It has been almost two years since I last wrote about the Swiss watch company, The Swatch Group AG ( OTCPK:SWGAY ) ( OTCPK:SWGAF ), of brands like Longines and Tissot. At that time, IManika is a macroeconomist with over 20 years of experience in industries including investment management, stock broking, investment banking. She also runs the profile Long Term Tips [LTT], which focuses on the generational opportunity in the green economy. Her investing group, Green Growth Giants, takes the theme a step furthe ...

Core Viewpoint - Movado (MOV) shows a significant improvement in earnings outlook, making it an attractive investment option as analysts continue to raise earnings estimates for the company [1][2]. Estimate Revisions - The upward trend in earnings estimate revisions indicates growing analyst optimism regarding Movado's earnings prospects, which is expected to positively impact its stock price [2]. - For the current quarter, Movado is projected to earn $0.53 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +3.9%. Over the last 30 days, one estimate has increased, leading to a 25% rise in the Zacks Consensus Estimate [6]. - For the full year, the earnings estimate is $1.15 per share, representing a +2.7% change from the previous year. The trend remains positive, with one estimate moving higher and no negative revisions [7]. Zacks Rank - Movado has achieved a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating strong agreement among analysts in revising earnings estimates upward. This rank is based on a proven track record of outperforming the market [8]. - Stocks with Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) have historically outperformed the S&P 500, suggesting a favorable investment environment for Movado [8]. Stock Performance - Movado shares have increased by 7.5% over the past four weeks, indicating investor confidence in the company's earnings growth prospects due to the positive estimate revisions [9].

Core Viewpoint - The Swatch Group reported weaker earnings for 2025 despite a positive sales trend in the second half of the year, with expectations for broad growth in 2026 [1][6]. Financial Performance - The company posted net sales of SFr6.28 billion ($8.11 billion), a decrease of 1.3% at constant exchange rates [1]. - Net profit fell to SFr25 million from SFr219 million the previous year [1]. - Operating profit declined to SFr135 million from SFr304 million, resulting in a margin of 2.1% [2]. - Operating cash flow improved by 52.3% to SFr507 million [3]. Sales and Market Trends - Second-half sales increased by 4.7% at constant currencies, accelerating to 7.2% in the fourth quarter across all price tiers globally [2]. - Revenue, excluding China, Hong Kong SAR, and Macau SAR, grew by 3.4% for 2025 and over 10% in the fourth quarter [4]. - The Americas experienced nearly 20% local-currency growth, primarily driven by the US market [4]. Segment Performance - Within the watches and jewellery segment, operating profit reached SFr549 million, with a margin of 9.5%, down from 10.6% in 2024 [2]. - Retail expansion continued, with over 47% of revenue coming directly from consumers, and online sales surpassing pandemic-era levels in many regions [5]. Future Outlook - Management anticipates substantial growth in 2026 across all price segments, with higher utilization expected to significantly reduce or reverse production losses and enhance profitability [6].

Core Insights - The Swiss watchmaker reported a year-over-year decline in sales, despite experiencing growth in the latter half of the year [1] - The company indicated that the positive sales momentum has continued into the current month [1] Company Performance - Sales fell on a year-over-year basis, highlighting challenges faced by the company [1] - Growth was observed in the back half of the year, suggesting a potential recovery trend [1] - The company has noted ongoing momentum in sales for the current month, indicating a positive outlook [1]

Core Viewpoint - Movado Group, Inc. is recognized as one of the best jewellery stocks to buy, with a positive outlook from analysts and strong financial performance indicators [1][2]. Financial Performance - Net sales increased by 3.1% year over year, reaching $186.1 million in the most recent quarter [3]. - The gross margin improved to 54.3%, indicating better profitability [3]. - Operating income rose significantly to $11.7 million from $6.0 million the previous year, with adjusted operating income at $12.6 million [3]. - Adjusted EPS was reported at $0.45, while diluted EPS increased to $0.42 [3]. - The company ended the quarter with $183.9 million in cash and no debt, showcasing a strong balance sheet [3]. - A quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share was announced by the board [3]. Market Position and Analyst Coverage - Northland initiated coverage of Movado Group with an Outperform rating and a price target of $30, citing the company's resilience and experienced management [2]. - The company has shown a year-to-date growth of 9.42% as of January 13, 2026 [4]. Business Overview - Movado Group, Inc. is involved in the creation, production, sourcing, marketing, and sale of watches both in the US and internationally [5].

Core Insights - The market in 2025 rewarded investors who took risks on lesser-known stocks, with notable performers like Lumentum Holdings Inc. and AST SpaceMobile showing significant gains of over 400% and 244% respectively [2] - Companies like Movado Group Inc. are demonstrating strong fundamentals, with a year-over-year sales growth of 3.1% and a gross margin increase of 80 basis points to 54.3%, despite facing tariff pressures [3][4] - Movado's adjusted operating income increased by over 40% year-over-year, and the company ended the third quarter of 2025 with nearly $184 million in cash and no debt, indicating a solid financial position [3][4] Company Performance - Movado's brand strength and product momentum, including new collections and endorsements, are driving customer interest, despite an earnings per share miss of 12 cents [4] - Analysts predict a remarkable earnings increase of 152.4% for Movado in the coming year, driven by the holiday season and potential easing of Swiss watch tariffs [4] - Movado offers a compelling dividend yield of 6.16%, and analysts expect the stock to rise by more than 35% [4] Market Trends - Underfollowed companies like Movado, Nomad Foods, and Mosaic are expected to have double-digit upside potential in 2026, potentially outperforming more popular stocks [5] - The trend of investing in overlooked companies with growth potential is gaining traction, as evidenced by the performance of certain stocks in 2025 [5]

Core Viewpoint - The Swatch Group and Citizen Watch are under investigation by the Italian Competition Authority for potentially violating EU regulations regarding pricing practices, specifically for imposing retail prices on authorized distributors [1][4]. Group 1: Investigation Details - The Italian branches of both Swatch and Citizen were inspected on December 3 by the competition authority, with assistance from the Special Antitrust Unit of the Italian financial police [2]. - Citizen is accused of instructing its selective distribution network to adhere to imposed retail prices and monitoring pricing practices, potentially adopting retaliatory measures against non-compliant distributors [2][3]. - Swatch is similarly suspected of imposing retail prices and monitoring its distribution network, also adopting retaliatory measures against distributors that do not comply [4]. Group 2: Company Responses - A spokesperson for the Swatch Group confirmed the inspections and stated that the company is fully cooperating with the investigation to clarify the potential violation related to its brands Tissot Italy and Mido Italy [5]. Group 3: Industry Context - This investigation is part of a broader scrutiny of pricing practices by luxury brands in Europe, with previous cases including Gucci, Loewe, and Chloé, which were fined a total of 157 million euros for anticompetitive pricing practices [6]. - Rolex faced a fine of 91.6 million euros in 2023 for prohibiting its authorized distributors from selling online at higher prices for over a decade [7].

Core Viewpoint - Italy's antitrust regulator has initiated investigations into The Swatch Group and Citizen Watch for potentially restricting competition on retail prices of watches sold in Italy [1][2]. Group 1: Investigations Overview - The Italian Competition Authority is examining whether Citizen Watch Italy and The Swatch Group (Italia) have engaged in anti-competitive agreements, specifically concerning retail price coordination among authorized dealers [2]. - The investigations are based on suspected violations of Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) [2]. Group 2: Allegations Against Citizen Watch - Citizen Watch is accused of directing its selective distribution network to maintain specific retail prices and monitoring pricing behavior among its distributors [3]. - The company allegedly implemented "retaliatory commercial measures" against distributors who offered discounts or deviated from the set prices [3]. Group 3: Allegations Against The Swatch Group - Similar allegations have been made against The Swatch Group, which is suspected of imposing fixed retail prices within its selective distribution network and monitoring compliance [4]. - The Swatch Group may also retaliate against distributors that do not adhere to these pricing requirements [4]. Group 4: Legal Implications - The pricing practices of both Citizen Watch and The Swatch Group could be classified as resale price maintenance, which is a serious violation under Article 4(a) of Commission Regulation [5]. - These practices may infringe upon Article 101 of the TFEU, leading to potential legal consequences [5]. Group 5: Investigative Actions - In December 2025, the Italian Competition Authority, with support from the Special Antitrust Unit of the Italian Financial Police, conducted inspections at the offices of both Citizen Watch Italy and The Swatch Group (Italia) as part of the ongoing investigations [6].

Group 1 - The Italian competition authority has initiated two investigations into Swiss watchmaker Swatch and Japan's Citizen Watch [1]

香港交易及結算所有限公司及香港聯合交易所有限公司對本公告之內容概不 負 責，對 其 準 確 性 或 完 整 性 亦 不 發 表 任 何 聲 明，並 明 確 表 示，概 不 對 因 本 公 告 全部或任何部分內容而產生或因倚賴該等內容而引致之任何損失承擔任何責 任。 誠如本公司日期為2025年9月30日 的 公 告 所 先 前 披 露，本 公 司 截 至2025年3月31 日 止 年 度 之 年 度 業 績 延 遲 刊 發，以 及 本 公 司 截 至2025年9月30日止六個月之中 期 業 績 亦 將 延 遲 刊 發。 本 公 司 將 自 本 公 告 日 期 起 每 三 個 月 刊 發 一 次 公 告，直 至 不 發 表 意 見 得 到 解 決 為 止。本 公 司 亦 可 能 於 適 當 時 候 就 任 何 重 大 更 新 另 行 刊 發 公 告。 （於開曼群島註冊成立之有限公司） （股份代號：444） 更新公告 茲提述本公司日期為2025年5月30日 及2025年8月29日 的 公 告（「該等公告」），內 容 有 關 不 發 表 意 見 的 更 新。除 文 義 另 有 所 指 外，本 公 告 所 用 詞 彙 ...