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On Wednesday, Citi analysts reaffirmed a Neutral rating and maintained a $26.00 price target for Steven Madden stock (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:SHOO), which currently appears undervalued according to InvestingPro analysis. The decision follows a meeting with the company’s management at the Steve Madden showroom during the FFANY shoe show. With analyst targets ranging from $20 to $38 and a P/E ratio of 11.3x, the stock trades at modest valuations despite recent challenges.
During the meeting, the tone was described as increasingly positive, especially with the removal of concerns regarding China tariffs. Management noted a shift in fashion trends favoring dress shoes over sneakers, highlighting new offerings in dress, flats, and boots, partly influenced by Beyoncé’s tour. The company’s strong financial health, with a current ratio of 2.25 and moderate debt levels, positions it well to capitalize on these trends.
The company experienced significant brand buzz from a viral TikTok moment involving founder Steve Madden, which was followed by a New York Times (NYSE:NYT) article on May 28. This event reportedly attracted new customers and increased website traffic, which the company aims to leverage further.
Despite the positive developments, clarity around tariffs remains necessary. Management has revised its production plans, deciding to keep more production in China than previously anticipated, with a target of 5% production in China by Spring 2026.
Looking ahead, while the margin outlook for fiscal 2025 is still uncertain, management expressed confidence in recovering a substantial portion of the lost margins in fiscal 2026 and beyond. Despite a challenging six-month period where the stock declined by 45%, Steven Madden maintains strong fundamentals with a gross profit margin of 41% and has consistently paid dividends for eight consecutive years. For deeper insights into Steven Madden’s financial outlook and comprehensive analysis, check out the detailed Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro.
In other recent news, Steve Madden Limited reported its first-quarter earnings for 2025, revealing a mixed financial performance. The company exceeded earnings per share (EPS) expectations with an EPS of $0.60, surpassing the forecasted $0.46. However, consolidated revenue reached $553.5 million, slightly below the expected $556.3 million. The company has withdrawn its previous 2025 financial guidance due to uncertainties related to new U.S. tariffs. Additionally, Steve Madden is implementing a strategic shift in sourcing, aiming to reduce its reliance on China for U.S. imports to mid-single digits by spring 2026.
Analysts have responded to these developments with adjustments to stock ratings and price targets. Williams Trading upgraded Steve Madden’s stock from Sell to Hold, citing the suspension of increased tariffs on Chinese goods as a positive development. Meanwhile, Citi raised the company’s stock price target to $26 from $23, maintaining a Neutral rating. Citi noted the company’s strong margins and strategic moves to mitigate potential sales losses due to order cancellations from China.
Operationally, Steve Madden is focusing on diversifying its production footprint, with significant shifts to countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Mexico, and Brazil. The recent acquisition of Kurt Geiger is expected to support international expansion, despite 80% of Kurt Geiger’s sourcing currently being from China. The company is also implementing a 10% average price increase to counteract tariff impacts, while continuing to monitor consumer demand and market conditions closely.
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