SGB Executive Sports & Fitness

Under Armour’s Debt Ratings Cut To Junk Status
Said S&P analyst Mariola Borysiak, “We now believe the company will generate about 10 percent sales growth annually and margins will be in the 12 percent range, which results in leverage slightly below 3x.”

Luke’s Locker Looks To Rebound In Bankruptcy Court
The company plans to reorganize in the near term around three locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Company president Matt Lucas vowed to reestablish the Luke’s Locker franchise to support the North Texas running community.

Nike And Brooks Pace Luke’s Locker’s Unsecured Creditors List
Brooks, Nike, Asics and Saucony were among those left with the largest unpaid bills in the bankruptcy case of Luke’s Locker.

Under Armour’s Growth Stalls
Hurt by heightened price competition on its basic technical apparel as well as admitted shortcomings in its more fashion-oriented offerings, Under Armour reported fourth-quarter results that came in short of Wall Street targets and provided a bleak outlook for 2017.

Luxottica Group’ MAP Policy Drives Q4 Turnaround In North America
The parent of Oakley, Ray-Ban and Sunglass hut said sales at constant exchange rates in the quarter were up 5.5 percent and 3 percent for the wholesale segment and the whole group, which includes its retail operations.

Fitbit’s Shares Tumble After Q4 Outlook Slashed
Shares of Fitbit fell $1.16 to $6.05, or 16.1 percent, Monday on the New York Stock Exchange after the wearables leader announced preliminary fourth-quarter results that were well below previous guidance and a round of layoffs.

Finish Line Finds Buyer For JackRabbit
Finish Line expects to incur a pre-tax charge in the fourth quarter of approximately $33 million to $36 million.

Performance Sports Group To Be Sold To Stalking Horse Bidder
With the sale to Sagard Capital and Fairfax Financial, the company can continue restructuring efforts initiated by Harlan Kent, who was hired as CEO in June 2016.

Brunswick Corp’s Fitness Segment Benefits From Acquisition Synergies
Mark Schwabero, Brunswick’s Corp’s chairman and CEO, said last week’s hiring of Jaime Irick as the head of the fitness division “positions the fitness business to fully leverage its strength as a product leader, while building new capabilities to succeed as the larger portfolio of winning brands into traditional and new markets.”

Cabela’s Credit-Card Deal In Jeopardy
While Capital One could refile its application, Bass Pro could absorb Cabela’s credit card portfolio into its own portfolio or seek other suitors.
What Does Trans-Pacific Partnership’s Exit Signal For Free Trade?
Nike, Dick’s Sporting Goods, The North Face and Under Armour all openly supported the ambitious Pacific-Rim trade pact. New Balance and Patagonia stood out in the industry for opposing the deal.

The Trump Effect On Firearms
Following eight years of explosive growth that saw the number of federally licensed manufacturers more than triple, the firearms industry is poised for consolidation.

NRF Big Show 2017: Under Armour Talks Digital Transformation
Under Armour Global Head of Consumer Engagement Kurt Kendall discusses how digital data is transforming retailing and engagement with active consumers.

NRF Big Show 2017: How Sweaty Betty Plans To Take On America
While the women’s fitness apparel chain has ambitious plans to expand quickly in the U.S., it’s taking a slow-build approach, focusing on one-on-one engagement with consumers.

Big 5’s Q4 Benefits From Competitor Exits
Continuing to capitalize on the exit of Sports Authority and Sport Chalet in its markets, the sporting goods retailer said its fourth-quarter earnings would arrive at the upper end of its guidance.