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Macy's, Inc.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 December 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 6 raised, 1 lowered. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • GAAP and adjusted EPS reported: GAAP diluted EPS was $0.04 and Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.09, compared with $0.10 and $0.04 in the third quarter of 2024. Source
  • Bloomingdale's comparable growth led: Bloomingdale's net sales rose 8.6%. Comparable sales were up 8.8% on an owned basis and 9.0% on an O+L+M basis, the highest in 13 quarters. Source
  • Gross margin rate declined: Gross margin rate was 39.4%, down 20 basis points. The company cited a 50 basis point tariff impact as the primary driver of the decline. Source
  • SG&A expense decreased: SG&A was $2.0 billion and 41.2% of total revenue, down 90 basis points, reflecting closed Macy's locations and cost containment. Source
  • Returned $99 million to shareholders: The company returned about $99 million: $49 million in quarterly dividends and $50 million in share repurchases. Year-to-date repurchases were 15.4 million shares for $201 million. Source
  • Reinvesting strategy savings in growth: Management said the company remains committed to the Bold New Chapter strategy and reinvests most of the savings into long-term sales growth. Source

“Our third quarter sales were the strongest in 13 quarters, reflecting the acceleration of our Bold New Chapter strategy and demonstrating that the meaningful enterprise-wide changes we’ve made are resonating with customers,”

Tony Spring, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc.

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales Source2025 full year$21.475 billion to $21.625 billionRaised from $21.15 billion to $21.45 billion
Comparable owned-plus-licensed-plus-marketplace sales change Source2025 full year, versus 2024Flat to up ~0.5%Raised from Down ~1.5% to down ~0.5%
Go-forward business comparable O+L+M sales change Source2025 full year, versus 2024Flat to up ~1.0%Raised from Down ~1.5% to ~flat
Adjusted EBITDA as a percent of total revenue Source2025 full year7.8% to 8.0%Raised from 7.4% to 7.9%
Core Adjusted EBITDA as a percent of total revenue Source2025 full year7.5% to 7.7%Raised from 7.0% to 7.5%
Adjusted diluted earnings per share Source2025 full year$2.00 to $2.20Raised from $1.70 to $2.05
Expected asset sale gains Source2025 full year$60 million to $65 millionLowered from $90 million

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Net sales and adjusted diluted EPS guidance were raised, according to the company. Source
  • Guidance raised: Comparable O+L+M sales change guidance was raised for both the total company and the go-forward business. Source
  • Guidance raised: Adjusted EBITDA and Core Adjusted EBITDA margin guidance were raised. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year asset sale gains guidance was reduced from $90 million to $60 million to $65 million. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Every nameplate grew comparable sales: Management said each nameplate reported positive comparable sales in the quarter. Source
  • Store closures in the comparison base: The company attributed about $160 million of third-quarter 2024 net sales to fiscal 2024 store closures, which affects the year-over-year net sales comparison. Source
  • GAAP and adjusted EPS reported: GAAP diluted EPS was $0.04 and Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.09, compared with $0.10 and $0.04 in the third quarter of 2024. Source
  • Core Adjusted EBITDA margin higher: Core Adjusted EBITDA was $273 million, or 5.6% of total revenue, compared with $207 million, or 4.2%, a year earlier. Source

Nameplate performance

  • Bloomingdale's comparable growth led: Bloomingdale's net sales rose 8.6%. Comparable sales were up 8.8% on an owned basis and 9.0% on an O+L+M basis, the highest in 13 quarters. Source
  • Macy's comparable sales improved: Macy's net sales fell 2.3% including closures. Comparable sales were up 1.4% on an owned basis and 2.0% on an O+L+M basis. Source
  • Reimagine 125 stores outperformed: Management said Reimagine 125 locations outperformed the broader Macy's nameplate, with comparable sales up 2.3% owned and 2.7% owned-plus-licensed. Source
  • Bluemercury comparable sales grew: Bluemercury net sales rose 3.8%. Management said comparable sales growth continued for another quarter. Source

“As we enter the holiday season, we are well-positioned with compelling new merchandise and an omni-channel customer experience that delivers both inspiration and value.”

Tony Spring, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc.

Other revenue and credit card

  • Other revenue rose sharply: Other revenue reached $200 million, or 4.2% of net sales. Total revenue for the quarter was $4.9 billion. Source
  • Credit card revenue grew: Credit card net revenue rose to $158 million. Management attributed the growth to the health of the portfolio. Source
  • Media Network revenue flat: Macy's Media Network net revenue held at $42 million, unchanged from the prior-year quarter. Source

Gross margin and expenses

  • Gross margin rate declined: Gross margin rate was 39.4%, down 20 basis points. The company cited a 50 basis point tariff impact as the primary driver of the decline. Source
  • Go-forward investments offset savings: Management said SG&A savings were partly offset by investment in Reimagine 125 locations, Bloomingdale's and digital across nameplates. Source
  • SG&A expense decreased: SG&A was $2.0 billion and 41.2% of total revenue, down 90 basis points, reflecting closed Macy's locations and cost containment. Source

“With a strategy rooted in hospitality, our teams are focused on driving long-term, profitable growth.”

Tony Spring, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc.

Real estate and asset sales

  • Asset sale gains lower year over year: Gains on real estate sales were $12 million in the quarter, compared with $66 million in the third quarter of 2024. Source
  • Asset disposition proceeds lower: Proceeds from asset dispositions were $95 million for the 39 weeks, compared with $187 million a year earlier. Source
  • Disciplined approach to transactions: Management said the balance sheet provides flexibility for a disciplined approach to transactions aimed at optimal monetization value. Source

Cash, capital and shareholder returns

  • Liquidity position at quarter end: Cash was $447 million and available borrowing capacity was $2.0 billion. Total debt was $2.4 billion, with no material long-term maturities until 2030. Source
  • Returned $99 million to shareholders: The company returned about $99 million: $49 million in quarterly dividends and $50 million in share repurchases. Year-to-date repurchases were 15.4 million shares for $201 million. Source
  • Repurchase authorization remaining: Management said about $1.2 billion remained under the $2.0 billion share repurchase authorization at quarter end. Source
  • Operating cash flow improved: Operating cash flow for the 39 weeks was $247 million, compared with $30 million used a year earlier. Source
  • Capital spending lower year to date: For the 39 weeks, property purchases were $272 million and capitalized software was $253 million, against $399 million and $250 million a year earlier. Source

Bold New Chapter and store closures

  • Reinvesting strategy savings in growth: Management said the company remains committed to the Bold New Chapter strategy and reinvests most of the savings into long-term sales growth. Source
  • Closing underproductive stores: Management said the company remains committed to closing underproductive stores. Source

Coming up, as management said on 3 December 2025

  • Quarterly dividend payable January 2: Quarterly dividend of 18.24 cents per share is payable January 2, 2026 to holders of record at the close of business on December 15, 2025. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Comparable sales (owned) Source2.5%
Comparable sales (O+L+M) Source3.2%
Gross margin rate Source39.4%, down 20 basis points
Merchandise inventories Source$6,298 million, up 0.7% year over year
Store closures impact on prior-year net sales Sourceapproximately $160 million (third quarter of 2024)

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Full-year guidance assumes consumers are more selective in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Regulatory: Full-year guidance assumes current tariffs remain in place, which affects cost and margin assumptions. Source
  • External: The company said its financial position gives it flexibility to respond to changes in consumer demand and the competitive landscape. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Net sales of $4.7 billion were above the company's guidance range for the quarter. Source
  • Ahead: Comparable sales were above the company's guidance range, with better-than-expected performance across nameplates. Source
  • Ahead: Adjusted diluted EPS was above the company's prior guidance range. Source
  • Ahead: Management said the 50 basis point tariff impact was better than company expectations, reflecting mitigation actions. 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.