Key Takeaways Wolverine reported broad-based Q2 growth, led by Saucony's 41.5% y/y revenue jump and record sales.Merrell marked its fourth straight quarter of growth with lighter, faster trail footwear driving demand.Sweaty Betty and Wolverine delivered margin expansion through campaigns, innovation and premium launches.Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (WWW) delivered strong brand results in the second quarter of 2025, with Saucony leading the portfolio. The brand posted a 41.5% year-over-year revenue increase, a ...

Key Takeaways Wolverine World Wide posted an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 39.1%.Interface delivered an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 33.5%.BuildABear Workshop and Analog Devices logged surprises of 21.3% and 5.8%, respectively.Efficiency level measures a company’s capability to transform available input into output, and is often considered an important parameter for gauging its potential to generate profits. A company with a high efficiency level is expected to provide stellar retur ...

Market Overview - The U.S. equity markets have experienced a downturn recently, primarily due to a pullback in blue-chip tech stocks, which has negatively impacted the overall market [1] - The 10-year Treasury yield has increased to 4.2%, influenced by solid economic data, including a revision of second-quarter GDP growth from 3.3% to 3.8% [1][2] - Weekly jobless claims decreased to 218,000 from 232,000, contrasting with expectations of 235,000 claims, indicating a robust job market [1][2] Federal Reserve and Interest Rates - The strong job market and revised GDP estimates have raised concerns about the Federal Reserve's potential interest rate cuts, following a recent reduction of 25 basis points to a range of 4.00%-4.25% [2] - Investors are awaiting the personal consumption expenditures price index reports for August for further insights into the Fed's rate cut policy [2] Momentum Investing Strategy - Momentum investing is highlighted as a strategy to capitalize on current trends, based on the principle of "buying high and selling higher" [3] - This strategy aims to profit from the tendency to extrapolate current trends into the future before mean reversion occurs [3] Screening Parameters for Momentum Stocks - The screening process identifies stocks with the best percentage price change over the last 52 weeks, selecting the top 50 performers [5] - From these, the bottom 10 performers over the past week are chosen to identify those experiencing short-term pullbacks [6] - Stocks with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) and a Momentum Style Score of B or better are prioritized, indicating a higher probability of success [7] Selected Stocks - Wolverine World Wide, Inc. has seen a 62.5% increase over the past year but experienced an 8.2% decline last week, holding a Momentum Score of B [9][11] - Carpenter Technology Corporation has risen 48.9% in the past year but fell 5.8% last week, also with a Momentum Score of B [12][13] - Astera Labs, Inc. has surged 266.5% over the past year but dropped 20.3% last week, backed by a Momentum Score of A [14][15]

Continue Reading Wolverine Releases Limited-Edition University of Michigan Maker Wedge Boot Just in Time for Tailgate Season "We make boots for skilled tradesmen and women who perform at the top of their field – those who specialize in detail and accuracy, just like so many on the football field," said Scott Schoessel, Chief Marketing Officer for Wolverine Boots. "Partnering with Rod and Jordan – two players who epitomize skill and grit – to release this new boot is an honor for us." Accessibility Statemen ...

Core Insights - Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (WWW) maintained profitability momentum in Q2 2025, achieving record margins and healthy revenue growth [1] - The adjusted gross margin increased by 410 basis points year-over-year to 47.2%, driven by a favorable sales mix, reduced promotional activity, and supply-chain cost-saving initiatives [1][9] - The company expects long-term gross margins to remain between 45% and 47% due to pricing discipline and ongoing supply-chain optimization [5][9] Brand Performance - Saucony's gross margin rose by 560 basis points, benefiting from a strategic focus on premium products and higher average selling prices [2] - Merrell experienced a nearly 600 basis point increase in gross margin, driven by strong demand for modernized trail offerings [2] - Sweaty Betty improved by over 500 basis points due to its shift to premium, full-price positioning, while the Wolverine brand saw a gross margin increase of over 400 basis points [3] Operating Profitability - Adjusted operating margin increased by 290 basis points year-over-year to 9.2%, exceeding the company's 7.2% outlook [4] - The increase in operating profitability was attributed to revenue outperformance and SG&A leverage, allowing for reinvestment in marketing and talent [4] Future Expectations - For Q3, Wolverine anticipates a gross margin rise of 170 basis points to 47% and an adjusted operating margin increase of 60 basis points to 8.3% [5] - The company has taken measures to mitigate the impact of higher tariffs through sourcing diversification and selective price increases [6] Stock Performance and Valuation - WWW stock surged 76.6% over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Shoes and Retail Apparel industry, which grew by 18.7% [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 1.27X, below the industry average of 2.01X [10] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WWW's current financial year's earnings implies a year-over-year growth of 46.2%, with an 18.8% growth forecast for the next financial year [11] - Earnings estimates for 2025 have been revised upward by 2 cents per share, while 2026 estimates increased by 4 cents in the past 30 days [11]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Shoes and Retail Apparel industry is focusing on brand-building initiatives and promotional efforts to enhance consumer engagement, driven by strong demand for activewear and wellness-oriented products [1][5] - Companies are leveraging product innovation, expanding athleisure collections, and investing in e-commerce and omnichannel strategies to capitalize on the growing trend towards healthy lifestyles [1][3] Challenges - The industry is facing persistent headwinds such as rising input and logistics costs, supply-chain disruptions, and elevated selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, which are pressuring profit margins [2][7] - Macroeconomic factors including currency fluctuations, geopolitical uncertainty, and changes in tax and tariff policies are adding complexity to the operating environment [2][7] Future Outlook - Sustainable growth in the industry will depend on continued innovation, upgrades to digital infrastructure, and enhanced consumer engagement [3][5] - Established players like NIKE, Adidas, Skechers, Birkenstock, and Wolverine are well-positioned to navigate challenges and seize long-term opportunities [3][5] Consumer Demand Trends - There is a strong and steady consumer demand for athletic and athleisure products, projected to continue through 2025, with a growing appetite for performance and style [5] - The health and wellness movement is influencing buying patterns, leading to increased popularity of versatile, multi-functional footwear designs [5] E-Commerce Investments - Digital channels are a major growth engine for the athleisure market, with brands expanding their online presence through websites and social media [6] - Investments in supply-chain efficiency and fulfillment enhancements are critical for maintaining competitive advantages [6] Cost Headwinds - Companies are grappling with elevated costs due to commodity price inflation, supply-chain bottlenecks, and increased logistics expenses [7] - Higher SG&A expenses are driven by increased spending on marketing and digital initiatives, compounded by economic uncertainties and a challenging labor market [7] Industry Performance - The Zacks Shoes and Retail Apparel industry has underperformed compared to the broader Consumer Discretionary sector and the S&P 500, with a collective decline of 6.4% over the past year [12] - The industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 58, placing it in the top 24% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating positive earnings outlooks for constituent companies [9][10] Valuation - The industry is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 28.96X, higher than the S&P 500's 23.02X and the sector's 20.24X [13] Notable Companies - **Skechers**: Focused on a multi-brand approach and e-commerce growth, with a projected sales growth of 8.2% for 2025 [18] - **Wolverine**: Emphasizing brand structure and efficiency, with expected sales growth of 6.5% and earnings growth of 46.2% for 2025 [22] - **NIKE**: Implementing a Consumer Direct Acceleration strategy, with projected declines in sales and earnings for fiscal 2026 [25] - **Adidas**: Benefiting from strong demand and improved margins, with projected sales growth of 13.8% and earnings growth of 86.5% for 2025 [29] - **Birkenstock**: Focused on high-quality products and DTC channels, with projected sales growth of 26.9% and earnings growth of 39.6% for fiscal 2025 [33]

Core Insights - Saucony is launching its AW25 collection from the Saucony SILO line, which emphasizes the blend of heritage, luxury, and performance in footwear design [1][2] - The collection will be available globally starting September 18, 2025, following its initial reveal at Paris Fashion Week in June [1][3] Product Details - The AW25 collection features two new silhouettes, Momentum and Trekker, alongside updated versions of popular styles, showcasing a balance of heritage and material innovation [3][5] - The design process involved collaborations with creative professionals, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the brand's legacy [2][3] Brand Background - Saucony, a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc., is recognized for its innovative technologies and commitment to inspiring a running culture [4] - The brand has a long history, founded in 1898, and aims to blend innovation, style, and culture in its products [4]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell even higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Company Overview: Wolverine World Wide (WWW) - Wolverine World Wide currently holds a Momentum Style Score of A, indicating strong momentum characteristics [2] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), suggesting a favorable outlook compared to the market [3] Performance Metrics - Over the past week, WWW shares increased by 3.97%, significantly outperforming the Zacks Shoes and Retail Apparel industry, which rose by only 0.13% [5] - In the last month, WWW's stock price surged by 44.13%, while the industry average was 12.41% [5] - Over the past quarter, WWW shares have risen by 79.94%, and over the last year, they have increased by 132.97%, compared to the S&P 500's gains of 9.68% and 16.9%, respectively [6] Trading Volume - The average 20-day trading volume for WWW is 2,145,693 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [7] Earnings Outlook - In the last two months, four earnings estimates for WWW have been revised upwards, with no downward revisions, leading to an increase in the consensus estimate from $1.05 to $1.33 [9] - For the next fiscal year, four estimates have also moved higher without any downward revisions [9] Conclusion - Given the strong performance metrics and positive earnings outlook, WWW is positioned as a 1 (Strong Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of A, making it a compelling investment option [11]

Group 1 - Chaco has launched a new design contest called "Designapalooza" inviting the community to create the next iconic webbing for the Z/1 Classic sandal with a prize of $5,000 [1][3] - The contest runs from August 19 to September 1, allowing participants to submit original designs in various formats including hand-drawn, digital, or textile-based [4] - Five finalists will be selected by Chaco, who will then collaborate with the brand to refine their designs, including details like buckle color and thread [4] Group 2 - The winning design will be featured on a limited-edition run of Z/1 Classics, and the designer will gain recognition in Chaco's history [3] - The community, referred to as ChacoNation, will vote on Instagram to determine the winning design [5] - Chaco, a division of Wolverine Worldwide, Inc., is known for its premium outdoor footwear and has a commitment to sustainability, repairing over 20,000 sandals annually to reduce landfill waste [6]

Core Insights - Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (WWW) reported a strong second quarter in 2025, with revenues increasing by 11.5% year over year to $474.2 million, driven by brand momentum, particularly from Saucony and Merrell [1][10] Brand Performance - Saucony achieved record second-quarter revenues, rising 41.5% year over year, with a gross margin expansion of 560 basis points, supported by successful product launches and expanded lifestyle distribution [2][10] - Merrell experienced a revenue growth of 10.7% and nearly 600 basis points of margin expansion, bolstered by modernized trail offerings and increased lifestyle footwear appeal [3][10] - Sweaty Betty narrowed its revenue decline to 6.1% while improving margins by over 500 basis points, focusing on restoring its premium positioning through targeted campaigns [4] - The Wolverine brand also showed progress with new premium product introductions, contributing to overall growth alongside Saucony and Merrell [5] Competitive Landscape - Key competitors in the footwear industry include Deckers Outdoor Corporation, Tapestry, Inc., and Urban Outfitters Inc., with Deckers showing strong performance through its flagship brands HOKA and UGG [6][7][8][9] Financial Metrics - WWW's shares have gained 29.3% year to date, contrasting with a 1.5% decline in the industry [11] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.78X, significantly below the industry average of 30.45X [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WWW's financial 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-year growth of 44%, with a 17.2% increase projected for 2026 [13]