Core Viewpoint - On Holding AG is experiencing growth driven by strong footwear franchises, but potential pressures from tariffs are anticipated in 2026 [1][4]. Group 1: Growth and Market Performance - On is expected to report its fourth quarter and full-year earnings results soon, with analysts believing it will remain a compelling growth story due to increasing brand awareness globally [2]. - Online search trends for On have seen over 30% growth in the U.S. and over 75% growth globally, with social media followers increasing nearly 30% year-over-year [2]. - Most of On's growth has been primarily from North America, but Asia and EMEA are emerging markets expected to contribute more to overall growth this year, with Asia now accounting for a "high-teens percent" of sales [3]. Group 2: Regional Developments - EMEA has experienced a re-acceleration in growth, with four consecutive quarters of growth exceeding 33%, outpacing the U.S. growth of 20% to 25% [3]. - The cleanup of distribution channels in Europe, including exiting family footwear channels, has positioned On as a premium athletic brand, expanding through key retailers like Foot Locker and JD Sports [3]. Group 3: Supply Chain and Financial Outlook - The impact of tariffs is expected to be fully felt in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, with a planned gross margin decline anticipated for that year [4]. - Although On sources almost none of its products from China, it is affected by tariffs on Vietnamese imports, and there may be foreign exchange headwinds due to a stronger Swiss franc [4]. Group 4: Product Introductions and Expansion Plans - On has a strong lineup of footwear product introductions planned for 2026, including Cloudmonster 3 and Cloudrunner 3 in the first quarter, and Cloudsurfer 3 in the third quarter [5]. - The company plans to open between 20 to 25 new stores and continue expanding in underpenetrated markets such as Asia Pacific, parts of Europe, and Latin and South America [5].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has raised its sales targets multiple times and is tracking ahead of its 2026 margin targets, indicating strong performance relative to competitors who have cut guidance [7][9] - The gross profit margin reached 65% in Q3, showcasing a strong margin profile despite tariff impacts [31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The running category remains crucial, with significant innovations planned for products like the Cloudmonster and Cloudsurfer, which are expected to enhance market relevance [17][18] - The apparel segment, particularly in tennis, is the fastest-growing part of the business, driven by collaborations that appeal to younger demographics [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - China has become the second-largest market for the company, with the Asia Pacific region outpacing expectations [9] - Brand awareness is between 25%-30%, indicating a significant opportunity for growth as 75% of potential customers are not yet familiar with the brand [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maintain its premium positioning while expanding its addressable market through innovation and brand awareness [5][10] - There is a focus on balancing growth and margins, with a commitment to reinvest in product development and marketing to sustain brand momentum [28][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management expressed confidence in the brand's growth trajectory, with guidance to achieve 30% growth over the next three years while maintaining a 23% growth rate next year [34] - The importance of team culture and talent acquisition was highlighted as a key factor in sustaining brand strength and innovation [35] Other Important Information - The company is focused on avoiding discounting practices to maintain its premium brand image, especially during the holiday season [11][12] - Automation in manufacturing is seen as a critical future direction, with the introduction of products like LightSpray aimed at enhancing production efficiency [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the company view the balance of wholesale growth? - The company sees wholesale growth coming from new partners, new doors, and same-store sales, emphasizing the need to start with customer awareness [25] Question: What is the company's approach to managing growth and margins? - The management stated that high margins should not come at the expense of innovation and investment, aiming for a balance that supports growth while maintaining healthy margins [27][28] Question: How does the company plan to address potential tariff impacts? - The company has implemented pricing and supply chain efficiencies as mitigation strategies, which are expected to remain even if tariffs are rolled back [31]

Core Insights - On Holding AG's stock surged nearly 20% following a strong third quarter performance, indicating that the company is outperforming competitors like Nike and Adidas [1] Financial Performance - The Asia-Pacific business grew 85% year-to-date, now accounting for over 10% of global sales, with record results in China and Japan [2] - On achieved a gross profit margin of 60.1% year-to-date, raising its full-year outlook to approximately 60.5%, which is an increase of 50 basis points from previous guidance [3] - Direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales increased by 50%, supported by the expansion of owned stores, contributing to record holiday momentum [5] Strategic Initiatives - The company maintained a full-price strategy, achieving significant sales without discounts, showcasing its brand strength [3] - The introduction of LightSpray, a next-generation manufacturing technology, has the potential to revolutionize footwear production and enable cost-effective nearshoring [6] Brand Development - Brand recognition has increased significantly, with a 30 percentage point rise in saturated markets like Switzerland, driven by cultural figures such as Zendaya and Roger Federer [6] - Apparel sales reached their highest monthly figures in October, and the upcoming Cloud 6 line will increase prices by an additional $10 per pair [5] Market Position - With expanding gross margins, rapid growth in Asia, and innovative advancements, On is positioning itself as a potential global sportswear giant rather than just a niche running brand [7]

Innovation & Technology - On introduces LightSpray, a new automated manufacturing technique for sneaker uppers, reducing production time significantly [1][2] - The LightSpray technology uses a polymer sprayed onto a foot mold by a robot, creating a seamless shoe without glue or laces [4] - LightSpray significantly reduces labor needed, enabling production closer to consumers [3] Sustainability & Efficiency - On claims LightSpray reduces carbon emissions by approximately 75% compared to conventional shoe making [7] - Traditional shoe production involves around 200 steps, while On aims to reduce this to a handful with LightSpray [4] Market & Production - On's net sales have grown in 11 out of the past 13 quarters since going public in 2021, gaining ground on competitors [2] - The Cloud Boom Strike LZ, On's first shoe featuring LightSpray, weighs 170g (approximately a third of a pound) [5] - On aims to scale LightSpray production from thousands to millions of pairs and expand its application to other wearables [8] Business Expansion - On opened its first LightSpray factory in Zurich and is considering expanding production to countries like the US [3][7][8] - Early LightSpray models have been worn by athletes like Helen Obree, who won the Boston Marathon in 2020 [6]