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Ralph Lauren Corp.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 3 new, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 12% reported: Revenue reached $2.4 billion, up 12% on a reported basis and 10% in constant currency; foreign currency added about 220 basis points to growth. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose 25% reported: Diluted EPS was $5.82 reported, up 25%, and $6.22 adjusted, up 29%, against $4.66 and $4.82 in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Asia revenue up 22%, China above 30%: Asia revenue rose 22% to $620 million, with China revenues up more than 30%; Asia operating margin was 31.8%, up 490 basis points. Source
  • Europe margin fell 150 basis points: Europe operating margin was 26.4%, down 150 basis points, with foreign currency adding 40 basis points; Europe revenue rose 12% reported and 4% in constant currency. Source
  • AUR rose 18% in direct-to-consumer: Average unit retail rose 18% across the direct-to-consumer network, above expectations, which management tied to elevation, full-price selling and lower-than-planned promotions. Source
  • Gross margin rose 150 basis points: Gross margin was 69.9%, 150 basis points above prior year; AUR growth, product mix and lower cotton costs more than offset higher U.S. tariffs and other product costs. Source
  • Demand cited as healthy across geographies: Management cited healthy demand across geographies; revenue exceeded expectations, rising 12% reported and 10% in constant currency. Source

“This holiday season, our teams delivered strong, high-quality growth across geographies and consumer segments, enabling accelerated investment in our long-term strategic priorities and brand elevation”

Patrice Louvet, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Foreign currency benefit to revenue growth SourceFiscal 2026 (full year)approximately 200 to 250 basis pointsKept
Operating margin expansion, constant currency SourceFiscal 2026 (full year)approximately 100 to 140 basis pointsRaised from 60 to 80 basis points
Foreign currency benefit to gross and operating margin SourceFiscal 2026 (full year)approximately 20 basis points (gross); approximately 50 basis points (operating)
Tax rate, full year and fourth quarter SourceFiscal 2026 full year and fourth quarterapproximately 19% to 21%Kept
Capital expenditures SourceFiscal 2026 (full year)approximately 4% to 5% of revenueKept
Foreign currency benefit to revenue growth SourceFourth quarter of Fiscal 2026approximately 200 to 300 basis pointsNew
Operating margin, constant currency SourceFourth quarter of Fiscal 2026contract approximately 80 to 120 basis pointsNew
Foreign currency benefit to gross and operating margin SourceFourth quarter of Fiscal 2026approximately 50 basis points (gross); approximately 100 basis points (operating)New

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year constant-currency revenue growth guidance raised from 5% to 7% to high-single to low-double digits. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year constant-currency operating margin expansion guidance raised from 60 to 80 basis points to 100 to 140 basis points. Source
  • New guidance: Fourth-quarter guidance given for revenue, operating margin, foreign currency effects and tax rate; the prior release gave third-quarter guidance. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 12% reported: Revenue reached $2.4 billion, up 12% on a reported basis and 10% in constant currency; foreign currency added about 220 basis points to growth. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose 25% reported: Diluted EPS was $5.82 reported, up 25%, and $6.22 adjusted, up 29%, against $4.66 and $4.82 in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Adjusted operating margin rose 220 basis points: Adjusted operating income was $503 million at a 20.9% margin; reported operating income was $471 million at 19.6%. Source
  • Net income reached $362 million: Net income was $362 million reported and $387 million adjusted, compared with $297 million and $308 million in the prior-year quarter. Source

Segments and regions

  • Asia revenue up 22%, China above 30%: Asia revenue rose 22% to $620 million, with China revenues up more than 30%; Asia operating margin was 31.8%, up 490 basis points. Source
  • Europe margin fell 150 basis points: Europe operating margin was 26.4%, down 150 basis points, with foreign currency adding 40 basis points; Europe revenue rose 12% reported and 4% in constant currency. Source
  • North America revenue and margin rose: North America revenue rose 8% to $1.1 billion; operating margin was 27.1%, up 70 basis points on operating income of $293 million. Source

“In a dynamic operating environment, our Next Great Chapter: Drive strategy -- supported by multiple growth drivers”

Patrice Louvet, President and Chief Executive Officer

Products and customers

  • Core business up low double digits: The Core business rose low double digits, led by sweaters and knit tops. Source
  • High-potential categories up high-teens: Women's Apparel, Outerwear and Handbags grew high-teens, outpacing total company growth, driven by women's sweaters, mid-weight down jackets, tailored coats and handbag collections. Source
  • Fourth Artist in Residence collaboration: Polo Ralph Lauren x TÓPA was the fourth Artist in Residence collaboration; Team USA uniforms for Milan 2026 and the annual Pink Pony collection were also highlighted. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • AUR rose 18% in direct-to-consumer: Average unit retail rose 18% across the direct-to-consumer network, above expectations, which management tied to elevation, full-price selling and lower-than-planned promotions. Source
  • Gross margin rose 150 basis points: Gross margin was 69.9%, 150 basis points above prior year; AUR growth, product mix and lower cotton costs more than offset higher U.S. tariffs and other product costs. Source
  • Adjusted expense rate improved to 49.0%: Adjusted operating expenses rose 11% to $1.2 billion; the adjusted operating expense rate fell from 49.7% to 49.0%. Source
  • Transformation charges excluded from adjusted results: Adjusted figures exclude $31.8 million of restructuring and other charges, including Next Generation Transformation project costs tied to a direct-to-consumer model. Source

Demand, inventory, cash and returns

  • Demand cited as healthy across geographies: Management cited healthy demand across geographies; revenue exceeded expectations, rising 12% reported and 10% in constant currency. Source
  • Global comparable store sales up high-single digits: Global direct-to-consumer comparable store sales grew high-single digits, with stores and digital both contributing; global wholesale sales rose double digits. Source
  • Inventory described as well positioned: Inventory was $1.1 billion at quarter-end, up 15% from a year earlier; management described inventories as well positioned. Source
  • Cash and debt at quarter-end: Cash and short-term investments were $2.3 billion against $1.2 billion of total debt, compared with $2.1 billion and $1.1 billion a year earlier. Source
  • About $500 million returned this year: About $500 million returned through dividends and Class A repurchases fiscal year to date; $350 million of repurchases year to date, including about $37 million in the quarter. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Results reported against three priorities: Highlights were grouped under Elevate and Energize Our Lifestyle Brand, Drive the Core and Expand for More, and Win in Key Cities with Our Consumer Ecosystem. Source
  • Brand activations across cultural moments: Activations included the Fall/Holiday 2025 Mountain Living campaign, Timeless Gifting programs, Singles' Day activations and Very Ralph documentary events. Source
  • Five enablers underpin the business: The company defines its foundation through five enablers: engaged teams, agile operations, technology and AI, resilient partners and materials, and a powerful balance sheet. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 February 2026

  • Fourth-quarter marketing investment: Higher marketing spend is planned for key global activations in the fourth quarter, against a seasonally smaller revenue base. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
New consumers acquired in direct-to-consumer businesses Source2.1 million
Social media followers Sourcemore than 68 million
New owned and partnered stores opened in quarter Source32

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Fourth-quarter operating margin guidance reflects higher U.S. tariffs, which management named as a cost pressure. Source
  • External: Management said guidance reflects the geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, including inflationary pressures, tariffs and consumer spending headwinds. Source
  • Financial: Full-year and fourth-quarter guidance excludes any future restructuring-related and other net charges, which may arise in later periods. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Europe growth of 4% in constant currency was described as in line with expectations, against strong prior-year compares. 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.