Ralph Lauren Q4 Earnings & Sales Beat Estimates, Dividend Up 10%

Core Insights - Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) reported strong fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results, with both top and bottom lines increasing year over year and exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate, highlighting the company's brand momentum and strategic execution [1][2] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share for RL were $2.27, surpassing the consensus estimate of $2.00, and reflecting a 32.7% increase from $1.71 in the same quarter last year [2] - Net revenues grew 8% year over year to $1,697 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,635 million, with a 10% increase on a constant-currency basis [2] - Global direct-to-consumer comparable store sales increased by 13%, supported by brand elevation and positive retail comps across all regions and channels [3] Segment Performance - North America: Revenues increased 6% year over year to $705 million, with retail channel comps rising 9% [4] - Europe: Revenues rose 12% year over year to $526 million, with retail channel comps up 18% and digital sales increasing by 25% [5] - Asia: Revenues increased 9% year over year to $432 million, with comps up 15% [6] Margins and Costs - Adjusted gross profit margin expanded by 200 basis points year over year to 68.6%, driven by favorable product mix and lower cotton costs [8] - Adjusted operating expenses rose 9% year over year to $990 million, with operating margin increasing by 160 basis points to 10.3% [9] Financial Position - As of the end of fiscal 2025, RL had cash and short-term investments of $2.1 billion, total debt of $1.1 million, and total shareholders' equity of $2.6 billion [10] - The company repurchased nearly $425 million of Class A Common Stock in fiscal 2025 and announced a new $1.5 billion share repurchase program [11] Shareholder Returns - RL returned approximately $625 million to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases, with a 10% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.9125 per share [12] Outlook - For fiscal 2026, RL anticipates low-single-digit revenue growth in constant currency, with stronger momentum expected in the first half [14] - Management expects operating margin to expand modestly, with capital expenditures projected to be 4% to 5% of revenues [16]