excluding the recently acquired Kurt Geiger business [7]. - Direct-to-consumer revenues increased significantly by 76.6% year over year to $221.5 million, although this growth was only 1.5% when excluding Kurt Geiger [9]. Financial Health - As of the end of the quarter, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $108.7 million and stockholders' equity of $886.1 million [10]. - A cash dividend of 21 cents per share was announced, payable on December 26, 2025 [11]. Future Outlook - For Q4 2025, the company expects revenues to rise by 27% to 30% year over year, with EPS forecasted between 30 cents and 35 cents [13]. - The contribution from Kurt Geiger is anticipated to range between $182 million and $187 million in revenues for Q4, with a significant portion coming from direct-to-consumer operations [14]. Market Sentiment - Since the earnings release, there has been an upward trend in estimates, with the consensus estimate shifting by 66.67% [15]. - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating expectations for above-average returns in the coming months [17].

Core Insights - The competitive landscape between NIKE Inc. and Steven Madden Ltd. highlights their distinct market positions, with NIKE as a leader in performance sports and Steven Madden focusing on fashion-forward casual footwear [1][2] NIKE Inc. (NKE) - NIKE's investment case is supported by its significant scale and leadership in the global athleticwear market, with Q1 fiscal 2026 revenue reaching $11.72 billion, indicating the effectiveness of its "Win Now" strategy [3][4] - The brand experienced a more than 20% surge in running sales, and North America saw an 11% increase in wholesale, maintaining its status as a leading sportswear brand among younger consumers [4][5] - NIKE's strategic initiatives include a new Sport Offense structure aimed at enhancing product innovation and cultural relevance, alongside efforts to reset classic franchises and focus on key growth categories [5][6] - Despite challenges such as digital softness and tariff pressures leading to a gross margin decline to 42.2%, NIKE's management remains confident in returning to double-digit margins over time [6] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NIKE's fiscal 2026 sales suggests a modest year-over-year growth of 0.8%, with EPS expected to decline by 24.1% [12] Steven Madden Ltd. (SHOO) - Steven Madden presents a differentiated investment case with strong brand equity and diversified category exposure, achieving a 6.9% revenue growth in Q3 and expanding gross margin to 43.4% [8][11] - The company benefits from a multi-brand portfolio and a robust presence with 397 stores and seven e-commerce sites, appealing to Gen Z and millennial consumers [7][10] - Product innovation and disciplined pricing strategies are driving demand, particularly in high-demand categories like boots and casual footwear [9][11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Steven Madden's 2025 sales indicates a year-over-year growth of 10.3%, with EPS expected to decline by 40.1% [14] - Steven Madden's stock has increased by 37% over the past three months, reflecting improving analyst sentiment and expectations for continued growth [8][16] Valuation and Performance Comparison - NIKE shares have declined by 17.8% in the past three months, while Steven Madden's stock has seen significant growth [16] - NIKE is trading at a forward P/E multiple of 30.29X, slightly below its five-year median, indicating a potential opportunity for long-term investors [18][19] - In contrast, Steven Madden's forward P/E multiple is at 18.32X, above its historical median, suggesting elevated market expectations for continued recovery and growth [18][20] - The analysis indicates that NIKE is viewed as a stable leader, while Steven Madden is perceived as a growth story with higher expectations [21] Conclusion - NIKE remains a global icon with unmatched scale, but the near-term outlook favors Steven Madden due to stronger price performance and improving analyst expectations [25][26] - Steven Madden's relative affordability and operational improvements strengthen its investment case, making it a compelling opportunity for growth-focused investors [26][27]

Core Insights - Steve Madden reported a revenue increase of 6.9% year-over-year to $667.9 million for Q3 2025 [1] - The gross margin remained stable at 41.5%, while the adjusted gross margin improved to 43.4% from 41.6% in the same period of 2024 [1] - Net income attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd. was $20.5 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, down from $55.3 million, or $0.77 per diluted share in Q3 2024 [1] Financial Performance - Revenue: $667.9 million, a 6.9% increase year-over-year [1] - Gross Margin: 41.5% (unchanged from 2024); Adjusted Gross Margin: 43.4% (up from 41.6% in 2024) [1] - Operating Expenses: 36.8% of revenue, compared to 28.6% in 2024; Adjusted Operating Expenses: 36.4% of revenue, up from 27.9% in 2024 [1] - Operating Income: $31.4 million, representing 4.7% of revenue; Adjusted Operating Income: $46.3 million, or 6.9% of revenue, down from $85.4 million, or 13.7% in 2024 [1] Profitability Metrics - Net Income: $20.5 million, down from $55.3 million in Q3 2024 [1] - Adjusted Net Income: $30.4 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, compared to $64.8 million, or $0.91 per diluted share in 2024 [1]

Core Insights - Steven Madden reported $667.88 million in revenue for Q3 2025, a year-over-year increase of 6.9%, but fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $698.91 million by 4.44% [1] - The company's EPS for the quarter was $0.43, down from $0.91 a year ago, and also missed the consensus estimate of $0.44 by 2.27% [1] Revenue Breakdown - International revenue reached $255.88 million, exceeding the average estimate of $182.76 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 110.8% [4] - Domestic revenue was $411.99 million, below the average estimate of $515.62 million, reflecting an 18.1% decline year-over-year [4] - Direct-to-Consumer revenue was $221.5 million, surpassing the average estimate of $173.97 million, with a year-over-year increase of 76.5% [4] - Total Wholesale revenue was $442.7 million, below the average estimate of $476.94 million, showing a 10.7% decrease year-over-year [4] - Total Revenue from Net Sales was $664.2 million, slightly above the average estimate of $650.91 million, marking a 6.3% year-over-year increase [4] Operational Performance - Income from operations in Wholesale was $55.72 million, below the average estimate of $66.36 million [4] - Income from operations in Direct-to-Consumer was -$4.44 million, better than the average estimate of -$7.44 million [4] - Income from operations in Wholesale Accessories/Apparel was $15.6 million, below the average estimate of $21.07 million [4] - Income from operations in Wholesale Footwear was $40.11 million, below the average estimate of $45.29 million [4] Stock Performance - Steven Madden's shares have returned +9.9% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +4.4% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating potential for outperformance in the near term [3]

Financial Performance - Total revenue for Q3 2025 increased by 6.9% to $667,875 compared to $624,675 in Q3 2024, driven by the acquisition of Kurt Geiger[154] - Net income attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd. was $20,528 in Q3 2025, down from $55,278 in Q3 2024[154] - Diluted earnings per share for Q3 2025 was $0.29, compared to $0.77 in the same period last year[156] - Gross profit for Q3 2025 was $277,375, maintaining a gross margin of 41.5%, despite tariff-related impacts[161] - Income from operations for Q3 2025 decreased to $31,358, or 4.7% of total revenue, down from $74,578, or 11.9% in Q3 2024[163] - Total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 increased 4.7% to $1,780,409 compared to $1,700,609 in the prior year, primarily due to incremental revenue from the acquisition of Kurt Geiger[181] - Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was $729,669, or 41.0% of total revenue, down from $701,488, or 41.2% in the prior year, impacted by tariff-related issues[182] - Income from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was $44,599, or 2.5% of total revenue, significantly lower than $178,194, or 10.5% in the prior year[184] - Net income attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd. for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was $21,474, compared to $134,589 in the prior year[185] Revenue Segmentation - Revenue from the Wholesale Footwear segment decreased by 10.9% to $266,543, representing 39.9% of total revenue, primarily due to tariff-related impacts[165] - Revenue from the Direct-to-Consumer segment surged by 76.6% to $221,505, driven by the acquisition of Kurt Geiger and expansion in brick-and-mortar stores[173] - Revenue from the Wholesale Footwear segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was $782,827, or 44.0% of total revenue, down 5.9% from $832,000 in the prior year[186] - Revenue from the Direct-to-Consumer segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was $529,071, or 29.7% of total revenue, an increase of 41.4% from $374,194 in the prior year[194] - Loss from operations for the Direct-to-Consumer segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was $55,002, or (10.4)% of revenue, compared to income of $14,564, or 3.9% in the prior year[197] - Royalty income from the Licensing segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was $8,737, or 0.5% of total revenue, up from $7,163, or 0.4% in the prior year[198] Expenses and Costs - Operating expenses for Q3 2025 rose to $246,017, or 36.8% of total revenue, compared to $178,915, or 28.6% in Q3 2024, primarily due to the acquisition of Kurt Geiger[162] - Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 were $687,145, or 38.6% of total revenue, compared to $507,343, or 29.8% in the prior year, largely due to acquisition-related costs[183] - Corporate operating expenses for Q3 2025 were $23,377, or 3.5% of total revenue, down from $25,065, or 4.0% in Q3 2024[179] - Corporate operating expenses were $80,070 million, representing 4.5% of total revenue, compared to $72,781 million or 4.3% in the prior year[200] Taxation - The effective tax rate for Q3 2025 was 17.4%, down from 25.5% in Q3 2024[154] - The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was 47.0%, compared to 24.3% in the prior year, primarily due to non-deductible expenses related to the acquisition of Kurt Geiger[184] Cash Flow and Investments - Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $108,862 as of September 30, 2025[157] - Working capital increased to $520,512 as of September 30, 2025, compared to $491,880 a year earlier[157] - Cash provided by operating activities decreased to $71,072 million from $94,245 million, primarily due to lower net income[210] - Cash used in investing activities totaled $392,861 million, mainly due to the acquisition of Kurt Geiger for $371,554 million[211] - Cash provided by financing activities was $237,540 million, primarily from net borrowings of $300,000 million[212] Acquisitions and Strategic Initiatives - The company acquired a 50% controlling interest in MG Distribution Hong Kong Limited to expand distribution in China, Hong Kong, and Macau[145] - The company completed the acquisition of Kurt Geiger for a preliminary purchase price of $403,348 million on May 6, 2025[203] - Strategic initiatives include expanding international markets and growing non-footwear categories[155] Dividends and Borrowings - A quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per share was approved, payable on December 26, 2025[216] - The company has outstanding borrowings of $277,500 million under its senior secured term loan facility, with interest rates subject to market fluctuations[220]