Levi Strauss Reports Record Q2 Margins
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Levi Strauss & Co. 15%) reported fiscal 2025 second-quarter earnings on July 10, 2025, posting 9% organic net revenue growth, a record gross margin of 62. 6%, and adjusted diluted EPS up...
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July 11, 2025
09:25 AM
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Levi Strauss & Co. 15%) reported fiscal 2025 second-quarter earnings on July 10, 2025, posting 9% organic net revenue growth, a record gross margin of 62. 6%, and adjusted diluted EPS up 37% year over year to $0
Management raised full-year FY2025 guidance, citing sustained direct-to-consumer (DTC) momentum, margin expansion, and gress toward becoming a DTC-first lifestyle brand
The ing analysis details the most meaningful strategic and financial developments for long-term investors
The Move to DTC-First Accelerates Margin and Growth fileLevi’s DTC revenue now accounts for over half of total revenue, with e-commerce comps up by double-digit percentages, while the company dered its 13th consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales growth
DTC EBIT margins rose apximately 300 basis points year over year, driven by higher revenue ductivity and imved cost management. "We are fundamentally becoming a company with a higher growth rate higher margin file, stronger cash flows, higher returns on invested capital, and a higher percentage of DDC [Dorsten Distribution Center]. "— Harmit Singh, Chief Financial and Growth OfficerThis operating model shift structurally increases fitability and reduces dependence on wholesale volatility, giving Levi greater pricing power, richer consumer data, and the ability to capture a greater of the value chain
Brand Equity and Asment Expansion Drive Both Core and Women’s SegmentsThe Levi’s brand managed a 9% global organic revenue increase, with women’s up 14% and men’s up 6% year over year, while the tops category rose 16% and bottoms 8%
Unaided brand awareness scores rose significantly year over year in core, and the company drove demand through amplified cultural partnerships with entertainers Beyoncé and collaborations with brands Nike
SKU rationalization and a reset of the tops enabled a globally directed asment of more than 30% for the first half of FY2025, which imved full-price sell-through. "We continue to maintain our global top market position and then our No. 1 position here in the U
For men and women. "— Michelle Gass, President and CEOThe combination of iconic brand strength and disciplined duct innovation expands Levi’s addressable market
It supports further wallet gains, particularly in the still underpenetrated women’s segment, which has doubled in size since 2019 but remains only 38% of total Levi’s sales
Levi's Is Mitigating Macroeconomic Headwinds While Advancing Operating LeverageDespite additional 30% tariffs on China and at least 10% tariffs on many other countries' imports into the U. , as assumed in Levi's FY2025 guidance, management expects a net negative impact of just 20 basis points to full-year gross margin, supported by supply chain diversification, price optimization, and reduced motional intensity
Furthermore, Levi’s dered an 18% return on invested capital and announced an 8% dividend increase, while planning at least $100 million in buybacks from the ceeds of the Dockers sale
Inventory rose 15% as a active measure to support holiday sales and manage supply chain risk from tariff uncertainty and Red Sea shipping disruptions. "After mitigation, we expect the net impact of tariffs to be 20 basis points headwind to our full-year gross margin or apximately a 40 basis points impact in the second half. "— Harmit Singh, Chief Financial and Growth OfficerLevi’s demonstrated management discipline in navigating external shocks, preserving margin expansion while reinforcing holder returns, and enhancing its competitive resilience through active risk mitigation and capital allocation
Looking AheadFor FY2025, management raised organic net revenue growth guidance by 100 basis points to 4
Gross margin is now expected to expand by 80 basis points year over year to a new record for FY2025
Full-year adjusted EBIT margin is anticipated at 11
Adjusted diluted EPS is guided to $1. 30, inclusive of a $0. 03 tariff headwind
Q3 FY2025 organic net revenue is expected to increase 4%-5%
Gross margin is expected to be flat to up 30 basis points for Q3 FY2025, despite tariff impacts
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