Caleres (NYSE: CAL) swings to 2025 loss but targets margin-led EPS recovery in 2026
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Caleres reported weak fourth-quarter and fiscal 2025 earnings despite modest sales growth and said adjusted EPS beat its guidance range. Fourth-quarter net sales were $695.1 million versus $639.2 million a year earlier, but GAAP diluted EPS fell to a loss of $0.70 from earnings of $0.15. Adjusted diluted EPS was a loss of $0.36 versus earnings of $0.33, and a loss of $0.06 excluding the Stuart Weitzman business. For fiscal 2025, net sales inched up to $2.76 billion from $2.72 billion, while GAAP diluted EPS swung to a loss of $0.21 from earnings of $3.09, and adjusted diluted EPS dropped to $0.61 from $3.30, or $1.19 excluding Stuart Weitzman. Management completed the Stuart Weitzman integration and highlighted strength in Lead Brands, owned eCommerce and international markets, but Famous Footwear sales declined and consolidated gross margin compressed. For fiscal 2026, Caleres guides net sales up low to mid-single digits, gross margin up 140–180 basis points, GAAP diluted EPS of $1.31–$1.61 and adjusted diluted EPS of $1.35–$1.65, including about $2 million of remaining Stuart Weitzman costs.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- Sharp earnings deterioration despite flat-to-up sales: Fiscal 2025 GAAP diluted EPS fell to a loss of $0.21 from earnings of $3.09, and adjusted EPS declined to $0.61 from $3.30, indicating substantial margin and profitability compression.
- Acquisition drag from Stuart Weitzman: Management quantifies a negative EPS impact of $0.58 in fiscal 2025 from Stuart Weitzman, and the business generated an adjusted operating loss of $23.3 million for the year, weighing on consolidated results.
Insights
Caleres posted sharply weaker 2025 earnings but is guiding to margin-driven EPS recovery in 2026.
Caleres grew fiscal 2025 net sales slightly to $2.76 billion, but mix, higher costs and acquisition-related items drove GAAP EPS down to a loss of $0.21 from $3.09. Even on a non-GAAP basis, adjusted EPS fell to $0.61 from $3.30.
The newly acquired Stuart Weitzman business was a major drag. Management quantifies a negative EPS impact of $0.58 for the year and provides adjusted metrics excluding this brand, where EPS was still down to $1.19. Famous Footwear also saw lower sales and margin pressure.
Looking to fiscal 2026, the company expects only low- to mid-single-digit sales growth but a 140–180 basis point gross margin increase, aided by tariff mitigation and improving mix. Guidance for adjusted EPS of $1.35–$1.65 implies meaningful profit recovery if execution on integration, cost actions and merchandising stays on track.
