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LEVI STRAUSS & CO (LEVI)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 2025 delivered broad-based strength: net revenues $1.446B (+6% reported, +9% organic), record gross margin 62.6% (+140 bps), adjusted EBIT margin 8.3% (+190 bps), and adjusted diluted EPS $0.22 (+37% YoY). Management raised FY25 revenue and EPS guidance despite tariff headwinds .
- Direct-to-consumer (DTC) comprised 50% of revenue, up 10% organically; wholesale also grew 7% organically. Europe led with +15% organic growth; Americas +9%; Asia flat. The Levi’s brand grew 9% organically .
- FY25 guidance changes: reported net revenue growth raised to 1–2% (from -1 to -2%), organic growth raised to 4.5–5.5%, adjusted EPS raised by $0.05 to $1.25–$1.30; gross margin expansion trimmed to +80 bps due to tariffs; adjusted EBIT margin maintained at 11.4–11.6% .
- Key potential stock catalysts: guidance raise (top and bottom line), record gross margins, continued DTC profitability inflection, and a dividend increase to $0.14 for Q3 2025 .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Record gross margin 62.6% (+140 bps YoY) driven by lower product costs and favorable channel mix; adjusted EBIT margin up 190 bps to 8.3% with SG&A leverage .
- DTC strength: +10% organic revenue growth; 13th consecutive quarter of positive global DTC comps; e-commerce +13% . “We delivered another strong quarter… clear evidence that our strategic agenda is gaining traction,” — Michelle Gass .
- Europe outperformed: net revenues +15% organic; segment operating income +30% YoY; strong DTC and wholesale momentum as DC normalization benefited shipments . “Europe’s net revenues were up 15%… wholesale up 23%,” — Harmit Singh .
What Went Wrong
- Asia flat organically in Q2; operating margin contracted due to proactive actions (reduced sales to less profitable partners, franchise rationalization) .
- Adjusted SG&A still elevated at 54.4% of sales (albeit -50 bps YoY), with temporary distribution cost pressure from DC transitions; Q3 marketing timing shift will weigh near term margins .
- Tariffs: net impact estimated at ~20 bps to FY gross margin (~40 bps in H2) and ~$0.02–$0.03 EPS headwind; mitigation includes pricing, promo optimization, vendor negotiations, diversification .
Financial Results
Core P&L trends (oldest → newest)
Notes:
- Q2 operating margin reflects higher restructuring and DC transition costs; YoY EBIT expansion stems from gross margin and SG&A leverage .
Q2 2025 actual vs prior year and consensus
Values with asterisks retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment breakdown (Net Revenues, $USD Millions)
Segment operating income (Operating Income, $USD Millions)
KPIs (Q2 2025)
Non-GAAP reconciliations provided in the 8‑K; Q2 restructuring charges totaled $6.8M (Project Fuel) .
Guidance Changes
Assumptions include U.S. tariffs at 30% (China) and 10% (Rest-of-World) for the remainder of FY25 .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We’re entering the second half of 2025 from a position of strength… transform into a denim lifestyle brand and best-in-class DTC retailer becomes our reality.” — Michelle Gass, President & CEO .
- “We are fundamentally becoming a company with a higher growth rate, higher margin profile, stronger cash flows and higher returns on invested capital.” — Harmit Singh, CFO .
- “Gross margin for quarter two was a record 62.6%… driven by lower product costs and favorable channel mix.” — Harmit Singh .
- “Our tops business grew 16% this quarter… our evolution into denim lifestyle is gaining momentum.” — Michelle Gass .
Q&A Highlights
- Wholesale trajectory: order books positive; guidance prudent, expecting flat-to-slightly positive FY wholesale; Q3 lean-in to fill holiday flows .
- Margin drivers and durability: DTC share, women’s mix, less promotion, assortment productivity underpin structural gross margin expansion; “we’re not done yet” on margins .
- DTC economics: DTC EBIT margin now in the high teens; e-commerce turned profitable; revenue per square foot and cost discipline (labor, new build costs) driving improvement .
- Tariff planning: assuming 30% (China)/10% (RoW) in H2; net impact ~$25–$30M and ~20 bps to FY GM; mitigation via pricing, promo optimization, vendor negotiations, diversification .
- Near-term guide cadence: Q3 adjusted EBIT margin (10.8–11.2%) below last year due to marketing timing shift to Q3 and distribution expenses during DC transition .
Estimates Context
Q2 results beat S&P Global consensus on revenue, EPS, and EBITDA (see table above). Management raised FY25 EPS guidance, implying potential upward estimate revisions in H2 despite tariff headwinds; Q3 guide incorporates ~$0.01 net tariff impact and higher tax rate vs prior year .
Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Strong beat vs consensus and robust gross margin signal durable earnings power; focus on DTC-first strategy and women/tops mix supports margin resilience .
- Guidance raise (revenue and EPS) despite tariffs underscores confidence; expect H2 cadence with Q3 marketing shift and DC costs, then normalization by year-end .
- Europe is a standout growth engine with reinstated wholesale momentum post DC transition; medium-term runway remains attractive .
- DTC profitability inflection (store comps, revenue/sq ft, e-comm profitability) is a key structural driver toward long-term 15% operating margin ambition .
- Tariff risk is being actively mitigated; H2 margin headwind (~40 bps) appears manageable within the elevated gross margin framework .
- Product and brand heat (Nike collab, Beyoncé campaign) should sustain AUR and full-price sell-through, supporting revenue quality in H2 .
- Capital returns: dividend increased to $0.14 for Q3 and intent to deploy at least $100M of Dockers sale proceeds for buybacks, balanced with strong liquidity ($654M cash) .