SGB Executive Sports & Fitness
Susquehanna Sees VF Benefiting from Entrepreneurial Spirit
Susquehanna lifted its estimates and price targets on VF Corp. in part due to a greater entrepreneurial push across brands being established by Steve Rendle, who became CEO at the start of 2017.
Rawlings Hits the Selling Block
Newell Brands said it planned to explore selling many of its brands, including Rawlings, to focus on nine core consumer divisions. The Rawlings’ business also includes Worth and Miken.
Aisle Talk, Week of January 22
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week.
Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show off to Strong Start
“2017 was wild. 2018 is our new beginning,” said Marisa Nicholson, show director for Outdoor Retailer Thursday morning at the annual OIA Industry Breakfast. “The beginning of a more unified industry as we welcome our friends from the snow sports industry.”
IHRSA Report Shows Healthy Fitness Market
According to the 2018 IHRSA (International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association) Health Club Media Report, an all-time high of 57.3 million people belonged to a health club in 2016, a 3.6 percent increase from 2015 and up grown by 26.4 percent from 2009.
GoPro Downgraded by Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley lowered its rating on GoPro Inc. to “Underweight” from “Equal Weight.” The analysts, led by Yuuji Anderson, warned that GoPro could be in for a “long year ahead” given “limited earnings power” and weak demand for its new camera line.
Susquehanna Upgrades Dick’s SG To Positive On Weather Benefit
Believing the retailer’s fourth-quarter results should surprise on the upside given management’s conservative guidance and the benefits of cold weather, Susquehanna Financial Group raised its rating on Dick’s Sporting Goods to “Positive” from “Neutral.”
Sheikh Shoes To Pursue Sale
Shiekh Shoes, in bankruptcy proceedings since November 29, is now exploring a sale of the chain as well as a reorganization with current owners.
Amazon Already Dominant Website For Buying Apparel
Amazon, which has ramped up its investments in the apparel space in only the last few years, appears to have quickly become the leading place consumers buy apparel online, according to a new survey from CPC Strategy.
Wedbush Lifts Rating On Nike On Potential NA Return To Growth
Wedbush upgraded Nike to “Outperform” from “Neutral” due to its expectation that margins should start improving by its spring (May 2018) quarter and greater confidence in a return to growth in North America in its fiscal year ended May 31, 2019.
Telsey Advisory Group Upgrades Foot Locker
Telsey Advisory Group (TAG) upgraded Foot Locker to “Outperform” as the investment boutique expects the sneaker chain’s comps can turn positive as a strong lineup of product launches arrives.
CES 2018: Sports Tech’s Highlights
Artificial intelligence, sensors embedded in apparel, the quantified self and gamification were some underlying themes across the sports and fitness-related products that landed at CES 2018. Black Box VR, Garmin, Peloton, Myant, L’Oreal and Sony were among the brands earning some hype.
Buckingham Research Hikes Dick’s To Buy
Buckingham Research raised its rating due to the potential bottoming of domestic athletic cyclical pressures, an improving vendor product pipeline set to arrive in the second half of 2018, and an eventual payback from its strong partnerships with the industry’s key branded players: Nike, Adidas and Under Armour.
Macquarie Capital Downgrades Under Armour To Underperform
Macquarie Capital downgraded its rating on Under Armour to “Underperform” due to sales, margin and capital concerns. Sales In North America are expected to be pressured by the speculated exit out from tennis and some outdoor categories as well as continued challenges from Academy Sports & Outdoor.
Deutsche Bank Upgrades Dick’s On Signs Of Stabilizing Industry
Deutsche Bank upgraded its rating on Dick’s Sporting Goods to “Buy”’ due to the signs of more-favorable trends in footwear and inventory pressures across the industry lessening.
