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Groupe la Francaise lowered its position in shares of Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL – Free Report) by 14.2% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 60,995 shares of the textile maker’s stock after selling 10,118 shares during the period. Groupe la Francaise owned approximately 0.10% of Ralph Lauren worth $24,505,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. California State Teachers Retirement System grew its position in Ralph Lauren by 38,897.9% in the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 17,584,166 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $7,058,460,000 after acquiring an additional 17,539,076 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. raised its position in Ralph Lauren by 26.2% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,324,018 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $468,186,000 after purchasing an additional 275,263 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Ralph Lauren by 5.5% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,050,543 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $370,852,000 after purchasing an additional 54,686 shares during the last quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC lifted its stake in shares of Ralph Lauren by 8,937.8% in the 2nd quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 963,340 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $264,225,000 after purchasing an additional 952,681 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Qube Research & Technologies Ltd lifted its stake in shares of Ralph Lauren by 11.7% in the 3rd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 941,832 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $295,321,000 after purchasing an additional 98,511 shares during the last quarter. 67.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group raised their price objective on Ralph Lauren from $511.00 to $520.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Needham & Company LLC upped their target price on shares of Ralph Lauren from $405.00 to $450.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $425.00 target price on shares of Ralph Lauren in a research note on Friday, August 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Ralph Lauren from $434.00 to $452.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Ralph Lauren from $400.00 to $455.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, August 7th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ralph Lauren currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $445.67.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren Price Performance RL opened at $351.08 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $20.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.12, a PEG ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 1.34. The company has a current ratio of 2.04, a quick ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $378.68 and its 200 day moving average price is $369.98. Ralph Lauren Corporation has a 12-month low of $299.98 and a 12-month high of $421.60.

Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The textile maker reported $4.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.32 by $0.27. Ralph Lauren had a net margin of 11.76% and a return on equity of 39.10%. The company had revenue of $1.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.87 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.77 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Ralph Lauren Corporation will post 18.79 earnings per share for the current year.

Ralph Lauren Company Profile (Free Report)

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is a global designer, marketer and distributor of premium lifestyle products under the Ralph Lauren name and a portfolio of related brands. The company, founded by Ralph Lauren in 1967 and headquartered in New York City, has grown from a single line of men’s neckties into a global lifestyle business that spans apparel, accessories and home goods.

Ralph Lauren’s product assortment includes menswear, womenswear and childrenswear along with footwear, leather goods, eyewear, fragrances and home furnishings.

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Key Takeaways RL improved digital user experiences and expanded brand discoverability across key large language models.Ralph Lauren added 1.5 million new direct-to-consumer customers, led by stores and digital commerce sites.AI tests and advanced analytics help RL understand evolving consumer behavior and strengthen engagement. Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL - Free Report) continues to invest strategically in advanced analytics, technology and artificial intelligence to better serve consumers and improve efficiency across its operations. As part of this effort, the company is advancing capabilities designed to enhance creativity, productivity and customer engagement. These investments reflect Ralph Lauren's broader focus on using technology and analytics to strengthen its capabilities while supporting consumers and business operations.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the company continued to advance its digital and AI capabilities by improving user experiences across its digital commerce sites and expanding brand discoverability across key large language models. Ralph Lauren also participated in select AI tests to better understand evolving consumer behavior on these newer platforms. These initiatives reflect the company's efforts to improve brand discoverability on emerging digital platforms and gain a better understanding of how consumers engage with its brands through these platforms.

The company also expanded its direct-to-consumer customer base, adding 1.5 million new customers during the period, led by its digital commerce sites and stores . It continued to make progress across key brand equity measures, including higher Net Promoter Scores and improved luxury perception scores. The company also continued recruiting key consumer groups, including women, luxury consumers and younger customers. Together, these developments indicate continued progress in customer recruitment and key measures of consumer and brand perception.

Overall, Ralph Lauren's AI and digital initiatives appear focused on improving online user experiences, expanding brand discoverability and helping the company better understand evolving consumer behavior. These efforts could support stronger customer engagement and contribute to an improved customer experience over time.

The Zacks Rundown for RLRalph Lauren’s shares have lost 4.2% in the past three months against the industry’s 2% growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, RL trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17.36 compared with the industry’s average of 14.71. Ralph Lauren currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RL’s current and next fiscal-year earnings implies a rise of 13.3% and 10.6%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:

Kontoor Brands, Inc. (KTB - Free Report) , a lifestyle apparel company, designs, manufactures, procures, sells and licenses apparel, footwear and accessories, primarily under the Wrangler, Lee and Helly Hansen brands. At present, KTB carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KTB’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies a decline of 14.3% and 6.1%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. KTB delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.4%, on average.

Savers Value Village, Inc. (SVV - Free Report) , a thrift operator, sells second-hand merchandise in retail stores in the United States, Canada and Australia. SVV currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SVV’s current financial-year sales and earnings is expected to rise 6.1% and 6.7%, respectively, from the corresponding year-ago reported figures. SVV delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 1.6%, on average.

Superior Group of Companies, Inc. (SGC - Free Report) produces, manufactures and sells promotional products and branded uniforms, and healthcare apparel and accessories in the United States and internationally. At present, SGC carries a Zacks Rank of 2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SGC’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 3.1% and 39.1%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures. SGC delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 90.2%, on average.

Companies in the Zacks Textile - Apparel industry are benefiting from improving store traffic and continued digital growth. To enhance customer engagement and meet evolving consumer expectations, industry players are investing in e-commerce platforms, mobile applications, omnichannel fulfillment and AI-driven tools. These initiatives are helping companies integrate physical and digital channels, improve convenience and product discovery, and boost operational efficiency across the customer journey.

Textile-apparel companies are also strengthening brand equity through product innovation, marketing initiatives, licensing agreements, strategic partnerships and portfolio expansion. However, cost pressures, tariffs and geopolitical uncertainties remain challenges, prompting companies to emphasize sourcing efficiencies, supply-chain diversification, inventory discipline and cost controls. These trends position Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL - Free Report) , Crocs, Inc. (CROX - Free Report) , Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM - Free Report) and G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. (GIII - Free Report) to capitalize on favorable industry dynamics.

About the Industry The Zacks Textile - Apparel industry includes companies and lifestyle brands that manufacture, design, distribute, source, market and sell apparel, footwear and accessories for men and women. These include fashion apparel like dresses, pants, skirts, shorts, shirts, jackets, blouses and knitwear, and intimate apparel like underwear and shapewear. The industry also comprises companies offering apparel for a healthy lifestyle and athletic activities, such as yoga, running and training. Some companies also deal with fitness-related accessories like gloves, bags, headwear and sports masks. The industry participants operate through direct-to-consumer (brick-and-mortar and online), wholesale and licensing distribution channels. Most players operate through stores and digital networks in the United States and internationally.

3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Textile-Apparel Industry Improved Store Traffic and Strong Digital Trends: As consumers increasingly shift between physical and digital channels, textile-apparel companies are reimagining the end-to-end customer journey. Brands are prioritizing investments to enhance experiences across every touchpoint, revitalizing in-store engagement while capitalizing on the continued growth of e-commerce. This dual focus is driving upgrades to digital platforms, mobile applications and payment systems, along with tighter integration between online and offline operations. To meet rising expectations for convenience and speed, companies are expanding fulfillment capabilities and offering flexible options such as buy online, pick up in-store and curbside delivery. Meanwhile, AI adoption is enhancing customer engagement, product discovery, inventory management and operational efficiency, enabling greater agility across channels.

Brand-Enhancing Initiatives: Textile-apparel companies continue to strengthen brand equity through diversified marketing efforts, licensing agreements, strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Product innovation remains a key growth driver, with companies introducing new collections, categories and collaborations to stay relevant and meet evolving consumer preferences. Companies are also expanding into new categories, geographies and channels to increase brand reach. Strong brands with differentiated offerings are better positioned to drive customer loyalty, expand market share and support sustainable growth.

Cost and Trade Headwinds: Textile-apparel companies continue to operate in an environment marked by cost pressures and trade-related uncertainty. Fluctuations in sourcing expenses, labor costs, transportation rates and tariffs remain areas of concern. In addition, evolving trade policies and geopolitical tensions can increase operating costs and create complexities across global supply chains, weighing on pricing and margin visibility. To navigate these challenges, companies are emphasizing supply-chain diversification, sourcing efficiencies, inventory discipline, automation and cost-control initiatives while continuing to invest in growth.

Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects The Zacks Textile – Apparel industry is housed within the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #93, which places it in the top 38% of more than 246 Zacks industries.

The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all member stocks, indicates bright near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one.

Let’s look at the industry’s performance and current valuation.

Industry vs. Broader Market The Zacks Textile - Apparel industry has outperformed the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector but lagged the S&P 500 composite over the past year.

The industry has declined 4.8% compared with the broader sector’s fall of 13.9%. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has increased 21.3%.

One-Year Price Performance

Industry's Current Valuation On the basis of forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E), commonly used for valuing consumer discretionary stocks, the industry is currently trading at 14.86X compared with the S&P 500’s 20.37X and the sector’s 16.63X.

Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 23.46X and as low as 12.87X, with the median being 16.98X, as the chart shows.

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (Past 5 Years)

4 Must-Watch Textile-Apparel Stocks Crocs: The designer, developer, manufacturer, marketer and distributor of casual lifestyle footwear and accessories currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Crocs continues to leverage its iconic clog franchise while diversifying the product portfolio across sandals, lifestyle, recovery and other categories, alongside expanding personalization, bags and accessories. The company supports brand engagement through product innovation, collaborations, social and digital marketing, social commerce and direct-to-consumer channels, while maintaining a broad wholesale and marketplace presence. Crocs is also expanding its international footprint and strengthening presence across key global markets through localized products, digital engagement and an expanding network of stores and distribution channels. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Crocs’ current fiscal-year EPS has remained unchanged in the past seven days at $13.85. The stock has advanced 45.8% in the past year.

Price and Consensus: CROX

Ralph Lauren: This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company is a leading designer, marketer and distributor of premium lifestyle products. Ralph Lauren continues to execute the “Next Great Chapter: Drive” strategy, focused on elevating and energizing the lifestyle brand, strengthening its core offerings while expanding into high-potential categories, and building consumer ecosystems in key cities worldwide. The company leverages its broad lifestyle portfolio, distinctive brand storytelling and immersive experiences to deepen consumer engagement and reinforce brand desirability. Ralph Lauren also continues to expand the direct-to-consumer, digital commerce and quality wholesale channels, while investing in technology, analytics and AI capabilities to enhance consumer experiences and support its global growth.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ralph Lauren’s current fiscal-year EPS has remained unchanged in the past seven days at $18.79.  Shares of RL have rallied 29% in the past year.

Price and Consensus: RL

Columbia Sportswear: This Zacks Rank #3 company designs, sources, markets and distributes outdoor, active and lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories through wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels. The company leverages a portfolio of outdoor brands and focuses on product innovation, performance technologies and elevated design to strengthen its competitive positioning. Its Columbia brand is guided by the multiyear ACCELERATE strategy, which emphasizes outdoor activities, performance, lifestyle versatility and footwear while leveraging the brand’s outdoor heritage. Columbia Sportswear also invests in digital and e-commerce capabilities, international markets, marketing and brand-building initiatives to enhance consumer engagement and support growth. In addition, the company continues to pursue operational efficiencies and disciplined cost management across its business.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Columbia Sportswear’s current fiscal-year earnings per share (EPS) has moved down 11 cents in the past seven days to $3.58. Shares of COLM have gained 8.4% in the past year.

Price and Consensus: COLM

G-III Apparel: This Zacks Rank #3 company designs, sources and markets women’s and men’s apparel and accessories through a diversified portfolio of owned and licensed brands. The company is evolving from a primarily licensed model toward a balanced global fashion portfolio, with greater emphasis on building and scaling owned brands while maintaining select licensing partnerships. G-III focuses on brand building, category expansion and international growth, leveraging its global wholesale platform and retail relationships alongside direct-to-consumer channels. The company also continues to invest in digital capabilities, data, AI and omnichannel infrastructure to enhance consumer engagement and profitability. In addition, G-III emphasizes disciplined inventory management, operational efficiency and strategic sourcing to support sustainable growth.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GIII’s current fiscal-year EPS has remained unchanged in the past seven days at $2.24. Shares of G-III Apparel have surged 26.5% in the past year.

Price and Consensus: GIII

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – August 26, 2026 – Today, Zacks Equity Ralph Lauren Corp. (RL - Free Report) , Crocs, Inc. (CROX - Free Report) , Columbia Sportswear Co. (COLM - Free Report) and G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. (GIII - Free Report)

Industry: Apparel

Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2979753/4-textile-apparel-stocks-to-watch-as-industry-trends-strengthen

Companies in the Zacks Textile - Apparel industry are benefiting from improving store traffic and continued digital growth. To enhance customer engagement and meet evolving consumer expectations, industry players are investing in e-commerce platforms, mobile applications, omnichannel fulfillment and AI-driven tools. These initiatives are helping companies integrate physical and digital channels, improve convenience and product discovery, and boost operational efficiency across the customer journey.

Textile-apparel companies are also strengthening brand equity through product innovation, marketing initiatives, licensing agreements, strategic partnerships and portfolio expansion. However, cost pressures, tariffs and geopolitical uncertainties remain challenges, prompting companies to emphasize sourcing efficiencies, supply-chain diversification, inventory discipline and cost controls. These trends position Ralph Lauren Corp., Crocs, Inc., Columbia Sportswear Co. and G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. to capitalize on favorable industry dynamics.

About the IndustryThe Zacks Textile - Apparel industry includes companies and lifestyle brands that manufacture, design, distribute, source, market and sell apparel, footwear and accessories for men and women. These include fashion apparel like dresses, pants, skirts, shorts, shirts, jackets, blouses and knitwear, and intimate apparel like underwear and shapewear. The industry also comprises companies offering apparel for a healthy lifestyle and athletic activities, such as yoga, running and training. 

Some companies also deal with fitness-related accessories like gloves, bags, headwear and sports masks. The industry participants operate through direct-to-consumer (brick-and-mortar and online), wholesale and licensing distribution channels. Most players operate through stores and digital networks in the United States and internationally.

3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Textile-Apparel IndustryImproved Store Traffic and Strong Digital Trends:As consumers increasingly shift between physical and digital channels, textile-apparel companies are reimagining the end-to-end customer journey. Brands are prioritizing investments to enhance experiences across every touchpoint, revitalizing in-store engagement while capitalizing on the continued growth of e-commerce. 

This dual focus is driving upgrades to digital platforms, mobile applications and payment systems, along with tighter integration between online and offline operations. To meet rising expectations for convenience and speed, companies are expanding fulfillment capabilities and offering flexible options such as buy online, pick up in-store and curbside delivery. Meanwhile, AI adoption is enhancing customer engagement, product discovery, inventory management and operational efficiency, enabling greater agility across channels. 

Brand-Enhancing Initiatives: Textile-apparel companies continue to strengthen brand equity through diversified marketing efforts, licensing agreements, strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Product innovation remains a key growth driver, with companies introducing new collections, categories and collaborations to stay relevant and meet evolving consumer preferences. Companies are also expanding into new categories, geographies and channels to increase brand reach. Strong brands with differentiated offerings are better positioned to drive customer loyalty, expand market share and support sustainable growth.

Cost and Trade Headwinds:Textile-apparel companies continue to operate in an environment marked by cost pressures and trade-related uncertainty. Fluctuations in sourcing expenses, labor costs, transportation rates and tariffs remain areas of concern. In addition, evolving trade policies and geopolitical tensions can increase operating costs and create complexities across global supply chains, weighing on pricing and margin visibility. To navigate these challenges, companies are emphasizing supply-chain diversification, sourcing efficiencies, inventory discipline, automation and cost-control initiatives while continuing to invest in growth.

Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright ProspectsThe Zacks Textile – Apparel industry is housed within the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #93, which places it in the top 38% of more than 246 Zacks industries.

The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all member stocks, indicates bright near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one.

Let’s look at the industry’s performance and current valuation.

Industry vs. Broader MarketThe Zacks Textile - Apparel industry has outperformed the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector but lagged the S&P 500 composite over the past year.

The industry has declined 4.8% compared with the broader sector’s fall of 13.9%. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has increased 21.3%.

Industry's Current ValuationOn the basis of forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E), commonly used for valuing consumer discretionary stocks, the industry is currently trading at 14.86X compared with the S&P 500’s 20.37X and the sector’s 16.63X.

Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 23.46X and as low as 12.87X, with the median being 16.98X.

4 Must-Watch Textile-Apparel StocksCrocs: The designer, developer, manufacturer, marketer and distributor of casual lifestyle footwear and accessories currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Crocs continues to leverage its iconic clog franchise while diversifying the product portfolio across sandals, lifestyle, recovery and other categories, alongside expanding personalization, bags and accessories. 

The company supports brand engagement through product innovation, collaborations, social and digital marketing, social commerce and direct-to-consumer channels, while maintaining a broad wholesale and marketplace presence. Crocs is also expanding its international footprint and strengthening presence across key global markets through localized products, digital engagement and an expanding network of stores and distribution channels. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Crocs’ current fiscal-year EPS has remained unchanged in the past seven days at $13.85. The stock has advanced 45.8% in the past year.

Ralph Lauren: This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company is a leading designer, marketer and distributor of premium lifestyle products. Ralph Lauren continues to execute the “Next Great Chapter: Drive” strategy, focused on elevating and energizing the lifestyle brand, strengthening its core offerings while expanding into high-potential categories, and building consumer ecosystems in key cities worldwide. 

The company leverages its broad lifestyle portfolio, distinctive brand storytelling and immersive experiences to deepen consumer engagement and reinforce brand desirability. Ralph Lauren also continues to expand the direct-to-consumer, digital commerce and quality wholesale channels, while investing in technology, analytics and AI capabilities to enhance consumer experiences and support its global growth.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ralph Lauren’s current fiscal-year EPS has remained unchanged in the past seven days at $18.79.  Shares of RL have rallied 29% in the past year.

Columbia Sportswear:This Zacks Rank #3 company designs, sources, markets and distributes outdoor, active and lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories through wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels. The company leverages a portfolio of outdoor brands and focuses on product innovation, performance technologies and elevated design to strengthen its competitive positioning. 

Its Columbia brand is guided by the multiyear ACCELERATE strategy, which emphasizes outdoor activities, performance, lifestyle versatility and footwear while leveraging the brand’s outdoor heritage. Columbia Sportswear also invests in digital and e-commerce capabilities, international markets, marketing and brand-building initiatives to enhance consumer engagement and support growth. In addition, the company continues to pursue operational efficiencies and disciplined cost management across its business.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Columbia Sportswear’s current fiscal-year earnings per share (EPS) has moved down 11 cents in the past seven days to $3.58. Shares of COLM have gained 8.4% in the past year.

G-III Apparel: This Zacks Rank #3 company designs, sources and markets women’s and men’s apparel and accessories through a diversified portfolio of owned and licensed brands. The company is evolving from a primarily licensed model toward a balanced global fashion portfolio, with greater emphasis on building and scaling owned brands while maintaining select licensing partnerships. 

G-III focuses on brand building, category expansion and international growth, leveraging its global wholesale platform and retail relationships alongside direct-to-consumer channels. The company also continues to invest in digital capabilities, data, AI and omnichannel infrastructure to enhance consumer engagement and profitability. In addition, G-III emphasizes disciplined inventory management, operational efficiency and strategic sourcing to support sustainable growth.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GIII’s current fiscal-year EPS has remained unchanged in the past seven days at $2.24. Shares of G-III Apparel have surged 26.5% in the past year.

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Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. However, it isn't easy to find a great growth stock.

In addition to volatility, these stocks carry above-average risk by their very nature. Also, one could end up losing from a stock whose growth story is actually over or nearing its end.

However, it's pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.

Ralph Lauren (RL - Free Report) is on the list of such stocks currently recommended by our proprietary system. In addition to a favorable Growth Score, it carries a top Zacks Rank.

Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And returns are even better for stocks that possess the combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy).

While there are numerous reasons why the stock of this upscale clothing company is a great growth pick right now, we have highlighted three of the most important factors below:

Earnings GrowthEarnings growth is arguably the most important factor, as stocks exhibiting exceptionally surging profit levels tend to attract the attention of most investors. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for Ralph Lauren is 20.4%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 13.2% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 7.2%.

Cash Flow GrowthCash is the lifeblood of any business, but higher-than-average cash flow growth is more beneficial and important for growth-oriented companies than for mature companies. That's because, high cash accumulation enables these companies to undertake new projects without raising expensive outside funds.

Right now, year-over-year cash flow growth for Ralph Lauren is 25.6%, which is higher than many of its peers. In fact, the rate compares to the industry average of 9.3%.

While investors should actually consider the current cash flow growth, it's worth taking a look at the historical rate too for putting the current reading into proper perspective. The company's annualized cash flow growth rate has been 27.6% over the past 3-5 years versus the industry average of 14.1%.

Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsBeyond the metrics outlined above, investors should consider the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is a plus here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

The current-year earnings estimates for Ralph Lauren have been revising upward. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 2.5% over the past month.

Bottom LineWhile the overall earnings estimate revisions have made Ralph Lauren a Zacks Rank #2 stock, it has earned itself a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination positions Ralph Lauren well for outperformance, so growth investors may want to bet on it.

Key Takeaways Ralph Lauren trades at 19.37X forward P/E, above the industry's 14.74X but below its 20.54X median.RL shares rose 3.5% in six months, beating the industry's 8.2% dip but trailing the S&P 500's 12.2% gain.Ralph Lauren plans 8% marketing investment and is expanding women's apparel, outerwear and handbags. Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL - Free Report) , a prominent player in the Textile-Apparel industry, is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 19.36X, which is higher than the industry’s average P/E of 14.91X. The stock trades below its five-year median P/E ratio of 15.04X.

Ralph Lauren’s Valuation Picture
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

RL’s valuation reflects investor confidence as it trades at a premium compared with peers such as Kontoor Brands, Inc. (KTB - Free Report) , Crocs, Inc. (CROX - Free Report) and Superior Group of Companies, Inc. (SGC - Free Report) , which have P/E ratios of 13.81X, 8.62X and 14.61X, respectively.

Ralph Lauren has seen its shares rise 3.5% in the past six months, outperforming the industry’s decline of 8.2% and the broader sector’s 1.1% decline. However, the stock has underperformed the S&P 500 Index’s 12.2% growth in the same period.

RL Stock’s 6-Month Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Closing at $378 in the last trading session, Ralph Lauren stock stands 10.3% below its 52-week high of $421.6 reached on June 6, 2026. RL is trading above its 200-day simple moving average of $363, indicating a favorable technical setup.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

RL’s Brand Elevation and Investment Strategy Support Long-Term GrowthRalph Lauren’s continued focus on brand elevation, product innovation and strategic investments is strengthening its position for sustainable long-term growth. The company’s brand elevation journey has continued for nearly a decade, with brand equity strengthening across markets and generations. Maintaining this momentum requires more than marketing, as the company sees significant opportunities to continue investing behind its brand. These investments are aimed at supporting long-term growth and sustaining the strength of the brand over time, while building on the progress achieved through its ongoing brand elevation efforts.

The company continues to build brand desirability through distinctive cinematic storytelling and high-impact activations. Evergreen platforms such as Wimbledon remain an important part of this approach, alongside immersive campaigns designed to engage women, luxury and next-generation consumers. The company continues to see strong returns from this ongoing stream of activations, supporting its confidence in the planned 8% marketing investment for the year. Looking ahead, the company expects to further invest in marketing as margin expansion provides additional capacity for brand-building initiatives.

In addition, the company is leveraging the breadth of its product portfolio across core iconic products, which continue to resonate across generations, including younger consumers. At the same time, it is expanding its focus on high-potential categories such as women’s apparel, outerwear and handbags. Management views these categories as being at an early stage of their opportunity, with current market shares providing room for further progress. The company aims to deliver timeless value that remains relevant beyond changing fashion cycles.

Overall, a healthier luxury market could also provide a meaningful tailwind for the company by supporting stronger traffic and customer consideration while aligning with its elevated positioning. Looking ahead, the company remains confident in the strength of its brand and the multiple growth drivers supporting the business. Continued investment alongside ongoing performance is expected to help sustain momentum and support growth and value creation both this year and beyond.

How Have Estimates Shaped Up for RL?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RL’s current-quarter earnings has been revised upward by 1.9% to $4.21 per share in the past 30 days. The earnings estimate for the current year has moved up by 2.6% to $18.79 per share in the past 30 days.

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How to Play RL Stock?RL’s valuation reflects growing confidence in the company’s ability to translate its brand strength and strategic investments into durable earnings growth. While the premium to industry peers signals higher expectations, the discount to its historical valuation suggests that the stock still offers room for appreciation as execution continues to validate the company’s long-term opportunity. This combination points to a favorable risk-reward profile, with valuation providing scope for further upside as investor confidence strengthens.

At present, RL carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Patrice Louvet, president and CEO of Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL -0.28%), disposed of 19,213 shares of Class A Common Stock on August 15, according to a recent SEC Form 4 filing.

Transaction summaryMetricValueTransaction value$7.4 millionShares sold (directly held)19,213Post-transaction shares (directly held)129,485Post-transaction value$49.11 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($387.22).

Key questionsWas the disposal of 19,213 shares a discretionary market sale by the CEO?
The transaction was non-discretionary and was executed specifically to cover tax liabilities associated with the vesting of restricted stock units on August 15. This type of automated tax withholding is a standard component of executive equity compensation.What was the net impact of the vesting and subsequent withholding on Louvet's stake?
In this filing, 23,241 shares vested and 19,213 shares were withheld for taxes, resulting in a net addition to the executive's direct equity position. The reported 13% disposal refers to the portion of the total pre-transaction holdings, which included the newly vested shares, that was used for tax coverage.How significant is the remaining equity interest for Patrice Louvet?
Following the transaction, the CEO maintains a direct ownership stake of 129,485 shares of Class A Common Stock, which is valued at $49.11 million as of the August 17 market close. This reflects a roughly 0.2% ownership interest in Ralph Lauren.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-08-17)$379.31Market Capitalization$23.1 billionRevenue (TTM)$8.4 billionNet Income (TTM)$982.9 millionCompany SnapshotRalph Lauren Corporation designs, markets, and distributes premium lifestyle products, including apparel for men, women, and children, along with footwear, accessories, eyewear, timepieces, jewelry, and other complementary product categories across multiple global markets.The company operates a diversified business model centered on the creation and distribution of branded luxury goods, generating revenue through direct-to-consumer channels, wholesale partnerships, and licensing arrangements across North America, Europe, Asia, and other international regions.Ralph Lauren targets affluent consumers and fashion-conscious individuals seeking premium lifestyle products, with a customer base spanning developed markets globally and an emphasis on maintaining brand prestige through selective distribution and curated retail experiences.Ralph Lauren Corporation is a globally recognized luxury apparel and lifestyle brand with a market capitalization of $23.1 billion and TTM revenues of $8.4 billion, positioning it as a significant player in the premium consumer goods sector. The company maintains a diversified product portfolio and multi-channel distribution strategy that leverages both owned retail operations and wholesale partnerships to capture market share across key geographies. Ralph Lauren's competitive advantage derives from its iconic brand heritage, design excellence, and ability to command premium pricing through controlled distribution and consistent brand positioning.

What this transaction means for investorsThese shares were withheld to cover taxes on RSUs that vested the same day, and Louvet actually ended the day with more shares than he started with. Ultimately, that's about as far from a conviction sell as insider activity can get.

The more important story is how the business behind it is doing, and Ralph Lauren's first quarter beat its own targets by a wide margin, with revenue up 14% to $1.96 billion and adjusted operating margin expanding 170 basis points to 18.7%. Management liked what it saw enough to raise full-year revenue guidance to 5% to 6% growth in constant currency, up from 4% to 5% back in May.

Asia is doing the heavy lifting here, up 25% with China alone growing more than 40%. But management is hedging with Europe. As CFO Justin Picicci put it, "we maintain an appropriately prudent view on Europe due to the macroeconomic uncertainty." With the stock already up sharply this past year (roughly 33%), a soft European print when the company reports again in November is one risk worth watching, but the firm clearly has momentum on its side.

Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Robert P. Ranftl, chief operating officer of Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL -0.28%), disposed of 2,255 shares of Class A Common Stock on August 15, as reported in a recent SEC Form 4 filing.

Transaction summaryMetricValueShares sold2,255Transaction value$873,204Post-transaction shares (directly held)10,162Post-transaction value$3.85 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($387.23).

Key questionsDoes this transaction reflect a change in the executive's perspective on the company?
The disposition was a non-discretionary event for tax withholding purposes and does not reflect the insider's view on the stock. This type of automatic activity is standard following the vesting of equity awards and is not typically associated with proactive portfolio changes.What is the current status of the insider's remaining equity incentives?
While Ranftl's direct holdings decreased to 10,162 shares, the executive was granted 2,904 new restricted stock units on the same transaction date. These units are scheduled to begin vesting in August 2027. The insider also holds derivative securities.What is the scale of the executive's current equity stake relative to the firm?
The post-transaction direct holding of 10,162 shares represents a roughly 0.02% ownership stake in the firm. Ralph Lauren currently maintains a market capitalization of $23.1 billion and reported trailing twelve-month revenue of $8.4 billion as of the August 17 market close.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-08-17)$379.31Market Capitalization$23.1 billionRevenue (TTM)$8.4 billionNet Income (TTM)$982.9 millionCompany SnapshotRalph Lauren Corporation designs, markets, and distributes premium lifestyle products, including apparel for men, women, and children, along with footwear, accessories, eyewear, timepieces, jewelry, and other complementary product categories across multiple global markets.The company operates a diversified business model centered on the creation and distribution of branded luxury goods, generating revenue through direct-to-consumer channels, wholesale partnerships, and licensing arrangements across North America, Europe, Asia, and other international regions.Ralph Lauren targets affluent consumers and fashion-conscious individuals seeking premium lifestyle products, with a customer base spanning developed markets globally and an emphasis on maintaining brand prestige through selective distribution and curated retail experiences.Ralph Lauren Corporation is a globally recognized luxury apparel and lifestyle brand with a market capitalization of $23.1 billion and TTM revenues of $8.4 billion, positioning it as a significant player in the premium consumer goods sector. The company maintains a diversified product portfolio and multi-channel distribution strategy that leverages both owned retail operations and wholesale partnerships to capture market share across key geographies. Ralph Lauren's competitive advantage derives from its iconic brand heritage, design excellence, and ability to command premium pricing through controlled distribution and consistent brand positioning.

What this transaction means for investorsRanftl's shares effectively went to the IRS, as was the case with other Ralph Lauren executives this week. Nothing about the timing or size of these transactions suggests he decided anything about the stock. The more useful window into how Ranftl's actually doing his job is the operating expense line, since that's well within his territory as COO. Ralph Lauren's adjusted operating margin expanded 170 basis points to 18.7% in the first quarter, and 90 basis points of that came from leverage in non-marketing expenses, even as the company stepped up spending on brand campaigns elsewhere. CEO Patrice Louvet summed up the broader quarter simply, saying, "Our iconic brand is resonating around the world."

Ranftl still holds 10,162 shares directly, a small stake relative to the company but not an unusual one for an operations chief this deep into a multiyear equity grant cycle. More importantly for long-term investors, the business is doing well, and its stock reflects that, surging more than 30% this past year, well outpacing the broader market despite lingering uncertainty around the economy and consumers in particular.

Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

David R. Lauren, the brand's vice chair and chief innovation officer, reported the disposal of 1,711 shares of Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL -0.28%) on August 15, according to an SEC Form 4 filing.

Transaction summaryMetricValueTransaction value$662,551Shares sold1,711Post-transaction shares (directly held)14,243Post-transaction value$5.4 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($387.23).

Key questionsWhat was the primary driver of this transaction?
The disposition was non-discretionary, executed to cover tax obligations, and does not reflect the insider's view on the stock. It was an automated result of restricted stock units vesting under the company's 2019 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan.How significant is the insider's remaining stake?
Following the sale of 1,711 shares, Lauren retains direct ownership of 14,243 shares of Class A Common Stock. This equity position represents 0.02% of the company and maintains a market value of $5.4 million as of the August 17 close.Are there upcoming vesting events that may impact ownership?
The same filing disclosed a new award of 1,548 restricted stock units that are scheduled to vest in three equal annual installments beginning August 15, 2027. These future vests will likely result in additional equity acquisition and subsequent non-discretionary tax withholding sales.What is the financial context of the issuing company?
Ralph Lauren Corporation, a New York City-based apparel manufacturer, has a market capitalization of $23.1 billion. The firm reported trailing twelve-month revenue of $8.4 billion and net income of $982.9 million as of the most recent financial data.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-08-17)$379.31Market Capitalization$23.1 billionRevenue (TTM)$8.4 billionNet Income (TTM)$982.9 millionCompany SnapshotRalph Lauren Corporation designs, markets, and distributes premium lifestyle products including apparel for men, women, and children, along with footwear, accessories, eyewear, timepieces, jewelry, and other complementary product categories across multiple global markets.The company operates a diversified business model centered on the creation and distribution of branded luxury goods, generating revenue through direct-to-consumer channels, wholesale partnerships, and licensing arrangements across North America, Europe, Asia, and other international regions.Ralph Lauren targets affluent consumers and fashion-conscious individuals seeking premium lifestyle products, with a customer base spanning developed markets globally and an emphasis on maintaining brand prestige through selective distribution and curated retail experiences.Ralph Lauren Corporation is a globally recognized luxury apparel and lifestyle brand with a market capitalization of $23.1 billion and TTM revenues of $8.4 billion, positioning it as a significant player in the premium consumer goods sector. The company maintains a diversified product portfolio and multi-channel distribution strategy that leverages both owned retail operations and wholesale partnerships to capture market share across key geographies. Ralph Lauren's competitive advantage derives from its iconic brand heritage, design excellence, and ability to command premium pricing through controlled distribution and consistent brand positioning.

What this transaction means for investorsThis was one of five filings this week tied to what appears to be the same event. The 1,711 shares covered taxes on RSUs that vested August 15, the same day other Ralph Lauren executives, including its CEO, had shares withheld for the same reason, a disclosure that reveals effectively nothing about their view on the stock, which has actually been performing well and is up over 30% this past year.

Lauren's role as vice chair and chief innovation officer points to where the more useful information is. According to the latest earnings release, the company's digital ecosystem sales grew mid-teens in the first quarter, with double-digit growth in every region, and the company expanded its presence across large language models to help people discover the brand online. CEO Patrice Louvet described the broader effort on the earnings call, saying the company continues "to drive progress in enhancing our creativity, productivity and customer engagement." The company outperformed its own expectations, with revenue up 14% to nearly $2 billion, which helps explain why the stock has rallied.

Ultimately, Lauren still holds 14,243 shares directly, and the same filing disclosed a new grant of 1,548 units that won't start vesting until 2027. The tax withholding this week isn't worth much attention on its own. Long-term investors should instead focus on how Ralph Lauren's recent momentum holds up.

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About the Author

Jonathan Ponciano is a contributing stock market analyst at The Motley Fool. He has nearly a decade of experience as a financial journalist, most recently as an editor and senior reporter at Forbes focused on markets, technology, and entrepreneurship. Jonathan has also written for Investopedia and the Los Angeles Business Journal. He holds a dual B.A. in Business Journalism and Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School. A North Carolina native now based in New York City, Jonathan has also lived in Mexico City and Los Angeles.

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

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What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

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Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.

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Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Ralph Lauren (RL - Free Report) Ralph Lauren Corp. is a major designer, marketer and distributor of premium lifestyle products in North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It offers products in the apparel, footwear, accessories, home furnishings, and other licensed product categories. The company possesses a strong portfolio of globally recognized brand names such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren Collection, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Golf Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Golf, RLX Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, Club Monaco and American Living.

RL is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Momentum investors should take note of this Consumer Discretionary stock. RL has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 6% over the past four weeks.

Six analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.44 to $18.77 per share. RL also boasts an average earnings surprise of +8.7%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, RL should be on investors' short list.

Investors seek growth stocks to capitalize on above-average growth in financials that help these securities grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.

That's because, these stocks usually carry above-average risk and volatility. In fact, betting on a stock for which the growth story is actually over or nearing its end could lead to significant loss.

However, it's pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.

Ralph Lauren (RL - Free Report) is one such stock that our proprietary system currently recommends. The company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.

Studies have shown that stocks with the best growth features consistently outperform the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.

Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this upscale clothing company a great growth pick right now.

Earnings GrowthEarnings growth is arguably the most important factor, as stocks exhibiting exceptionally surging profit levels tend to attract the attention of most investors. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for Ralph Lauren is 20.4%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 13.1% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 6%.

Cash Flow GrowthCash is the lifeblood of any business, but higher-than-average cash flow growth is more beneficial and important for growth-oriented companies than for mature companies. That's because, high cash accumulation enables these companies to undertake new projects without raising expensive outside funds.

Right now, year-over-year cash flow growth for Ralph Lauren is 25.6%, which is higher than many of its peers. In fact, the rate compares to the industry average of 9.3%.

While investors should actually consider the current cash flow growth, it's worth taking a look at the historical rate too for putting the current reading into proper perspective. The company's annualized cash flow growth rate has been 27.6% over the past 3-5 years versus the industry average of 14.1%.

Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsBeyond the metrics outlined above, investors should consider the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is a plus here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

The current-year earnings estimates for Ralph Lauren have been revising upward. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 2.4% over the past month.

Bottom LineRalph Lauren has not only earned a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #2 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination positions Ralph Lauren well for outperformance, so growth investors may want to bet on it.

RL enters fiscal 2027 with strong growth, a raised outlook and brand momentum as Asia, DTC and premium categories drive results.

Palomar’s High-Risk Insurance Strategy Is Paying Off BigRalph Lauren NYSE: RL reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 results that exceeded its expectations, with revenue rising 13% on a constant-currency basis and adjusted operating margin expanding 150 basis points to 18.5%.

President and Chief Executive Officer Patrice Louvet said growth was broad-based across regions, channels and product categories, supported by increased full-price selling, brand activations and continued investment in the company’s “Next Great Chapter: Drive” strategy. Direct-to-consumer comparable sales rose 12%, while wholesale revenue increased 13%.

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Apparel Earnings Winners and Losers: Ralph Lauren Takes Off“Our first quarter performance exceeded our expectations on both the top and bottom line,” Chief Financial Officer Justin Picicci said. The company raised its full-year outlook while retaining what management described as a prudent view of consumer conditions in Europe.

Regional Growth Led by Asia Asia was Ralph Lauren’s fastest-growing region, with revenue up 25% in the quarter and retail comparable sales rising 23%. China sales increased more than 40%, driven by comparable growth and new customer recruitment, while Japan and Korea also delivered double-digit growth.

MarketBeat Week in Review – 04/13 - 04/17 Louvet said Ralph Lauren’s China strategy centers on brand storytelling, expansion in six priority city clusters, core products and higher-potential categories such as women’s apparel and handbags. He cited a Ralph Lauren Polo Cup event in Beijing that drew 74 million livestream viewers.

Management expects China growth of approximately mid-teens for the full fiscal year, noting that the company will face stronger comparisons in the back half. Ralph Lauren raised its fiscal 2027 outlook for Asia to high-single-digit to low-double-digit revenue growth, compared with its previous forecast for high-single-digit growth.

North America revenue increased 13%, including a 9% increase in retail comparable sales and 22% growth in wholesale. The wholesale result benefited from strong spring sellout trends, replenishment orders, resumed shipments to a luxury wholesale account and shipment timing. Picicci said timing shifts and resumed shipments contributed about 15 percentage points of North American wholesale growth in the quarter.

European revenue rose 5%, led by Germany, Italy and Spain. Retail comparable sales in the region increased 1% on top of a double-digit comparison a year earlier, while wholesale revenue rose 8%, including an approximately five-point benefit from earlier shipment timing.

Management said European store traffic has been pressured by the broader macroeconomic environment, including elevated energy costs, weaker consumer sentiment, Middle East-related disruption to partner sales and tourism trends. However, Ralph Lauren said higher conversion rates and basket sizes helped offset softer traffic.

Margins Expanded Despite Tariff and Cost Pressures Adjusted gross margin expanded 130 basis points to 73.6%. Average unit retail, or AUR, increased 15%, supported by full-price selling, lower discounting, selective pricing actions and favorable product, channel and geographic mix.

Picicci said the stronger AUR and favorable mix more than offset incremental tariff costs, higher labor expenses and higher non-cotton material costs. The company expects mid- to high-single-digit AUR growth in the second quarter and for the full year.

Adjusted operating expenses rose 13%, though they declined 10 basis points as a percentage of sales. Non-marketing expenses generated 90 basis points of leverage, while marketing spending increased to 8.2% of sales from 7.5% a year earlier. The company said the higher marketing investment supported global brand campaigns, fashion events and consumer activations.

Louvet said Ralph Lauren remains comfortable with marketing spending of about 8% of sales for fiscal 2027 and may continue to invest when it sees attractive returns. The company added 1.5 million customers to its direct-to-consumer businesses during the quarter and grew its social media following by high single digits to more than 70 million.

Product and Store Expansion Core product sales, which represent more than 70% of the business, rose at a mid-teens rate. Higher-potential categories including women’s apparel, outerwear and handbags increased more than 20%, outpacing companywide growth.

Ralph Lauren opened 22 owned and partner stores globally during the quarter, including locations at The Grove in Los Angeles, Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Istanbul, Sydney and Perth. The company also renovated its Bicester outlet near London and expanded its RL mobile app to Korea, its first market outside North America for the application.

Management said its direct-to-consumer business accounts for about 70% of sales and is likely to become a somewhat larger share over time, in part because Asia is predominantly direct to consumer. Louvet said wholesale remains important for consumer discovery and recruitment in key-city ecosystems, but the company plans to continue reducing off-price sales and exiting lower-tier full-price doors.

Raised Fiscal 2027 Outlook For fiscal 2027, Ralph Lauren now expects constant-currency revenue growth of 5% to 6%, up from its prior forecast of 4% to 5%. The company expects foreign exchange to reduce reported revenue growth by approximately 50 to 100 basis points. Its fiscal year includes a 53rd week, expected to add roughly one percentage point to revenue growth.

North America revenue is expected to increase at a low-single-digit rate. Europe revenue is expected to rise low- to mid-single digits. Asia revenue is expected to increase high single digits to low double digits. Operating margin is expected to expand 60 to 80 basis points, up from prior guidance of 40 to 60 basis points. Gross margin is expected to expand 50 to 70 basis points, compared with prior expectations for modest expansion. For the second quarter, Ralph Lauren expects constant-currency revenue growth of approximately 5% to 6% and operating-margin expansion of 80 to 100 basis points. Management said revenue and profit growth are expected to be more heavily weighted toward the first half, reflecting wholesale shipment timing, prior-year comparisons and the planned acceleration of off-price and lower-tier distribution reductions in the second half.

The company ended the quarter with $1.9 billion in cash and short-term investments, $1.2 billion in total debt and net inventory down 3% on a constant-currency basis. Ralph Lauren returned more than $300 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the quarter.

About Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL)Ralph Lauren Corporation NYSE: RL is a global designer, marketer and distributor of premium lifestyle products under the Ralph Lauren name and a portfolio of related brands. The company, founded by Ralph Lauren in 1967 and headquartered in New York City, has grown from a single line of men's neckties into a global lifestyle business that spans apparel, accessories and home goods.

Ralph Lauren's product assortment includes menswear, womenswear and childrenswear along with footwear, leather goods, eyewear, fragrances and home furnishings.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

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Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.

Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.

A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Ralph Lauren (RL - Free Report) Ralph Lauren Corp. is a major designer, marketer and distributor of premium lifestyle products in North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It offers products in the apparel, footwear, accessories, home furnishings, and other licensed product categories. The company possesses a strong portfolio of globally recognized brand names such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren Collection, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Golf Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Golf, RLX Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, Club Monaco and American Living.

RL is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. RL has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 10.9% for the current fiscal year.

For fiscal 2027, three analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.11 to $18.40 per share. RL boasts an average earnings surprise of +8.7%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, RL should be on investors' short list.

CNBC's Jim Cramer said Thursday Ralph Lauren's years-long stock market outperformance is no accident.

"Retail's really hard ... Louvet makes it look easy," the "Mad Money" host said of the legacy apparel brand's CEO Patrice Louvet.

Louvet joined Ralph Lauren in July 2017 after spending nearly three decades at Procter & Gamble. Shares have soared roughly 444% since he took the helm, compared to a roughly 214% gain in the benchmark S&P 500 during the same period.

The stock added another nearly 4% Thursday after Ralph Lauren reported better-than-expected earnings and revenue. Cramer said the results were the latest example of why the retail giant has consistently outperformed both its retail peers and the broader market.

According to Cramer, Ralph Lauren's success comes down to three priorities: elevating the brand, expanding its core business while introducing new growth opportunities and building deeper relationships with consumers in key cities around the world.

On the branding front, Cramer pointed to Ralph Lauren's association with prestigious sporting events and luxury destinations, as well as its ability to attract younger consumers through what management calls "cinematic storytelling." He noted the company added 1.5 million social media followers during the quarter across Instagram, TikTok, LINE and Douyin.

He also credited Ralph Lauren for continuing to refresh its product assortment with new women's offerings and limited-edition collections, while maintaining the timeless products that define the brand.

The strategy has translated into broad-based growth, Cramer said. Comparable sales rose 9% in North America and 23% in Asia, including 40% growth in China. Importantly, Cramer noted those gains came largely from full-price selling rather than promotions or markdowns.

Just as important, Cramer said, the company has remained disciplined operationally. Inventories declined 3% during the quarter while operating margins expanded, a sign that management continues to balance growth with profitability.

Cramer said this should serve as a blueprint for anyone trying to understand what separates great retailers from average ones.

"For anyone who aspires to own a retail stock, before you take a position in one, I'm begging you to read this Ralph Lauren conference call," Cramer said. "That's the highest praise I can offer."

Key Takeaways Ralph Lauren delivered a strong Q1 earnings and revenue beat, supported by comparable sales growth.Asia led growth, while higher full-price selling and consumer engagement strengthened profitability.RL raised its fiscal 2027 revenue and operating margin outlook following strong performance. Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL - Free Report) delivered better-than-expected first-quarter fiscal 2027 results, with adjusted earnings of $4.59 per share, up 22% year over year and ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.30 by 6.7%. Revenues increased 14% to $1.96 billion, topping the consensus estimate of $1.88 billion by 4.4%. In constant-currency, revenues increased 13%.

Results benefited from broad-based geographic strength, higher full-price selling and double-digit comparable store sales growth. Global comparable store sales increased 12% in constant currency, supported by digital and brick-and-mortar retail momentum.

Following the earnings release, Ralph Lauren's shares have increased more than 5% during the trading session. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has risen 16.2% in the past six months against the industry's 1.8% drop.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

RL Expands Growth Across Key MarketsRalph Lauren’s revenue growth was driven by strength across regions, with Asia leading performance. Asia revenues increased 24% year over year to $589.3 million on a reported basis, while constant-currency revenues rose 25%. Comparable store sales in Asia increased 23%, including a 32% gain in digital commerce and a 22% increase in brick-and-mortar stores.

North America revenues rose 13% to $740.3 million, supported by retail comparable store sales growth of 9%. Digital commerce increased 8%, while brick-and-mortar stores advanced 10%. Europe revenues grew 7% to $594.4 million, with constant-currency growth of 5%.

Ralph Lauren Sees Strong Consumer EngagementRalph Lauren continued to benefit from brand momentum and product strength during the quarter. The company added 1.5 million new consumers in its direct-to-consumer businesses, while total social media followers increased to more than 70 million.

The company’s direct-to-consumer network saw average unit retail increase 15%, reflecting product elevation and strong full-price selling trends. Management highlighted continued momentum in core offerings and high-potential categories, including Women’s Apparel, Outerwear and Handbags.

RL Improves Margins Despite Cost PressuresRL strengthened profitability as gross margin expanded to 73.7%, up 140 basis points from the prior-year quarter. Gross margin improvement was driven by higher average unit retail, favorable channel and geographic mix shifts, which more than offset tariff pressure and other product costs.

Adjusted operating income increased 24.9% year over year to $365.9 million, while adjusted operating margin expanded 170 basis points year over year to 18.7%. The improvement reflected gross margin gains, even as operating expenses increased 14% year over year.

Ralph Lauren Delivers Channel-Based Revenue GainsRalph Lauren’s retail channel remained a key contributor to growth, with retail revenues increasing 16.7% year over year to $1.4 billion. Wholesale revenues also improved 14.7% to $554.7 million from $483.5 million, while licensing revenues increased 4.1% to $35.8 million.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $1.3 billion for Retail, $514 million for Wholesale and $34.4 million for Licensing.

The company continued expanding its global store presence, opening 22 new owned and partnered stores during the quarter. Ralph Lauren ended the period with 600 directly operated stores globally compared with 569 a year earlier.

Ralph Lauren Maintains Financial FlexibilityRalph Lauren ended the first quarter of fiscal 2027 with $1.9 billion in cash and short-term investments and $1.2 billion in total debt. Inventory stood at $1.2 billion, down 5% from the prior-year period, reflecting disciplined inventory management.

The company generated $339.3 million in operating cash flow during the quarter and returned more than $300 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. RL repurchased approximately $250 million of Class A common stock during the period.

RL Raises Fiscal 2027 OutlookRL raised its fiscal 2027 outlook following stronger-than-expected first-quarter results. The company now expects constant-currency revenue growth of approximately 5-6% on a 52-week comparable basis, up from its previous outlook centered around 4-5%. Gross and operating margin expansion is likely to be stronger in the first half. Foreign currency is expected to have a roughly neutral impact on gross and operating margins in the fiscal year.

The company also increased its adjusted operating margin expansion forecast to approximately 60-80 basis points in constant currency. For the second quarter, RL expects constant-currency revenue growth of about 5-6% and operating margin expansion of approximately 80-100 basis points. Foreign currency is likely to hurt revenues by approximately 100-150 basis points.

Key Picks in the Consumer Discretionary SpaceDuluth Holdings Inc. (DLTH - Free Report) , which deals in casual wear, workwear and accessories for men and women, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Duluth Holdings delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 107.5%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DLTH’s current financial-year EPS indicates a rise of 39.5% from the year-ago number.

Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM - Free Report) , which engages in the sourcing, marketing and distribution of outdoor and active lifestyle apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

COLM delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 36%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Columbia Sportswear’s current financial-year sales indicates growth of 2.1% from the year-ago number.

Crocs, Inc. (CROX - Free Report) , which is a leading footwear company, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. CROX delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 13.6%, on average.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Crocs’ current financial-year EPS indicates a rise of 10.8% from the year-ago number.

Ralph Lauren (RL - Free Report) reported $1.96 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 14%. EPS of $4.59 for the same period compares to $3.77 a year ago.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +4.42% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.88 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $4.30, the EPS surprise was +6.74%.

While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Ralph Lauren performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

Geographic Net revenues- North America: $740.3 million versus $701.21 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +12.8% change.Geographic Net revenues- Other- Licensing: $35.8 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $34.27 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +4.1%.Geographic Net revenues- Asia: $589.3 million versus $541.58 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +24.3% change.Geographic Net revenues- Europe: $594.4 million compared to the $587.56 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +7.2% year over year.Net revenues- Retail: $1.37 billion versus $1.31 billion estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +14% change.Net revenues- Wholesale: $554.7 million versus $514.05 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +14.7% change.View all Key Company Metrics for Ralph Lauren here>>>

Shares of Ralph Lauren have returned +0.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.3% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

RetailQ&A

This Retail Expert Likes Tapestry, Ralph Lauren, Gap, and Off-Price Chains

A resilient consumer and product “newness” are driving up retail stocks. Dana Telsey, founder of Telsey Advisory Group, shares her favorite names.

Dana Telsey is CEO and chief research officer of Telsey Advisory Group. (PHOTOGRAPH BY LANNA APISUKH)

What does a retailing expert who has followed the industry for more than three decades buy for fun? Socks from Bloomingdale’s, if you’re Dana Telsey, founder of Telsey Advisory Group, a research, banking, and consulting brokerage firm focused on the consumer sector.

The upcoming report from Ralph Lauren (RL - Free Report) is expected to reveal quarterly earnings of $4.27 per share, indicating an increase of 13.3% compared to the year-ago period. Analysts forecast revenues of $1.86 billion, representing an increase of 8.4% year over year.

The current level reflects a downward revision of 0.1% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter over the past 30 days. This demonstrates how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reappraised their initial projections over this period.

Ahead of a company's earnings disclosure, it is crucial to give due consideration to changes in earnings estimates. These revisions serve as a noteworthy factor in predicting potential investor reactions to the stock. Numerous empirical studies consistently demonstrate a strong relationship between trends in earnings estimate revision and the short-term price performance of a stock.

While investors typically use consensus earnings and revenue estimates as indicators of quarterly business performance, exploring analysts' projections for specific key metrics can offer valuable insights.

In light of this perspective, let's dive into the average estimates of certain Ralph Lauren metrics that are commonly tracked and forecasted by Wall Street analysts.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Net revenues- Retail' will reach $1.31 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +9.4% year over year.

Analysts predict that the 'Net revenues- Wholesale' will reach $514.05 million. The estimate indicates a change of +6.3% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts expect 'Geographic Net revenues- Other- Licensing' to come in at $34.27 million. The estimate indicates a change of -0.4% from the prior-year quarter.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Geographic Net revenues- North America' of $701.21 million. The estimate suggests a change of +6.9% year over year.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Geographic Net revenues- Europe' reaching $587.56 million. The estimate indicates a change of +6% from the prior-year quarter.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Geographic Net revenues- Asia' will reach $541.58 million. The estimate suggests a change of +14.3% year over year.

View all Key Company Metrics for Ralph Lauren here>>>

Over the past month, shares of Ralph Lauren have returned -4.4% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.5% change. Currently, RL carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggesting that its performance may align with the overall market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Key Takeaways Ralph Lauren's Q1 revenues are expected to rise 8.4% y/y and earnings are projected to grow 13%.Digital growth, store expansion and the Next Great Chapter strategy are expected to support the results.Higher spending, tariffs, inflation and supply-chain risks could limit near-term margin expansion. Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL - Free Report) is set to report first-quarter fiscal 2027 results on Aug. 6, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $1.86 billion, which indicates an increase of 8.4% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.

The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $4.26 per share, which indicates growth of 13% from the year-earlier actual. The consensus mark for earnings has been unchanged in the past 30 days.

In the last reported quarter, the company’s bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.1%. Ralph Lauren has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.1%, on average.

Factors Likely to Have Impacted RL’s Q1 PerformanceRalph Lauren’s quarterly performance is likely to have reflected gains from its strong brand recognition, broad product portfolio and expanding e-commerce operations, all of which have helped strengthen its position. The company’s expanding store network, along with continued investments in innovation and AI integration, highlights its efforts to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving retail landscape and drive growth.

The company’s “Next Great Chapter” initiative has strategically positioned it for success. This initiative aims to bolster the company’s core business and prepare it to seize market opportunities. Ralph Lauren has been experiencing growth in its digital and omnichannel business, significantly increasing customer acquisition and loyalty. Retail and wholesale divisions have been the key pillars, with flagship stores, premium distribution and partnerships expected to have boosted comparable store sales (comps).

For the first quarter of fiscal 2027, management expected revenues to increase in the mid to high-single digits in constant currency. The company anticipated the operating margin to expand 80-120 basis points in constant currency, led by gross margin expansion on gains from AUR growth, and product, geographic and channel mix.

By region, management expects North America revenues to grow in the low-single digits, in line with long-term targets, with momentum in its direct-to-consumer business and healthy wholesale sell-through, partly offset by strategic investments in quality of sales and lower-tier door exits. RL anticipates Europe revenues to grow in the low to mid-single digits on robust underlying growth with a disciplined approach to the consumer backdrop and macro pressures. Ralph Lauren projects Asia revenues to increase in the high-single digits on strong brand momentum and expansion opportunities in major markets. It expects China to grow nearly in the mid-teens this fiscal year.

It has been making significant progress through investments in mobile, omnichannel and fulfillment. The company’s digital strength enables the brand to deepen engagement and expand its reach globally. Digital sales represent a growing share of total revenues, supported by continuous investments in personalization, enhanced mobile capabilities and integrated loyalty programs designed to connect with younger and more diverse consumers. Such positives are expected to reflect in its top and bottom-line results in the quarter under review.

On the flip side, Ralph Lauren’s cost base continues to rise as it invests in brand activations, technology, digital capabilities and store growth. Management plans to keep marketing around 8% of sales in fiscal 2027. If revenue growth moderates, this higher run-rate of spend could limit near-term margin expansion.

On the last reported quarter’s earnings call, management noted volatility in the operating environment, which raises the risks of plan revisions if demand or costs change. Management’s preliminary fiscal 2027 outlook is based on its assessment of tariffs, inflationary pressures, consumer spending-related risks, supply-chain disruptions and foreign currency volatility.

The company’s outlook indicates prudence around consumer demand and modest cost pressure with respect to recent energy price volatility. Supply-chain disruptions and inflationary pressures might remain challenges for Ralph Lauren, potentially affecting cost structures and operational efficiency. Additionally, any delays or constraints in the supply chain may impact product availability, particularly for key seasonal and high-demand items, which could disrupt sales and inventory planning.

What the Zacks Model Unveils for RLOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Ralph Lauren this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Ralph Lauren currently has an Earnings ESP of -0.47% and a Zacks Rank of 3.

Valuation Picture of RL StockThe RL stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 20.03X, higher than 15.49X of the Textile - Apparel industry.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The recent market movements show that RL shares have risen 7.3% in the past year compared with the industry's 10.9% growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks With the Favorable CombinationHere are three companies, which according to our model, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.

Cintas Corporation (CTAS - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.09% and a Zacks Rank #2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter fiscal 2027 earnings per share is pegged at $1.35, suggesting 12.5% year-over-year growth. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The consensus estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $2.97 billion, which indicates an increase of 9.2% from the prior-year quarter’s actual. CTAS delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 1.8%, on average.

SharkNinja, Inc. (SN - Free Report) presently has an Earnings ESP of +2.65% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is likely to register top and bottom-line growth when it reports second-quarter 2026 numbers. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SN’s quarterly earnings per share of $1.10 indicates year-over-year growth of 13.4%.

The consensus estimate for SN’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $1.64 billion, indicating a rise of 13.5% from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure. SharkNinja has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 13.8%, on average.

Corsair Gaming (CRSR - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +9.09% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is likely to register a top-line decline when it reports second-quarter 2026 numbers. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRSR’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $310.1 million, indicating a decline of 3.1% from the prior-year quarter’s actual.

The consensus estimate for Corsair Gaming’s quarterly earnings per share of 7 cents indicates substantial growth from the 1 cent reported in the prior-year quarter. CRSR has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 22.6%, on average.

Palomar’s High-Risk Insurance Strategy Is Paying Off BigRalph Lauren NYSE: RL said its stockholders elected all board nominees, ratified Ernst & Young LLP as its independent auditor for fiscal 2027 and approved the company’s executive-compensation program on an advisory basis at its 2026 annual meeting.

Executive Chairman Ralph Lauren opened the virtual meeting by highlighting what he described as the company’s strong performance during the year. Chief Legal Officer and Secretary Avery Fischer said stockholders representing more than one-third of outstanding voting shares were present online or by proxy, satisfying the company’s quorum requirement.

Get Ralph Lauren alerts:

Apparel Earnings Winners and Losers: Ralph Lauren Takes OffStockholders elected Angela Ahrendts, Linda Findley and Darren Walker as Class A directors. Holders of Class B shares elected Frank A. Bennack Jr., Cesar Conde, Debra Cupp, Michael George, Valerie Jarrett, Ralph Lauren, David Lauren, Patrice Louvet and Wei Zhang. Fischer said the Class A nominees received a plurality of votes cast, while all outstanding Class B shares voted in favor of the Class B nominees.

The company said Ernst & Young’s appointment as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending April 3, 2027, was ratified by a majority vote. Stockholders also approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of named executive officers and the company’s compensation philosophy, policies and practices.

Revenue Tops $8 Billion MarketBeat Week in Review – 04/13 - 04/17 President and CEO Patrice Louvet said the company’s first year under its “Next Great Chapter: Drive” strategic plan produced results above expectations. He said full-year reported revenue surpassed $8 billion for the first time, supported by retail and wholesale growth in every region.

Louvet said operating margin also exceeded expectations, as gross-margin expansion more than offset what he called the meaningful impact of tariffs. The company used cost savings to support investments in strategic priorities, including brand activations, artificial-intelligence capabilities and key-city ecosystems, he said.

“Both our top and bottom-line results exceeded expectations, supported by our diversified drivers of growth and our strongest quality of sales to date,” Louvet said.

Looking toward fiscal 2027, Louvet acknowledged a dynamic global operating environment but said the company remains focused on growth opportunities across regions and channels. He cited the company’s brand, core product offerings, high-potential categories, geographic expansion, technology and analytics capabilities, talent and balance sheet as key supports for its strategy.

Strategic Priorities Louvet outlined three areas of focus under the Drive plan:

Elevating and energizing the lifestyle brand through consumer engagement, storytelling, data and analytics. Growing core iconic products, which he said represent about 70% of the business, while expanding higher-potential categories including outerwear, handbags and women’s apparel. Building consumer ecosystems in the company’s top 30 cities globally while preparing for longer-term growth in the next 20 cities. Louvet said Ralph Lauren is making investments in marketing, technology and talent intended to support profitable and sustainable growth. He added that management expects the company’s model of operational discipline and long-term investment to support further margin expansion over the remainder of the strategic plan and beyond.

Stock Split Question In response to a stockholder question about a potential stock split, company representative Justin Picicci said Ralph Lauren regularly reviews its capital structure and allocation priorities, including potential actions such as a split. However, he said the company had no announcement to make at the meeting.

Fischer said final voting results will be reported in a Form 8-K filing within four business days of the annual meeting.

About Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL)Ralph Lauren Corporation NYSE: RL is a global designer, marketer and distributor of premium lifestyle products under the Ralph Lauren name and a portfolio of related brands. The company, founded by Ralph Lauren in 1967 and headquartered in New York City, has grown from a single line of men's neckties into a global lifestyle business that spans apparel, accessories and home goods.

Ralph Lauren's product assortment includes menswear, womenswear and childrenswear along with footwear, leather goods, eyewear, fragrances and home furnishings.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

Should You Invest $1,000 in Ralph Lauren Right Now?Before you consider Ralph Lauren, you'll want to hear this.

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Ralph Lauren (RL - Free Report) closed at $371.69 in the latest trading session, marking a -3.99% move from the prior day. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 1.21%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.97%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 2.15%.

Shares of the upscale clothing company witnessed a loss of 6.54% over the previous month, trailing the performance of the Consumer Discretionary sector with its loss of 0.92%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.42%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Ralph Lauren in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on August 6, 2026. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $4.26, showcasing a 13% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $1.86 billion, indicating a 8.42% upward movement from the same quarter last year.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $18.33 per share and revenue of $8.66 billion, which would represent changes of +10.49% and +6.73%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Ralph Lauren. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.02% decrease. Ralph Lauren presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

In terms of valuation, Ralph Lauren is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 21.12. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 16.35, so one might conclude that Ralph Lauren is trading at a premium comparatively.

Meanwhile, RL's PEG ratio is currently 1.92. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. The average PEG ratio for the Textile - Apparel industry stood at 2.26 at the close of the market yesterday.

The Textile - Apparel industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 182, finds itself in the bottom 27% echelons of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.

The Consumer Discretionary group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Is Ralph Lauren (RL - Free Report) one of those stocks right now? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.

Ralph Lauren is a member of the Consumer Discretionary sector. This group includes 259 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #8. The Zacks Sector Rank includes 16 different groups and is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors.

The Zacks Rank is a successful stock-picking model that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions. The system highlights a number of different stocks that could be poised to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. Ralph Lauren is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RL's full-year earnings has moved 1.7% higher within the past quarter. This shows that analyst sentiment has improved and the company's earnings outlook is stronger.

Based on the most recent data, RL has returned 6.5% so far this year. At the same time, Consumer Discretionary stocks have lost an average of 10.7%. This shows that Ralph Lauren is outperforming its peers so far this year.

Another Consumer Discretionary stock, which has outperformed the sector so far this year, is Rush Street Interactive, Inc. (RSI - Free Report) . The stock has returned 77.7% year-to-date.

In Rush Street Interactive, Inc.'s case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 15.3% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, Ralph Lauren belongs to the Textile - Apparel industry, which includes 22 individual stocks and currently sits at #174 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have gained about 0.2% so far this year, so RL is performing better this group in terms of year-to-date returns.

In contrast, Rush Street Interactive, Inc. falls under the Gaming industry. Currently, this industry has 41 stocks and is ranked #182. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved -15.9%.

Investors interested in the Consumer Discretionary sector may want to keep a close eye on Ralph Lauren and Rush Street Interactive, Inc. as they attempt to continue their solid performance.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Jul 20th, 2026

Boston Common Asset Management LLC reduced its position in Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL – Free Report) by 4.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 29,187 shares of the textile maker’s stock after selling 1,384 shares during the period. Boston Common Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Ralph Lauren were worth $10,040,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC increased its position in Ralph Lauren by 8,937.8% during the second quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 963,340 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $264,225,000 after buying an additional 952,681 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in Ralph Lauren by 26.2% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,324,018 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $468,186,000 after buying an additional 275,263 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Ralph Lauren by 40.0% in the fourth quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 895,017 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $316,487,000 after acquiring an additional 255,511 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Ralph Lauren by 38.6% in the fourth quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 881,360 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $311,658,000 after acquiring an additional 245,242 shares during the period. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP grew its position in shares of Ralph Lauren by 70.5% during the fourth quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 586,225 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $207,295,000 after acquiring an additional 242,386 shares during the last quarter. 67.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ralph Lauren Price Performance Ralph Lauren stock opened at $380.64 on Monday. Ralph Lauren Corporation has a 12 month low of $273.04 and a 12 month high of $421.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 2.13 and a quick ratio of 1.57. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $379.56 and a 200-day simple moving average of $366.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.66 billion, a PE ratio of 25.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 1.34.

Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 21st. The textile maker reported $2.80 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.52 by $0.28. Ralph Lauren had a return on equity of 38.17% and a net margin of 11.60%.The firm had revenue of $1.98 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.85 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.27 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 16.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Ralph Lauren Corporation will post 18.33 earnings per share for the current year.

Ralph Lauren Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 26th were paid a $1.00 dividend. This is a boost from Ralph Lauren’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 26th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Ralph Lauren’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 26.47%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Ralph Lauren from $430.00 to $439.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, May 22nd. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Ralph Lauren from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Friday, May 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating and set a $437.00 price objective on shares of Ralph Lauren in a research report on Friday, May 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Ralph Lauren from $400.00 to $415.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, May 22nd. Finally, Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Ralph Lauren from $400.00 to $450.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, April 16th. Fifteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $430.07.

View Our Latest Analysis on RL

Ralph Lauren Profile (Free Report)

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is a global designer, marketer and distributor of premium lifestyle products under the Ralph Lauren name and a portfolio of related brands. The company, founded by Ralph Lauren in 1967 and headquartered in New York City, has grown from a single line of men’s neckties into a global lifestyle business that spans apparel, accessories and home goods.

Ralph Lauren’s product assortment includes menswear, womenswear and childrenswear along with footwear, leather goods, eyewear, fragrances and home furnishings.

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Key Takeaways Ralph Lauren is benefiting from premiumization, brand elevation and robust DTC momentum.RL's Next Great Chapter strategy focuses on digital growth and expansion in key markets.RL has outperformed its industry as stronger margins and brand investments drive results. Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL - Free Report) stock has gained roughly 34% over the past year, significantly outperforming the broader market. The rally has been driven by the company’s strong execution of its strategy, robust demand across key markets and consistent improvements in profitability. RL’s focus on premiumization and brand elevation has further strengthened its competitive position.

The company has also benefited from the continued strength of its direct-to-consumer business. Solid growth across both retail stores and digital channels has boosted comparable sales, while strategic investments in customer engagement, marketing and personalized shopping experiences have helped attract younger consumers and reinforce brand loyalty. It continues to invest in premium products and brand-building initiatives while reducing its reliance on promotions and discounts. Higher full-price sales and improved product mix have enhanced pricing power, supporting margin expansion and driving stronger earnings growth.

Ralph Lauren’s Next Great Chapter initiative serves as the foundation of its growth strategy, emphasizing brand elevation, consumer centricity and operational agility. This strategy is designed to create a more balanced global footprint by expanding into high-growth markets, such as Asia, while strengthening its presence in core regions.  The company continues to execute its “Next Great Chapter: Drive Plan,” which focuses on elevating and energizing the lifestyle brand, driving the core and expanding into higher-potential categories, and winning in key cities with its consumer ecosystem.

Digital sales account for an increasingly larger share of Ralph Lauren’s revenues, supported by its ongoing investments in personalization, enhanced mobile capabilities and integrated loyalty programs. These initiatives are aimed at strengthening customer engagement and expanding the brand’s appeal among younger and more diverse consumer groups.

Ralph Lauren continues to optimize its distribution network, deepen relationships with wholesale partners and enhance its retail footprint to reinforce its premium positioning. By balancing the expansion of its direct-to-consumer business with a disciplined approach to distribution, the company is strengthening brand equity and creating a seamless shopping experience across channels.

What’s More for Ralph Lauren?All the aforesaid efforts have been driving the company’s performance for a while. Ralph Lauren’s shares have outperformed the industry’s 8.6% decline over a year.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RL’s fiscal 2027 and fiscal 2028 earnings per share (EPS) indicates year-over-year growth of 10.5% each. The company’s EPS estimate for both fiscal years has moved north in the past 60 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RL’s fiscal 2027 and fiscal 2028 sales indicates year-over-year growth of 6.7% and 5.9%, respectively. Hence, this sparks optimism about this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock.

Key Picks in the Consumer Discretionary SpaceDuluth Holdings Inc. (DLTH - Free Report) , which deals in casual wear, workwear and accessories for men and women, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Duluth Holdings delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 107.5%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DLTH’s current financial-year EPS indicates a decline of 11.6% from the year-ago number.

Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM - Free Report) , which engages in the sourcing, marketing and distribution of outdoor and active lifestyle apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

COLM delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 44.1%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Columbia Sportswear’s current financial-year sales indicates growth of 2.6% from the year-ago number.

Crocs, Inc. (CROX - Free Report) , which is a leading footwear company, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. CROX delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 13.6%, on average.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Crocs’ current financial-year EPS indicates a rise of 9.3% from the year-ago number.