Williams Trading lifts Wolverine stock target to $19, keeps Buy rating

Published 09/05/2025, 12:10
Williams Trading lifts Wolverine stock target to $19, keeps Buy rating

On Friday, Williams Trading analyst Sam Poser increased the price target for Wolverine World Wide (NYSE:WWW) shares, moving it to $19.00 from the previous $15.00, while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock. The new target aligns with the broader analyst consensus, with targets ranging from $17 to $25. Poser highlighted Wolverine’s first-quarter results for 2025, which surpassed both the company’s guidance and the consensus estimates of analysts. The stock has shown strong momentum, gaining nearly 16% in the past week according to InvestingPro data.

Wolverine World Wide, currently valued at $1.32 billion in market capitalization, reported a significant increase in revenues, with foreign exchange-neutral revenue for its Saucony and Merrell brands growing by 31.3% and 14.4%, respectively. Overall, the company’s total revenue rose by 5.5%, with a 6.7% increase on a constant currency basis. InvestingPro analysis reveals the company maintains a solid financial health score of 2.39 (FAIR), with 8 additional key insights available to subscribers. Poser pointed out that the demand for Saucony products is on an upward trend, while Merrell’s growth is particularly strong in the Asia-Pacific region.

The analyst attributed the positive performance of Saucony and Merrell to enhanced product offerings and improved brand management. These improvements are believed to be laying a solid foundation for Wolverine’s overall business health. Additionally, Wolverine’s decision to withdraw its full-year guidance for 2025 was described as a cautious move in light of the uncertainties presented by tariffs, which could potentially affect future demand.

Despite the withdrawal of the annual guidance, Wolverine provided second-quarter projections that align with consensus revenue estimates. The high end of the earnings per share (EPS) guidance also meets consensus, which Poser views as conservative given the strong momentum of Saucony and Merrell, the company’s largest brands.

Poser also noted Wolverine’s evolving business strategy, which includes developing a "relative scarcity pull" model for both Saucony and Merrell. This approach is being implemented alongside improvements in product offerings and demand planning. The analyst believes that Wolverine’s increasing adeptness in brand management will be beneficial amid the challenges posed by tariffs.

In terms of production and sourcing, Wolverine is mitigating the impact of tariffs by diversifying its manufacturing locations. The company expects to produce less than 10% of its U.S. products in China this year, with a forecast to reduce this to below 5% by fiscal year 2026. Additionally, the geographical distribution of Wolverine’s sales volume is seen as advantageous for cost control, with approximately 51% of revenue coming from the U.S., while only 46% of total pairs sold are within the country. The company’s strategic initiatives are supported by its strong financial position, with a healthy current ratio of 1.26 and an impressive 38-year track record of consistent dividend payments. For detailed analysis of WWW’s financial health and future prospects, access the comprehensive Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro.

In other recent news, Wolverine Worldwide reported its first-quarter 2025 earnings, revealing an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.18, which was below the anticipated $0.25. Revenue for the quarter reached $412 million, slightly under the forecasted $425.94 million. Despite these misses, the company experienced notable growth in its Saucony and Merrell brands, with Saucony achieving a 30% revenue increase and Merrell a 13% rise. Wolverine has withdrawn its full-year 2025 guidance due to uncertainties surrounding potential tariffs, which could impact profits by $30 million. The company projects second-quarter revenue between $440 million and $450 million, with expected growth in the active group segment. Analysts have noted the company’s strategic direction and brand performance, reflecting investor confidence despite the earnings miss. Wolverine’s net debt was reduced by $80 million to $64 million, indicating a focus on financial health. Furthermore, the company is taking measures to mitigate tariff impacts and maintain its strategic investments in brand growth.

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