Guess?, Inc. designs, markets, distributes, and licenses lifestyle collections of apparel and accessories for men, women, and children. It operates through five segments: Americas Retail, Americas Wholesale, Europe, Asia, and Licensing. The company's clothing collection includes jeans, pants, skirts, dresses, shorts, blouses, shirts, jackets, activewear, knitwear, and intimate apparel. It also grants licenses to design, manufacture, and distribute various products that complement its apparel lines, such as eyewear, watches, handbags, footwear, kids' and infants' apparel, outerwear, fragrance, jewelry, and other fashion accessories, as well as to wholesale partners to operate and sell products through licensed retail stores. The company markets its products under the GUESS, GUESS?, GUESS U.S.A., GUESS Jeans, GUESS? and Triangle Design, MARCIANO, Question Mark and Triangle Design, a stylized G and a stylized M, GUESS Kids, Baby GUESS, YES, G by GUESS, GUESS by MARCIANO, and Gc brand names. It sells its products through direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and licensing distribution channels. The company also offers its products through its retail websites. Guess?, Inc. was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

Guess?, Inc.

Looking at the universe of stocks we cover at Dividend Channel, on 9/10/25, VF Corp. (Symbol: VFC), Kohl's Corp. (Symbol: KSS), and GUESS ?, Inc. (Symbol: GES) will all trade ex-dividend for their respective upcoming dividends. VF Corp. will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.09 on 9/18/25, Kohl's Corp. will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.125 on 9/24/25, and GUESS ?, Inc. will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.225 on 9/26/25. As a percentage of VFC's recent stock price of $15.00, this dividend works out to approximately 0.60%, so look for shares of VF Corp. to trade 0.60% lower — all else being equal — when VFC shares open for trading on 9/10/25. Similarly, investors should look for KSS to open 0.75% lower in price and for GES to open 1.33% lower, all else being equal.
Below are dividend history charts for VFC, KSS, and GES, showing historical dividends prior to the most recent ones declared.
VF Corp. (Symbol: VFC):
Kohl's Corp. (Symbol: KSS):
GUESS ?, Inc. (Symbol: GES):
In general, dividends are not always predictable, following the ups and downs of company profits over time. Therefore, a good first due diligence step in forming an expectation of annual yield going forward, is looking at the history above, for a sense of stability over time. This can help in judging whether the most recent dividends from these companies are likely to continue. If they do continue, the current estimated yields on annualized basis would be 2.40% for VF Corp., 3.02% for Kohl's Corp., and 5.34% for GUESS ?, Inc..
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In Monday trading, VF Corp. shares are currently up about 0.2%, Kohl's Corp. shares are up about 0.9%, and GUESS ?, Inc. shares are trading flat on the day.
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Ex-Dividend Reminder: VFC, Kohl's and GUESS

lululemon athletica inc. LULU reported second-quarter fiscal 2025 results, wherein earnings per share (EPS) beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while revenues lagged the same. The company’s top and bottom lines declined year over year, driven by softness in the Americas. Additionally, soft margins weighed on the bottom line.
lululemon’s fiscal second-quarter earnings per share (EPS) of $3.10 declined 1.6% compared with $3.15 in the prior-year quarter. However, the bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.53.
Shares of lululemon tumbled 16.5% in the after-hours trading session yesterday, following a weak fiscal second-quarter fiscal 2025 performance and a downbeat outlook for the third quarter and fiscal 2025. Investor sentiment was further rattled by management’s warning on rising import tariffs, retaliatory measures and the removal of the de minimis exemption, signaling that LULU faces a challenging road ahead. The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has lost 33.1% in the past three months compared with a 5.4% decline for the Textile - Apparel industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
LULU’s Q2 Earnings Overview
The Vancouver, Canada-based company’s quarterly revenues rose 7% year over year to $2.5 billion and missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.84 billion. On a constant-dollar basis, net revenues improved 6% year over year in the fiscal second quarter. Net revenues grew 1% in the Americas on both reported and constant-dollar basis, and 22% internationally (up 20% on a constant-dollar basis).
Total comparable sales (comps) rose 1% year over year. Comps in the Americas declined 4% on a reported basis and 3% in constant dollars. Internationally, comps increased 15% and rose 13% on a constant-dollar basis. Our model predicted comps growth of 0.6% for the fiscal second quarter.
Within the Americas segment, revenues increased 1% year over year in Canada on both a reported and constant-currency basis, and were flat in the United States. In the International segment, revenues rose 25% in Mainland China (24% in constant currency) and 19% in the Rest of the World (15% in constant currency). Comps improved 16% in Mainland China and 9% in the Rest of the World in the fiscal second quarter.
In the store channel, the company’s total sales increased 3% on a constant-dollar basis. Digital revenues improved 9% year over year, contributing $1 billion, or 39%, to the total revenues.
lululemon athletica inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
lululemon athletica inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | lululemon athletica inc. Quote
The gross profit improved 5% year over year to $1.48 billion. The gross margin contracted 110 basis points (bps) to 58.5%, primarily affected by an 80-basis-point (bps) decline in the product margin, led by increased markdowns and tariff impacts. Notably, markdowns increased 60 bps, well above the company’s expectations of 20-40 bps, while fixed cost deleverage added 40 bps of pressure. These headwinds were partly offset by a 10-bps benefit from favorable foreign exchange. We expected the gross margin to contract 200 bps year over year to 57.6% for the fiscal second quarter.
However, management noted that gross margin in the quarter was stronger than its guidance of a 200-210 bps decline, fueled by favorable product mix, lower ocean freight costs, disciplined expense management and smaller-than-expected tariff impacts due to timing. Additionally, a reversal of stock-based compensation accruals contributed further relief.
SG&A expenses of $951.7 million increased 9.1% from the year-ago quarter. SG&A expenses, as a percentage of net revenues, of 37.7% rose 90 bps from 36.8% in the prior-year quarter. The increase in SG&A expense rate was favorable versus the company’s guidance of a 170-190 bps increase. The better-than-expected SG&A rate was driven by the stock-based compensation accrual reversal.
Our model predicted SG&A expenses to rise 12.6% year over year for the fiscal second quarter, with a 190-bps increase in the SG&A expense rate to 38.7%.
The operating income declined 3% year over year to $523.8 million in the fiscal second quarter. The operating margin of 20.7% contracted 210 bps year over year. Our model predicted a 10.9% year-over-year decline in adjusted operating income. We estimated the operating margin to decline 380 bps year over year to 19%.
Snapshot of lululemon’s Store Plans
In second-quarter fiscal 2025, LULU opened 14 net new stores, including 15 store openings and one closure. Additionally, the company completed six optimizations. As of Aug. 3, 2025, it operated 784 stores.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2025, the company expects to open 14 net new company-operated stores and complete 18 store optimizations. For fiscal 2025, lululemon reiterated its guidance of 40-45 net new company-operated stores, anticipating store openings at the higher end of the view. It expects to complete 35 co-located optimizations compared with 40 optimizations mentioned earlier.
LULU expects overall square footage growth in the low-double digits for fiscal 2025. Store openings in fiscal 2025 are expected to include 15 stores in the Americas, with nearly half of this planned for Mexico. The rest of the store openings in fiscal 2025 are expected to occur in the international markets, primarily in China.
LULU’s Other Financial Details
lululemon exited second-quarter fiscal 2025 with cash and cash equivalents of $1.6 billion. The company had $393.2 million of capacity under its committed revolving credit facility and stockholders’ equity of $4.4 billion. Its inventories rose 21% year over year to $1.7 billion, with inventory units improving 13%. The capital expenditure was $178 million in the fiscal second quarter.
In the fiscal third quarter, the company anticipates dollar inventory to increase in the low double-digits and inventory per unit to increase in the low 20s, driven by higher tariffs and adverse currency rates. The company expects inventory growth for the rest of the fiscal year to follow a similar pattern.
In the fiscal second quarter, lululemon repurchased 1.13 million shares at an average price of $247. As of Aug. 3, 2025, LULU had $860 million remaining under its current $1-billion share repurchase authorization.
lululemon’s Targets for Q3 & FY25
LULU lowered its revenue and EPS guidance for fiscal 2025 due to the expectations of increased tariff-related costs and the removal of the de minimis exemption.
For fiscal 2025, LULU anticipates net revenues of $10.85-$11 billion compared with the $11.15-$11.3 billion stated earlier. This indicates 2-4% year-over-year growth versus the previously mentioned growth rate of 5-7%. Excluding the 53rd week in 2024, revenues are expected to rise 4-6% compared with 7-8% growth mentioned earlier.
On a segmental basis, the company’s guidance assumes revenues in the Americas to be flat to down 1%, including a 1-2% decline in the United States and nearly flat revenues in Canada. On the international front, revenues are expected to increase 20-25% in Mainland China and 20% in the Rest of the World.
lululemon expects a 300-bps year-over-year decline in the gross margin compared with the previously mentioned 110-bps decline. The variance from the prior guidance is mainly due to an additional 190 bps of deleverage, led by increased tariffs, including the removal of the de minimis exemption, offset by its cost mitigation efforts. Additionally, the company anticipated markdowns of 50 bps compared with the prior stated 10-20 bps, reflecting higher seasonal clearance.
The company also provided additional details on tariff-related expenses, which now reflect two key components: higher reciprocal rates and the removal of the de minimis exemption. The company’s earlier guidance assumed mitigated impacts of roughly 40 bps for fiscal 2025, based on 10% incremental tariffs across most sourcing countries and 30% on China.
However, with tariff rates trending higher and the de minimis exemption now eliminated, the company projects a 220-bps impact on the gross margin for fiscal 2025 (or nearly $240 million of mitigated impacts). Of this, about 170 bps of impact stemmed directly from the de minimis change. Previously, the company’s Canadian distribution infrastructure allowed it to ship e-commerce orders under $800 to U.S. customers, qualifying for the exemption and generating meaningful duty savings. That advantage has now been removed, significantly pressuring margins.
Additionally, the company noted that in fiscal 2025, it will only realize half a year of mitigation strategies, limiting the offset. By fiscal 2026, while the company will not fully recover the incremental de minimis costs, it expects to benefit from a full year of mitigation measures, leading to an estimated $320-million net impact on the operating margin tied to both higher tariffs and the exemption removal. This outlook underscores the near-term headwinds but also highlights its proactive approach to managing through evolving trade dynamics.
The SG&A expense rate is expected to rise 80-90 bps year over year for fiscal 2025, above the prior mentioned 50 bps. The increase in deleverage is led by softer top-line projections, currency headwinds and ongoing investments in its Power of Three x2 plan despite several enterprise-wide cost savings initiatives in place. Throughout fiscal 2025, the company will continue to allocate resources to support market growth, advance international expansion and strengthen technology capabilities.
LULU expects the fiscal 2025 operating margin to contract 390 bps year over year. The company projects an EPS of $12.77-$12.97, suggesting an increase from the $14.64 reported in fiscal 2024. The revised EPS view marks a decline from $14.95-$14.78 projected earlier. The company anticipates an effective tax rate of 30% for fiscal 2025. lululemon expects a capital expenditure of $700-$720 million for fiscal 2025 compared with $740-$760 mentioned earlier.
For the third quarter of fiscal 2025, management anticipates net revenues of $2.47-$2.5 billion, indicating 3-4% year-over-year growth. The company expects a 410-bps year-over-year decline in the gross margin due to higher tariff rates and the removal of the de minimis exemption, along with fixed cost deleverage and continued investment in its multi-year distribution center project. The tariff and de minimis impacts are expected to be 230 bps. Additionally, the company expects an 80-bps year-over-year increase in markdowns, driven by higher seasonal clearance.
SG&A, as a percentage of sales, is expected to deleverage 150 bps year over year, driven by higher foundational investments, including related depreciation and strategic initiatives to enhance brand awareness and support growth. The operating margin for the fiscal third quarter is expected to decline 560 bps year over year, including a 230-bps impact of tariffs and de minimis.
EPS for the fiscal third quarter is expected to be $2.18-$2.23, whereas it reported EPS of $2.87 in the prior-year quarter. LULU estimates an effective tax rate of 30.5% for the fiscal third quarter.
Solid Picks in LULU’s Broader Industry
We have highlighted three better-ranked stocks from the same industry, namely Ralph Lauren Corporation RL, Guess?, Inc. GES and Hanesbrands Inc. HBI.
Ralph Lauren is a major designer, marketer and distributor of premium lifestyle products in North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. RL flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ralph Lauren’s fiscal 2025 sales and earnings indicates growth of 6% and 19.8%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s reported figures. RL has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8.5%, on average.
Guess designs, markets, distributes and licenses casual apparel and accessories for men, women and children as per the American lifestyle and European fashion sensibilities. GES sports a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Guess’ current fiscal-year sales indicates growth of 7% from the year-ago period’s reported figure. The consensus estimate for GES earnings suggests a year-over-year decline of 18.4%. GES has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 26.7%, on average.
Hanesbrands engages in the design, manufacture, sourcing and sale of apparel essentials for men, women and children in the United States and internationally. HBI currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hanesbrands’ current fiscal-year sales indicates a decline of 11.3% from the year-ago period’s reported figure. The consensus estimate for HBI earnings suggests a year-over-year surge of 65%. HBI has a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 56.1%, on average.
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lululemon Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Stock Tumbles on Downbeat View

A strong stock as of late has been Ralph Lauren (RL). Shares have been marching higher, with the stock up 3.9% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $311.45 in the previous session. Ralph Lauren has gained 34.7% since the start of the year compared to the 10.9% move for the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector and the -25.3% return for the Zacks Textile - Apparel industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?
The stock has a great record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on August 7, 2025, Ralph Lauren reported EPS of $3.77 versus consensus estimate of $3.48 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 4.16%.
For the current fiscal year, Ralph Lauren is expected to post earnings of $14.77 per share on $7.5 in revenues. This represents a 19.79% change in EPS on a 5.98% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $16.08 per share on $7.87 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 8.87% and 4.88%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Though Ralph Lauren has recently hit a 52-week high, what is next for Ralph Lauren? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.
On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as these give investors a variety of ways to comb through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
Ralph Lauren has a Value Score of C. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and C, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 21.1X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 15.1X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 19X versus its peer group's average of 8.3X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.57. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
Zacks Rank
We also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this is even more important than the company's VGM Score. Fortunately, Ralph Lauren currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.
Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Ralph Lauren passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Ralph Lauren shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.
How Does RL Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of RL have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Guess?, Inc. (GES). GES has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of B, and a Momentum Score of B.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Guess?, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 85.71%, and for the current fiscal year, GES is expected to post earnings of $1.60 per share on revenue of $3.2 billion.
Shares of Guess?, Inc. have gained 30.4% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 10.58X and a P/CF of 4.89X.
The Textile - Apparel industry may rank in the bottom 63% of all the industries we have in our universe, but there still looks like there are some nice tailwinds for RL and GES, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
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Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?

lululemon athletica inc. LULU is likely to witness top-line growth when it reports second-quarter fiscal 2025 results on Sept. 4, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal second-quarter sales is pegged at $2.53 billion, indicating a 6.9% increase from the year-ago quarter's reported figure.
The consensus estimate for the company's fiscal second-quarter earnings is pegged at $2.84 per share, suggesting a 9.8% decline from the year-ago quarter’s actual. Earnings estimates have moved down by a penny in the past seven days.
The Vancouver-based company has been reporting steady earnings outcomes, as evident from its bottom-line surprise trends in the past several quarters. lululemon has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 5%, on average. Given its positive record, the question is, can LULU maintain the momentum?
Earnings Whispers
Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for LULU this season. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. But that is not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
lululemon has an Earnings ESP of -1.11% and a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Key Insights on Trends to Define LULU’s Q2 Results
lululemon’s second-quarter fiscal 2025 results are expected to reflect continued headwinds from the ongoing uncertainty due to the impacts of increased tariffs on imports from China and Mexico, which are likely to have led to higher costs. lululemon also faces SG&A expense deleverage due to planned investments in strategies and initiatives to fuel long-term growth. These investments include digital marketing and seasonal store openings to drive guest acquisition, build brand awareness and expand testing for longer-term growth opportunities.
On its last reported quarter’searnings call management warned about the rising import tariffs of 30% on goods from China and 10% from other countries, expecting these tariffs to significantly pressure the gross margin in the second half of the year. These headwinds are likely to have impacted LULU’s gross margin and profitability in the to-be-reported quarter.
For the second quarter of fiscal 2025, lululemon expects the gross margin to decline 20 bps year over year, led by elevated occupancy and depreciation, higher tariff rates, slightly higher markdowns and adverse currency rates. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, as a percentage of sales, are expected to deleverage 170-190 bps year over year, driven by higher foundational investments and associated depreciation, and strategic initiatives to enhance brand awareness and support growth.
The operating margin for the fiscal second quarter is expected to decline 380 bps year over year, whereas it reported operating margin growth of 110 bps in the prior-year quarter. The variance is mainly due to the impacts of external factors like tariffs and currency headwinds. EPS for the fiscal second quarter is expected to be $2.85-$2.90, whereas it reported EPS of $3.15 in the prior-year quarter.
lululemon athletica inc. Price and EPS Surprise
Our model estimates a year-over-year gross margin contraction of 200 bps to 57.6% in the fiscal second quarter. We expect the SG&A expense rate to increase 190 bps to 38.7%, with the operating margin declining 380 bps to 19%.
Additionally, lululemon’s fiscal second-quarter performance is expected to have been impacted by the decline in store traffic across the United States, owing to a cautious consumer mindset, driven by macroeconomic pressures such as inflation, tariffs and economic uncertainty. Despite strong engagement with new products, lululemon continues to face headwinds in driving consistent footfall and sales growth in its largest market, underscoring the need for stronger momentum and recovery in North America.
However, LULU is poised to benefit from the strong business momentum in its international markets, including Mainland China and the Rest of the World, as the brand connects well with customers globally. The company has been on a growth trajectory with its Power of Three x2 growth plan, focusing on product innovation, guest experience and market expansion. Initiatives like community-based events and brand campaigns have been crucial for increasing brand awareness, attracting customers and strengthening brand loyalty. These efforts are expected to have aided the company's fiscal second-quarter performance.
On the last reported quarter’searnings call management expressed confidence in the ongoing strength of its international business, particularly in Mainland China. Our model predicts international revenues to increase 9.4% year over year for second-quarter fiscal 2025.
LULU’s Price Performance & Valuation
lululemon’s shares have exhibited a downtrend in the past three months, losing 37.4% compared with the industry’s decline of 12.6%. Meanwhile, the company has underperformed the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector and the S&P 500’s growth of 6.7% and 9.7%, respectively.
lululemon’s 3-Month Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The LULU stock has underperformed V.F. Corporation VFC, Ralph Lauren Corporation RL and Guess? Inc. GES, which have rallied 23.7%, 7.6% and 59.6%, respectively, in the past three months.
At its current price of $202.20, the LULU stock trades 8.7% above its 52-week low of $185.95. Moreover, lululemon’s current stock price stands 52.2% below its 52-week high of $423.32.
From the valuation standpoint, the company trades at a forward 12-month P/E multiple of 13.55X, exceeding the industry average of 11.39X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The premium valuation suggests that investors have strong expectations for lululemon’s future performance and growth potential. However, the stock currently seems somewhat overvalued. As a result, investors may be hesitant to buy at these elevated levels and prefer to wait for a more favorable entry point.
Investment Thesis
lululemon is facing a challenging retail backdrop, with inflation, rising interest rates and softer discretionary spending weighing on consumer behavior. Luxury and premium categories, particularly in the Americas, are under pressure, while tariffs remain an additional headwind. These factors have created a difficult environment for growth, but the company continues to execute on its long-term vision.
Momentum is being driven by its Power of Three ×2 strategy, which targets doubling of revenues by 2026 through three pillars: international expansion, growth in the men’s business, and enhanced digital engagement. This multi-pronged approach is helping lululemon balance near-term challenges with structural growth opportunities.
International markets stand out as a key driver, with China playing a central role in lululemon’s plan to significantly scale global revenues. Alongside digital investments that deepen customer engagement and a growing men’s apparel segment, lululemon is positioning itself for resilience and long-term value creation.
Conclusion
No matter how the stock responds to the upcoming second-quarter fiscal 2025 results, lululemon’s long-term growth narrative remains compelling, supported by product innovation, global expansion and the Power of Three ×2 strategy. However, near-term pressures, from inflation and higher interest rates to tariff uncertainty and softness in the women’s business in the Americas, may weigh on margins and dampen performance, warranting caution ahead of earnings.
At its foundation, lululemon is a profitable, strategically disciplined brand with significant international potential. Still, with macro headwinds clouding near-term visibility and valuation leaving limited room for error, some investors may prefer to wait for greater clarity before adding exposure. For existing shareholders, patience may be rewarded over time, but for prospective buyers, exercising caution ahead of the earnings print could be the more prudent move.
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V.F. Corporation (VFC) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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lululemon's Q2 Earnings Echo Tariff & Cost Headwinds: Buy Now or Sell?

NVIDIA will pay its next quarterly cash dividend of $0.01 per share on October 2, 2025, to all shareholders of record on September 11, 2025.
The Deere Board of Directors today declared a quarterly dividend of $1.62 per share payable November 10, 2025, to stockholders of record on September 30, 2025.
The board of directors of PotlatchDeltic declared a quarterly distribution on the Company's common stock. The distribution of $0.45 per share is payable September 30, 2025 to stockholders of record on September 15, 2025.
Franklin Resources announced a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.32 per share payable on October 10, 2025 to stockholders of record holding shares of common stock at the close of business on September 30, 2025. The quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share is equivalent to the dividend paid for the prior quarter and represents a 3.2% increase over the quarterly dividend paid for the same quarter last year.
Nordson today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a five percent increase in the Company's quarterly cash dividend to $0.82 per common share from $0.78. The dividend is payable on September 25, 2025, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 11, 2025. This increase represents Nordson's 62nd consecutive year of annual dividend increases, ranking it among an elite group of publicly traded companies with the longest-running record of consecutive dividend increases.
The Guess Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.225 per share on the Company's common stock. The dividend will be payable on September 26, 2025 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 10, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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Key Points
Management’s stated expectations were exceeded.
Adjusted earnings per share fell 38% in Q2 FY2026 compared to the prior year, constrained by rising costs and margin contraction.
Guess? (NYSE:GES) announced a take-private transaction with delisting plans, suspended guidance, and will no longer host quarterly conference calls.
Guess? (NYSE:GES), a global fashion retailer known for its denim and distinctive lifestyle apparel, reported Q2 FY2026 earnings on August 27, 2025. The most significant development in the report was the announcement of a proposed take-private transaction, with Authentic Brands Group and company founders planning to acquire and delist the company. In terms of results, Revenue (GAAP) climbed to $772.9 million, a 6% increase from the same period last year, outpacing both internal and external expectations. However, profit metrics lagged: Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) dropped to $0.26 from $0.42, reflecting a 38% fall and pointing to higher expenses and compressed margins. Overall, the quarter delivered revenue outperformance, but revealed underlying weaknesses in cost control and bottom-line profitability.
Metric
Q2 FY2026(Three Months Ended Aug 2, 2025)
Q2 FY2025(Three Months Ended Aug 3, 2024)
Y/Y Change
Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP)
$0.26
$0.42
(38.1%)
Adjusted Operating Margin (Non-GAAP)
3.7 %
5.2 %
(1.5 pp)
Revenue (GAAP)
$772.9 million
$732.6 million
5.5 %
Net Earnings Attributable to Guess, Inc. (GAAP)
$6.2 million
($10.6 million)
$16.8 million
Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP)(Six Months Ended)
($44.6 million)
($23.0 million)
(93.9 %)
Source: Analyst estimates provided by FactSet. Management expectations based on management's guidance, as provided in Q1 2026 earnings report.
About Guess? and Recent Strategic Focus
The company designs and distributes fashion apparel, handbags, accessories, and footwear for men, women, and children. Its core business revolves around the GUESS? brand, but it also manages a growing portfolio that now includes the rag & bone lifestyle brand acquired in April 2024. Operating in over 100 countries, the company balances direct-to-consumer retail stores, wholesale partnerships, and licensing arrangements to reach its customers.
Recently, it has focused on key areas: fortifying brand equity, expanding global reach, growing through strategic acquisitions, and supporting sustainability goals. Success depends upon its ability to boost customer loyalty, leverage global diversification, maintain productive sales channels, and manage integration of new businesses such as rag & bone. Maintaining adaptability and keeping the brand relevant are critical in the rapidly evolving apparel landscape.
Quarter in Review: Performance, Segments, and Notable Events
The period showed GAAP revenue growth ahead of consensus, driven mainly by strong results in Europe. European segment revenue rose 14% in the second quarter, buoyed by an 11% increase in retail comparable sales, including both in-store and e-commerce. The operating margin for this region improved to 10.6% from 9.8%, a result of better sales figures and favorable currency movements, partially offset by increased advertising and store costs.
The Americas contrasted sharply with Europe. The Americas Retail segment saw revenues down 1%, and Americas Retail comparable sales slipped 5% in the second quarter. Operating margin for the Americas Retail segment weakened from 1.5% to negative 3.7% in the second quarter, squeezed by heavier markdowns and rising expenses. Americas Wholesale also disappointed, with an 11% revenue drop. However, its operating margin for the Americas Wholesale segment ticked up slightly to 19.6%, driven primarily by higher product margin, despite absolute sales volume contraction. The Asia segment reported a 3% increase in revenue, but continued to struggle with negative retail comparable sales and an operating margin that worsened to negative 6.8% in the second quarter.
Profit margins compressed company-wide in the second quarter. Gross margin (GAAP) slid from 43.7% to 42.5%, while Adjusted operating margin fell by 1.5 percentage points. Cost pressures came from both higher direct operating expenses and increased marketing spend, which management cited as “higher expenses, including higher advertising and store costs.” The bottom line reflected these pressures: adjusted net earnings fell 40% even as revenue rose, and GAAP net earnings attributable to the company improved to $6.2 million—turning positive after a net loss in the prior-year period.
Free cash flow (non-GAAP) for the first half of FY2026 was negative $44.6 million, a steep deterioration from negative $22.96 million at this time last year. Inventory climbed to $668 million, as the company built up supply to avoid disruptions from the Red Sea crisis and to support its growing business but risks carrying excess stock. The company continues to pay a quarterly dividend, though it trimmed the payout to $0.225 per share—a sequential drop from $0.30, marking a 25% reduction.
Business Model: Channels, Products, and Integration
Guess? pursues a multi-channel model, combining direct-to-consumer retail, wholesale, and high-margin licensing of intellectual property. The direct-to-consumer channel, including both brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce, performed well in Europe but faced modest declines in the Americas and Asia. The wholesale channel, which sells Guess? products in other retailers’ stores, saw declines in the Americas after strong gains in Q1 FY2026—a shift suggesting changing shipment timing or demand.
Licensing, which consists of revenue from GUESS? branded products like watches, fragrances, and footwear manufactured by partners, fell 10% on a GAAP basis, but continued to post very high segment operating margins above 95%, indicating low costs but pressure on overall royalty income. The rag & bone product family—covering premium denim and lifestyle apparel—was fully integrated into broader operating segments and provided some support to U.S. results. Management had previously commented on encouraging performance from the integration process.
Strategic Transactions, Guidance, and Looking Ahead
The most transformative news in the quarter was the announced agreement for the company to go private. Authentic Brands Group will acquire 51% of the company’s intellectual property, while Rolling Stockholders, including company founders, CEO Carlos Alberini, and certain of their respective trusts, foundations, and affiliates, will acquire 49% of substantially all of the company’s intellectual property and 100% of the operating assets. Shareholders outside this group will receive $16.75 per share in cash, and the stock will be delisted, pending shareholder approval. This puts future disclosure of operational metrics and performance beyond typical public market scrutiny.
Following this announcement, management suspended all financial guidance, and The company did not host a conference call in connection with its quarterly results. This makes it difficult to track future operational expectations or strategic direction beyond the take-private process.
GES continues to pay a dividend; the quarterly dividend was $0.225 per share.
Revenue and net income presented using U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) unless otherwise noted.
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Guess Posts 6% Revenue Gain in Q2

The following companies are expected to report earnings prior to market open on 08/27/2025. Visit our Earnings Calendar for a full list of expected earnings releases.
Royal Bank Of Canada (RY)is reporting for the quarter ending July 31, 2025. The bank (foreign) company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 4 analysts that follow the stock is $2.36. This value represents a 0.84% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. RY missed the consensus earnings per share in the 2nd calendar quarter of 2025 by -2.22%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for RY is 14.12 vs. an industry ratio of 11.30, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM)is reporting for the quarter ending July 31, 2025. The home furnishings company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 9 analysts that follow the stock is $1.79. This value represents a 2.87% increase compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year WSM has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 2nd calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 5.11%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for WSM is 23.18 vs. an industry ratio of 21.10, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
The J.M. Smucker Company (SJM)is reporting for the quarter ending July 31, 2025. The food company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 8 analysts that follow the stock is $1.95. This value represents a 20.08% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year SJM has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 2nd calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 2.67%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for SJM is 12.07 vs. an industry ratio of 17.20.
Donaldson Company, Inc. (DCI)is reporting for the quarter ending July 31, 2025. The pollution control company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 6 analysts that follow the stock is $1.02. This value represents a 8.51% increase compared to the same quarter last year. DCI missed the consensus earnings per share in the 1st calendar quarter of 2025 by -2.35%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for DCI is 20.53 vs. an industry ratio of 16.00, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Abercrombie & Fitch Company (ANF)is reporting for the quarter ending July 31, 2025. The retail (shoe) company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 7 analysts that follow the stock is $2.27. This value represents a 9.20% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year ANF has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 2nd calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 17.78%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for ANF is 9.81 vs. an industry ratio of 19.70.
Kohl's Corporation (KSS)is reporting for the quarter ending July 31, 2025. The retail company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 7 analysts that follow the stock is $0.33. This value represents a 44.07% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. KSS missed the consensus earnings per share in the 4th calendar quarter of 2024 by -25.93%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for KSS is 37.70 vs. an industry ratio of 20.80, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Photronics, Inc. (PLAB)is reporting for the quarter ending July 31, 2025. The capital goods company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 1 analyst that follows the stock is $0.39. This value represents a 23.53% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for PLAB is 12.61 vs. an industry ratio of 14.40.
Guess?, Inc. (GES)is reporting for the quarter ending July 31, 2025. The textile company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 2 analysts that follow the stock is $0.14. This value represents a 66.67% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for GES is 11.35 vs. an industry ratio of 17.40.
MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. (MCFT)is reporting for the quarter ending June 30, 2025. The leisure (recreational) company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 3 analysts that follow the stock is $0.15. This value represents a 475.00% increase compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year MCFT and beat the expectations the other three quarters. The "days to cover" for this stock exceeds 11 days. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for MCFT is 37.46 vs. an industry ratio of 22.80, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Hafnia Limited (HAFN)is reporting for the quarter ending June 30, 2025. The shipping company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 1 analyst that follows the stock is $0.14. This value represents a 72.55% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year HAFN has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 1st calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 8.33%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for HAFN is 8.57 vs. an industry ratio of 19.70.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Pre-Market Earnings Report for August 27, 2025 : RY, WSM, SJM, DCI, ANF, KSS, PLAB, GES, MCFT, HAFN

Ralph Lauren Corporation’s RL first-quarter fiscal 2026 results underscored the brand’s deepening commitment to its digital-first growth strategy amid a mixed retail backdrop. The quarter delivered solid online momentum, with global direct-to-consumer comparable store sales up 13%, driven by positive retail comps across all regions and channels. RL continues to enhance personalization, upgrade mobile experiences and integrate loyalty programs to deepen customer engagement worldwide.
The company’s e-commerce platforms now operate as both a high-performing sales engine and a curated storytelling hub, delivering richer brand experiences without heavy discounting. Digital channels now represent a growing share of direct-to-consumer sales, helping Ralph Lauren reach younger, more globally diverse consumers while improving engagement and conversion. This has also helped drive stronger international momentum, especially in Asia and Europe, where e-commerce adoption is accelerating. These gains come as wholesale and certain brick-and-mortar channels face softer traffic and shifting consumer spending patterns, particularly in North America.
Looking ahead, management remains cautious about the retail environment, citing macroeconomic pressures, currency headwinds and competitive dynamics that may weigh on overall growth. At this time, Ralph Lauren’s ability to blend digital innovation with store experiences will be the key.
Initiatives such as enhancing omnichannel fulfillment, improving product discovery and integrating digital content with physical retail events aim to create a seamless brand journey. While its digital momentum offers a strong counterweight to retail headwinds, the sustainability of this strategy will hinge on consumer demand resilience and the brand’s ability to stay ahead of shifting luxury and apparel industry dynamics in 2026. The coming quarters will reveal if the balance holds.
RL’s Competitors & Their Digital Achievements
lululemon athletica inc.’s LULU digital business remains a core growth driver, capturing the largest share of its sales mix and reinforcing brand reach across markets. The company is enhancing site functionality, leveraging data for personalization and integrating storytelling with product launches to deepen engagement. With a global digital footprint and strong direct-to-consumer penetration, lululemon’s online strategy is designed to offset softer retail trends while expanding market share in both performance and lifestyle categories.
G-III Apparel Group Ltd.’s GIII digital business continues to grow, supported by investments in e-commerce platforms, marketing and omnichannel capabilities. The company is leveraging its brand portfolio to strengthen direct-to-consumer reach, expand assortments and improve online experiences. With a diversified global footprint and increasing digital penetration, G-III’s strategy aims to capture market share, and counter softer wholesale and retail trends by engaging consumers across both owned sites and key third-party marketplaces.
Guess Inc.’s GES digital business remains a key growth pillar, with strong e-commerce performance across North America, Europe and Asia. The company is enhancing site functionality, expanding localized assortments and leveraging data-driven marketing to boost engagement and conversion. With a global digital footprint and growing share of sales from online channels, Guess’s strategy is focused on offsetting retail headwinds and deepening direct connections with consumers through an integrated omnichannel experience.
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Is Ralph Lauren's Digital Push Enough to Offset Retail Headwinds?

Note: Gap’s fiscal year ended February 1, 2025
Despite a stronger-than-expected Q1, investors are steering clear of Gap Inc. stock (NYSE: GAP) — and for good reason. While the stock looks cheap on the surface, with valuation metrics far below the broader market, deeper issues are weighing on sentiment: renewed tariff risks, flat forward guidance, and shaky consumer confidence. The result? A 6.1% slide on July 14, even as the S&P 500 eked out a 0.1% gain and peer Guess (NYSE: GES) dipped just 1%. For those seeking steadier long-term growth, diversified strategies like the Trefis High Quality portfolio have returned over 91% since inception and offer a smoother ride.
What’s Weighing on Gap?
The selloff followed a brief post-earnings rally, but optimism faded quickly. In its Q1 report, Gap confirmed full-year gross tariff costs of $250–$300 million, with $100–$150 million hitting the bottom line even after mitigation. That risk became more real after recent court rulings cleared a path for the reinstatement of Trump-era tariffs. On top of that, Gap guided for flat revenue in Q2, a red flag for a company trying to prove it has turned the corner.
Consumer Confidence: A Weak Link
Consumer sentiment, a key driver of apparel demand, is weakening. The U.S. Consumer Confidence Index fell to 93.0 in June, down from 98.4 in May and well off its pre-pandemic level of 132.6 in February 2020. Fewer Americans expect improvements in the labor market (15.4%, down from 18.6%) or business conditions (16.7% vs. 19.9%), signaling a softening spending environment.
Q1 Snapshot: Solid, But Not Without Cracks
In Q1 (ended May 3, 2025), Gap posted a 2.2% year-over-year revenue increase to $3.46 billion and earned $0.51 per share, up 24% and ahead of estimates. Gross margin expanded to 41.8%, while operating margin rose to 7.7%, driving net income up 22% to $193 million. Comparable sales climbed 5% at the Gap brand and 3% at Old Navy, but Banana Republic saw flat comps, and Athleta comps fell around 8%. Online sales rose 6%, now comprising 39% of revenue. Despite holding nearly $2 billion in cash, the company posted negative free cash flow of $223 million, reflecting typical seasonal trends. Gap reaffirmed full-year guidance for 1–2% revenue growth and 8–10% operating income growth, excluding the expected tariff drag.
Valuation: Bargain or Value Trap?
Gap trades at a steep discount to the broader market, with a price-to-sales ratio of 0.6 (vs. 3.1 for the S&P 500), price-to-free cash flow of 9.9 (vs. 20.9), and price-to-earnings of 9.4 (vs. 26.9). While those figures suggest a bargain, they also mirror investor skepticism over the company’s fundamentals and long-term growth potential.
Growth & Profitability: Mixed Signals
Over the past three years, Gap’s revenue has declined at an average annual rate of 2.1%, compared to the S&P 500’s 5.5% gain. Sales have remained flat over the past year, and Q1’s 2.2% revenue growth remains modest. Profitability continues to lag peers, with an operating margin of 7.7%, a net margin of 5.8% (vs. 11.6% for the S&P 500), and an operating cash flow margin of 8.7% (vs. 14.9%). While operational execution is improving, Gap remains far behind industry leaders.
Gap’s balance sheet is adequate but not pristine. The company carries $5.5 billion in debt against an $8 billion market cap, resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of 63.4%, which is more than triple the S&P 500 average. On the bright side, a healthy 19.2% cash-to-assets ratio provides a cushion as the company weathers cost pressures and ongoing brand transformation.
Bottom Line
Yes, Gap looks cheap. But it’s cheap for a reason. The Q1 beat is encouraging, but investors are rightly cautious in the face of tariff risks, tepid guidance, inconsistent brand performance, and a weakening consumer backdrop. Until fundamentals improve more broadly, the discount may remain.
Investing in a single stock can be risky. For those looking for growth with lower volatility, diversified portfolios like the Trefis High Quality portfolio offer a compelling alternative. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why Market Isn’t Buying Gap’s Turnaround Story

Ralph Lauren Corporation RL is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 19.54x, notably higher than the industry average of 11.2x. This premium valuation reflects investor confidence in the company’s robust brand equity, successful execution of its strategic transformation, and consistent performance across geographies and channels. RL’s strong pricing power, margin expansion, disciplined inventory and real estate management further support its elevated valuation.
RL Stock's Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In contrast, peers such as Duluth Holdings DLTH, Guess? Inc. GES and Gildan Activewear GIL trade at lower forward P/E ratios of 7.59x, 7.59x and 13.21x, respectively. These lower valuations of Duluth Holdings, Guess? and Gildan Activewear are a reflection of the company-specific challenges, such as inconsistent earnings performance, lower pricing power, greater exposure to price-sensitive customers or weaker brand resonance.
Unlike Ralph Lauren, which has successfully leaned into premiumization and digital transformation, these peers operate with more constrained growth profiles, narrower international footprints and less diversified product offerings.
A key factor behind Ralph Lauren's elevated P/E ratio is its impressive stock performance. In the past year, shares of the company have climbed 55.5%, significantly outperforming the industry, which declined by 13.5%. It has also outperformed the broader sector and the S&P 500 index, which posted growth of 19.8% and 10.8%, respectively.
RL Srock's Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
RL's stock performance stands out among apparel stocks. In the past year, Duluth Holdings and Guess? have declined 48.3% and 41%, respectively, whereas Gildan Activewear gained 27.6%.
Strategic Moves Power RL’s Growth
Ralph Lauren continues to demonstrate exceptional strength, closing fiscal 2025 with robust performance that exceeded expectations across all regions and channels. The company’s global desirability remains its most powerful asset, underpinned by its iconic brand identity and elevated product portfolio. With a lifestyle approach that resonates across generations and geographies, Ralph Lauren has effectively executed its key city ecosystem model, combining physical stores, digital flagships and selective wholesale presence.
Ralph Lauren’s digital transformation continues to be a significant growth lever, with direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels now making up two-thirds of the business. Digital comps grew in the double digits globally in the fourth quarter, supported by targeted marketing activations, improved site experiences and increasing traction on social media platforms. The company added nearly 6 million new DTC consumers in fiscal 2025, with growth led by younger, female and less price-sensitive cohorts.
Innovations like predictive buying and AI-enabled planning are improving inventory efficiency and responsiveness. Across platforms owned, wholesale and social, Ralph Lauren is not just keeping pace with digital trends but actively shaping them, creating immersive, emotionally resonant brand experiences that fuel both consumer loyalty and higher-margin sales.
The company’s multi-year strategy, centered on three pillars — brand elevation, driving the core while expanding for more and winning in key cities — has delivered tangible results. Ralph Lauren’s core products, which represent about 70% of the business, saw low double-digit growth in the fourth quarter, led by strong demand for knitwear, outerwear and accessories.
The company’s strategic pricing actions, product elevation and discount discipline helped drive average unit retail growth while reinforcing luxury and value perceptions. Ralph Lauren is also making smart investments in prime real estate to future-proof its presence, such as acquiring its Polo flagship in SoHo, aligning with a broader DTC-led growth strategy that continues to strengthen profitability.
Estimate Revisions Favoring RL Stock
Reflecting positive sentiment around Ralph Lauren, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share has seen upward revisions. In the past 30 days, the consensus estimate has risen 6 cents to $13.69 and 7 cents to $15.03 for 2026 and 2027, respectively. These estimates indicate expected year-over-year growth rates of around 11% and 9.8% for 2026 and 2027, respectively. (Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Are Headwinds Enough to Derail RL’s Momentum?
Despite its strong performance, Ralph Lauren faces mounting challenges from an increasingly volatile global macroeconomic environment. Consumer sentiment remains pressured across key markets such as the United States, the U.K. and China due to persistent inflation, geopolitical tensions and uncertainty around trade policy, particularly new tariffs.
Tariff-related cost inflation is an evolving concern, with the company expecting gross margin pressures to intensify in the second half of fiscal 2026. Ralph Lauren has proactively implemented selective pricing actions and diversified its supply chain, ensuring no single country exceeds 20% of production tariffs. However, tariffs are expected to pose risks to its cost structure and pricing power in the near term.
Investment Opinion on RL Stock
Ralph Lauren remains a compelling investment, supported by its strong brand positioning, lifestyle-driven product strategy and expanding global footprint. The company’s focus on premiumization, digital transformation and disciplined execution has fueled consistent performance across regions and channels. Its success in driving brand desirability, coupled with ongoing investments in high-growth categories and key markets, underpins long-term growth potential.
However, the stock’s premium valuation reflects high investor expectations, which could be tested amid ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, shifting consumer sentiment and evolving tariff risks. Current investors should retain their positions in RL stock, while new investors might wait for a more favorable entry point. Ralph Lauren currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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