Why Lululemon Stock Popped Today

Core Insights - Lululemon Athletica reported strong Q3 earnings, exceeding analyst expectations with earnings of $2.59 per share and nearly $2.6 billion in sales, leading to an 8.8% increase in stock price [1][3] - The company experienced a 7% growth in sales, driven entirely by international markets, while domestic sales in the Americas declined by 2% [3][4] - CEO Calvin McDonald emphasized the need for improvements in the U.S. business despite ongoing international expansion [4] Financial Performance - Q3 earnings per share declined by 10% year over year, indicating potential profitability issues in international sales compared to the domestic market [3] - For Q4, Lululemon anticipates a 2% decline in sales, with earnings projected between $4.66 and $4.76 per share, which is below Wall Street's forecast of approximately $4.93 per share [5][6] - The company expects full-year sales of $11 billion and earnings between $12.92 and $13.02 per share, suggesting a valuation of 16 times earnings, which may be considered reasonable if growth can be demonstrated [6] Management Changes - CEO Calvin McDonald will step down at the end of January, with a search for a successor already underway, which may be influencing investor sentiment positively [7]