FG
Fossil Group, Inc. (FOSL)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 revenue was $270.2M (-6.1% YoY) with GAAP diluted EPS of -$0.76 and adjusted EPS of -$0.63; revenue materially beat S&P consensus ($233.3M*), while EPS missed (-$0.36*) as licensed brand minimum royalty deficits and tariffs pressured margins .
- Gross margin was 49.0% (-40 bps YoY; down sequentially from 57.5% in Q2) as royalty shortfalls offset benefits from full‑price selling and sourcing initiatives; CFO reiterated full‑year gross margin in the mid‑50s and expects Q4 gross margin similar to last year .
- Balance sheet transformation completed post‑quarter: exchange of 7.00% 2026 notes into 2029 notes and $32.5M of new money financing; liquidity $101.9M, inventories down 26% YoY, new $150M ABL increases availability .
- FY25 guidance reiterated: worldwide net sales decline mid‑teens; adjusted operating margin break‑even to slightly positive; Q4 expected to deliver positive adjusted operating margin .
- Catalysts: wholesale strength (EMEA/Asia), Nick Jonas/Fantastic Four/Galactus collaborations driving AUR and brand heat, and store rationalization improving SG&A leverage; risk: ongoing tariff headwinds and licensed royalty floors .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Wholesale growth: Wholesale sales +3% in constant currency; Asia +2% CC overall; EMEA and Asia wholesale mid‑single‑digit growth with India/Japan strong .
- Margin architecture: Full‑price selling, sourcing optimization, targeted price increases, and higher mix of traditional watches improved underlying gross margins despite royalty impacts .
- Cost discipline: SG&A down 8.8% YoY; >$60M YTD cost savings; store closures at lease end with minimal costs; adjusted operating loss narrowed YoY .
- “Our turnaround initiatives are foundational and have resulted in a structurally higher margin business.” — CFO .
- “We… built a consumer‑focused, brand‑led operating model, strengthened our gross margin profile, right‑sized our cost structure and fortified our balance sheet.” — CEO .
What Went Wrong
- DTC pressure: Direct‑to‑consumer sales -27% CC; comparable retail sales -22%; leathers -37% and jewelry -23% CC; Fossil brand down in Q3 .
- Gross margin headwinds: Increased tariffs and licensed brand minimum royalty deficits reduced gross margin to 49.0% (down 40 bps YoY and meaningfully sequentially vs Q2 57.5%) .
- Losses widened YoY: Net loss -$39.9M vs -$32.0M in Q3’24; GAAP diluted EPS -$0.76 vs -$0.60; other income swung to a $6.2M expense due to FX losses and $1.7M extinguishment loss .
Financial Results
Core metrics vs prior periods
Actuals vs S&P Global Consensus
Values retrieved from S&P Global*.
Segment and product breakdown (Q3 2025)
Constant currency YoY: Americas -9%, Europe -10%, Asia +2%; Wholesale +3%, DTC -27%; DTC comparable retail sales -22% .
KPIs across quarters
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “The balance sheet refinancing represents a pivotal milestone in our turnaround and allows us to turn the page to Fossil Group’s next chapter.” — CEO .
- “Our focus on full‑price selling has fundamentally changed our margin architecture… All of these actions helped us mitigate expected tariff headwinds in the quarter.” — CFO .
- “Year‑to‑date, we have generated over $60 million in cost savings and reduced our SG&A by 260 basis points…” — CEO .
- “We successfully completed the exchange… for new 9.5% notes due 2029… with $32.5 million in incremental new money financing.” — CFO .
- “Initial trends in our DTC channels indicate that our holiday collection is resonating with consumers, with momentum building week over week.” — CEO .
Q&A Highlights
- Channel performance gap: Management clarified the -22% “comparable retail sales” is total DTC (including e‑commerce), not store comps; physical stores performing well, e‑comm intentionally downsized to support margin integrity .
- Asia strength: Region led by India, Japan improved, China still contracting; less promotional stance aiding gross margin; new Asia GM appointed to accelerate growth .
- Inventory/working capital: Tighter open‑to‑buy and SKU reduction improved turns; inventory -26% YoY with better product availability; working capital down ~$90M YoY .
Estimates Context
- Q3 revenue beat: $270.2M actual vs $233.3M consensus*; EBITDA beat (adj): -$15.0M vs -$21.0M consensus*; EPS miss: adjusted -$0.63 vs -$0.36 consensus* as royalty deficits and tariffs compressed margins .
- Q2 also beat on revenue and EPS (adj) vs consensus*, underscoring wholesale recovery and cost control .
- Consensus breadth remains thin (1 estimate for EPS/Revenue), so results may drive upward revisions to revenue/EBITDA and a reassessment of EPS trajectory given royalty timing effects [GetEstimates].
Values retrieved from S&P Global*.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Revenue over‑delivery with wholesale momentum and higher AUR indicates demand stabilization even as DTC is rightsized; watch for holiday execution to sustain top‑line into Q4 .
- Margin structure is improving (pricing, sourcing, mix), but licensed royalty floors and tariffs can quarter‑weight pressure; reductions negotiated for 2026 should materially ease Q3 royalty shortfalls .
- Balance sheet risk reduced: maturities pushed to 2029, liquidity >$100M, new $150M ABL access — supports turnaround investments and reduces near‑term solvency overhang .
- Guidance credibility improving: reiterated FY25 outlook with Q4 set up for positive adjusted operating margin, aided by gross margin similar to last year and SG&A leverage .
- Segment mix: Asia ex‑China strengthening, EMEA distributor model simplifies ops/profitability; Fossil brand collaborations and ambassador program driving higher AUR and traffic .
- Near‑term trading setup: potential positive sentiment on revenue/EBITDA beats offset by EPS miss; stock reaction likely keyed to holiday comps, Q4 margin delivery, and any tariff/royalty developments .
- Medium‑term thesis: turnaround pillars (core focus, cost right‑sizing, balance sheet) are intact; 2026 royalty reductions and ongoing store rationalization support sustainable margin recovery .
Footnote: Values retrieved from S&P Global* for consensus estimates and related actuals shown with asterisks.