Genesco CFO Cassandra Harris to Depart

What Happened?

Shares of footwear, apparel, and accessories retailer Genesco jumped 7.2% in the afternoon session after the stock's positive momentum continued as the company reported strong holiday sales and subsequently raised its earnings guidance for fiscal 2026. 

The footwear retailer announced that comparable sales increased by 9% for the quarter-to-date period. The positive performance was led by its Journeys Group, which posted a 12% growth in comparable sales. Overall, same-store sales rose by 10%, and e-commerce sales saw a 9% increase during the eight-week period. As a result of this strong holiday showing, Genesco lifted its full-year adjusted earnings guidance to at least $1.30 per share, a notable improvement from its prior forecast. The market reacted positively to the update, which signaled healthy consumer demand for its products.

The shares closed the day at $32.37, up 7.9% from previous close.

What Is The Market Telling Us

Genesco’s shares are extremely volatile and have had 45 moves greater than 5% over the last year. In that context, today’s move indicates the market considers this news meaningful but not something that would fundamentally change its perception of the business.

The previous big move we wrote about was 7 days ago when the stock gained 6.2% on the news that investors wagered geopolitical tension would be contained following the U.S. military's operation in Venezuela, with the Dow hitting a fresh record. Sentiment remained firmly "risk-on" for early 2026, with Wall Street prioritizing domestic economic strength over foreign turbulence. Analysts noted that while the event raises short-term supply questions, the market largely viewed the potential stabilization of Venezuela's vast oil reserves as a long-term economic positive.

Genesco is up 30.9% since the beginning of the year, but at $32.37 per share, it is still trading 25.4% below its 52-week high of $43.42 from January 2025. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of Genesco’s shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $820.95.

What Happened?

A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after investors wagered geopolitical tension would be contained following the U.S. military's operation in Venezuela, with the Dow hitting a fresh record. 

Sentiment remained firmly "risk-on" for early 2026, with Wall Street prioritizing domestic economic strength over foreign turbulence. Analysts noted that while the event raises short-term supply questions, the market largely viewed the potential stabilization of Venezuela's vast oil reserves as a long-term economic positive.

The stock market overreacts to news, and big price drops can present good opportunities to buy high-quality stocks.

Among others, the following stocks were impacted:

• Travel and Vacation Providers company Sabre jumped 6.4%. Is now the time to buy Sabre? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free for active Edge members.
• Specialized Consumer Services company WeightWatchers jumped 4.5%. Is now the time to buy WeightWatchers? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free for active Edge members.
• Footwear company Genesco jumped 6.2%. Is now the time to buy Genesco? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free for active Edge members.
• Apparel and Accessories company VF Corp jumped 4.3%. Is now the time to buy VF Corp? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free for active Edge members.
• Education Services company Lincoln Educational jumped 5.9%. Is now the time to buy Lincoln Educational? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Zooming In On Sabre (SABR)

Sabre’s shares are extremely volatile and have had 34 moves greater than 5% over the last year. In that context, today’s move indicates the market considers this news meaningful but not something that would fundamentally change its perception of the business.

The previous big move we wrote about was 28 days ago when the stock dropped 7.6% on the news that the company's recent downward revision of its full-year financial forecast continued to weigh on investor sentiment. 

This followed the company's third-quarter report from about a month prior, which presented mixed results. While revenue surpassed estimates, the adjusted loss per share missed expectations. More significantly, Sabre lowered its guidance for the full year 2025. The company revised its revenue projection from a low single-digit percentage increase to flat year-over-year. Additionally, the forecast for pro-forma free cash flow was substantially reduced to approximately $70 million from a previous range of $100-$140 million. These adjustments signaled a weaker financial performance than previously anticipated by the company.

Sabre is up 4.5% since the beginning of the year, but at $1.39 per share, it is still trading 69.2% below its 52-week high of $4.52 from February 2025. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of Sabre’s shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $115.93.

Looking back on footwear stocks’ Q3 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Caleres and its peers.

Before the advent of the internet, styles changed, but consumers mainly bought shoes by visiting local brick-and-mortar shoe, department, and specialty stores. Today, not only do styles change more frequently as fads travel through social media and the internet but consumers are also shifting the way they buy their goods, favoring omnichannel and e-commerce experiences. Some footwear companies have made concerted efforts to adapt while those who are slower to move may fall behind.

The 7 footwear stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.5% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 7.9% above.

While some footwear stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 2.5% since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q3: Caleres

The owner of Dr. Scholl's, Caleres is a footwear company offering a range of styles.

Caleres reported revenues of $790.1 million, up 6.6% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.8%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a disappointing quarter for the company with full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

“Caleres delivered third quarter sales results that were ahead of our internal expectations, highlighted by organic sales growth in our Brand Portfolio segment, strong Lead Brands performance, sequential improvement in trends at Famous Footwear, and accelerated eCommerce momentum in both segments of our business,” said Jay Schmidt, president and chief executive officer.

The market was likely pricing in the results, and the stock is flat since reporting. It currently trades at $13.58.

Read our full report on Caleres here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q3: Nike

Originally selling Japanese Onitsuka Tiger sneakers as Blue Ribbon Sports, Nike is a global titan in athletic footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories.

Nike reported revenues of $11.72 billion, up 1.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 6.5%. The business had an incredible quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ constant currency revenue estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Nike scored the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 5.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $65.85.

Genesco

Spanning a broad range of styles, brands, and prices, Genesco sells footwear, apparel, and accessories through multiple brands and banners.

Genesco reported revenues of $616.2 million, up 3.3% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a softer quarter as it posted full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 32.4% since the results and currently trades at $23.75.

Read our full analysis of Genesco’s results here.

Deckers

Established in 1973, Deckers is a footwear and apparel conglomerate with a portfolio of lifestyle and performance brands.

Deckers reported revenues of $1.43 billion, up 9.1% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations.

Deckers pulled off the fastest revenue growth but had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is down 1.1% since reporting and currently trades at $102.11.

Read our full, actionable report on Deckers here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Crocs

Founded in 2002, Crocs sells casual footwear and is known for its iconic clog shoe.

Crocs reported revenues of $996.3 million, down 6.2% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 3.3%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ constant currency revenue estimates and EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.

Crocs had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 5.8% since reporting and currently trades at $89.63.

Read our full, actionable report on Crocs here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Genesco’s third quarter results were met with a sharp negative market reaction, reflecting investor concerns over profitability despite meeting revenue expectations. Management identified stronger back-to-school sales at Journeys and ongoing store optimization as key drivers, but acknowledged that heightened promotional activity in the UK and headwinds from tariffs pressured gross margins. CEO Mimi Eckel Vaughn stated that Schuh faced "heightened promotional activity" while the exit of licenses in Genesco Brands Group and the impact of tariffs added further margin pressure.

Is now the time to buy GCO? Find out in our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).

Genesco (GCO) Q3 CY2025 Highlights:

• Revenue: $616.2 million vs analyst estimates of $617.5 million (3.3% year-on-year growth, in line)
• Adjusted EPS: $0.79 vs analyst expectations of $0.86 (8.1% miss)
• Adjusted EBITDA: $26.27 million (4.3% margin, 12.3% year-on-year growth)
• Management lowered its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance to $0.95 at the midpoint, a 36.7% decrease
• Operating Margin: 2.1%, in line with the same quarter last year
• Locations: 1,245 at quarter end, down from 1,302 in the same quarter last year
• Same-Store Sales rose 3% year on year (6% in the same quarter last year)
• Market Capitalization: $256.9 million

While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention.

Our Top 5 Analyst Questions From Genesco’s Q3 Earnings Call

• Mitch Kummetz (Seaport Research): asked for clarity on Journeys’ fourth quarter comp expectations. CEO Mimi Eckel Vaughn confirmed positive comps are anticipated, driven by strong store performance but moderated e-commerce, and highlighted ongoing store closures to improve productivity.
• Joseph Vincent Civello (Truist Securities): sought insight into demand trends between athletic and canvas footwear. Vaughn explained athletic styles are seeing increased year-round demand and innovation, while canvas is less in demand with limited innovation expected.
• Mantero Valentino Moreno-Cheek (Jefferies): questioned the strategy for expanding Journeys’ brand portfolio. Vaughn said diversification is key, with new brands like HOKA and Nike supporting growth, though initial volumes start small and build over time as consumer preferences evolve.
• Mantero Valentino Moreno-Cheek (Jefferies): also asked about gross margin improvement levers. Vaughn and CFO Sandra Harris cited the exit of one-time license liquidations and ongoing actions at Schuh as main drivers, while acknowledging tariffs will remain a headwind.
• Mantero Valentino Moreno-Cheek (Jefferies): inquired about marketing spend effectiveness. Vaughn noted a shift from performance to brand marketing, with campaigns like ‘Life on Loud’ and the Peyton Manning partnership aimed at boosting awareness and customer acquisition.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

Looking ahead, the StockStory team will track (1) the pace of recovery and margin improvement at Schuh as inventory and promotional strategies are adjusted, (2) continued progress in Journeys’ store remodel program and new brand partnerships, and (3) the impact of tariffs and completion of license liquidations on gross margins. We will also monitor the effectiveness of expanded marketing campaigns and new product introductions in driving customer traffic and sales.

Genesco currently trades at $24.01, down from $35.15 just before the earnings. Is there an opportunity in the stock?See for yourself in our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).

Our Favorite Stocks Right Now

Your portfolio can’t afford to be based on yesterday’s story. The risk in a handful of heavily crowded stocks is rising daily.

The names generating the next wave of massive growth are right here in our Top 6 Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 244% over the last five years (as of June 30, 2025).

Stocks that have made our list include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,326% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% five-year return).

Let’s dig into the relative performance of Genesco and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q3 footwear earnings season.

Before the advent of the internet, styles changed, but consumers mainly bought shoes by visiting local brick-and-mortar shoe, department, and specialty stores. Today, not only do styles change more frequently as fads travel through social media and the internet but consumers are also shifting the way they buy their goods, favoring omnichannel and e-commerce experiences. Some footwear companies have made concerted efforts to adapt while those who are slower to move may fall behind.

The 7 footwear stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.5% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 7.9% above.

While some footwear stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 3.4% since the latest earnings results.

Genesco

Spanning a broad range of styles, brands, and prices, Genesco sells footwear, apparel, and accessories through multiple brands and banners.

Genesco reported revenues of $616.2 million, up 3.3% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a softer quarter for the company with full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Mimi E. Vaughn, Genesco's Board Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We delivered another quarter of top and bottom-line growth, marking our fifth consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales increases. The third quarter demonstrated the power of our strategic initiatives, with Journeys delivering strong double-digit comp growth during back-to-school on top of double-digit growth last year. This performance reinforces that when consumers shop for footwear, they are increasingly choosing Journeys, underscoring the momentum of our product elevation and diversification strategy as we continue to gain market share and establish ourselves as the destination for the style-led teen.”

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 31.7% since reporting and currently trades at $24.01.

Read our full report on Genesco here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q3: Nike

Originally selling Japanese Onitsuka Tiger sneakers as Blue Ribbon Sports, Nike is a global titan in athletic footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories.

Nike reported revenues of $11.72 billion, up 1.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 6.5%. The business had an incredible quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ constant currency revenue estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Nike delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 5.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $65.84.

Is now the time to buy Nike? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Weakest Q3: Caleres

The owner of Dr. Scholl's, Caleres is a footwear company offering a range of styles.

Caleres reported revenues of $790.1 million, up 6.6% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 2.8%. Still, it was a disappointing quarter as it posted full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 2.9% since the results and currently trades at $13.12.

Read our full analysis of Caleres’s results here.

Crocs

Founded in 2002, Crocs sells casual footwear and is known for its iconic clog shoe.

Crocs reported revenues of $996.3 million, down 6.2% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 3.3%. It was an exceptional quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ constant currency revenue estimates and EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.

Crocs had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 2.4% since reporting and currently trades at $86.75.

Read our full, actionable report on Crocs here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Steven Madden

As seen in the infamous Wolf of Wall Street movie, Steven Madden is a fashion brand famous for its trendy and innovative footwear, appealing to a young and style-conscious audience.

Steven Madden reported revenues of $667.9 million, up 6.9% year on year. This result missed analysts’ expectations by 4%. Zooming out, it was actually a strong quarter as it produced EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and revenue guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.

Steven Madden had the weakest performance against analyst estimates among its peers. The stock is up 33.2% since reporting and currently trades at $43.73.

Read our full, actionable report on Steven Madden here, it’s free for active Edge members.