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This Is the Worst-Performing S&P 500 Stock of the Year. Here's Why It Could Be a Screaming Buy
The Motley Fool· 2025-06-19 13:19
Company Overview - Deckers Outdoor, known for Hoka running shoes and Ugg boots, has seen its stock decline by 49.5% year-to-date as of June 17 [2][5] - Despite recent struggles, Deckers has historically been one of the best-performing stocks, with returns exceeding 10,000% at one point [2] Recent Performance - In the fiscal fourth quarter ending March 31, Deckers' revenue grew by only 6.5%, a significant drop from nearly 20% growth in the first three quarters [5] - Hoka's growth slowed from nearly 30% in the first three quarters to just 10% in the fourth quarter, indicating potential market share loss to competitors like Nike [5] - Ugg, Deckers' largest brand, experienced a growth rate of just 3.6% in the fourth quarter compared to 13% for the full year [5] Guidance and Expectations - The company did not provide full-year guidance due to macroeconomic uncertainties related to tariffs, projecting first-quarter revenue between $890 million and $910 million, representing 9% growth at the midpoint [6] - Earnings per share are expected to decline from $0.75 to a range of $0.62 to $0.67 [6] - Deckers anticipates a gross margin decline of 250 basis points due to increased freight costs, promotional activities, and a shift in sales channels [7] Investment Opportunity - The significant stock sell-off may present a buying opportunity, as the challenges faced by Deckers are viewed as mostly temporary [8] - With the share price halved, Deckers trades at an attractive price-to-earnings ratio of 16, which is a substantial discount compared to the S&P 500 [9] - The company has initiated a stock buyback program, increasing its repurchase authorization to $2.5 billion, representing 16% of its market cap [9] Financial Position - Deckers has a strong financial position with no debt, $1.9 billion in cash, and a favorable assets-to-liabilities ratio of 3.5 [10] - The long-term outlook remains positive as Hoka and Ugg have established differentiated brands with a history of growth [10] Future Growth Potential - Even modest profit growth could lead to significant stock appreciation, as tariff-related challenges are expected to diminish over time [11]