Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) updated its fiscal 2025 fourth-quarter guidance on Monday, pointing to stronger-than-anticipated execution over the holiday season that is expected to drive results near the high end of its previously established range.
The company now projects fourth-quarter net revenues to approach the top threshold of its earlier forecast of $3.50 billion to $3.585 billion. This estimation, however, remains marginally below the consensus analyst estimate of $3.595 billion. For diluted earnings per share (EPS), Lululemon expects outcomes to be toward the upper limit of the $4.66 to $4.76 range, although this falls short of the $5.05 estimate set by analysts. The upward revision stems from better than expected festive season consumer demand.
Importantly, the company's outlook for gross margin, selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, and effective tax rate remains unchanged, reflecting stable assumptions in these operational areas.
CFO Meghan Frank commented on the evolving strategy, stating, "Building on our holiday period performance, we anticipate achieving the elevated end of our previously communicated guidance for fourth-quarter revenue and EPS. Our efforts continue to be dedicated to executing an action plan designed to revitalize our U.S. operations, and we look forward to capitalizing on forthcoming opportunities."
This guidance update arrives amid intensifying shareholder pressures as Lululemon navigates its CEO search process. Founder involvement has brought mounting calls for leadership changes at the company’s helm, signaling possible significant shifts in governance structure. More details on these developments are covered extensively in related boardroom shakeup updates outlining the demand for executive realignment.
Looking ahead, management is slated to engage with financial analysts and investors at the upcoming ICR Conference, scheduled from January 12 to 14, 2026, where further insights on company performance and strategy may be shared.
Recent Operational and Financial Performance
Lululemon reported robust third-quarter results, surpassing both earnings and revenue expectations. Growth was propelled primarily by strong international momentum, which contributed a notable 33% year-over-year increase in revenue. This growth notably offset continued challenges within the Americas, where the U.S. segment faced ongoing softness.
Following this performance, Lululemon raised its fiscal 2025 full-year guidance range, now forecasting Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) EPS of $12.92 to $13.02 and total revenues between $10.96 billion and $11.05 billion.
Market Reaction
In response to the guidance revision and holiday sales update, shares of Lululemon Athletica rose by approximately 1.77%, trading near $207.51 as per data available at the time of publication. This price movement reflects increased investor confidence amidst ongoing operational enhancements and strategic repositioning.
Contextual Stock and Sector Metrics
For comparative purposes, Nike Inc. was trading slightly lower, and consumer discretionary sector ETFs such as the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF and the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF exhibited minor fluctuations, underscoring the broader retail landscape dynamics during the period.
It remains to be seen how Lululemon's targeted efforts in the U.S. market and leadership developments will influence its trajectory moving forward.