Author: Thomas J. Ryan

Foot Locker Inc. on Friday reported third-quarter earnings that topped analysts’ estimates on a 5.7 percent same-store gain and improving gross margin and SG&A rates. But shares of the sneaker juggernaut declined Friday as it gave a disappointing outlook for the holiday season due to the timing of launches and struggles in apparel.

With a fresh round of tariffs arriving on September 1 and another scheduled to land on December 15, tariff-mitigation strategies were again widely discussed by vendors on recent quarterly conference calls. So far, the impact has been minimal with more concerns expressed about 2020. Tariff insights from VF Corp, Under Armour, Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Vista Outdoor, Clarus and more.

Nike’s decision to pull distribution from Amazon is expected to be a positive catalyst for any other retailer of Nike merchandise, but particularly sellers of moderate-priced footwear. But analysts also believe the move reveals deeper insights into Nike’s evolving distribution strategy.

Nike’s move to stop selling footwear and apparel directly through Amazon is apparently an admission that the art of policing Amazon’s third-party sellers is becoming more challenging as the marketplace continues to grow. But it also reinforces Nike’s ambition to directly connect with consumers.

Iconix Brand Group said cost-control efforts led to improved operating profits in the first quarter. Sales fell sharply due to the loss of direct-to-retail (DTR) agreements – including Danskin at Wal-Mart – but Starter delivered healthy gains.

Sturm, Ruger & Co., seeing little improvement in demand for firearms, reported net earnings declined 47.8 percent in the third quarter as sales slumped 17.3 percent.

Nautilus Inc. posted a loss in the third quarter that was significantly below Wall Street’s expectations as shipment delays tied to the trade war dragged down sales in the Retail segment and the timing of launches held back the Direct segment.

Vista Outdoor Inc. reported sales slid 7 percent on an organic basis in the second quarter ended September 29 with continuing weakening sales in its ammunition business. Encouragingly, however, earnings marked break-even results on an adjusted basis in, ahead of Wall Street’s targets, and adjusted earnings guidance was maintained for the year.

Led by combined growth of more than 11 percent on a currency-neutral basis at its biggest brands, Merrell, Sperry and Saucony, Wolverine World Wide Inc. reported adjusted earnings in the third quarter that topped Wall Street’s targets. Full-year guidance, however, was slightly lowered due to tariff headwinds.

On its third-quarter conference call, Emerald Expositions Events’ officials indicated that with the 2018 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market show delivered revenues over $5 million and was profitable, the decision to cancel the show was a “financial setback.”

Adidas AG beat earnings estimates in the third quarter as sales picked up in the U.S. after months of trouble there from supply-chain snags and sales also recovered in Europe. Adidas reiterated its full-year guidance while predicting a “significant acceleration” in sales in the fourth quarter.

Peloton Interactive, in its first quarterly report since going public, reported a loss that was below Wall Street’s targets but revenues were better than expected due to a significant influx of new subscribers. John Foley, Peloton’s CEO, told analysts, “I believe if we pull back on growth we could be profitable tomorrow.”

Clarus Corp. reported another quarter of double-digit gains for its flagship Black Diamond brand but weakness at Sierra Bullets on top of the strengthening U.S. dollar and escalating trade war caused the company to cut its guidance for the full year.

Under Armour Inc. reported third-quarter earnings that exceeded expectations but shares fell about 19 percent on Monday as the company reduced FY19 revenue guidance and confirmed that it has been under federal investigation for its accounting practices since July 2017. CFO David Bergman said, “We firmly believe that our accounting practices and disclosures were appropriate.”

Fueled by a strong new product lineup and expanding gross margins, Yeti Holdings Inc.’s earnings on an adjusted basis increased 29 percent in the third quarter on a 17 percent sales jump. The company raised its guidance for the year.