Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Apparel and Accessories Stocks Q4 Recap: Benchmarking PVH (NYSE:PVH)

PVH Cover Image

Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at PVH (NYSE: PVH) and the best and worst performers in the apparel and accessories industry.

Thanks to social media and the internet, not only are styles changing more frequently today than in decades past but also consumers are shifting the way they buy their goods, favoring omnichannel and e-commerce experiences. Some apparel and accessories companies have made concerted efforts to adapt while those who are slower to move may fall behind.

The 16 apparel and accessories stocks we track reported a strong Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.5% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 15.6% since the latest earnings results.

PVH (NYSE: PVH)

Founded in 1881 by a husband and wife duo, PVH (NYSE: PVH) is a global fashion conglomerate with iconic brands like Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger.

PVH reported revenues of $2.37 billion, down 4.8% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.5%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations and a solid beat of analysts’ constant currency revenue estimates.

Stefan Larsson, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Driven by the strength of our two iconic global brands, Calvin Klein and TOMMY HILFIGER, and our disciplined execution of our PVH+ Plan, we finished the year strong and are well-positioned for 2025. In 2024, we beat our EPS guidance on a non-GAAP basis and delivered better-than-expected revenue in constant currency, with record gross margins and double-digit non-GAAP EBIT margin. In a challenging macro, we delivered another year of strong profitability in North America, drove sequential improvements in our wholesale order books in Europe while improving our quality of sales, and we achieved our third consecutive year of growth in Asia Pacific, on a constant currency basis.”

PVH Total Revenue

Interestingly, the stock is up 12.7% since reporting and currently trades at $73.

Is now the time to buy PVH? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q4: VF Corp (NYSE: VFC)

Owner of The North Face, Vans, and Supreme, VF Corp (NYSE: VFC) is a clothing conglomerate specializing in branded lifestyle apparel, footwear, and accessories.

VF Corp reported revenues of $2.83 billion, up 1.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1.2%. The business had a stunning quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ constant currency revenue and EPS estimates.

VF Corp Total Revenue

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 57.5% since reporting. It currently trades at $11.29.

Is now the time to buy VF Corp? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Columbia Sportswear (NASDAQ: COLM)

Originally founded as a hat store in 1938, Columbia Sportswear (NASDAQ: COLM) is a manufacturer of outerwear, sportswear, and footwear designed for outdoor enthusiasts.

Columbia Sportswear reported revenues of $1.10 billion, up 3.5% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 1.4%. Still, it was a slower quarter as it posted full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations.

As expected, the stock is down 21.3% since the results and currently trades at $67.55.

Read our full analysis of Columbia Sportswear’s results here.

Levi's (NYSE: LEVI)

Credited for inventing the first pair of blue jeans in 1873, Levi's (NYSE: LEVI) is an apparel company renowned for its iconic denim products and classic American style.

Levi's reported revenues of $1.53 billion, up 3.1% year on year. This print lagged analysts' expectations by 0.8%. In spite of that, it was a very strong quarter as it logged a solid beat of analysts’ constant currency revenue estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is up 10.9% since reporting and currently trades at $14.95.

Read our full, actionable report on Levi's here, it’s free.

Tapestry (NYSE: TPR)

Originally founded as Coach, Tapestry (NYSE: TPR) is an American fashion conglomerate with a portfolio of luxury brands offering high-quality accessories and fashion products.

Tapestry reported revenues of $2.20 billion, up 5.3% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 4.2%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ constant currency revenue estimates and full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations.

The stock is down 12.7% since reporting and currently trades at $63.98.

Read our full, actionable report on Tapestry here, it’s free.

Market Update

The Fed’s interest rate hikes throughout 2022 and 2023 have successfully cooled post-pandemic inflation, bringing it closer to the 2% target. Inflationary pressures have eased without tipping the economy into a recession, suggesting a soft landing. This stability, paired with recent rate cuts (0.5% in September 2024 and 0.25% in November 2024), fueled a strong year for the stock market in 2024. The markets surged further after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, with major indices reaching record highs in the days following the election. Still, questions remain about the direction of economic policy, as potential tariffs and corporate tax changes add uncertainty for 2025.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

Join Paid Stock Investor Research

Help us make StockStory more helpful to investors like yourself. Join our paid user research session and receive a $50 Amazon gift card for your opinions. Sign up here.

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.