greeksoup/ stock research

Ralph Lauren Corp.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 November 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 5 raised, 4 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue grew 17% on reported basis: Revenue reached $2.0 billion, up 17% reported and 14% in constant currency. Foreign currency added about 250 basis points to growth. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose 44% reported: Diluted EPS was $3.32 reported, up 44%, and $3.79 adjusted, up 49%, excluding restructuring-related and other net charges. Source
  • Europe revenue up 22% reported: Europe revenue rose 22% to $688 million reported and 15% in constant currency. Europe operating margin was 29.4%, up 360 basis points. Source
  • Core and high-potential categories grew: The Core business rose mid-teens. Women's Apparel, Outerwear and Handbags grew double digits and outpaced total company growth. Source
  • Average unit retail up 12%: AUR across direct-to-consumer rose 12%, above expectations, reflecting elevation, full-price selling and lower than planned promotions. Source
  • Gross margin rose 100 basis points: Gross margin was 68.0%, 100 basis points above the prior year. AUR growth, mix and lower cotton costs offset tariffs and other product costs. Source
  • Adjusted operating margin up 270 bps: Adjusted operating margin was 14.1%, 270 basis points above the prior year, on adjusted operating income of $283 million. Source
  • First-half performance lifted the range: Management raised full-year constant currency revenue and adjusted operating margin expansion, citing first-half performance above its expectations. Source

“We are off to a strong start in the execution of our Next Great Chapter: Drive strategic plan introduced at our Investor Day in September, with second quarter performance outpacing our expectations across geographies, channels and consumer segments”

Patrice Louvet, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue growth, constant currency SourceFiscal 20265% to 7%Raised from low- to mid-single digits
Foreign currency effect on revenue growth SourceFiscal 2026200 to 250 basis pointsRaised from 150 to 200 basis points
Operating margin expansion, constant currency SourceFiscal 202660 to 80 basis pointsRaised from 40 to 60 basis points
Foreign currency effect on gross and operating margin SourceFiscal 202630 to 50 basis pointsRaised from 10 and 40 basis points, respectively (gross and operating)
Effective tax rate SourceFiscal 202619% to 21%Raised from 19% to 20%
Capital expenditures, share of revenue SourceFiscal 20264% to 5% of revenueKept
Foreign currency effect on revenue growth SourceThird quarter of fiscal 2026150 to 200 basis pointsNew
Operating margin expansion, constant currency SourceThird quarter of fiscal 202660 to 80 basis pointsNew
Foreign currency effect on gross and operating margin SourceThird quarter of fiscal 202610 and 20 basis points, respectivelyNew
Effective tax rate SourceThird quarter of fiscal 202621% to 23%New

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year constant currency revenue growth range raised from low- to mid-single digits to 5% to 7%. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year constant currency operating margin expansion range raised from 40 to 60 basis points to 60 to 80 basis points. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year tax rate range moved from 19% to 20% to 19% to 21%. Source
  • New guidance: Third-quarter guidance added this quarter; the prior release gave second-quarter guidance. Source
  • New: Next Great Chapter: Drive strategic plan introduced at the September Investor Day, after the prior release. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue grew 17% on reported basis: Revenue reached $2.0 billion, up 17% reported and 14% in constant currency. Foreign currency added about 250 basis points to growth. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose 44% reported: Diluted EPS was $3.32 reported, up 44%, and $3.79 adjusted, up 49%, excluding restructuring-related and other net charges. Source
  • Comparable store sales rose 13%: Global direct-to-consumer comparable store sales rose 13%, with brick and mortar and digital both growing across regions and channels. Source

Segments and regions

  • Europe revenue up 22% reported: Europe revenue rose 22% to $688 million reported and 15% in constant currency. Europe operating margin was 29.4%, up 360 basis points. Source
  • North America revenue up 13%: North America revenue reached $832 million, up 13% reported. Operating margin was 19.4%, up 290 basis points on the prior year. Source
  • Asia revenue up 17% reported: Asia revenue was $446 million, up 17% reported and 16% in constant currency. Asia operating margin was 25.0%, up 230 basis points. Source
  • China revenue grew above 30%: China revenue rose more than 30%, similar to the first-quarter trend. Source
  • New stores in key cities: Openings in the quarter included Munich, Plano, Hangzhou and Nagoya, as the company builds key city ecosystems. Source

“As we continue to navigate a highly dynamic global operating environment with agility, we are encouraged by our brand's continued momentum through the start of the important Fall/Holiday season, enabling us to once again raise our Fiscal 2026 outlook.”

Patrice Louvet, President and Chief Executive Officer

Products, customers and channels

  • Core and high-potential categories grew: The Core business rose mid-teens. Women's Apparel, Outerwear and Handbags grew double digits and outpaced total company growth. Source
  • Average unit retail up 12%: AUR across direct-to-consumer rose 12%, above expectations, reflecting elevation, full-price selling and lower than planned promotions. Source
  • AI styling tool launched: The company launched Ask Ralph, an AI-powered styling tool, during the quarter. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin rose 100 basis points: Gross margin was 68.0%, 100 basis points above the prior year. AUR growth, mix and lower cotton costs offset tariffs and other product costs. Source
  • Adjusted operating margin up 270 bps: Adjusted operating margin was 14.1%, 270 basis points above the prior year, on adjusted operating income of $283 million. Source
  • Operating expenses up 15% reported: Operating expenses were $1.1 billion, up 15% reported and 13% adjusted. The adjusted operating expense rate fell to 53.9% from 55.5%. Source
  • Lower tax rate in the quarter: The effective tax rate was about 15% reported and 16% adjusted, against about 21% a year earlier, mainly on tax benefits. Source

“From the streets of Tokyo and Paris to the intimacy of our runway show in our New York City design studio, we are inviting more people than ever to step into their dream of a better life.”

Ralph Lauren, Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer

Demand and operating environment

  • First-half performance lifted the range: Management raised full-year constant currency revenue and adjusted operating margin expansion, citing first-half performance above its expectations. Source
  • Momentum carried into holiday season: Management said brand momentum continued through the start of the Fall/Holiday season. Source
  • Double-digit growth in every region: Revenue growth was double digit in every region, led by Asia and Europe, while North America accelerated to 13%. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Cash of $1.6 billion, debt $1.2 billion: Cash and short-term investments were $1.6 billion, down from $2.3 billion at first-quarter end. Total debt was $1.2 billion, after $400 million of senior notes were retired. Source
  • About $420 million returned to shareholders: Dividends and repurchases totaled about $420 million year-to-date. Repurchases were $313 million year-to-date, including about $63 million in the quarter. Source
  • Inventory rose 12% year on year: Inventory was $1.3 billion, up 12% on the prior-year period. Source
  • Boston store location purchased: The company bought its Newbury Street store in Boston during the quarter. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Investment to support long-term growth: Management said the company is reinforcing its inclusive luxury lifestyle position with disciplined investments aimed at growth beyond this fiscal year. Source
  • Transformation project charges excluded: Next Generation Transformation project charges were $25.7 million in the quarter and $36.7 million year-to-date, excluded from adjusted results. Source
  • Restructuring charges excluded from adjusted results: Restructuring and other charges, net were $37.3 million in the quarter. The charges relate mainly to severance and benefit costs and are excluded from adjusted figures. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 November 2025

  • Multi-year transformation project continues: Next Generation Transformation is a multi-year project that management expects to significantly change how the company operates. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
New direct-to-consumer consumers acquired Source1.5 million
Social media followers Source67 million
Owned and partnered stores opened in quarter Source38

Risks management discussed

  • External: Guidance assumes inflationary pressures, tariffs, consumer spending headwinds, supply chain disruptions and currency volatility. Source
  • Demand: Management continues to be cautious about the global operating environment in the second half of the fiscal year. Source
  • Financial: Future restructuring-related and other charges are excluded from guidance, and their timing and amount are not known. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Second-quarter revenue growth was reported as exceeding expectations, with double-digit growth in all geographies. 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.