Kontoor Brands Inc., which completed its acquisition of Helly Hansen in June, raised its outlook for the year due to better-than-expected results in the second quarter and tariff-mitigation efforts.

“Our strong second quarter results were driven by better-than-expected organic revenue growth, gross margin expansion, operating efficiency and cash generation, as well as a stronger-than-expected contribution from Helly Hansen,” said Scott Baxter, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the Board of Directors. “We welcomed Helly Hansen to the Kontoor family in June and the integration is off to a great start. We are raising our full year outlook including increased investments and the absorption of higher tariffs, reflecting the resilience of our operating model, strong execution, and the momentum across the portfolio as we move into the second half of the year.”

Second Quarter 2025 Income Statement Review
Revenue was $658 million and increased 8 percent compared to prior year. Second quarter results include the contribution from Helly Hansen, which closed on May 31, 2025. Analysts’ consensus estimate had been $$634.9 million.

Wrangler brand global revenue was $461 million and increased 7 percent compared to prior year. Wrangler U.S. revenue increased 9 percent, driven by an 8 percent increase in wholesale and a 16 percent increase in direct-to-consumer, including an 18 percent increase in digital. Wrangler international revenue decreased 4 percent compared to prior year, driven by a 5 percent decrease in wholesale partially offset by a 4 percent increase (flat in constant currency) in direct-to-consumer.

Lee brand global revenue was $166 million and decreased 6 percent compared to prior year, consistent with expectations, and sequentially improving from first quarter results. Lee U.S. revenue decreased 5 percent driven by a 7 percent decrease in wholesale partially offset by a 3 percent increase in direct-to-consumer, driven by a 9 percent increase in digital. Lee international revenue decreased 6 percent driven by an 11 percent decrease in wholesale partially offset by a 3 percent increase (1 percent increase in constant currency) in direct-to-consumer.

Helly Hansen global revenue was $29 million for the month of June. Sport and Workwear revenue was $17 million and $9 million, respectively. Musto brand revenue was $3 million. U.S. revenue was $5 million and international revenue was $24 million.

Gross margin increased 160 basis points to 46.3 percent on a reported basis and increased 120 basis points to 46.4 percent on an adjusted basis compared to prior year, including a 20 basis point benefit from the acquisition of Helly Hansen. On an organic basis, adjusted gross margin expansion was driven by the benefits from Project Jeanius, lower product costs, and direct-to-consumer and product mix, partially offset by the carryover of targeted pricing actions taken in the prior year.

Selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expenses were $226 million, or 34.4 percent of revenue on a reported basis. On an adjusted basis, SG&A expenses were $206 million, or 31.3 percent of revenue. On an organic basis, adjusted SG&A expenses were $185 million representing a decrease of 5 percent compared to prior year driven by a decrease in discretionary and freight expenses, partially offset by investments in demand creation.

Operating income was $79 million on a reported basis. On an adjusted basis, operating income was $100 million and increased 25 percent compared to prior year. Adjusted operating margin of 15.2 percent increased 210 basis points compared to prior year. On an organic basis, adjusted operating income was $105 million and increased 32 percent compared to prior year.

Earnings per share (EPS) was $1.32 on a reported basis. On an adjusted basis, EPS was $1.21, representing an increase of 23 percent and well above analysts’ consensus target of 83 cents. On an organic basis, adjusted EPS was $1.33 and increased 36 percent compared to prior year.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity Review
The company ended the second quarter with $107 million in cash and cash equivalents, and $1.37 billion in long-term debt. During the quarter, the company made a $25 million voluntary debt repayment.

At the end of the second quarter, the company had no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and $494 million available for borrowing against this facility.

Inventory at the end of the second quarter was $686 million, including inventory from the acquisition of Helly Hansen. Excluding Helly Hansen, inventory of $482 million decreased 1 percent compared to prior year.

As previously announced, the company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.52 per share, payable on September 19, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 9, 2025.

The company returned $29 million to shareholders through dividends during the second quarter. The company has $215 million remaining under its authorized share repurchase program.

Updated Full Year 2025 Outlook
“We are raising our full year outlook to reflect stronger first half results, greater visibility into our tariff mitigation initiatives, and the confidence we have in the outlook for our business for the balance of the year,” said Scott Baxter, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Our ability to largely offset the impact from higher tariffs reflects the strength of our brands, the agility of our supply chain, and the benefits from Project Jeanius. To support our momentum, we are making incremental demand creation investments to fuel accelerating revenue growth and continued market share gains. While we will continue to manage the business prudently in light of the environment, the third quarter is off to an encouraging start and we enter the second half of the year from a position of strength.”

The company’s outlook includes the impact from recently enacted increases in tariffs, net of mitigating actions. The company’s outlook assumes a 30 percent reciprocal tariff on China and a 20 percent reciprocal tariff on all other countries from which we source product, with the exception of Mexico. Based on currently available information, the company’s imports from Mexico to the U.S. remain exempt under USMCA.

The company continues to expect to substantially offset the impact from recently enacted increases in tariffs over a 12 to 18 month period through a combination of targeted price increases, sourcing and production optimization within our global supply chain, inventory management, supplier partnerships and other initiatives.

The company’s updated full year 2025 outlook includes the following assumptions:

  • Revenue is now expected to be in the range of $3.09 to $3.12 billion, representing growth of approximately 19 to 20 percent compared to the prior year. This compares to the prior outlook of 17 to 19 percent growth.
  • The company now expects Helly Hansen to contribute approximately $455 million to 2025 revenue, compared to the prior outlook of $425 million. Excluding the impact of Helly Hansen, the company expects full year 2025 revenue growth of approximately 1 to 2 percent.
  • The company expects third quarter revenue of approximately $855 million, representing an increase of approximately 28 percent compared to the prior year.
  • Adjusted gross margin is now expected to be approximately 46.1 percent, representing an increase of 100 basis points compared to the prior year. This compares to the prior outlook of 80 to 100 basis points of gross margin expansion. Full year 2025 adjusted gross margin now includes an approximate 50 basis point impact from recently enacted increases in tariffs.
  • The company expects third quarter adjusted gross margin of approximately 45.5 percent, representing an increase of 50 basis points compared to the prior year.
  • Adjusted SG&A is now expected to increase approximately 24 percent compared to the prior year. This compares to the prior outlook of approximately 20 percent growth. Full year 2025 adjusted SG&A now includes approximately $15 million of incremental demand creation and other investments compared to the prior outlook.
  • Adjusted operating income is now expected to be approximately $443 million, representing an increase of 16 percent compared to the prior year. This compares to the prior outlook of $437 to $445 million. Full year 2025 adjusted operating income now includes an approximate $30 million impact from recently enacted increases in tariffs and incremental demand creation and other investments compared to the prior outlook.
  • Adjusted EPS is now expected to be approximately $5.45, representing an increase of 11 percent compared to the prior year. This compares to the prior outlook of $5.40 to $5.50. Excluding the impact of Helly Hansen, adjusted EPS is expected to be approximately $5.25, representing an increase of 7 percent compared to the prior year. This compares to the prior outlook of $5.20 to $5.30. Full year 2025 adjusted EPS now includes an approximate $0.40 impact from recently enacted increases in tariffs and incremental demand creation and other investments compared to the prior outlook.
  • The company expects third quarter adjusted EPS of approximately $1.35 compared to adjusted EPS of $1.37 in the prior year. The company’s third quarter adjusted EPS outlook includes the impact from recently enacted increases in tariffs and incremental demand creation and other investments. Helly Hansen is expected to be breakeven in the third quarter, net of acquisition-related interest expense.
  • Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $40 million.
  • For the full year, the company expects an effective tax rate of approximately 21 percent. Interest expense is expected to approximate $50 million. Adjusted other expense is expected to approximate $11 million. Average shares outstanding are expected to be approximately 56 million.
  • The company now expects cash flow from operations to exceed $375 million. This compares to the prior outlook to exceed $350 million.

Image courtesy Helly Hansen