Key Takeaways Empire State Lower in March: -0.2Dollar Tree Beats Q4 Earnings, RevenuesWednesday Brings Us Macy's and Micron Earnings, PPI data and FOMC DecisionMonday, March 16th, 2026Pre-market futures are off the early morning highs right before 8:00am this morning, but still solidly in the green this week of St. Paddy’s Day. The Dow is +313 points at this hour, +0.67%, the S&P 500 +59 points, +0.89%, the Nasdaq +265 points, +1.09% and the small-cap +27 points, +1.11%.The main reason for this new-found op ...

Key Takeaways lululemon is expected to report Q4 revenues of $3.6B and EPS of $4.77, suggesting y/y declines.lululemon sees strong holiday demand and international growth, led by Mainland China and men's category gains.Tariffs, markdowns and weak North America traffic are expected to pressure margins and overall profitability.lululemon athletica inc. (LULU) is likely to witness top and bottom-line declines when it reports fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results on March 17, after market close. The Zacks Consensu ...

Surging energy prices also threaten to dampen demand for semiconductors by driving up the operational costs of AI data centers. Food and Stoves Supply disruptions in West Asia, where India sources most of its gas, have created acute shortages in its cooking gas market. That has pummeled shares of Eternal Ltd and Swiggy Ltd as well as restaurant operator Jubilant Foodworks Ltd.Live Events Fears of an extended cooking-gas shortage have boosted shares of manufacturers of electric cook-tops, such as TTK Prest ...

Key Takeaways Victoria's Secret expects FY26 net sales of $6.85B-$6.95B, implying about 5%-6% growth.VSCO anticipates double-digit international growth as it expands into new markets.Victoria's Secret is refocusing on bras while boosting digital and social commerce reach.Victoria’s Secret & Co. (VSCO) delivered a strong performance in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2025, surpassing expectations and signaling improving business momentum. The company witnessed year-over-year growth in both its net sales and com ...

Core Viewpoint - Victoria's Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO) is experiencing a brand recovery under new management, which is positively impacting its stock performance [2]. Group 1: Company Performance - The stock of Victoria's Secret & Co. was noted to be down unexpectedly, despite a strong quarterly performance [1]. - Greenlight Capital highlighted that the previous management nearly destroyed the brand by eliminating its signature elements, but the new management is reversing these decisions, leading to a recovery in the brand's image and stock value [2]. Group 2: Market Sentiment - Jim Cramer expressed optimism about the potential for Victoria's Secret & Co. to maintain momentum through 2026, indicating a positive outlook from market analysts [1]. - The stock, once considered nearly defunct, is now beginning to reflect the brand's recovery, suggesting renewed investor interest [2].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net income for Q4 2025 was $80.8 million or $1.59 per share, compared to $77.2 million or $1.53 per share in Q4 2024, representing a year-over-year increase of 4.7% in net income and 3.9% in earnings per share [3] - For the full fiscal year 2025, net income was $209.7 million or $4.14 per share, up from $195.5 million or $3.89 per share in the previous year, indicating a 7.2% increase in net income and 6.4% in earnings per share [3] - Gross margin for Q4 was 52.6%, consistent with the previous year, while full-year gross margin increased to 49%, up 30 basis points from 48.7% [5][6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Women's business saw a 12% increase in merchandise sales for Q4, representing approximately 46% of total sales, up from 43% last year [12] - Men's merchandise sales decreased by about 0.5%, accounting for approximately 54% of total sales, down from 57% a year ago [14] - Accessory sales increased by approximately 3.5%, while footwear sales decreased by about 3%, with both categories maintaining similar proportions of total sales as the previous year [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable store sales for Q4 increased by 3.9%, while full-year comparable store sales rose by 5.6% [4] - Online sales for Q4 increased by 6.4% to $74.2 million, and for the full year, online sales grew by 9.8% to $217.1 million [4] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to open 12-14 new stores and complete 12-14 full remodel projects in fiscal 2026, with a focus on relocating to outdoor shopping centers [10] - The strategy includes expanding the women's denim category and enhancing the selection of products to meet consumer demand [12][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the denim category's growth, attributing it to new fashion trends and a strong selection of products [22] - The company is focused on leveraging successful markets to identify new store opportunities and improve existing locations [21] Other Important Information - Inventory as of January 31, 2026, was $139.5 million, up 15.5% from the previous year, while total cash and investments were $306.6 million after paying $225.1 million in dividends [9] - The company ended the year with 440 retail stores in 42 states, a slight decrease from 441 stores in the previous year [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Store expansion strategy - Management confirmed plans to open 12-14 new stores, focusing on premium outlets and select markets, leveraging past successes [21] Question: Drivers of denim category growth - Management highlighted new fashion trends and expanded product offerings as key drivers of growth in the women's denim category [22] Question: Youth product availability in stores - Most stores carry youth products, with a small percentage lacking space for a full selection; only one dedicated youth store remains [24]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net income for Q4 2025 was $80.8 million or $1.59 per share, compared to $77.2 million or $1.53 per share in Q4 2024, representing a year-over-year increase of 4.7% in net income and 3.9% in earnings per share [3] - For the full fiscal year 2025, net income was $209.7 million or $4.14 per share, up from $195.5 million or $3.89 per share in the previous year, indicating a 7.2% increase in net income and a 6.4% increase in earnings per share [3] - Gross margin for Q4 was 52.6%, consistent with the previous year, while full-year gross margin increased to 49%, up 30 basis points from 48.7% [5][6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Women's business saw a 12% increase in merchandise sales for Q4, representing approximately 46% of total sales, up from 43% the previous year [11] - Men's merchandise sales decreased by about 0.5%, accounting for approximately 54% of total sales, down from 57% a year ago [13] - Accessory sales increased by approximately 3.5%, while footwear sales decreased by about 3%, with both categories maintaining similar proportions of total sales as the previous year [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable store sales for Q4 increased by 3.9%, while online sales rose by 6.4% to $74.2 million [4] - For the full fiscal year, comparable store sales increased by 5.6%, and online sales grew by 9.8% to $217.1 million [4] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to open 12-14 new stores and complete 12-14 full remodel projects in fiscal 2026, with a focus on relocating to outdoor shopping centers [9] - The strategy includes expanding the women's denim category and enhancing the selection of youth products to capture a younger demographic [11][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the strong performance of the women's denim category, driven by new fashion trends and a diverse selection of products [11] - The company remains optimistic about growth opportunities in the youth category, which has shown strong performance [14] Other Important Information - Inventory increased by 15.5% year-over-year to $139.5 million, while total cash and investments amounted to $306.6 million after paying $225.1 million in dividends [8] - Capital expenditures for the quarter were $10.9 million, with full-year capital spending totaling $45.4 million [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you tell us about the strategy behind the accelerated store expansion plan? - Management indicated that the store openings are based on opportunities, particularly in premium and outlet locations, and are driven by success in several markets [20] Question: What is driving the strong performance in the denim category? - Management noted that the growth in women's denim is attributed to new fashion trends and a diverse selection of products, including various styles and sizes [21] Question: Do all stores carry youth products? - The majority of stores have a good selection of youth products, with a small number not carrying them due to space constraints [22]

Company Overview - Buckle is a leading U.S. retailer specializing in casual apparel and accessories for young adults, operating over 400 stores nationwide and a robust e-commerce platform [6] - The company's strategy emphasizes exclusive private labels, curated brand assortments, and personalized in-store services to drive customer loyalty and repeat business [6] - Buckle offers branded and private label casual apparel, footwear, and accessories, generating significant revenue from denim, tops, and related merchandise [9] Financial Performance - For the trailing twelve months (TTM), Buckle reported revenue of $1.28 billion and net income of $206.10 million [4] - The company has a dividend yield of 2.62% [4] - As of February 13, 2026, shares of Buckle were priced at $53.45, showing a one-year return of approximately 36.8%, outperforming the S&P 500 by 25.05 percentage points [8] Recent Developments - On February 17, 2026, Miller Value Partners, LLC, disclosed that it sold all 72,000 shares of Buckle during the fourth quarter of 2025, with an estimated transaction value of $4.22 million [2][7] - The fund now reports a zero stake in Buckle, indicating a complete exit from the position [2] - Despite trading since 1992, Buckle's stock had risen by a modest 37% over the previous five years, with most returns coming from quarterly payouts and special dividends [7][10] Market Position - Buckle operates a multi-channel retail model through physical stores and e-commerce, leveraging exclusive brands and value-added services such as hemming, loyalty programs, and private label credit cards [9] - The company targets young men and women in the United States seeking fashionable, casual wear [9] - Buckle maintains a competitive edge in the apparel retail sector through its established market presence and operational efficiency [6]

We recently compiled a list of the 11 Best Economic Recovery Stocks to Buy Now. Victoria’s Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO) is one of the best economic recovery stocks to buy now. TheFly reported on March 6 that BofA Securities raised its price target for VSCO to $58 from $52 and kept a Neutral rating on the shares. Although recent sales trends are encouraging, the firm warned that continued investments to support growth may put pressure on margins in the near future. The company also raised its earnings-per-shar ...

Core Viewpoint - Tilly's, Inc. reported a strong fourth-quarter earnings beat, marking its first profitable fourth quarter since fiscal 2021, with shares surging over 50% intra-day following the announcement [1] Financial Performance - The company posted adjusted earnings of $0.10 per share for the quarter ended January 31, 2026, significantly outperforming analyst expectations for a loss of $0.32 per share [1] - Revenue reached $155.1 million, increasing 5.3% year over year and exceeding the consensus estimate of $146.1 million [2] - Comparable store sales climbed 10.1%, marking the seventh consecutive month of positive comparable sales growth [2] - Gross profit margin expanded to 33.2%, up from 26.0% in the prior-year period, reflecting a 470-basis-point increase in product margins due to higher initial markups and reduced markdown activity [3] - Selling, general and administrative expenses declined by $3.5 million to $48.9 million, primarily due to lower store payroll costs [3] Future Guidance - For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Tilly's issued guidance that exceeded expectations, forecasting revenue between $119 million and $125 million, with a midpoint of $122 million well above the analyst consensus estimate of $106.5 million [4] - The outlook implies comparable sales growth between 16% and 22% [4] - Tilly's expects a net loss of $0.27 to $0.34 per share in the quarter, representing an improvement from the $0.74 loss reported in the same period last year [5]