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DECK Looks Overvalued at 2.67X: Time to Buy, Hold or Sell the Stock?
ZACKSยท 2025-08-12 16:11
Core Insights - Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) is currently trading at a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 2.67, which is above the Zacks Retail-Apparel and Shoes industry average of 1.64 [1][4] - The company's stock has experienced a significant decline of 22.3% over the past three months, underperforming the industry drop of 2.1% [4][5] - DECK's gross margin fell by 110 basis points year over year to 55.8% in Q1 of fiscal 2026, with expectations of further contraction [14] Valuation and Performance - DECK's P/S ratio is higher than peers such as Boot Barn Holdings (2.22), Under Armour (0.43), and Crocs (0.99) [4] - The stock closed at $100.47, which is 55.1% below its 52-week high of $223.98 [10] - The company has trailed the Retail-Wholesale sector's rally of 3.5% and the S&P 500's growth of 9.3% during the same period [5] Operational Challenges - DECK faces margin pressures due to a shift towards lower-margin wholesale sales, elevated tariff costs, and softer U.S. direct-to-consumer trends for HOKA [5][13] - The anticipated $185 million in unmitigated tariff costs is a primary concern, particularly with potential increases in Vietnam import duties [13] - Elevated inventory levels reached $849 million, up 13% year over year, raising concerns over potential markdowns [16] Growth Potential - Despite challenges, DECK's brands HOKA and UGG exceeded growth targets in Q1, with HOKA growing 19.8% to $653.1 million and UGG growing 18.9% to $265.1 million [19] - International revenues surged by 49.7% year over year in Q1, with strong gains in Europe, APAC, and China [20] - The company is focusing on innovation and brand storytelling, with new product launches and optimized distribution strategies [21] Strategic Initiatives - DECK's wholesale net sales rose 26.7% to $652.4 million in Q1, driven by HOKA's 30% increase in global wholesale revenues [22] - The company expects a 14% increase in wholesale revenues in fiscal 2026 [23] - Management is implementing strategies to address operational headwinds, including loyalty program improvements and store expansion [15]