Watches of Switzerland shares fall 6% after record revenue, flat FY26 outlook

Published 03/07/2025, 08:28

Investing.com -- Watches of Switzerland Group (LON:WOSG) shares fell more than 6% on Thursday after the company posted record annual revenue but offered guidance that showed limited margin improvement for the year ahead.

For the 52 weeks ended April 27, revenue rose 7% to £1.65 billion on a reported basis, or 8% at constant currency, driven by stronger second-half trading. 

Adjusted EBIT increased 11% to £150 million, with a margin of 9.1%, up 30 basis points from the prior year. 

Adjusted earnings per share reached 41.6p, above the 40.8p consensus cited by RBC Capital Markets.

Net margin came in at 36.2%, 50 basis points below RBC’s expectations. Operating profit declined 5% to £114 million, and statutory profit before tax dropped 18% to £76 million. Statutory basic EPS fell to 22.8p from 25.0p.

U.S. revenue grew 14% to £786 million reported, or 16% in constant currency, accounting for 48% of group revenue. 

U.K. and Europe revenue rose 2% to £866 million. The company highlighted a stronger second half, with H2 revenue up 12% year-on-year in constant currency.

Revenue from luxury watches increased 1% to £1.35 billion. Luxury jewellery rose 106% to £211 million, boosted by the acquisition of Roberto Coin Inc., which contributed £110.8 million in wholesale revenue. Services and other revenue declined 4% to £87 million. Ecommerce sales fell 5%.

Free cash flow was £98 million, ahead of RBC’s £82 million estimate. Free cash flow conversion declined to 51% from 66% the year prior. Inventories increased to £447 million, above RBC’s forecast of £429 million. Net debt stood at £96 million, compared to £1 million net cash a year earlier.

For fiscal 2026, Watches of Switzerland guided for constant currency revenue growth of 6% to 10%, with adjusted EBIT margin expected to remain flat or decline by up to 100 basis points. 

Capital expenditure is forecast at £65 million to £70 million. The company assumed a 10% U.S. tariff rate beyond the current 90-day pause.

RBC Capital Markets described both the FY25 results and FY26 guidance as “broadly in-line” with expectations and does not anticipate changes to consensus forecasts. 

FY25 EBIT exceeded consensus by 1%, while revenue, EPS and other key metrics tracked near estimates.

During the year, the company opened four new showrooms and closed 11, including low-performing sites in the U.K. 

The flagship Rolex boutique on Old Bond Street, London, was among the major projects completed. The group ended FY25 with 208 showrooms.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.