About VF VF Corporation is a portfolio of leading outdoor, active and workwear brands, including ®The North Face, ®Vans, and ®Timberland. VF is committed to providing consumers with innovative products that are rooted in performance and elevated design, while delivering sustainable and long-term value for its employees, communities, and shareholders. For more information, please visit vfc.com. The conference call will be broadcast live via the Internet, accessible at ir.vfc.com. For those unable to listen t ...

Group 1: Stock Performance - V.F. (VFC) closed at $18.43, down 1.18% from the previous day, underperforming the S&P 500 which gained 0.46% [1] - Over the past month, V.F. shares have increased by 13.93%, outperforming the Consumer Discretionary sector's gain of 3.1% and the S&P 500's gain of 4.22% [1] Group 2: Earnings Expectations - The upcoming earnings report is expected to show EPS of $0.44, a decrease of 29.03% from the prior-year quarter, with projected net sales of $2.8 billion, down 1.21% from the year-ago period [2] - For the full year, analysts expect earnings of $0.72 per share and revenue of $9.43 billion, reflecting changes of -2.7% and -2.16% respectively from last year [3] Group 3: Analyst Estimates and Rankings - Recent changes to analyst estimates for V.F. indicate shifting business dynamics, with positive revisions suggesting analysts' confidence in the company's performance [4] - The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell), currently ranks V.F. at 3 (Hold), with a recent 0.39% increase in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate [6] Group 4: Valuation Metrics - V.F. is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 26.08, which is higher than the industry average of 18.33, indicating a premium valuation [7] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.87, compared to the industry average PEG ratio of 3.08, suggesting a more favorable growth outlook relative to its valuation [8] Group 5: Industry Context - The Textile - Apparel industry, part of the Consumer Discretionary sector, holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 84, placing it in the top 35% of over 250 industries [8] - Research indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1, highlighting the competitive positioning of the industry [9]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the third quarter, total sales were $790.1 million, up 6.6% year-over-year, with organic sales growth of 0.4% excluding Stuart Weitzman [19] - Consolidated gross margin was 42.7%, down 140 basis points compared to the previous year, driven by lower margins in both segments [20] - Operating earnings were $26.3 million, with an operating margin of 3.3% [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Brand portfolio sales increased 4.6% on an organic basis and 18.8% including Stuart Weitzman, with lead brands growing about 10% in North America [20] - Famous Footwear sales decreased by 2.2%, with comparable sales down 1.2% [15][20] - Sam Edelman and Allen Edmonds both delivered strong quarters with double-digit sales growth [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The international business showed marked strength, with significant market share gains in women's fashion footwear [8] - The premium brands performed well, while value-priced brands faced pressure [20] - The direct-to-consumer channels delivered growth and momentum, particularly in e-commerce [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The acquisition of Stuart Weitzman is seen as transformational, aligning with the company's focus on premium contemporary and direct-to-consumer business [5] - The company is working on integrating Stuart Weitzman to achieve break-even in 2026 and profitability thereafter [5][14] - Efforts are being made to establish new centers of excellence to drive structural cost savings and improve operational efficiency [6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving better results in 2026, focusing on gross margin improvement and SG&A reductions [29][41] - The tariff environment is stabilizing, and mitigation efforts are beginning to take hold [15] - Management is optimistic about the performance of lead brands and the potential for organic growth in 2026 [42] Other Important Information - Inventory at the end of the quarter was $678 million, up $92 million year-over-year, with a portion attributed to Stuart Weitzman [23] - The company is addressing global excess inventory issues, with significant progress expected by entering 2026 [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the opportunity for Stuart Weitzman going forward into 2026? - Management plans to achieve better results through gross margin improvement and SG&A reductions, with a focus on working closely with the Stuart Weitzman team [28] Question: How is the fashion side of the business performing, particularly in Famous Footwear? - Management noted success with premium brands and plans to build on this strength moving into 2026 [31] Question: What is the strategy for managing Stuart Weitzman's inventory? - The company is working on a multi-faceted approach to address aged inventory, with significant progress expected in the fourth quarter [35] Question: What are the expectations for gross margin improvement in 2026? - Management anticipates improvement in gross margin due to tariff mitigation efforts and better channel mix [41]

Core Insights - VF Corporation has completed the sale of Dickies to Bluestar Alliance for $600 million in cash, reflecting a strategic shift within the company [2] Financial Performance - Dickies reported total sales of $542.1 million for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, a decline of 12.3% from $618.4 million the previous year and a 35.2% drop from $837.2 million in fiscal year 2022 [6] - VF Corporation's revenue for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, ending September 27, 2025, was $2.8 billion, representing a 2% year-over-year increase but a 1% decrease when adjusted for constant currency [6] - The North Face and Timberland brands showed positive growth, with revenues increasing by 6% and 7% respectively, while Vans experienced a 9% decline [6] Strategic Direction - The sale of Dickies and Supreme indicates VF Corporation's ongoing strategic transformation [7] - The company anticipates a revenue decline of 1%-3% for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026, with adjusted operating profit expected to be between $275 million and $305 million [7]

Core Insights - V.F. Corporation (VFC) is successfully executing its turnaround strategy by optimizing its brand portfolio and divesting non-core assets like Dickies to focus on more profitable brands [1][4] Divestiture Details - VFC has completed the sale of the Dickies brand to Bluestar Alliance LLC for a base cash value of $600 million, subject to customary adjustments [2] - Dickies was acquired by VFC in 2017 for approximately $820 million and has faced declining sales for over a year [3] Strategic Focus - The divestiture of Dickies is aimed at reducing debt levels and reallocating resources to higher growth potential categories, reflecting VFC's sharpened strategic focus and commitment to financial discipline [3][4] - The sale supports VFC's efforts to enhance its balance sheet and improve financial flexibility, aligning with its medium-term leverage goals [4] Growth Initiatives - VFC is advancing its Reinvent transformation program, focusing on disciplined cost management, balance sheet improvements, and strategic brand focus [6] - The company is experiencing strength in its Outdoor segment, particularly with brands like The North Face and Timberland, which positions it well against durable consumer trends [6] - Ongoing investments in digital and supply-chain capabilities are enhancing efficiency and supporting long-term growth and improved shareholder confidence [6] Market Performance - VFC's shares have increased by 16.9% over the past three months, contrasting with a 9.3% decline in the industry [5]

Core Viewpoint - A class action lawsuit has been filed against V.F. Corporation (VFC) by Berger Montague on behalf of investors who acquired VFC shares between October 30, 2023, and May 20, 2025, alleging misrepresentation regarding the company's business transformation plan and its impact on financial performance [1][3]. Company Overview - V.F. Corporation is a leading global apparel and footwear company based in Denver, Colorado, owning well-known brands such as Vans, The North Face, Timberland, and JanSport [2]. Allegations - The lawsuit claims that VFC misrepresented the scope and progress of its business transformation plan, particularly failing to disclose necessary reset actions to address declining performance at the Vans brand [3]. - It is alleged that these undisclosed actions materially affected the company's financial outlook [3]. Financial Impact - On May 21, 2025, VFC reported a 20% drop in Vans revenue for the fourth quarter, compared to an 8% decline in the previous quarter, attributing the declines to internal restructuring and undisclosed revenue reductions [4]. - VFC acknowledged that even without these measures, Vans would have experienced a high single-digit revenue decline [4]. - Following the announcement, VFC's stock price fell sharply by 15.8%, from $14.43 per share on May 20, 2025, to $12.15 per share on May 21, 2025 [4].

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the industry is "Positive" and maintained [6] Core Insights - In FY2026Q2 (June 29, 2025 - September 27, 2025), VF achieved revenue of $2.8 billion, with a year-over-year decline of 1% at fixed exchange rates, outperforming market expectations and company guidance [2][4] - The gross margin remained stable at 52.5% year-over-year, while adjusted operating profit was $330 million, exceeding previous expectations of $260-290 million [2][4] - The net profit margin increased by 4.9 percentage points year-over-year to 6.8% [2][4] Revenue Breakdown - By brand, revenue performance varied: Vans continued to face pressure with a year-over-year decline of 11%, while The North Face and Timberland both saw a 4% increase [5] - By region, the Americas and Greater China faced challenges, with revenues declining by 1% and 2% respectively, while Europe showed signs of recovery [5] - By channel, direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales were relatively weak, declining by 2%, while wholesale remained stable [5] Inventory and Guidance - As of FY2026Q2, the company's inventory decreased by 11% year-over-year to $1.86 billion, indicating improved inventory management [10] - For FY2026Q3, the company expects revenue to decline by 1%-3% at fixed exchange rates, with adjusted operating profit projected to be between $275 million and $305 million [10]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2025 was $89 million, up from $52 million in Q2 2025, primarily driven by strong real estate activity [5][16] - Adjusted EBITDA for the timberland segment increased from $40 million in Q2 to $41 million in Q3 [16] - The wood products segment reported an EBITDA loss of $2 million in Q3, compared to a positive $2 million in Q2, due to lower lumber prices [8][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Timberlands harvested 1.9 million tons in Q3, with Idaho producing its highest quarterly volume of 411,000 tons [7][16] - The wood products segment shipped 333 million board feet in Q3, an increase of 30 million board feet from Q2 [8][18] - Real estate generated adjusted EBITDA of $63 million in Q3, up from $23 million in Q2, with significant sales in rural real estate [10][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sawlog prices in Idaho declined by 5% per ton compared to Q2, while average southern sawlog prices increased by just over 1% [17] - The overall demand in the U.S. housing market remains constrained, but mortgage rates have fallen to 6.1%, improving affordability [13] - The repair and remodel market is experiencing muted activity due to economic uncertainty, but demand for home improvement is expected to remain stable [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The proposed merger with Rayonier is expected to create significant strategic and financial benefits, including increased scale and operational efficiencies [6][7] - The company is focused on expanding its natural climate solutions portfolio, including opportunities in solar and lithium development [11][12] - Capital allocation remains disciplined, with a focus on executing the strategic plan and maintaining a solid financial position [13][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the long-term fundamentals driving demand in the industry, despite near-term headwinds [15] - Lumber prices are expected to stabilize, supported by a more balanced supply-demand dynamic [10][15] - The company anticipates a decline in total adjusted EBITDA in Q4 due to fewer rural real estate acres sold and seasonally lower harvest volumes [24] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $60 million of common stock in the first half of the year, but share repurchases will be limited prior to the merger closing [12] - The company maintains $388 million in liquidity, including $89 million in cash [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on pulpwood markets in the U.S. South - Management acknowledged recent mill closures affecting pulpwood prices but emphasized their scale and customer relationships allow them to maintain steady log takeaway [25][26] Question: Performance in wood products and cash margins - Management indicated that while there was a loss in wood products, operational execution was strong, and they expect prices to move slightly higher in Q4 [29][30] Question: Factors driving better-than-expected real estate performance - Management noted that larger conservation sales significantly contributed to the outperformance in real estate, with strong demand for rural properties [33] Question: Outlook for supply constraints and pricing - Management mentioned that curtailments in production are expected to support improved pricing in 2026, despite a slow period in Q4 [38][39] Question: Revenue from conservation sales - Management indicated that conservation sales contributed about 25% of total rural revenues, with prices up approximately 10% year-over-year [40][41]

Group 1 - V.F. Corporation reported better-than-expected sales and earnings, but provided disappointing guidance for the holiday quarter, leading to a stock decline of over 12% [1] - The company is a major player in the apparel industry, owning well-known brands such as Vans, North Face, and Timberland [2] - The negative guidance reflects broader concerns about consumer spending trends, indicating potential challenges in the mainstream apparel market [1]

Core Points - A class action lawsuit has been filed against V.F. Corporation (VFC) by Berger Montague on behalf of investors who purchased shares between October 30, 2023, and May 20, 2025 [1][2] - The lawsuit claims that VFC misled investors regarding the effectiveness of its turnaround plan, particularly for the Vans brand, failing to disclose necessary restructuring steps that were already in progress [3][4] - Following a report of a 20% decline in Vans revenue for Q4 fiscal 2025, VFC's stock price dropped over 15% in a single day, indicating significant investor concern [4] Company Overview - V.F. Corporation, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, is a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel, footwear, and accessories, owning well-known brands such as Vans, The North Face, Timberland, and JanSport [2] Financial Performance - In Q4 fiscal 2025, Vans revenue declined by 20%, worsening from an 8% decline in the previous quarter, attributed to undisclosed internal cost-cutting and restructuring actions [4] - VFC indicated that even without these restructuring measures, Vans would have experienced a high single-digit revenue decline, raising concerns about deeper issues within the brand [4]