Group 1 - Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NYSE:DECK) is facing skepticism regarding its recent stock rebound, with a suggestion that its momentum is not strong [1] - The company is compared unfavorably to Nike, which is recommended as a better investment opportunity for the next five years [1] - Deckers sells footwear, apparel, and accessories under various brands including UGG, HOKA, Teva, Koolaburra, and AHNU [2] Group 2 - There is a belief that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk compared to Deckers [3]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies and confidence [1] - The Zacks Style Scores provide a framework for evaluating stocks based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics [2][3] Zacks Style Scores Overview - Stocks are rated from A to F based on their potential to outperform the market, with A being the highest score [3] - The Style Scores are categorized into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score [3][4][5][6] Value Score - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales [3] Growth Score - The Growth Score assesses a company's financial health and future growth potential through earnings and sales projections [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score capitalizes on price trends and earnings outlook changes to identify optimal buying opportunities [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the three Style Scores to highlight stocks with the best value, growth, and momentum characteristics [6] Zacks Rank Integration - The Zacks Rank utilizes earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in stock selection, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically yielding an average annual return of +23.93% since 1988 [7][9] - Stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B are recommended for maximizing returns [9][10] Company Spotlight: Deckers Outdoor Corporation - Deckers is a prominent designer and producer of niche footwear and accessories, known for brands like UGG and HOKA [11] - Currently, Deckers holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of A, with a Value Style Score of B due to a forward P/E ratio of 13.7 [12] - Recent earnings estimates for fiscal 2026 have been revised upward, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.06 to $6.40 per share [12] - Deckers has an average earnings surprise of +35.7%, making it a noteworthy consideration for investors [12][13]

Core Viewpoint - Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) delivered strong first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, exceeding expectations and showing year-over-year growth, primarily driven by the HOKA and UGG brands [1][9]. Financial Performance - DECK reported quarterly earnings of 93 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68 cents and increasing from 75 cents in the prior-year quarter [4]. - Net sales rose 17% year over year to $964.5 million, exceeding the consensus estimate of $899 million; on a constant-currency basis, net sales grew 7.5% [4]. - Gross profit increased 14.4% year over year to $537.9 million, with a gross margin of 55.8%, down from 56.9% in the previous year but above the estimate of 54.4% [5]. - SG&A expenses climbed 11% year over year to $372.6 million, representing 38.6% of revenues, a decrease of 230 basis points from the previous year [6]. - Operating income was $165.3 million, up 24.5% from $132.8 million in the prior-year quarter, with an operating margin of 17.1%, an increase of 100 basis points [6]. Brand Performance - HOKA brand sales increased 19.8% year over year to $653.1 million, exceeding the projected $609.7 million [7]. - UGG brand sales grew 18.9% to $265.1 million, surpassing the estimate of $238.5 million [7]. - Other brands, including Teva, AHNU, and Koolaburra, saw a decline of 19% year over year to $46.3 million, below the estimate of $52.6 million [7]. Sales Channels and Geography - Wholesale net sales increased 26.7% year over year to $652.4 million, while DTC net sales rose 0.5% to $312.2 million; however, DTC comparable net sales dipped 2.2% [8]. - Domestic net sales decreased 2.8% to $501.3 million, while international net sales surged 49.7% to $463.3 million [10]. Future Outlook - The company did not provide formal guidance for fiscal 2026 due to macroeconomic uncertainties but expects HOKA to remain its fastest-growing brand and international sales to outpace U.S. growth [2][12]. - Management anticipates a year-over-year decrease in gross margin due to elevated tariffs, increased promotions, and higher freight rates, partially offset by selective price increases [13]. - For Q2 fiscal 2026, DECK expects net sales between $1.38 billion and $1.42 billion, with HOKA projected to grow about 10% and UGG expected to increase in the mid-single digits [16]. - Earnings per share are anticipated to be between $1.50 and $1.55, compared to $1.59 in the prior-year period [18].

Company Overview - Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NYSE: DECK) is a US company that specializes in marketing and distributing footwear for casual use, ultra-runners, and outdoor activities [1] - The company is known for its prominent brands, including UGG, HOKA, and AHNU [1] Financial Performance - The company has experienced fluctuations in portfolio performance, with a yield of 17.5% at the end of 2020, a near flat performance in 2022 with a loss of only 0.16%, and a disappointing gain of 0.8% during a market surge [1] - Recently, the company has improved its risk strategy, achieving a yield of 12.84% last year with a beta of less than 0.6 [1] Investment Strategy - The company is focusing on algorithmic trading and trading strategies, with an interest in macroeconomic topics, particularly in relation to China [1] - There is a plan to initiate a beneficial long position in DECK through stock purchases or call options within the next 72 hours [2]

Company Overview - Deckers Outdoor Corp is an American apparel company founded in 1973 and went public in 1993 [1] - The company's brand portfolio includes UGG, HOKA, Teva, Sanuk, Koolaburra, and AHNU [1] Share Price Performance - The article mentions the share price performance of Deckers Outdoor Corp since its IPO, indicating a focus on historical financial performance [1]