Steven Madden(US:SHOO)2025-11-05 14:30Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenue for Q3 2025 was $667.9 million, a 6.9% increase compared to Q3 2024. Excluding the newly acquired Kurt Geiger, consolidated revenue decreased by 14.8% [9] - Net income attributable to Steve Madden Ltd. for the quarter was $30.4 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, compared to $64.8 million, or $0.91 per diluted share in Q3 2024 [12] - Operating income for the quarter was $46.3 million, or 6.9% of revenue, compared to $85.4 million, or 13.7% of revenue in the comparable period in the prior year [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Wholesale revenue was $442.7 million, down 10.7% compared to Q3 2024. Excluding Kurt Geiger, wholesale revenue decreased by 19% [9] - Direct-to-consumer (DTC) revenue increased by 76.6% to $221.5 million. Excluding Kurt Geiger, DTC revenue increased by 1.5% [9] - Wholesale footwear revenue was $266.5 million, a 10.9% decrease from the comparable period in 2024, or down 16.7% excluding Kurt Geiger [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comp sales for the new brand, Kurt Geiger London, were up mid-teens in Q3 2025, indicating strong consumer response [6] - The company ended the quarter with 397 company-operated retail stores, including 99 outlets, and 7 e-commerce websites [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on deepening consumer connections through compelling products and effective marketing, particularly for the Steve Madden brand [5] - The acquisition integration of Kurt Geiger is on track, with progress on revenue synergies and cost savings opportunities [7] - The company plans to open a handful of stores in the U.S. for Kurt Geiger next year and is working on expanding its international presence [28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenges faced in Q3 due to new tariffs on imports but expressed confidence that the worst is behind them [4] - The company expects revenue to increase by 27%-30% in Q4 2025 compared to Q4 2024, with earnings per share projected to be in the range of $0.41-$0.46 [13][14] - Management believes that the underlying consumer demand for their brands remains strong despite tariff-related challenges [5] Other Important Information - The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per share, payable on December 26, 2025 [13] - Inventory at the end of the quarter was $476 million, compared to $268.7 million in Q3 2024 [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the fashion developing this fall and what are the inventory levels in the wholesale channel? - Management noted strong performance in the core Steve Madden women's shoe business, particularly in boots, and expressed confidence in spring prospects [16][18] Question: What is the expected revenue contribution from Kurt Geiger in Q4? - Management expects Kurt Geiger's revenue contribution to be between $182 million and $187 million, with over 70% coming from DTC [19][20] Question: How is the handbag business performing and what are the expectations for apparel? - The handbag business is expected to stabilize as demand improves, while apparel has been a growth story with good sell-throughs in key accounts [46][47] Question: What is the outlook for wholesale performance by channel? - Strongest performance is seen in regular price channels, while value price channels like off-price and mass have faced more pressure [82] Question: How is the company addressing margin recovery? - Management believes that all margin erosion is recoverable over time, with expectations to return to pre-tariff margins in the core business [64]