Group 1 - Stitch Fix (SFIX) is part of the Retail-Wholesale group, which includes 197 companies and ranks 8 in the Zacks Sector Rank [2] - The Zacks Rank system indicates that Stitch Fix has a rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting a favorable outlook for the stock [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Stitch Fix's full-year earnings has increased by 29.3% in the past quarter, indicating improved analyst sentiment [4] Group 2 - Year-to-date, Stitch Fix has returned 8.8%, outperforming the average gain of 6.7% for the Retail-Wholesale group [4] - Stitch Fix belongs to the Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry, which has 39 stocks and currently ranks 73 in the Zacks Industry Rank [6] - Stocks in the Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry have lost an average of 4.6% this year, highlighting Stitch Fix's superior performance [6] Group 3 - Tapestry (TPR) is another stock in the Retail-Wholesale sector that has outperformed, with a year-to-date return of 76.1% [5] - The consensus estimate for Tapestry's current year EPS has increased by 3.6% over the past three months, and it also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [5] - Investors should monitor both Stitch Fix and Tapestry for potential continued strong performance in the Retail-Wholesale sector [7]

Core Viewpoint - The investment strategy focuses on long-term investments while also utilizing short-term shorts to identify alpha opportunities through bottom-up analysis of individual companies' fundamentals [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The approach emphasizes medium to long-term investment duration [1] - The goal is to identify companies with strong fundamentals, sustainable competitive advantages, and growth potential [1]

Core Insights - Tapestry Inc. is recognized as one of the best performing retail stocks in 2025, with a reaffirmed Buy rating and a price target of $120 by TD Cowen after a recent visit to the company's facilities [1][2] Financial Performance - Tapestry reported record first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, generating $1.7 billion in revenue and earnings of $1.38 per share, reflecting a 16% increase in sales and a 35% growth in EPS year-over-year [2] - The flagship brand Coach contributed significantly to this growth, achieving a 21% revenue increase, while Kate Spade experienced a decline of 9% [2] Strategic Insights - TD Cowen noted that Kate Spade is still a "work-in-progress" and requires patience, but expressed confidence in the "One Coach" strategy if implemented effectively across product lines [3] - Tapestry operates in three segments: Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman, providing luxury accessories and branded lifestyle products across various regions including North America and Greater China [3]

Core Insights - Retail sales in September totaled $733.3 billion, increasing 0.2% month-over-month and 4.3% year-over-year, although falling short of the expected 0.4% rise [3][9] - The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates twice since September, with expectations for another cut in December, which is favorable for the retail sector [5] - The holiday season is anticipated to boost retail sales, with significant online spending observed during Black Friday [6][7] Retail Sector Performance - Retail sales growth has been steady despite inflationary pressures, with a total increase of 4.5% year-over-year from July to September [3] - The rise in retail sales in September followed a 0.6% increase in August, but was impacted by a struggling labor market and high unemployment rates [4] - Online sales on Black Friday reached a record $11.8 billion, up 9.1% year-over-year, indicating strong consumer spending trends [6][7] Investment Opportunities - Recommended retail stocks with strong online presence include Amazon.com, Boot Barn Holdings, Tapestry, and Ross Stores, all carrying a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [2] - Amazon.com has an expected earnings growth rate of 29.7% for the current year, with a 4.8% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 60 days [10] - Boot Barn Holdings has an expected earnings growth rate of 20.5%, with a 6.9% increase in earnings estimates over the past 60 days [12] - Tapestry's expected earnings growth rate is 10.4%, with a 3.3% improvement in earnings estimates [14] - Ross Stores has a modest expected earnings growth rate of 0.63%, with a 2.7% increase in earnings estimates [16]

Core Insights - The U.S. holiday season is expected to see robust consumer spending, particularly from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, despite ongoing inflationary pressures [1][7] Retail Industry Overview - U.S. holiday season sales are projected to reach $253.4 billion, reflecting a 5.3% year-over-year increase [4] - The Cyber week, which includes Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, is anticipated to generate $43.7 billion, accounting for 17.2% of total holiday sales, marking a 6.3% increase from the previous year [5] - Thanksgiving Day sales are expected to hit $6.4 billion, while Cyber Monday is projected to generate $14.2 billion, up 6.3% year-over-year [6] Online Sales Growth - Online sales are expected to grow significantly, with mobile and online platforms projected to account for 56.1% of overall holiday season sales [6] Selected Retail Stocks - **Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 29.7% for the current year, with a Zacks Rank 2 [9] - **Expedia Group, Inc. (EXPE)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 24.6% for next year, currently holding a Zacks Rank 1 [11] - **Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 20.5% for the current year, with a Zacks Rank 2 [12] - **Tapestry (TPR)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 10.4% for the current year, currently holding a Zacks Rank 2 [14] Earnings Estimate Revisions - All selected stocks have seen positive earnings estimate revisions in the past 60 days, indicating strong potential for solid returns [3][10]

Core Insights - Chinese luxury market is showing signs of stabilization after a period of weakness, with executives from major brands expressing cautious optimism about demand recovery [1][3][15] Company Performance - Prada's CFO noted a stabilization in demand, suggesting a more normalized market may emerge by 2026 [3] - Coach reported a 20% growth in its China business, indicating strong momentum and effective positioning to attract cautious consumers [5][6] - Burberry's Greater China sales increased by 3% last quarter, surpassing expectations, while Richemont experienced a significant improvement from earlier declines [7] - LVMH reported a 1% growth in the third quarter, marking its first quarterly increase this year, with positive signs from mainland China [8] Market Trends - The luxury sector in China has been affected by high youth unemployment, a prolonged property downturn, and weaker household confidence, impacting discretionary spending [2] - Analysts caution against assuming a full rebound, noting that improvements may be due to easier comparison bases rather than a broad-based recovery [10][11] - Global brands are increasingly localizing their strategies in response to intensified competition from Chinese labels, with some dedicating over 40% of revenue to China-focused marketing [11] Consumer Behavior - The rise of social media platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin is prompting companies to rethink their content and product strategies [12] - EssilorLuxottica reported broad-based growth across regions, indicating that consumers are not trading down but are attracted to product innovation [13]

Core Viewpoint - Growth investors are increasingly focused on stocks with above-average financial growth, but identifying such stocks can be challenging due to inherent volatility and risks [1] Group 1: Tapestry's Growth Potential - Tapestry (TPR) is currently recommended as a cutting-edge growth stock due to its favorable Growth Score and top Zacks Rank [2] - The historical EPS growth rate for Tapestry is 21.7%, with projected EPS growth of 10% this year, surpassing the industry average of 8.8% [4] - Tapestry's year-over-year cash flow growth stands at 10.6%, significantly higher than the industry average of -3.2% [5] - The company's annualized cash flow growth rate over the past 3-5 years is 21.2%, compared to the industry average of 7.6% [6] Group 2: Earnings Estimate Revisions - Positive trends in earnings estimate revisions are crucial, with Tapestry's current-year earnings estimates rising by 2.9% over the past month [7] - Tapestry has achieved a Growth Score of A and a Zacks Rank 2, indicating strong potential for outperformance [9]

Core Insights - Tapestry, Inc.'s Coach brand has shown strong momentum entering fiscal 2026, with a 21% year-over-year revenue increase in the first quarter, driven by double-digit growth across all key regions [1][9] Revenue Growth - North America revenue increased by 26%, China by 21%, and Europe by 39% year-over-year, indicating Coach's broad appeal and expanding international presence [2][9] - The addition of 1.7 million customers globally highlights Coach's success in attracting younger shoppers and building long-term brand equity [2] Product Performance - Handbag average unit retail rose in the mid-teens, with total handbag units sold increasing despite reduced promotional activity [3] - Accessories, including charms and straps, contributed to Coach's ability to personalize offerings, while footwear saw double-digit gains, particularly from the High Line and Soho families [3] Marketing and Brand Strategy - Coach's Spring 2026 runway presentation received positive responses, and marketing investment increased by 43% year-over-year, representing about 11% of sales [4] - The launch of Coach Coffee Shops aimed at younger audiences and the "One Coach" strategy enhanced accessibility and price realization [5] Future Projections - For the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Coach is projected to achieve low-double-digit revenue growth, maintaining momentum from the first quarter [6] - Overall, Coach is expected to sustain low-double-digit revenue growth for fiscal 2026 while maintaining its operating margin despite challenges [6] Long-term Ambitions - Coach is central to Tapestry's growth strategy, aiming to become a $10 billion global brand through disciplined execution and emotional connections with consumers [7] Stock Performance - Tapestry's shares have surged 62.4% year-to-date, contrasting with an 18.3% decline in the industry [8] Valuation Metrics - Tapestry trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 18.35X, slightly above the industry average of 16.31X, with a Value Score of B [10] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tapestry's fiscal 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year growth of 9.2%, with upward revisions in earnings estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 [11][12]

Core Viewpoint - COACH has achieved steady growth in the Chinese market by placing consumers at the center of its strategy, focusing on innovative products and emotional engagement with the younger generation [1] Group 1: Brand Strategy - COACH emphasizes a balance between classic and innovative product design to cater to consumer preferences [1] - The brand aims to enhance consumer self-expression through immersive experiences and personalized services [1] Group 2: Market Expansion - COACH plans to continue expanding its market presence in China, closely aligning with the needs of young consumers [1] - The company is focused on increasing its brand influence and market presence in the region [1]

Industry Overview - U.S. holiday sales are projected to exceed $1 trillion for the first time, with an expected growth of 3.7-4.2% year over year, translating to sales of $1.01-$1.02 trillion [3] - Last year's holiday sales rose 4.3% year over year to $976.1 billion [3] - An uncertain macroeconomic outlook, influenced by trade policies and the ongoing government shutdown, has negatively impacted consumer confidence [1] Retailer Recommendations - Five retailers are recommended for investment during the holiday season: Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), Walmart Inc. (WMT), Tapestry Inc. (TPR), Dollar General Corp. (DG), and Expedia Group Inc. (EXPE), all carrying a favorable Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [2] Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) - Amazon is benefiting from growth in Amazon Web Services (AWS), which contributed $33.01 billion in Q3 2025, up 20.2% year over year [11] - Online sales and subscription revenues increased by 9.8% and 11.5% year over year, respectively, while advertising revenue climbed 23.5% [12] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for next year are 11.2% and 9.9%, respectively, with a 2.6% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 30 days [14] Walmart Inc. (WMT) - Walmart's diversified business model and strong omnichannel strategy have boosted traffic across physical and digital platforms [15] - The company has enhanced its delivery capabilities, including partnerships and new services, leading to steady grocery market share gains [16] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for next year are 4.4% and 12.5%, respectively, with a 0.7% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 60 days [17] Tapestry Inc. (TPR) - Tapestry is experiencing growth driven by strong engagement from Gen Z and millennials, with significant expansion in North America, Europe, and Greater China [18] - The company's international business saw a 10% year-over-year growth in Europe and an 18% surge in Greater China [19] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 3.4% and 9.5%, respectively, with a 1.6% improvement in earnings estimates over the last seven days [20] Dollar General Corp. (DG) - Dollar General's growth is supported by disciplined cost management and a customer-centric model, with a focus on value pricing and supply-chain optimization [21] - The company is expanding its omnichannel presence through partnerships, which is driving higher store traffic and basket sizes [22] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for next year are 4.2% and 8.4%, respectively, with a 0.8% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 60 days [24] Expedia Group Inc. (EXPE) - Expedia benefits from a strong platform model that enhances customer insights and strengthens supplier relationships, driving revenue growth [25] - The company's diverse brand portfolio allows it to cater to a wide range of global traveler needs, boosting traffic and bookings [26] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for next year are 2% and 17.8%, respectively, with a 1.2% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 30 days [26]