Retail stocks linked to merchandise have been battered in the past year, and tariffs are the most obvious reason why. Tariff rates on countries where these companies source their products are in the low to mid-double digits. Moreover, the de minimis rule, which allowed products worth below $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free, has been eliminated. It doesn't take much guesswork to see why these stocks have slumped. Retail businesses rely on volume to generate profits through thin margins. Once tariffs eat awa ...

With significant hedge fund interest and return on equity, Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NYSE:DECK) secures a spot on our list of the 13 Safest Stocks to Invest in Now. UBS Retains Its Buy Rating and $158 Price Target for Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) UBS retained its Buy rating and $158 price target for Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NYSE:DECK) on September 29, emphasizing the stock’s growth potential and undervaluation. With the help of the HOKA and UGG brands, the company anticipates that earnings p ...

When it comes to the notoriously competitive retail sector, every dollar counts. That's why investors may want to take a look at stocks like Deckers Outdoor DECK -0.72% , O'Reilly Automotive , and Lululemon Athletica LULU -1.46% Those three stocks boast the sector's highest return on invested capital, according to a note from Citi Research on Friday. The note also applauded Ross Stores and TJX Companies TJX -0.81% among discount retailers. Return on invested capital, or ROIC, is a measure of how much operat ...

Industry Overview - The Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry shows resilience amid macroeconomic challenges, driven by evolving consumer preferences and strong brand adaptability [1] - Key factors influencing the industry include fashion trends, consumer spending habits, economic dynamics, and seasonal variations [3] - The industry faces opportunities and challenges, requiring continuous product innovation and effective marketing while contending with fierce competition and price sensitivity [3] Key Trends - Consumer spending remains strong, with U.S. retail sales increasing by 0.6% in August, and clothing store sales rising by 1% month-over-month [4] - The Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts have lowered borrowing costs, enhancing consumer flexibility for discretionary spending [4] - Retailers are expected to see increased demand during the holiday season, creating opportunities for stronger sales and revenue growth [4] Company Highlights - Deckers Outdoor Corporation, Boot Barn Holdings, Zumiez Inc., and Genesco Inc. are identified as attractive investment opportunities due to their disciplined execution and digital strength [2] - Genesco is experiencing growth driven by a refreshed product mix and strategic investments, with a projected sales growth of 3.7% and EPS growth of 71.3% [17][18] - Zumiez shows resilience with consistent comparable sales growth and a projected sales growth of 3.4% and EPS growth of 566.7% [21][22] - Boot Barn is expanding its store base and leveraging AI-powered retail innovation, with projected sales growth of 13.3% and EPS growth of 12.2% [25][26] - Deckers is performing well with its brands HOKA and UGG, projecting a sales growth of 9% [29][31] Financial Performance - The Zacks Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry ranks 80, placing it in the top 33% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating positive near-term prospects [8][9] - The industry has underperformed the broader Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector and the S&P 500 over the past year, declining by 2.9% compared to the S&P 500's growth of 18.9% [11] - The industry is currently trading at a forward P/E of 17.9X, lower than the S&P 500's 23.36X and the sector's 24.82X [14]

Key Takeaways Wolverine reported broad-based Q2 growth, led by Saucony's 41.5% y/y revenue jump and record sales.Merrell marked its fourth straight quarter of growth with lighter, faster trail footwear driving demand.Sweaty Betty and Wolverine delivered margin expansion through campaigns, innovation and premium launches.Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (WWW) delivered strong brand results in the second quarter of 2025, with Saucony leading the portfolio. The brand posted a 41.5% year-over-year revenue increase, a ...

Industry Overview - The outdoor industry encompasses recreation, wellness, and lifestyle experiences focused on nature and activities away from home, including outdoor gear, apparel, recreational vehicles, and services for hiking, camping, boating, and off-roading [1] - The industry is experiencing steady demand driven by shifting consumer values towards health, sustainability, and experience-driven living, benefiting various age groups and regions [2] Company Highlights Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) - Carnival is experiencing resilient travel demand, stronger booking trends, and higher onboard spending, leading to an increase in its full-year 2025 guidance [6][9] - The company is focusing on fleet optimization, new ship launches, and targeted marketing investments to capture rising global demand, with plans for six additional AIDA ships to undergo refurbishment [7] - Carnival's expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 6% and 42.3%, respectively, with a recent improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings by 0.5% [8] Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) - Norwegian Cruise Line is benefiting from strong consumer demand and solid onboard spending, achieving record advance ticket sales of $4 billion [11] - The company is focusing on fleet management and new ship additions, with a new revenue management system expected to be completed by the end of 2025 [12] - NCLH's expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 6% and 13.2%, respectively, with a recent improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings by 1% [13] Deckers Outdoor Corp. (DECK) - Deckers Outdoor has entered fiscal 2026 with strong momentum, achieving record first-quarter results driven by HOKA and UGG brands, which exceeded expectations [14] - The company anticipates year-over-year increases of 14.6% and 6.7% in net sales for HOKA and UGG, respectively, supported by a balanced channel strategy and solid financial position [15] - DECK's expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 9% and almost flat, respectively, with a recent improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings by 17.9% [17]

We recently published Trending Analyst Calls: Top 10 Stocks. Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NYSE:DECK) is one of the stocks analysts were recently talking about. Stephanie Link, CIO at Hightower, recently explained in a program on CNBC why she is buying Deckers Outdoor shares. The analyst mentioned Deckers’ Hoka brand growth and market opportunities for expansion. “I’m a big believer in Hoka myself personally, but the numbers speak for themselves. It’s growing Hoka about 20% and they’re guiding double-digi ...

Core Insights - Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) reported strong first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, driven by flagship brands HOKA and UGG, with revenues of $964.5 million, a 17% year-over-year increase, and earnings per share rising 24% to 93 cents, indicating robust consumer demand [1][11] Group 1: Brand Performance - HOKA emerged as the primary growth driver, achieving record quarterly revenues of $653.1 million, a 19.8% increase from the prior year, supported by global wholesale expansion and strong international demand [2][11] - UGG experienced 18.9% growth, reaching $265.1 million, marking its largest June quarter in history, with success attributed to diversification into men's footwear and year-round styles [3][11] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - The company’s 365 initiative has successfully broadened UGG's consumer base while maintaining its iconic appeal, aided by strong wholesale momentum and new product launches [3][11] - Deckers has implemented selective price increases and operational efficiencies to counteract rising tariffs and freight costs, although these measures may impact near-term profitability [4][5] Group 3: Future Outlook - For second-quarter fiscal 2026, net sales are projected between $1.38 billion and $1.42 billion, with HOKA expected to grow by 10% and UGG anticipated to see mid-single-digit growth [6] - Deckers is well-positioned for continued long-term growth, with HOKA leading performance in running and UGG evolving into a versatile lifestyle brand [5]

Core Thesis - Deckers Outdoor Corporation is positioned as a strong player in the footwear industry, driven by the success of its brands UGG and Hoka, with a bullish outlook on its growth potential [1][2]. Financial Performance - As of September 3rd, Deckers' share price was $123.67, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 18.88 and 19.88 respectively [1]. - Hoka experienced a sales growth of 29.3% in the first three quarters of 2025, contributing nearly 42% to total revenue [2]. - UGG, the largest brand, accounted for just over 54% of revenue and grew by 14.9% during the same period [3]. - The company's gross profit margin improved from 50.3% in 2023 to 60.3% by Q3 2025, reflecting a 1000 basis point increase [3]. - Deckers has no long-term debt and boasts a return on invested capital of 32.7%, with net income margins at 25% [4]. Strategic Initiatives - The shift towards direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales has been significant, with DTC now representing over 55% of net sales, up from 43% through wholesale channels [3]. - This DTC model has enhanced digital customer acquisition and expanded profit margins [3]. Valuation and Market Position - A discounted cash flow analysis indicates an intrinsic value of $124 per share, suggesting that the market may be undervaluing the company's growth potential [5]. - Despite strong fundamentals, Deckers' stock has declined nearly 45% year-to-date, indicating a disconnect between its financial performance and market valuation [4]. Market Sentiment - Previous analyses have highlighted Deckers' strong fundamentals and brand equity, with a recent appreciation of approximately 2% in stock price since earlier coverage [6].

Core Insights - Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) is a significant player in the footwear and accessories industry, with a market cap of $17.6 billion, offering products under well-known brands like UGG, HOKA, and Teva [1][2] Financial Performance - DECK reported Q1 results with an EPS of $0.93, surpassing Wall Street expectations of $0.68, and revenue of $964.5 million, exceeding forecasts of $899 million [6] - For Q2, DECK anticipates revenue between $1.38 billion and $1.42 billion [6] Stock Performance - DECK's stock has experienced a 47% decline from its 52-week high of $223.98, reached on January 30 [3] - Over the past three months, DECK stock gained 16.9%, outperforming the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY), which gained 13.7% [3] - Year-to-date, DECK shares have dipped 41.6% and fallen 23.9% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming XLY's YTD gains of 7.3% and 25.1% [4] Market Position and Challenges - DECK is categorized as a large-cap stock, indicating its size and influence in the industry [2] - The company faces challenges, including anticipated tariff costs of $185 million due to potential duty hikes in Vietnam, a 110-basis-point decline in gross margin, and weaknesses in HOKA's U.S. direct-to-consumer business [5] - Elevated inventory levels and rising selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses are additional strains on the company [5] Competitive Landscape - In the competitive footwear and accessories market, Crocs, Inc. (CROX) has shown resilience with a 29.2% decline year-to-date, but has outperformed DECK with 39.8% losses over the past 52 weeks [7]