Amer Sports: The New ONON and DECK of Consumer Discretionary?

Core Viewpoint - Amer Sports has experienced a significant stock price increase of approximately 187% since its public offering in February 2024, positioning it as a leading name in the consumer discretionary sector [1][2] Financial Performance - The company reported a strong Q1 earnings performance, with sales growth exceeding 23%, surpassing analyst expectations of just under 17% [3] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) more than doubled from $0.11 to$0.27, significantly exceeding forecasts [4] - Amer Sports raised its full-year EPS guidance midpoint by over 4% and increased its revenue growth guidance from 14% to 16%, both ahead of analyst expectations [4] Brand and Market Position - Amer Sports' success is largely attributed to its key brand, Arc'teryx, known for high-end outdoor clothing, particularly lightweight waterproof jackets priced between $400 and$900 [6] - The technical apparel segment, which includes Arc'teryx, saw the fastest revenue growth at 28%, contributing 45% to total revenue [7] - Sales in Greater China grew by 43%, accounting for around 25% of total revenue, while the U.S. market contributed 26% with a 12% growth rate [7][8] Direct-to-Consumer Strategy - The company's direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales grew by 39%, significantly outpacing the 12% growth in its wholesale channel, indicating a positive trend for higher margins [8] Segment Performance - The Outdoor Performance segment, which includes Salomon footwear and apparel, saw its growth rate nearly double to 25%, making up 34% of total revenue [9] - Salomon generated $1 billion in revenue in 2024, capturing less than 1$180 billion sneaker market, with plans for further product launches [10] Valuation and Analyst Ratings - Analysts have raised their price targets for Amer Sports, with an average target just under $41, indicating a potential upside of 6% from recent closing prices [11] - The stock's price-to-earnings ratio stands at nearly 49x, significantly above the industry average of 29x, reflecting its strong earnings and sales growth profile [12] Future Outlook - The company is viewed as having high growth potential, particularly in the footwear segment, but expectations for continued outperformance will need to be managed [13]