Tapasya Fund, an investment management company, released its fourth quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The firm celebrated its third anniversary in August 2025 and is happy with the fund’s performance. In 2025, the fund performed well and achieved strong absolute returns, outpacing the S&P 500 and several other market indices. The year was marked by notable developments, especially related to tariffs, which led to substantial fluctuations in the market. There was a s ...

Group 1 - Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE:UA) is recognized as a turnaround opportunity with a Buy rating from UBS and a price target of $8 [1][3] - UBS projects a 25% compound annual growth rate in earnings per share for Under Armour over the next five years, driven by innovation and brand leverage [2] - Under Armour is among the most recognized athletic wear brands globally, comparable to Lululemon, Jordan, Adidas, and others [3] Group 2 - The average market value of standalone brands in the athletic wear category is approximately $19 billion, while Under Armour's market capitalization is only $2.1 billion, indicating a significant valuation gap [4] - Under Armour designs, markets, and distributes branded athletic performance apparel, footwear, and accessories [4]

Core Insights - Stitch Fix, Inc. (SFIX) reported a strong start to fiscal 2026, with Revenue per Active Client (RPAC) reaching $559, a 5.3% year-over-year increase, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of growth [1][8] - Average Order Value (AOV) rose nearly 10% this quarter, indicating the ninth consecutive period of year-over-year growth, attributed to a reimagined client experience [1][8] - The company closed the fiscal first quarter with 2.3 million active clients, reaching the high end of expectations, while management emphasized a disciplined approach to rebuilding the active client base [3][8] Financial Performance - The improvement in RPAC reflects increased spending per active client, supporting Stitch Fix's ability to capture a greater share of wallet from its existing client base [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates year-over-year earnings growth of 9.1% for the current year and 56.7% for the next year [12] Competitive Landscape - Designer Brands, Inc. (DBI) reported a 3.2% decline in net sales but improved profitability with gross profit increasing to $339.6 million [5] - GAP, Inc. (GAP) posted net sales of $3.9 billion, a 3% year-over-year increase, but faced pressure on profitability with a gross margin decline to 42.4% [6] Market Position - Stitch Fix's shares have gained 28.3% in the past six months, outperforming the industry's rise of 12%, and currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [7] - From a valuation perspective, SFIX trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.5, significantly lower than the industry's average of 1.98 [10]

Core Viewpoint - Under Armour Inc. (NYSE:UA) has experienced a significant increase in share prices, rising by 14.44% week-on-week, reaching a new four-month high, driven by increased investment from Fairfax Holdings [1][2]. Group 1: Share Price Movement - Under Armour's share price surged by 14.44% week-on-week, marking a new four-month high [1]. - The rally in share prices was influenced by Fairfax Holdings, which increased its stake in Under Armour [2]. Group 2: Investment Activities - Fairfax Holdings, a Canada-based financial services firm, raised its stake in Under Armour through a series of acquisitions, becoming a 10% owner [2]. - On December 30, Fairfax acquired $67 million worth of additional shares, including over 11.5 million Class A shares and 1.67 million Class C shares, at average prices of $5.1408 and $4.9474, respectively [3]. - Prior to this, from December 22 to 29, Fairfax purchased an additional 15.68 million Class A and C common shares at average prices of $4.6133 and $4.4055 [4]. Group 3: Company Performance - Under Armour reported a net loss of $18.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, a decline from a net income of $170.38 million in the same period the previous year [5]. - Revenues decreased by 5% year-on-year, falling to $1.33 billion from $1.40 billion, primarily due to lower revenues from North America, wholesale, and apparel segments [5].

Core Insights - Crocs, Inc. (CROX) is experiencing significant tariff-related pressures impacting its quarterly performance, with an adjusted gross margin of 58.5%, reflecting a 110-basis point decline year over year, primarily due to tariffs weighing on margins by 230 bps [1][8]. Group 1: Financial Performance - In fiscal 2025, Crocs achieved $50 million in gross cost savings, which provided some relief against external cost pressures [2]. - The company has identified an additional $100 million in incremental gross cost savings expected to benefit fiscal 2026, focusing on simplifying organizational structure and optimizing the supply chain [2]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year earnings decline of 7.9% for the current year, with a projected growth of 3.9% for the next year [9]. Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - Crocs is maintaining a disciplined approach to managing its adjusted SG&A base to drive operating leverage in fiscal 2026, enhancing flexibility across the profit and loss statement [3]. - The company is benefiting from supply chain efficiencies due to years of investment and deeper integration of the HEYDUDE and Crocs supply chains, leading to operational improvements and cost advantages [4]. Group 3: Market Position - Crocs' shares have declined by 20.3% over the past six months, compared to the industry's decline of 9.9%, and currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [5]. - From a valuation perspective, CROX trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 7.05X, significantly lower than the industry average of 17.76X [7].

Core Viewpoint - Lululemon (LULU) has experienced significant stock volatility in 2025, with a peak of $423 and a subsequent decline to a low of $159, currently trading at $209, reflecting a year-to-date decrease of 45% [1][2]. Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Lululemon reported global revenue of $2.6 billion, with diluted EPS at $2.59, marking a 9.8% decrease year-over-year [4]. - The Americas net revenue declined by 2%, while international net revenue saw a substantial increase of 33%, indicating potential for revenue growth in global markets [6]. Management Changes - Elliott Investment Management has acquired a stake exceeding $1 billion in Lululemon and is advocating for a management change [2]. - Founder Chip Wilson has initiated a proxy fight for a board shakeup, nominating three independent directors, and has expressed concerns about the company's competitive position [3]. Market Expansion - Lululemon plans to open stores in six new markets: Greece, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, and India, which are expected to contribute to global growth acceleration [7]. Stock Performance - Despite a 12% decline in stock value over the last six months due to competition and muted revenue growth, recent management changes and expansion plans have led to a recovery in LULU stock [5].

Core Viewpoint - lululemon athletica inc. is addressing Chip Wilson's nomination of three director candidates for the company's Board at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, emphasizing the Board's commitment to evaluating these nominations in accordance with governance processes [1][6]. Group 1: Board and Leadership - The lululemon Board of Directors is described as highly engaged and experienced, with over one-third of its members joining within the last four years [2]. - The Board and leadership team are focused on driving long-term sustainable growth and shareholder value, having overseen a revenue increase from $2.1 billion in fiscal year 2015 to an expected $11.0 billion in fiscal year 2025, representing a growth of nearly $9 billion [3]. - Operational income is projected to grow nearly sixfold over the same period, contributing to significant cash flow that has allowed for over $5.5 billion in share repurchases since fiscal 2015 [3]. Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - The Board has initiated a comprehensive search for a new CEO to guide the company through growth and transformation, aiming to build on the existing strong foundation and bring fresh perspectives to the brand strategy [4]. - The company acknowledges the strength of its international operations and ongoing efforts in the U.S., while recognizing further opportunities for value realization [4]. Group 3: Shareholder Communication - Shareholders are advised that no action is required at this time, as the Board will review Mr. Wilson's nominations and provide a formal recommendation in the definitive proxy statement ahead of the 2026 Annual Meeting [6]. - The company is working with J.P. Morgan as a financial advisor and Sidley Austin LLP as a legal advisor, with Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher serving as a strategic communications advisor [7].

Core Viewpoint - Michael Burry's bullish perspective on Lululemon suggests that the company's recent struggles may present a buying opportunity for investors, as he believes the pessimism surrounding the stock is overdone [1][20][24] Company Overview - Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Vancouver, Lululemon designs and markets athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories for both men and women, targeting consumers with active lifestyles [1] - The company has a market capitalization of $24.8 billion and operates globally through various channels, including company-owned stores, outlets, and e-commerce platforms [5] Recent Performance and Challenges - Lululemon's stock has declined over 60% from its all-time high of $516.39 in December 2023, primarily due to softening U.S. demand, product cycle issues, and increased competition [6][12] - The company has faced operational challenges, including management's acknowledgment of stale product lines and the need for improved execution, leading to two cuts in full-year guidance [4][12] - Lululemon is set to exit the Nasdaq 100, which may trigger further selling as index funds rebalance [3] Financial Results - In Q3, Lululemon reported a 7.1% year-over-year revenue increase to $2.57 billion, driven by a 33% surge in international revenues, while net revenues in the Americas fell by 2% [12][18] - Earnings per share (EPS) for Q3 was $2.59, down 9.8% year-over-year, reflecting margin pressures from higher markdowns and tariffs [13] - The company has a strong balance sheet with $1 billion in cash and no debt, and it plans to continue share buybacks [14] Future Outlook - For Q4, Lululemon expects revenues between $3.5 billion and $3.59 billion, with EPS projected at $4.66 to $4.76, indicating near-term margin pressure but a steadier long-term trajectory [18] - The company plans to open 17 net new stores in Q4 and 46 for the full fiscal year 2025, with a focus on international expansion, particularly in China [15][17] Analyst Sentiment - The consensus rating for Lululemon is currently "Hold," with only three out of 30 analysts recommending a "Strong Buy" [22] - Following a recent rally, LULU stock has surpassed the average price target of $205.65, but the highest target of $303 suggests potential upside of nearly 42% [23]

Core Insights - lululemon plans to expand its international presence in 2026 by entering six new markets, which is a record for the brand in a single year, through franchise partnerships [1][4] - The new markets include Greece, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, and India, with the latter being facilitated through a partnership with Tata CLiQ [1][3] - The expansion aligns with lululemon's growth strategy, which emphasizes market expansion as a key pillar, building on its existing presence in over 30 markets globally [6] Market Expansion - The brand will offer its full range of products online in the new European markets through lululemon.eu, while Indian consumers will access products via Tata CLiQ Luxury and Tata CLiQ Fashion [3] - The entry into these markets follows recent openings in Italy, Denmark, Turkey, and Belgium, showcasing the effectiveness of the franchise model [6] - Preparations for the new market entries will continue into the next year, with further details on store locations and community activations expected to be shared in 2026 [6] Community Engagement - lululemon emphasizes a community-first model, deepening connections with guests through an ambassador network and local events that promote movement and wellbeing [5] - This approach reflects the brand's commitment to holistic physical, mental, and social wellbeing, which will be central to its market entry strategy in 2026 [5]

NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xcel Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: XELB) (“Xcel” or the “Company”), announces today that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement for a private investment in public equity (“PIPE”) financing that is expected to result in gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $2.05 million, before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes and working capital. Pursuan ...