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Clarus Corp (CLAR)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2025 revenue was $60.4M, down 13% YoY but above internal expectations; adjusted EBITDA was $(0.8)M and adjusted EPS was $(0.02) as Outdoor strength partly offset a sharp Adventure decline .
- Management withdrew FY2025 guidance (revenue, adj. EBITDA, capex, FCF) citing tariff-driven macro uncertainty; dividend of $0.025/share was maintained ahead of the print .
- Versus S&P Global consensus, revenue was a beat (+$3.9M), EPS was a miss (−$0.03), and EBITDA missed as consensus expected positive EBITDA; non-GAAP definitions and promotional mix drove variance (see Estimates Context) (*Values retrieved from S&P Global).
- Key call themes: tariff mitigation and accelerated re-sourcing out of China (6–9 months); Black Diamond apparel bookings up 50% in U.S. and 30% in Europe; Adventure headwinds concentrated in three accounts; PIEPS divestiture signed at €7.8M, expected to close by Q3 2025 .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Outdoor delivered above-plan revenue ($44.3M) with strength in apparel and hardgoods; adjusted EBITDA +$1.7M despite macro softness .
- Order book momentum: Black Diamond fall/winter apparel bookings up ~50% in U.S. and ~30% in Europe; new BD e-commerce site launched in April .
- Balance sheet resilience: cash $41.3M, nearly debt-free except $1.9M RockyMounts obligation; free cash flow improved to $(3.3)M from $(18.3)M YoY .
- Quote: “Q1 net sales of $60.4 million were above expectations…strengthening the core of our Outdoor segment” — Executive Chairman Warren Kanders .
- Quote: “We see a healthy order book for our fall/winter season, with apparel bookings up 30% in Europe and 50% in North America.” — Black Diamond President Neil Fiske .
What Went Wrong
- Adventure revenue fell 28% to $16.1M, driven by demand declines at global OEM, Australian wholesale, and lapse of a large U.S. off-price sale in Q1’24; segment adj. EBITDA was $(0.2)M .
- Gross margin compressed to 34.4% (adj. 34.6%) on higher discontinued merchandise (including PFAS inventory clearance) and North America promotional effort; Adventure mix (MAXTRAX volumes down >$1M) weighed on margin .
- Guidance withdrawn due to tariff uncertainty; management highlighted potential $3.5–$4.0M near-term margin hit at BD even after price actions; accelerated re-sourcing required .
- Analyst concern: discontinued merchandise accounted for ~80–90 bps of Outdoor GM pressure; $2.7M DM in Q1 vs ~$2.1M prior year, increasing mix from 5.8% to 7.5% .
Financial Results
Consolidated Performance and Margins
Segment Revenue and Profitability
KPIs and Cash Flow
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Against an increasingly challenging consumer backdrop…we continued to execute in line with our strategic roadmap…strengthening the core of our Outdoor segment and investing to scale our Adventure segment.” — Warren Kanders .
- “Absent tariffs, we would be affirming our 2025 topline expectations…we are confronting tremendous uncertainty…we have taken up price accordingly and proportionately as of May 5.” — Neil Fiske .
- “Clarus’ first quarter revenue of $60.4 million was above our Q1 guidance of $56 million…Adjusted EBITDA…was short of our guide of breakeven.” — Mike Yates .
- “We entered into an agreement for the sale of PIEPS…€7.8 million…aligned with simplifying the business and rationalizing our product categories.” — Company release .
- “We are withdrawing previously issued full year 2025 revenue, adjusted EBITDA, capital expenditures and free cash flow guidance…we intend to provide updated guidance once visibility improves.” — Company release .
Q&A Highlights
- Tariffs and margin: No cancellations; BD will protect supply and market share; estimated net margin hit ~$3.5–$4.0M in 2025 with potential $1–$2M relief if re-sourcing accelerates .
- Discontinued merchandise impact: DM mix 7.5% vs 5.8% last year; ~80–90 bps drag on Outdoor gross margin; $2.7M DM sold in Q1 (vast majority PFAS) .
- PIEPS economics: ~$1.8M Q1 revenue, breakeven EBITDA; ~one-third of Q1 levels in Q2; annual revenue ~ $5M — divestiture expected margin accretive .
- Retail strategy: Company-owned BD stores kept limited (8–10) as “brand labs”; Seattle flagship opened; Jackson Hole store partnership with Jackson Hole Mountain Guides to deepen community engagement .
- Adventure distribution: Shift away from off-price; leaning into specialty rack/bike channels; RockyMounts expanded doors from ~300 to ~800 in Q1 .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global consensus for Q1 2025: Revenue $56.7M*, Primary EPS $0.01*, EBITDA $0.59M*; Target Price $4.15*; Consensus Recommendation N/A* (*Values retrieved from S&P Global).
- Actual vs consensus (S&P framework): Revenue $60.4M vs $56.7M (beat); Primary EPS −$0.02 vs $0.01 (miss by $0.03); EBITDA −$2.72M vs $0.59M (miss)*; Note: Company reports adjusted EBITDA of −$0.8M and adjusted EPS of −$0.02, indicating definition differences relative to S&P’s “actuals” (*Values retrieved from S&P Global).
*Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Implications: Street likely revises Adventure expectations lower and adjusts margin trajectory to reflect promotional mix and DM clearance, while acknowledging Outdoor order book strength. Non-GAAP vs consensus definition alignment should be clarified in future models.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Near term: Guidance withdrawal and tariff uncertainty are the dominant stock drivers; expect elevated volatility into H2 as pricing/re-sourcing actions flow through .
- Outdoor momentum: Healthy F/W apparel bookings and cleaner inventory (74% “A” styles) support margin recovery as DM clearance abates .
- Adventure reset: Concentrated customer headwinds and channel mix explain the revenue step-down; specialty distribution build (and RockyMounts synergy) is the right fix but takes time .
- Tariff mitigation roadmap: Price actions cover 10% universal and 25% steel/aluminum; accelerated China exit (6–9 months) is key; monitor $3.5–$4.0M margin hit trajectory .
- Portfolio simplification: PIEPS sale at €7.8M should be margin accretive post-close; use of proceeds to bolster cash and flexibility .
- Balance sheet support: Cash $41.3M and minimal debt provide runway to execute re-sourcing and brand investments despite macro noise .
- Positioning: If tariff regime stabilizes and Adventure distribution rebuilds, Outdoor-led recovery plus cost discipline can reset the mid-term thesis; track BD apparel sell-through and Adventure door growth .