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Columbia Sportswear Co.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 February 2026: press release, CFO commentary. Guidance figures: 18 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth quarter net sales fell 2 percent: Net sales were $1,070.2 million, down 2 percent (3 percent constant currency). Management attributed the decline mainly to earlier wholesale shipments of Fall orders. Source
  • Full-year operating income fell 23.5 percent: Operating income was $207.0 million, or 6.1 percent of net sales, including $29.0 million of impairment charges for prAna and Mountain Hardwear. Source
  • U.S. sales fell 8 percent: U.S. net sales were $626.0 million, down 8 percent. U.S. wholesale fell high-teens percent on earlier shipment timing and lower Fall orders. Source
  • International growth offset U.S. decline: Latin America and Asia Pacific rose 8 percent, EMEA rose 8 percent and Canada rose 2 percent, in reported dollars. Source
  • Gross margin rose 50 basis points: Fourth quarter gross margin was 51.6 percent, up from 51.1 percent, helped by healthier inventory and lower inventory loss provisions. Source
  • Tariffs cut quarterly gross margin: Incremental U.S. tariffs before mitigation reduced fourth quarter gross margin by $20.0 million, partly offset by mitigation tactics. Source
  • Price increases to offset tariffs: Gross margin assumptions include U.S. price increases for Spring and Fall 2026 products and cost sharing of tariffs with factory partners. Source

“While our U.S. business remains challenged, I’m encouraged with continued growth internationally combined with early signs of momentum indicating that the Columbia ACCELERATE Growth Strategy is resonating with consumers”

Tim Boyle, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales SourceFY2026$3.43 to $3.50 billion, growth of 1.0 to 3.0 percentNew
Currency effect on net sales SourceFY202650 to 100 basis points benefitNew
Gross margin SourceFY202649.8 to 50.0 percent of net salesNew
Tariff impact on gross margin SourceFY2026roughly 300 basis points unfavorable, before mitigationNew
SG&A as percent of net sales SourceFY202643.6 to 44.2 percent of net salesNew
Operating income SourceFY2026$211 to $243 millionNew
Operating margin SourceFY20266.2 to 6.9 percent of net salesNew
Effective income tax rate SourceFY202624.0 to 25.0 percentNew
Diluted earnings per share SourceFY2026$3.20 to $3.65New
Diluted share count SourceFY2026~52.9M weighted average diluted sharesNew
Currency effect on diluted EPS SourceFY2026approximately $0.10 favorableNew
Operating cash flow SourceFY2026$300 to $330 millionNew
Capital expenditures SourceFY2026$65 to $75 millionNew
Demand creation spending SourceFY2026~6.4% of net salesNew
Net sales SourceQ1 2026$747 to $759 million, decrease of 4.0 to 2.5 percentNew
Currency effect on net sales SourceQ1 2026approximately 200 basis points benefitNew
Operating margin SourceQ1 20262.1 to 2.9 percent of net salesNew
Diluted earnings per share SourceQ1 2026$0.29 to $0.37New

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Full-year 2026 guidance was given for the first time, covering sales, margins, operating income, tax rate, EPS, cash flow and capital expenditures. Source
  • New guidance: First-quarter 2026 guidance was given for net sales, operating margin and diluted EPS. Source
  • Ended: Fourth quarter 2025 net sales guidance from the October 2025 release is superseded by reported results.
  • Ended: Full-year 2025 net sales guidance from the October 2025 release is replaced by reported 2025 results.
  • Ended: Tim Boyle's title is given as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; the October 2025 release included President in his title.

Fourth quarter and full-year results

  • Fourth quarter net sales fell 2 percent: Net sales were $1,070.2 million, down 2 percent (3 percent constant currency). Management attributed the decline mainly to earlier wholesale shipments of Fall orders. Source
  • Operating income fell 15 percent: Operating income was $116.7 million, or 10.9 percent of net sales, against $137.3 million, or 12.5 percent, a year earlier. Source
  • Full-year net sales rose 1 percent: Full-year 2025 net sales were $3,397.4 million, up 1 percent on both reported and constant-currency bases. Source
  • Full-year operating income fell 23.5 percent: Operating income was $207.0 million, or 6.1 percent of net sales, including $29.0 million of impairment charges for prAna and Mountain Hardwear. Source
  • Impairments reduced full-year EPS: Full-year diluted EPS was $3.24 versus $3.82 in 2024. The impairment charges reduced diluted EPS by $0.45. Source

Regions and channels

  • U.S. sales fell 8 percent: U.S. net sales were $626.0 million, down 8 percent. U.S. wholesale fell high-teens percent on earlier shipment timing and lower Fall orders. Source
  • International growth offset U.S. decline: Latin America and Asia Pacific rose 8 percent, EMEA rose 8 percent and Canada rose 2 percent, in reported dollars. Source
  • China and Japan grew in the quarter: China rose low-double-digit percent and Japan rose mid-single-digit percent. Korea fell low-single-digit percent in reported terms. Source
  • EMEA distributor sales rose: Europe-direct sales rose mid-single-digit percent reported, while EMEA distributor sales rose low-teens percent on order book growth. Source
  • Canada grew through DTC: Canada net sales rose 2 percent reported, led by DTC growth from productivity at existing stores and new stores. Source

“Over the past few months, we've witnessed brand momentum as consumers embraced our new product collections, with even more exciting launches on the horizon.”

Tim Boyle, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Brands and product categories

  • Fourth quarter footwear fell 5 percent: Footwear sales were $215.3 million, down 5 percent, as Columbia-brand footwear growth was more than offset by a SOREL decline. Source
  • SOREL sales fell 18 percent: SOREL sales were $79.7 million, down 18 percent, reflecting earlier Fall shipments and less clearance and promotional activity. Source
  • Columbia brand softness in the U.S.: Columbia brand sales were $937.2 million, down 1 percent. prAna rose 6 percent and Mountain Hardwear fell 5 percent. Source
  • Wholesale down, DTC flat in quarter: Wholesale sales fell 7 percent to $429.4 million, while DTC rose 1 percent to $640.8 million, with DTC.com up 2 percent. Source

Costs, margins and tariffs

  • Gross margin rose 50 basis points: Fourth quarter gross margin was 51.6 percent, up from 51.1 percent, helped by healthier inventory and lower inventory loss provisions. Source
  • Tariffs cut quarterly gross margin: Incremental U.S. tariffs before mitigation reduced fourth quarter gross margin by $20.0 million, partly offset by mitigation tactics. Source
  • SG&A rose 3 percent in quarter: SG&A was 41.3 percent of net sales, up 3 percent, driven by DTC costs and non-recurring profit program expenses, partly offset by lower technology and supply chain costs. Source
  • Store impairments raised DTC costs: Higher DTC brick-and-mortar costs included U.S. store impairment charges, partly offset by fewer temporary clearance locations. Source
  • Profit program savings reached targets: Annualized savings executed were about $90 million in 2024 and about $80 million in 2025, from inventory, supply chain and organization actions. Source

“This momentum positions us well for continued success as we execute our vision and continue investing across all our brands”

Tim Boyle, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Demand, orders and inventory

  • First-quarter U.S. wholesale to decline: First-quarter U.S. wholesale sales are expected to decline on lower Spring 2026 orders. Source
  • EMEA demand for winter products dampened: Management said EMEA results across channels reflected dampened demand for winter season products. Source
  • Older inventory described as manageable: Management described older-season inventory as a manageable share of total inventory. Inventory dollars were essentially flat year on year. Source

Cash, capital and shareholder returns

  • Year-end cash of $790.8 million: Cash, equivalents and short-term investments totaled $790.8 million at year end, with no borrowings. Source
  • Operating cash flow fell in 2025: Full-year operating cash flow was $282.9 million, down from $491.0 million. Capital expenditures were $66.2 million. Source
  • Buybacks of $201.1 million in 2025: The company repurchased about 3.0 million shares for $201.1 million in 2025. $426.5 million remained under the authorization at year end. Source
  • Capital allocation priorities stated: Priorities are organic investment, returning at least 40 percent of free cash flow to shareholders, and opportunistic M&A. Source

Strategy and marketing investment

  • ACCELERATE targets younger consumers: ACCELERATE is a multi-year effort to elevate the Columbia brand and attract younger, more active consumers. Source
  • New brand platform launched in 2025: The new brand platform was launched through a global campaign in print, on social and in person. Source
  • Higher, more efficient demand creation: Marketing plans include higher, more efficient demand creation spending and more immersive ways to experience the brand. Source
  • U.S. Columbia.com website relaunched: The U.S. Columbia.com website was re-launched with enhanced features and photography. Source

2026 and first-quarter guidance assumptions

  • Sales growth assumptions by region: Assumes international growth led by Europe-direct, China and distributors, offset by a modest U.S. decline. DTC and footwear are assumed to grow faster. Source
  • Price increases to offset tariffs: Gross margin assumptions include U.S. price increases for Spring and Fall 2026 products and cost sharing of tariffs with factory partners. Source
  • SG&A growth from incentives and DTC: SG&A growth assumptions include higher incentive compensation and omni-channel spend, partly offset by lower personnel costs. Source
  • First-quarter international growth healthy: First-quarter 2026 international growth is expected from Europe-direct, International Distributors and China, while U.S. sales decline. Source

Coming up, as management said on 3 February 2026

  • First-quarter 2026 results date: Management plans to report first quarter 2026 results on April 30, 2026, at about 4:05 p.m. ET. Source
  • Quarterly dividend payable March 20: The $0.30 quarterly dividend is payable March 20, 2026 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2026. Source
  • Planning for future seasons continues: Management says early indicators give it confidence as it plans products and marketing for future seasons. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Stores exiting Q4 2025 Source173 stores (152 outlets, 21 branded), versus 172 a year earlier
Temporary clearance locations Source8, versus 28 a year earlier
Inventory units Sourcedown approximately 11% year on year

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management attributed the quarter's net sales decline to underlying U.S. demand conditions, partly offset by international growth. Source
  • Operational: First-quarter U.S. DTC sales are affected by clearance store closures and inventory shortages after Fall buys were cancelled. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management says the profit improvement program achieved or exceeded its targeted savings, slowing SG&A growth. Source
  • Ahead: Management said net sales and profitability for the fourth quarter exceeded the company's guidance. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it remains committed to SG&A efficiency and operating margin leverage going forward. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.