Amer Sports (NYSE:AS) Q3 2025 Earnings Call November 18, 2025 08:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsJames Zheng - CEOStuart Haselden - CEOOmar Saad - SVP, Capital Markets and Investor RelationsGuillaume Meyzenq - CEOAndrew Page - CFOConference Call ParticipantsAnna Andreeva - AnalystJonathan Komp - AnalystPaul Lejuez - AnalystJohn Kernan - AnalystLorraine Hutchinson - AnalystIke Boruchow - AnalystJay Sole - AnalystAlex Straton - AnalystBrooke Roach - AnalystMatthew Boss - AnalystOperatorThank you for standing by, ...

Core Insights - Walmart Inc. and Target Corporation are two leading players in the U.S. retail sector, each with distinct business models and strategic focuses despite their similarities in scale and omnichannel ambitions [1] Walmart Overview - Walmart operates over 10,500 stores in 19 countries, with a market capitalization of approximately $817 billion, focusing on a value-driven "everyday low prices" model [2] - The company has developed a significant omnichannel ecosystem, utilizing its store network for pickup and same-day delivery, enhancing convenience and maintaining competitive last-mile costs [4][6] - Walmart's growth is supported by higher-margin businesses such as Walmart Connect (advertising), Walmart+ (membership), and financial services, diversifying its earnings beyond merchandise sales [5] - In Q2 of fiscal 2026, Walmart's consolidated sales increased by 5.6% at constant currency, with global e-commerce sales rising by 25% and advertising revenues soaring by 46% [7][10] - Walmart's international operations, particularly in growth markets like Mexico, China, and India, provide additional avenues for expansion and geographic diversification [6] Target Overview - Target operates nearly 2,000 stores in the U.S. with a market capitalization of $41.2 billion, focusing on a blend of style and affordability through a curated mix of products [3] - In Q2 of fiscal 2025, Target experienced a 1.9% decline in comparable sales but achieved a 4.3% growth in digital sales, driven by same-day fulfillment services [10][13] - Target's merchandising strength lies in its private-label brands, which contribute to margin stability and differentiate the brand [11] - The company is enhancing its digital fulfillment capabilities through services like Drive Up and Order Pickup, which leverage its store network to lower delivery costs [12] - Target's current fiscal-year sales and EPS estimates indicate year-over-year declines of 1.4% and 16.6%, respectively [18] Comparative Analysis - Walmart's forward P/E ratio is 35.88, above its historical median, while Target's forward P/E is 11.4, indicating relative undervaluation [24] - Over the past year, Walmart's shares have increased by 21.7%, while Target's shares have decreased by 40.4%, suggesting Walmart's stronger market performance [21] - Walmart's diversified growth drivers and operational resilience position it as the stronger contender in the retail space, while Target's brand equity and improving digital foundation provide a platform for recovery [26]

Core Insights - Boot Barn Holdings Inc. is experiencing significant growth driven by digital investments, with a 14.4% increase in e-commerce same-store sales for Q2 of fiscal 2026, surpassing the 7.8% growth in retail store same-store sales [1][9] - Total revenue for the company reached $505.4 million, reflecting an 18.7% year-over-year growth [1][9] E-commerce Performance - E-commerce sales now account for 9.3% of the net sales in the second quarter, attributed to initiatives enhancing online engagement and optimizing the shopping experience through technology [2] - BootBarn.com, which constitutes approximately 75% of total online sales, reported high-teens comps growth [1] Brand and Technology Initiatives - The Cody James and Hawx platforms are enhancing brand discovery and attracting new customers, with plans to launch a website for the Cheyenne brand post-holidays [3] - The integration of artificial intelligence is pivotal, improving website search tools for better product results and recommendations, while tools like Cassidy assist store associates [3] Future Growth Expectations - For fiscal 2026, Boot Barn anticipates same-store sales growth of 4% to 6%, with retail stores expected to grow by 3.3-5.3% and e-commerce sales projected to rise by 11-13% [4] - The company plans to open 70 new stores in the current fiscal year, reinforcing the synergy between digital and physical channels [4][5] Competitive Landscape - Levi Strauss & Co. is also advancing its digital-first strategy, with e-commerce sales increasing by 18% in Q3 of fiscal 2025, aiming for e-commerce to represent 15% of total revenues [6] - Tapestry, Inc. is leveraging data analytics and omnichannel capabilities, attracting over 6.8 million new North American customers in fiscal 2025 [7] Stock Performance and Valuation - Boot Barn's shares have increased by 25.9% year-to-date, contrasting with a 16.3% decline in the industry, and the company holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [8] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for Boot Barn is 24.99X, higher than the industry average of 16.51X [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year earnings rise of 20.5% for fiscal 2026 and 13.4% for fiscal 2027 [11]

Core Insights - Target Corporation is accelerating its technological transformation through the strategic use of artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency, forecasting accuracy, and guest experience [1] - The company deployed over 10,000 new AI licenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, marking a significant step in its modernization efforts [10] Technology and Operational Improvements - The initiative is part of Target's Enterprise Acceleration Office, aimed at eliminating bottlenecks and upgrading outdated systems [2] - AI is automating manual tasks such as demand forecasting and inventory planning, leading to improved operational performance and better on-shelf availability [3] - Technology investment remains a core pillar of Target's growth strategy, with approximately $4 billion in annual capital expenditures supporting its omnichannel growth model [4] Profitability and Growth - AI supports profitability by enhancing high-margin digital initiatives, which delivered double-digit growth in the fiscal second quarter [5] - Through these advancements, Target is positioning itself for sustained growth and long-term competitiveness in the retail landscape [6] Market Position and Valuation - Target's stock has lost 36.7% year to date, contrasting with the industry's growth of 2.1% [9] - The forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 10.84 indicates a lower valuation compared to the industry's average of 29.48 [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2025 earnings implies a year-over-year decline of 16.3%, while fiscal 2026 indicates growth of 9.1% [13]

Industry Overview - The Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry shows resilience amid macroeconomic challenges, driven by evolving consumer preferences and strong brand adaptability [1] - Key factors influencing the industry include fashion trends, consumer spending habits, economic dynamics, and seasonal variations [3] - The industry faces opportunities and challenges, requiring continuous product innovation and effective marketing while contending with fierce competition and price sensitivity [3] Key Trends - Consumer spending remains strong, with U.S. retail sales increasing by 0.6% in August, and clothing store sales rising by 1% month-over-month [4] - The Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts have lowered borrowing costs, enhancing consumer flexibility for discretionary spending [4] - Retailers are expected to see increased demand during the holiday season, creating opportunities for stronger sales and revenue growth [4] Company Highlights - Deckers Outdoor Corporation, Boot Barn Holdings, Zumiez Inc., and Genesco Inc. are identified as attractive investment opportunities due to their disciplined execution and digital strength [2] - Genesco is experiencing growth driven by a refreshed product mix and strategic investments, with a projected sales growth of 3.7% and EPS growth of 71.3% [17][18] - Zumiez shows resilience with consistent comparable sales growth and a projected sales growth of 3.4% and EPS growth of 566.7% [21][22] - Boot Barn is expanding its store base and leveraging AI-powered retail innovation, with projected sales growth of 13.3% and EPS growth of 12.2% [25][26] - Deckers is performing well with its brands HOKA and UGG, projecting a sales growth of 9% [29][31] Financial Performance - The Zacks Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry ranks 80, placing it in the top 33% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating positive near-term prospects [8][9] - The industry has underperformed the broader Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector and the S&P 500 over the past year, declining by 2.9% compared to the S&P 500's growth of 18.9% [11] - The industry is currently trading at a forward P/E of 17.9X, lower than the S&P 500's 23.36X and the sector's 24.82X [14]

Core Insights - CarMax, Inc. is positioned to benefit from its extensive footprint, strategic acquisitions, and investor-friendly initiatives, despite concerns over reciprocal tariffs and a stretched balance sheet [1] Strategic Initiatives - CarMax's extensive nationwide footprint and logistics network provide a competitive advantage, with the company building more reconditioning centers to enhance efficiency and reduce costs [2] - The acquisition of Edmunds has strengthened CarMax's position in the used auto market, improving its digital capabilities and technology expertise [3] - Collaboration with Recurrent offers insights into used EV batteries, reinforcing CarMax's leadership in the used EV sales sector [3] - The focus on omnichannel initiatives, including an online appraisal tool and MaxOffer for digital instant offers, is expected to drive higher vehicle purchase volumes [4] Financial Performance - In Q2 of fiscal 2026, CarMax repurchased $180 million worth of shares, with a total of 5.5 million shares bought back in fiscal 2025, leaving $1.56 billion in repurchase authorization [5] Challenges - CarMax's balance sheet is stretched, with cash and cash equivalents of $540.4 million and long-term debt of $1.37 billion as of August 31, 2025, resulting in a long-term debt-to-capital ratio of 0.74, significantly higher than the auto sector's 0.19 [7] - Reciprocal tariffs could impact the supply and cost of auto parts and vehicles, potentially increasing costs for acquiring used inventory and reducing profit margins [8] - The automotive retail market is highly competitive, with CarMax facing challenges from traditional dealers, online platforms, and private sellers, which could pressure margins and business models [9][10]

Core Insights - Card Factory has a strategic opportunity to enhance its online presence through the acquisition of Funkypigeon, which has strong brand recognition and a loyal customer base, unlike its previous venture, Getting Personal [1] - The online stationery and greeting cards market is projected to grow, presenting a chance for both Funkypigeon and Card Factory to increase market share if operational issues are resolved [1] Group 1: Funkypigeon's Performance - Funkypigeon experienced a modest 1.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2019 to 2024, which is significantly lower than the online market's CAGR of 6.3% and Moonpig's impressive 17% [2] - Delivery issues have been a major concern for Funkypigeon, with consumer reviews indicating frequent delays in order arrivals, which negatively impacts brand trust and market share [2] Group 2: Operational Strengths of Card Factory - Card Factory's robust manufacturing and distribution infrastructure can facilitate improvements for Funkypigeon, leveraging operational synergies to reduce costs and enhance delivery speed [3] - As the leading greetings card retailer in the UK, Card Factory has the market share and scale necessary to support Funkypigeon's growth and improve its online positioning [3] Group 3: Need for Product Innovation - Card Factory must focus on innovating Funkypigeon's product offerings to capture market share, as competitor Moonpig's 10% revenue growth was attributed to investments in personalization technology [4] - The product range is crucial for UK greeting card shoppers, with 88.7% rating it as highly important, indicating that innovation in this area can significantly enhance customer engagement [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total company sales for Q2 2025 were approximately $154 million, down 0.8% compared to Q2 2024, with comparable sales down 1% [10][11] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $25.6 million, compared to $30.2 million in Q2 2024 [12] - Gross profit for Q2 was about $105 million, down approximately $4 million from Q2 2024, with a gross margin of 68.4%, down 210 basis points year-over-year [11][12] - Adjusted net income per diluted share was $0.81, compared to $1.05 last year [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Store sales increased by 0.4% compared to Q2 2024, driven by three net new stores [11] - Direct sales, representing about 46% of total sales, decreased by approximately 2% compared to Q2 2024 [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced improved sales trends month-over-month in Q2, particularly in June and July, attributed to clearance activities and promotional efforts [10][23] - The company ended the quarter with clean inventories, having successfully cleared excess inventory units [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to expand its customer base by evolving product assortments, enhancing the customer journey, and improving operational efficiency [4][5] - Plans to open 50 new stores by the end of 2029, with two new stores expected to open in Q3 2025 [7][18] - The company is focusing on leveraging technology, including AI, to enhance operational capabilities and customer experience [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the consumer's gradual return and the company's ability to navigate inflation and tariffs [9][42] - The company anticipates adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2025 to be in the range of $18 to $22 million, with sales expected to be flat to down low single digits [17] - Tariff impacts are projected to be approximately $5 million in Q3, with ongoing efforts to mitigate these costs through vendor negotiations and strategic pricing [17][18] Other Important Information - The company generated $17 million in free cash flow during the quarter, ending with $46 million in cash [10][14] - Capital expenditures for the quarter were about $3 million, focused on store improvements and the launch of ship-from-store capabilities [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: What drove the improvement in June and July? - The improvement was driven by clearance activities and a good customer response to promotions, particularly in July [23] Question: Expectations for promotional levels in the second half? - Promotional levels will depend on consumer acceptance of price increases, with a range of outcomes anticipated [26][43] Question: Opportunities for change and innovation after 100 days in the business? - Management noted cultural shifts and a focus on growing the customer file through product, customer journey, and operational improvements [33] Question: Thoughts on the state of the consumer? - The consumer is slowly returning, with optimism for Q3 as tariff concerns settle [42] Question: Changes in merchandising and customer engagement strategies? - The company is implementing a non-tender rewards program and adjusting marketing strategies to enhance customer engagement [48][51]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenue of $9.4 billion for Q2, with an adjusted operating income rate of 3.9% and adjusted earnings per share of $1.28, marking a 1.6% increase in revenue year-over-year [5][36] - Comparable sales growth of 1.6% was the highest in three years, driven by new technology innovations and a strong omnichannel customer experience [5][36] - The adjusted operating income rate decreased by 20 basis points compared to last year, while the adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased by 4% [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales growth was observed in gaming, computing, mobile phones, wearables, and headphones, while declines were noted in home theater, appliances, tablets, and drones [5][6][37] - Gaming sales saw significant growth due to the successful launch of the Switch 2, with strong results in console sales and related peripherals [6][37] - Computing experienced its sixth consecutive quarter of sales growth, achieving the highest second-quarter laptop unit sales in 15 years [7][37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic revenue increased by 0.9% to $8.7 billion, with comparable sales growth of 1.1% [37] - International revenue rose by 11.3% to $740 million, driven by comparable sales growth of 7.6% and revenue from new Best Buy Express locations in Canada [37] - Online sales accounted for 33% of domestic sales, continuing to grow year-over-year for the third consecutive quarter [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen its position as a leading omnichannel destination for technology while building new profit streams [12][22] - Strategic priorities include enhancing omnichannel experiences, launching a marketplace to increase product availability, and driving efficiencies in operations [12][22][27] - Partnerships with vendors are emphasized, with a focus on expanding product assortments and improving customer experiences [20][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's plans for the second half of the year, despite uncertainties related to tariffs and consumer spending [11][40] - The company is maintaining its annual guidance, expecting revenue between $41.1 billion and $41.9 billion, with comparable sales projected to be flat to up 1% [40][41] - Management noted that customer behavior remains resilient, with a focus on high-ticket purchases when necessary [10][62] Other Important Information - The company reported the lowest employee turnover rates in ten years and higher engagement scores in employee surveys [10] - Vendor labor investment is expected to increase by approximately 20% in the second half of the year, reflecting strong partnerships [56][58] - The company is implementing a new data-driven sourcing solution to enhance supply chain efficiency [28][29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Market share performance in Q2 - Management feels better about market share position, indicating good momentum in Q2 and a flattish share overall [48] Question: Third quarter comparable sales expectations - Management expects Q3 comparable sales growth to be similar to Q2, driven by continued growth in gaming and mobile computing [52] Question: Vendor support and labor investment - Management highlighted increased vendor support, including labor and physical space investments, which are expected to enhance customer experience [56][58] Question: Consumer reaction to tariff price increases - Management noted that tariff impacts were in line with expectations, with mitigation strategies in place to manage costs [62][63] Question: Performance of the Switch 2 - The Switch 2 launch exceeded expectations, contributing positively to sales guidance for the back half of the year [102]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable sales decreased by 4.2% in Q2 2025, with adjusted earnings per diluted share at $0.56, both exceeding expectations [6][32] - Net sales declined by 5.1% in Q2 and 4.6% year-to-date, primarily due to fewer transactions in stores [32] - Gross margin increased by 28 basis points to 39.9% in Q2, driven by category mix benefits and strong inventory management [35][36] - SG&A expenses decreased by 4.1% to $1.2 billion in Q2, benefiting from lower spending in stores and marketing [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Women's business showed improvement, particularly in proprietary brands, with a flat comp performance in July [12][21] - Jewelry business outperformed with a 12% increase compared to last year, driven by investments in fashion jewelry [14][15] - Men's and kids' categories were the weakest performers, with declines in spring seasonal assortments [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Digital sales outpaced store sales, driven by strong conversion rates and improved coupon offerings [33] - Kohl's card customer segment underperformed, with sales down in the low teens for the quarter [33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three strategic priorities: offering a curated assortment, reestablishing Kohl's as a leader in value and quality, and delivering a frictionless omnichannel experience [10][20][25] - There is an emphasis on proprietary brands to enhance value and customer loyalty, with plans to introduce new proprietary brands [21][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges ongoing macroeconomic challenges and consumer pressure, particularly among lower to middle-income customers [8][41] - The outlook for the remainder of the year anticipates a net sales decline of 5% to 6%, with comparable sales expected to decline by 4% to 5% [41][42] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with $174 million in cash and cash equivalents, and inventory levels declined by 5% [38][39] - Capital expenditures for the year are expected to be around $400 million, focusing on Sephora rollout and other initiatives [40] Q&A Session Summary Question: What initiatives are having the greatest impact on the top line? - Management highlighted the focus on proprietary brands and their alignment with consumer value preferences as key drivers for improvement [44][45] Question: How do you see the cadence of comps for Q3 and Q4? - Management expects a similar cadence to Q2, with some potential upsides in both quarters due to improved traffic and digital performance [50][51] Question: Can you provide an update on adding brands back to coupon eligibility? - Management confirmed that they have added about 50 brands back to coupon eligibility, which has positively impacted digital sales [57][58] Question: What are the key drivers of comp metrics? - The primary driver of improvement has been traffic, with efforts focused on regaining customer trips and engagement [67][70] Question: How is the company addressing tariff impacts? - Management is actively negotiating with suppliers and adjusting buying strategies to mitigate tariff impacts while maintaining competitive pricing [72][74]