For the thirteenth consecutive quarter, Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) generated record net sales of $1.67B—up 5% from a year ago and in line with estimates—on a 1% gain in comparable sales. The increase in sales was achieved through gains across all regions and in both the Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister banners.

The company’s profitability improved as well, with adjusted net income per diluted share increasing 3.1% to $3.68, beating estimates by $0.11. Operating income of $236M was down 8.5%, contributing to a 210 basis point compression in operating margin to 14.1%.

Looking ahead to the current quarter, the retailer expects to earn a profit between $1.20 and $1.30 per share on a 1% to 3% increase in sales, translating to a range of $1.11B to $1.13B. These expectations fall short of the consensus estimates of $1.45 per share on $1.16B in revenue.

For FY26, guidance was within expectations, as net income is expected to be within the range of $10.20 to $11.00 per share on a 3% to 5% increase in sales, translating to a range of $5.43B and $5.53B. Both straddle estimates of $10.40 per share on $5.50B in sales.

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Here are some of Wednesday’s biggest stock movers:

Biggest stock gainers

• Ross Stores (ROST) +6% – Shares jumped after reporting strong Q4 results and issuing upbeat guidance, as solid holiday sales and stepped-up marketing helped offset tariff pressures and softer consumer sentiment. For Q1, the company expects comparable sales growth of 7% to 8%, well above estimates of about 3.7%, driving EPS of $1.60 to $1.67, up 11% Y/Y and around the $1.63 consensus. For FY2027, Ross forecasts same-store sales growth of 3% to 4% vs. roughly 3% expectations and EPS of $7.01 to $7.36 compared with $7.21 estimates. The company also hiked the dividend by 10%.
• Moderna (MRNA) +5% – Shares rose after reaching a $950M patent litigation settlement with Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS) and Genevant Sciences (ROIV), resolving disputes tied to its COVID-19 and RSV vaccines. The payment, due in Q3 and to be recorded as a Q1 charge, eliminates future royalty obligations and provides clarity across its infectious disease portfolio, including Spikevax, mRESVIA, mNEXSPIKE, and mCOMBRIAX. Following the settlement, Moderna expects to end the year with $4.5B–$5B in cash and equivalents. The company will appeal to the U.S. Federal Circuit, arguing that government-contractor immunity limits its liability; a favorable ruling would remove any additional payment, while an adverse decision could require up to another $1.3B within 90 days.

Biggest stock losers

• Horizon Technology Finance (HRZN) -10% – Shares dipped after reporting net investment income and total investment income below expectations. Total investment income came in at $20.7M, missing the $23.9M estimate and declining from $26.3M in the prior quarter and $23.5M a year earlier. Although the company returned to portfolio growth in Q4, net asset value per share edged lower as distributions exceeded NII during the quarter, with management noting that reduced prepayment activity also weighed on results.
• GitLab (GTLB) -9% – Shares slid despite a Q4 earnings beat and revenue growth of 23.2% Y/Y, as a softer-than-expected outlook weighed on sentiment. For Q1, the company guided revenue of $253M–$255M vs. the $256.7M consensus, with non-GAAP operating income of $32M–$34M and EPS of $0.20–$0.21, roughly in line with estimates. For FY2027, GitLab expects revenue of $1.099B–$1.118B, below the $1.13B consensus, along with non-GAAP operating income of $129M–$137M and EPS of $0.76–$0.80, well under the $1.03 forecast.

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Across its four major brands, the Nuuly apparel rental business saw the most dramatic jump in sales, increasing by 43% to $160M, followed by a 12.5% gain in sales for its Urban Outfitters banner, a 10% gain in Free People sales, and a 4.2% gain in Anthropologie sales, all of which generated revenue of $1.802B, up 10% from a year earlier and $10M better than anticipated.

Comparable retail segment net sales were up 5.5%, driven by mid-single-digit positive growth in both the digital channel and retail stores. By segment, comparable store sales were up 9.6% at Urban Outfitters, up 5.2% at Free People, and up 3.7% at Anthropologie. The company’s Nuuly business realized double-digit subscriber growth during the quarter.

The retailer earned an adjusted profit of $1.43 per share, up 37% from a year earlier and $0.17 better than expected.

The increase in gross profit was primarily due to improved retail segment markdowns driven by lower markdowns at Urban Outfitters and Free People, a leverage in store occupancy costs due to the increase in comparable retail segment net sales, and leverage in delivery expense due to a reduction in packages per order, partially offset by deleverage in initial merchandise costs.

Related tickers: American Eagle Outfitters (AEO), Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF), Gap (GAP), V.F. Corp (VFC), PVH Corp (PVH)

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The strategic move broadens the apparel retailer’s business that historically has been focused on sizes 5–18, positioning abercrombie kids as a cradle-to-tween label and giving families a single destination as children age.

The new baby and toddler line is available exclusively online. The line was developed in response to what the company describes as its “number one request” from customers seeking baby and toddler products with the same emphasis on quality, comfort, and elevated style as the core kids range. A&F noted that the products are designed for everyday wear, play, and special occasions, featuring soft, durable fabrics, versatile silhouettes, and classic detailing to support comfort and movement.

“By extending abercrombie kids to include baby and toddler apparel, we are now able to outfit the entire family, from newborn through kids of all ages, reinforcing abercrombie kids as the destination for consistent quality, fit and style that grows with families over time,” highlighted Abercrombie & Fitch Chief Product Officer Corey Robinson.

The biggest baby clothes sellers in the U.S. are Carter’s (CRI), The Children’s Place (PLCE), and Gap (GAP) via its Baby Gap chain.

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The retailer updated its Q4 and full-year outlook to reflect stronger-than-expected sales growth and solid profitability, driven by continued momentum across brands and regions.

The company expects Q4 sales growth of around 5%, above its prior range, while maintaining an operating margin outlook of around 14%, supported by healthy holiday demand and disciplined inventory management. Q4 EPS is seen landing in a range of $3.50 to $3.60 (midpoint $3.55) vs. a prior outlook for $3.40 to $3.70 and the consensus estimate of $3.60.

For the full fiscal year, Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) anticipates sales growth of at least 6% and an operating margin around 13%, which was said to be an indication of performance ahead of its longer-term “Always Forward” 2025 financial targets. A&F management highlighted record quarter-to-date results through December, strong comparable sales across regions and brands, and reaffirmed confidence in the company’s ability to deliver sustainable, profitable growth from its strengthened omnichannel platform, agile inventory model, and solid balance sheet.

In terms of tariffs, A&F said, net of planned mitigation efforts, the full-year outlook assumes approximately $90 million of tariff expense, or 170 basis points as a percent of sales.

Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) will be participating in the ICR Conference in Orlando this week.

Shares of Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) were down 16.5% in premarket trading to $104.39 vs. the 52-week range of $65.40 to $147.91. Short interest on ANF stands at 11.5% of the total float.

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The agenda includes formal presentations, fireside chats, and small-group discussions where management teams discuss strategy, financial outlook, growth initiatives, and capital allocation, alongside topical sessions on areas such as shareholder activism, M&A, AI’s impact on consumer and retail, sports-related investment themes, and IPO readiness.

Five notable companies that analysts have circled this year as having the potential to see share price gains after their presentations and updates include Five Below (FIVE), On Holdings (ONON), Planet Fitness (PLNT), Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF), and SharkNinja (SN). The expectation is that positive pre-announcements on Q4 results could spark rallies.

Walmart (WMT), Nike (NKE), and Lululemon (LULU) will also be making important ICR appearances.

The retail sector as a whole has a track record of outperforming the broad market during the ICR Conference.

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While “highly motivated shoppers are ready to spend, despite rising prices,” said Caila Schwartz, director of consumer insights at Salesforce, retailers in the U.S. are still expected to offer discounts of as much as 37% during the week in apparel, health and beauty, and home furnishings (including appliances).

Salesforce expects the highest discounted categories globally to be beauty and makeup, followed by general apparel, and beauty and skincare, with discounts ranging from as much as 40% to 33%.

To find the best deals, shoppers will rely heavily on AI-powered tools. During the first three days of Cyber Week, customer conversations with AI agents increased 28% versus the week prior.

“Despite headwinds like tariffs and higher prices, consumers are not holding back from holiday shopping,” Schwartz added.

Related tickers: Coty (COTY), e.l.f. Beauty (ELF), Helen of Troy (HELE), Newell Brands (NWL), Edgewell Personal Care (EPC), Interparfums (IPAR), Colgate-Palmolive (CL), Unilever (UL), Estée Lauder (EL), Ulta (ULTA), Sally Beauty Holdings (SHB), Gap (GAP), TJX Companies (TJX), Ross Stores (ROST), Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF), American Eagle Outfitters (AEO), Victoria’s Secret (VSCO), Urban Outfitters (URBN), lululemon (LULU), Nike (NKE), Consumer Staples SPDR ETF (XLP), Consumer Discretionary SPDR ETF (XLY)

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The year got off to a rough start for ANF as tariff pressures and warnings about discretionary spending among weary consumers crushed ANF shares, driving the stock down 60% in just the first quarter of 2025.

With the help of Hollister’s enduring popularity with teens and Gen Z, trade deals with Vietnam and Cambodia, and resilient consumer spending, Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) made a measured comeback with shares recouping nearly half of its Q1 drop by August before being chased lower again during in the third quarter on cautious guidance on remaining tariff costs (20% with Vietnam, 19% with Cambodia).

Fortunately, Q3 might be the inflection point that investors were waiting for.

“We think the stock’s reaction [Tuesday] might be evidence of the Street giving credence to the improvements the management team has made and eyes shifting to the opportunity in ’26,” said Jefferies analyst Corey Tarlowe.

“We think this momentum can be chased,” Tarlowe added, “given investors can look to ’26 and see easy ANF compares, a Hollister that is still strong, and a margin profile that is improving as the tariff narrative is derisked.”

Agrees UBS’s Mauricio Serna, who thinks that while the post-earnings rally was positioning, he remains bullish on ANF’s outlook on Hollister’s “robust” sales momentum, Abercrombie’s ongoing sales recovery, and tariff headwinds moderating after Q4.

Morgan Stanley’s Alex Straton also sees green shoots pertaining to ANF’s financial profile but cautions that there are still speed bumps ahead.

“We exit the print more constructive as ANF’s growth & margin profile continues to prove more durable/better than we thought.”

However, Abercrombie is is not completely out of the woods yet, Straton argues as there is still the holiday season to navigate. While industry forecasts look for a strong 2025 season, consumers are still bargain-hunting to offset inflationary pressures elsewhere, leaving specialty retailers like ANF vulnerable.

“We suspect the bear thesis remains intact – that Hollister sales momentum will slow, ANF topline will remain under pressure, and the business will subsequently suffer severe growth/profitability erosion back towards industry norms over time,” Straton writes, maintaining her Equal Weight rating but with a higher price target of $95.

Margin pressure also keeps Citi Research analyst Paul Lejuez Neutral on Abercrombie. Given the retailer’s limited pricing power due to its teen positioning, ANF will “bear much of the margin burden of higher tariffs, limiting EPS upside.”

Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) shares are up for a second day, bringing the two day total to +45%.

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