Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record holiday sales for the period ending December 31, driven by a 9% total sales growth, with a 5% retail segment comp [3][4] - Gross profit margin improvement is expected to be around 25 basis points for the quarter, slightly lower than the anticipated 50 basis points [5] - The company aims for a gross profit margin improvement of 50-100 basis points for the fiscal year, with current expectations leaning towards the higher end [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Urban Outfitters led the retail segment comp with a 9% increase, followed by Free People at 5%, and Anthropologie at 3% [4] - FP Movement achieved an 18% comp growth over the holiday period, while Nuuly reported a 43% sales growth, driven by a 41% increase in average active subscribers [6][40] - Wholesale performance was strong, with a 13% increase during the holiday period, primarily driven by Free People and FP Movement [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that all brands were comp positive, indicating strong performance across all channels [4][6] - The European market for Urban Outfitters performed exceptionally well, contributing to profit recapture [36] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on attracting new customers while preserving the brand's core identity, resulting in growth across all customer segments [18][20] - There is an emphasis on increasing engagement and relevancy through expanded product categories, which has led to higher transaction frequency [20] - The company is strategically managing inventory and costs in response to tariff impacts, aiming to maintain product freshness and quality [27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the consumer's resilience, citing low unemployment, wage growth, and a positive stock market as indicators of a strong consumer environment [11][12] - The company anticipates continued strong performance in the new calendar year, particularly in full-price sales [7][12] - There is optimism about the potential for Urban Outfitters to return to profitability, with expectations of margin recapture and improved performance in North America [36][39] Other Important Information - The company is leveraging AI to enhance creative processes and automate operations, indicating a forward-looking approach to technology integration [47] - The management team highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between promotional strategies and brand positioning to ensure sustainable growth [38] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the company managing tariffs and inventory? - The company has implemented a tariff management strategy focused on cost control and minimal price increases, while ensuring inventory growth aligns with sales [25][27] Question: What is the outlook for Urban Outfitters and Nuuly? - Urban Outfitters is expected to approach break-even profitability, with significant opportunities for margin recapture, while Nuuly continues to grow at a healthy rate with strong customer retention [34][40][41]

Core Viewpoint - Urban Outfitters reported strong Q2 fiscal 2026 earnings, surpassing estimates and showing year-over-year growth, but faces challenges from tariff increases and rising SG&A costs that may impact future gross margins [2][3][6]. Financial Performance - Earnings per share reached $1.58, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.44, marking a 27.4% increase from the prior year [3]. - Total net sales rose 11.3% year over year to $1,504.8 million, surpassing the consensus estimate of $1,476 million [3]. Segment Performance - Retail segment net sales increased by 7.8%, with comparable net sales up 5.6%, driven by growth in both retail store and digital sales [4]. - Wholesale segment net sales grew 18.1%, primarily due to a 19.5% increase in Free People's wholesale sales [5]. - Nuuly, the women's apparel subscription service, saw a significant 53.2% increase in net sales, supported by a 48.1% rise in average active subscribers [5]. Margin and Cost Insights - Gross profit increased by 14.8% year over year to $566.2 million, with gross margin expanding 113 basis points to 37.6% [6]. - SG&A expenses rose 12.5% year over year to $391.8 million, primarily due to higher marketing and payroll costs [7]. - Operating income was $174.4 million, up 20.2% from the previous year, with an operating margin of 11.6% [8]. Inventory and Cash Flow - Cash and cash equivalents stood at $332.2 million, with total shareholders' equity at $2.58 billion [10]. - Total inventory increased by 15.1% year over year, driven by higher sales and planned early merchandise receipts [10]. - The company generated net cash of $251 million from operating activities in the first half of fiscal 2026 [11]. Future Outlook - Urban Outfitters expects total company sales to grow in the high single digits for Q3 fiscal 2026, with mid-single-digit growth anticipated in the Retail segment [12]. - Gross profit margin is expected to remain flat year over year in Q3, with SG&A expenses projected to rise faster than sales [13]. - For the full fiscal year 2026, gross margins are expected to improve by approximately 100 basis points, despite tariff pressures [14]. Capital Expenditures and Store Expansion - Capital expenditures for fiscal 2026 are projected at approximately $270 million, with significant allocations for retail store expansion and technology investments [16]. - The company plans to open approximately 69 new stores and close 17 in fiscal 2026, focusing on FP Movement, Free People, and Anthropologie [17].