Looking back on apparel retailer stocks’ Q4 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Torrid (NYSE: CURV) and its peers.
Apparel sales are not driven so much by personal needs but by seasons, trends, and innovation, and over the last few decades, the category has shifted meaningfully online. Retailers that once only had brick-and-mortar stores are responding with omnichannel presences. The online shopping experience continues to improve and retail foot traffic in places like shopping malls continues to stall, so the evolution of clothing sellers marches on.
The 9 apparel retailer stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q4. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 1.7% below.
While some apparel retailer stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 4% since the latest earnings results.
Torrid (NYSE: CURV)
Promoting a message of body positivity and inclusiveness, Torrid Holdings (NYSE: CURV) is a plus-size women’s apparel and accessories retailer.
Torrid reported revenues of $275.6 million, down 6.1% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 4.2%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.
Lisa Harper, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We successfully closed fiscal 2024 with positive results, fueled by product innovation in our core assortment and strong customer response to the launch of our high-growth, higher margin sub-brands. Thoughtful growth of our well received sub-brands set the stage for elevated, new and younger customer engagement, incremental lifestyle purchases, as well as creating a halo effect across the business. Combining our successful sub-brand assortment initiatives with our commitment to modernizing and evolving our core Torrid offerings gives me great confidence in the long-term health and growth prospects of our business.”
Torrid pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat and highest full-year guidance raise of the whole group. The results were likely priced in, however, and the stock is flat since reporting. It currently trades at $5.58.
Is now the time to buy Torrid? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Best Q4: Gap (NYSE: GAP)
Operating under the Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta brands, Gap (NYSE: GAP) is an apparel and accessories retailer selling casual clothing to men, women, and children.
Gap reported revenues of $4.15 billion, down 3.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. The business had a very strong quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.
The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 34.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $26.25.
Is now the time to buy Gap? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Weakest Q4: Abercrombie and Fitch (NYSE: ANF)
Founded as an outdoor and sporting brand, Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) evolved to become a specialty retailer that sells its own brand of fashionable clothing to young adults.
Abercrombie and Fitch reported revenues of $1.58 billion, up 9.1% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 1.2%. Still, it was a slower quarter as it posted EPS guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations.
As expected, the stock is down 15.7% since the results and currently trades at $81.
Read our full analysis of Abercrombie and Fitch’s results here.
Zumiez (NASDAQ: ZUMZ)
With store associates called “Zumiez Stash Members”, Zumiez (NASDAQ: ZUMZ) is a specialty retailer of street and skate apparel, footwear, and accessories.
Zumiez reported revenues of $279.2 million, flat year on year. This result was in line with analysts’ expectations. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but EPS guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations.
The stock is up 4% since reporting and currently trades at $13.27.
Read our full, actionable report on Zumiez here, it’s free.
American Eagle (NYSE: AEO)
With a heavy focus on denim, American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE: AEO) is a specialty retailer offering an assortment of apparel and accessories to young adults.
American Eagle reported revenues of $1.60 billion, down 4.4% year on year. This number met analysts’ expectations. Taking a step back, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.
The stock is up 4.4% since reporting and currently trades at $11.99.
Read our full, actionable report on American Eagle here, it’s free.
Market Update
In response to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been gradually trending down from its post-pandemic peak, trending closer to the Fed’s 2% target. Despite higher borrowing costs, the economy has avoided flashing recessionary signals. This is the much-desired soft landing that many investors hoped for. The recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November 2024) have bolstered the stock market, making 2024 a strong year for equities. Donald Trump’s presidential win in November sparked additional market gains, sending indices to record highs in the days following his victory. However, debates continue over possible tariffs and corporate tax adjustments, raising questions about economic stability in 2025.
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