Leisure Products Stocks Q3 Recap: Benchmarking Acushnet (NYSE:GOLF)

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

Leisure products cover a wide range of goods in the consumer discretionary sector. Maintaining a strong brand is key to success, and those who differentiate themselves will enjoy customer loyalty and pricing power while those who don’t may find themselves in precarious positions due to the non-essential nature of their offerings.

The 12 leisure products stocks we track reported a very strong Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.8% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 8.6% on average since the latest earnings results.

Acushnet

Producer of the acclaimed Titleist Pro V1 golf ball, Acushnet is a design and manufacturing company specializing in performance-driven golf products.

Acushnet reported revenues of $657.7 million, up 6% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 3.8%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 23.7% since reporting and currently trades at $93.14.

Best Q3: American Outdoor Brands

Spun off from Smith and Wesson in 2020, American Outdoor Brands is an outdoor and recreational products company that offers outdoor and shooting sports products but does not sell firearms themselves.

American Outdoor Brands reported revenues of $57.2 million, down 5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 12.3%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

American Outdoor Brands achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 11.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $8.58.

Weakest Q3: Ruger

Founded in 1949, Ruger is an American manufacturer of firearms for the commercial sporting market.

Ruger reported revenues of $126.8 million, up 3.7% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 2.1%. Still, it was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 14.7% since the results and currently trades at $37.52.

Read our full analysis of Ruger’s results here.

Harley-Davidson

Founded in 1903, Harley-Davidson is an American motorcycle manufacturer known for its heavyweight motorcycles designed for cruising on highways.

Harley-Davidson reported revenues of $1.34 billion, up 16.5% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 2.8%. Overall, it was a stunning quarter as it also put up a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Harley-Davidson pulled off the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 23.7% since reporting and currently trades at $20.67.

Read our full, actionable report on Harley-Davidson here, it’s free.

Malibu Boats

Founded in California in 1982, Malibu Boats is a manufacturer of high-performance sports boats and luxury watercrafts.

Malibu Boats reported revenues of $194.7 million, up 13.5% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 4.3%. It was an exceptional quarter as it also produced a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 3.4% since reporting and currently trades at $33.69.

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

Wrapping up Q3 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the leisure products stocks, including Polaris and its peers.

Leisure products cover a wide range of goods in the consumer discretionary sector. Maintaining a strong brand is key to success, and those who differentiate themselves will enjoy customer loyalty and pricing power while those who don’t may find themselves in precarious positions due to the non-essential nature of their offerings.

The 12 leisure products stocks we track reported a very strong Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.8% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Luckily, leisure products stocks have performed well with share prices up 10.7% on average since the latest earnings results.

Polaris

Founded in 1954, Polaris designs and manufactures high-performance off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, and motorcycles.

Polaris reported revenues of $1.86 billion, up 6.6% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 3.7%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

Polaris delivered the weakest full-year guidance update of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 1.7% since reporting and currently trades at $69.95.

Best Q3: American Outdoor Brands

Spun off from Smith and Wesson in 2020, American Outdoor Brands is an outdoor and recreational products company that offers outdoor and shooting sports products but does not sell firearms themselves.

American Outdoor Brands reported revenues of $57.2 million, down 5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 12.3%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

American Outdoor Brands achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 23.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $9.51.

Weakest Q3: Ruger

Founded in 1949, Ruger is an American manufacturer of firearms for the commercial sporting market.

Ruger reported revenues of $126.8 million, up 3.7% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 2.1%. Still, it was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA and EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 14.1% since the results and currently trades at $37.74.

Read our full analysis of Ruger’s results here.

Harley-Davidson

Founded in 1903, Harley-Davidson is an American motorcycle manufacturer known for its heavyweight motorcycles designed for cruising on highways.

Harley-Davidson reported revenues of $1.34 billion, up 16.5% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 2.8%. It was a stunning quarter as it also put up a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Harley-Davidson achieved the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 24.2% since reporting and currently trades at $20.54.

Read our full, actionable report on Harley-Davidson here, it’s free.

Clarus

Initially a financial services business, Clarus designs, manufactures, and distributes outdoor equipment and lifestyle products.

Clarus reported revenues of $69.35 million, up 3.3% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 4.3%. Taking a step back, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates but EPS in line with analysts’ estimates.

The stock is up 14.7% since reporting and currently trades at $3.74.

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

Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Sonos and the best and worst performers in the consumer discretionary industry.

This sector includes everything from cable TV services to hotel stays to gym memberships. While diverse, the way people buy and experience these products is being upended by the internet and digitization. Consumer discretionary companies are working to adapt to secular trends such as streaming video, online marketplaces for lodging accommodations, and connected fitness. That discretionary purchases are, by definition, something consumers can give up makes it even more imperative for companies in the space to adapt.

The 147 consumer discretionary stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q3. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 0.6% above.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 4.1% on average since the latest earnings results.

Sonos

A pioneer in connected home audio systems, Sonos offers a range of premium wireless speakers and sound systems.

Sonos reported revenues of $287.9 million, up 12.7% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 3.5%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

“Q4 marked a strong finish to a transitional year for Sonos,” said Tom Conrad, Chief Executive Officer of Sonos.

Interestingly, the stock is up 1.7% since reporting and currently trades at $16.69.

Best Q3: American Outdoor Brands

Spun off from Smith and Wesson in 2020, American Outdoor Brands is an outdoor and recreational products company that offers outdoor and shooting sports products but does not sell firearms themselves.

American Outdoor Brands reported revenues of $57.2 million, down 5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 12.3%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 7.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $8.28.

Weakest Q3: PlayStudios

Founded by a team of former gaming industry executives, PlayStudios offers free-to-play digital casino games.

PlayStudios reported revenues of $57.65 million, down 19.1% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 3%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a miss of analysts’ daily active users estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 30.5% since the results and currently trades at $0.63.

Read our full analysis of PlayStudios’s results here.

Newmark

Founded in 1929, Newmark provides commercial real estate services, including leasing advisory, global corporate services, investment sales and capital markets, property and facilities management, valuation and advisory, and consulting.

Newmark reported revenues of $863.5 million, up 25.9% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 11.8%. More broadly, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is down 5.6% since reporting and currently trades at $17.58.

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

AMC Networks

Originally the joint-venture of four cable television companies, AMC Networks is a broadcaster producing a diverse range of television shows and movies.

AMC Networks reported revenues of $561.7 million, down 6.3% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. It was a strong quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 23.4% since reporting and currently trades at $8.95.

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

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:

• Education Services company Universal Technical Institute jumped 11.1%. Is now the time to buy Universal Technical Institute? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free for active Edge members.
• Travel and Vacation Providers company Delta jumped 4.8%. Is now the time to buy Delta? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free for active Edge members.
• Travel and Vacation Providers company Choice Hotels jumped 3.6%. Is now the time to buy Choice Hotels? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free for active Edge members.
• Leisure Products company Ruger jumped 3.1%. Is now the time to buy Ruger? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free for active Edge members.
• Specialized Consumer Services company Mister Car Wash jumped 4.4%. Is now the time to buy Mister Car Wash? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Zooming In On Universal Technical Institute (UTI)

Universal Technical Institute’s shares are quite volatile and have had 17 moves greater than 5% over the last year. But moves this big are rare even for Universal Technical Institute and indicate this news significantly impacted the market’s perception of the business.

The previous big move we wrote about was 28 days ago when the stock dropped 3% on the news that new economic data intensified market agitation ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy decision later in the week. 

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, real consumer spending, which is adjusted for inflation, stalled in September, marking its weakest performance in four months. Compounding the issue, the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index, while slightly improved, remained gloomy, with one economist noting that many households faced affordability issues forcing them to be more cautious. This pressure on consumers was reflected in the market, where the Consumer Discretionary sector was among the leading decliners. The broader economic picture showed other signs of caution, as new orders for U.S. factory goods also increased less than anticipated. These indicators collectively suggest a widening slowdown across both consumer and industrial sectors as the Federal Reserve prepared to announce its final policy actions for the year.

Universal Technical Institute is up 10.4% since the beginning of the year, but at $27.44 per share, it is still trading 23.6% below its 52-week high of $35.90 from June 2025. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of Universal Technical Institute’s shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $4,348.

What Happened?

Shares of recreational products manufacturer American Outdoor Brands jumped 5.5% in the afternoon session after reports of significant insider buying activity, signaled strong confidence from within the company. 

This positive sentiment was fueled by news of high-impact, open-market purchases made by multiple insiders. When executives and directors buy shares of their own company, investors often view it as a strong signal. It suggested that those with the most knowledge of the company's inner workings believed the stock was undervalued or that positive developments were ahead. This display of confidence from key personnel appeared to have encouraged broader investor interest in the company.

After the initial pop the shares cooled down to $8.19, up 3.7% from previous close.

What Is The Market Telling Us

American Outdoor Brands’s shares are extremely volatile and have had 31 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 biggest move we wrote about over the last year was 4 months ago when the stock dropped 17.9% on the news that the company reported disappointing second-quarter financial results that missed Wall Street's expectations for both revenue and earnings. 

The recreational products manufacturer announced that net sales fell 28.7% year-over-year to $29.7 million, significantly underperforming the $35.77 million analysts had projected. The company's bottom line also suffered, with an adjusted loss of $0.26 per share, missing the consensus estimate of a $0.25 loss and reversing a $0.06 profit from the same quarter last year. Profitability metrics painted a similarly bleak picture, as the operating margin worsened to -23% from -6.2% a year ago, and adjusted EBITDA of -$3.12 million fell dramatically short of estimates. The across-the-board misses in key financial areas signaled a much weaker quarter than anticipated, leading to the significant sell-off in its shares.

American Outdoor Brands is up 3.3% since the beginning of the year, but at $8.19 per share, it is still trading 53.9% below its 52-week high of $17.76 from February 2025. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of American Outdoor Brands’s shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $471.49.