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EarningsQ3 2026 Earnings Report
COLM Q3 2026 EPS Results
Actual EPS$1.66
Consensus EPS$1.28
Beat/MissBeat by +$0.38
One Year Ago EPS$1.41
COLM Q3 2026 Revenue Results
Actual Revenue$962.58M
Expected Revenue$944.91M
Beat/MissBeat by +$17.67M
YoY Revenue Growth+2.06%
Earnings Announcement Details
QuarterQ3 2026
Date10/29/2026
TimeAfter Close
Conference CallThursday, October 29, 2026
COLM Upcoming Earnings
Columbia Sportswear's next earnings date is estimated for February 4, 2027, based on past reporting schedules.
Q3 2026 Earnings Call Audio
COLM Q3 2026 Earnings Call
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Q3 2026 Earnings Slide Deck
Q3 2026 Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Sentiment|Positive
The call was predominantly positive. Columbia exceeded third-quarter revenue and earnings guidance, reported improving U.S. e-commerce trends, expanding underlying operating margin, strong international growth, accelerating new-consumer acquisition and an improved Spring '27 order book. These strengths outweighed the cited challenges, including shipment timing issues, Mountain Hardwear and prAna declines, China and macro-market difficulties, and tariff and input-cost uncertainty.Company Guidance
Third-Quarter Revenue and Earnings Beat Guidance
Third-quarter net sales increased 2% to $963 million, exceeding quarterly revenue guidance, while reported EPS increased to $1.66 from $0.95 in the prior year. Better-than-expected revenue primarily reflected delayed Fall '26 wholesale orders shipping earlier than expected and improved underlying U.S. business trends.
Operating Margin and Expense Leverage
Operating margin was 11.4% and exceeded expectations. SG&A expenses declined 1% year over year through disciplined expense management, producing 140 basis points of SG&A leverage. Excluding $29 million of prior-year impairment charges, underlying operating margin expanded 120 basis points.
Gross Margin Performance
Reported gross margin declined 20 basis points to 49.8%, including a 50 basis point headwind from accommodations to factory partners, net of tariff refunds. Excluding that impact, underlying gross margin expanded 30 basis points, primarily due to lower DTC freight costs. Higher full-price realization and favorable U.S. EPC freight costs also supported gross margin upside.
International Growth Momentum
Markets outside the U.S. and Canada, representing roughly 35% of global net sales, grew 9% and continued to lead growth. EMEA net sales increased 7% on a constant-currency basis, LAAP increased 10%, China grew at a low-teens percentage rate, Japan increased at a low-double-digit percentage rate, and Korea increased at a high-teens percentage rate.
DTC and E-Commerce Growth
Global DTC sales increased 5%, including 9% growth in e-commerce and 4% growth in brick-and-mortar. U.S. e-commerce grew at a mid-single-digit percentage rate, including high-single-digit growth for the Columbia brand, while U.S. brick-and-mortar sales grew modestly. E-commerce growth accelerated through the quarter with strong early sell-through of Fall '26 products and reduced promotions.
ACCELERATE Strategy Gaining Traction
Management reported continued tangible progress from the ACCELERATE Growth Strategy, including better traffic, conversion and consumer experience on Columbia.com. New-consumer growth accelerated over the past two quarters, and the third quarter represented the strongest growth in new consumers since 2023. An increased share of e-commerce sales came from target dynamic active and professional consumer groups.
Improved Brand Engagement and Marketing Effectiveness
The Engineered for Whatever platform, targeted marketing, increased influencer partnerships and creative activations were reported to be reaching target consumers and materially improving sell-through of featured products. Year-over-year improvements were also reported in consideration and purchase intent among professional and dynamic active audiences.
Fleece Momentum and Helvetia Campaign
Fleece sell-through strengthened across multiple franchises. The Helvetia Fleece received new colorways and prints and was supported by the Fax-4-Fleece campaign, which generated more than 8,000 faxes versus an expectation of 91. The premium MTR fleece saw strong early demand, fleece was positively trending on TikTok, and a special-edition Helvetia sold out within minutes online.
Strong Performance from Women's and Younger-Consumer Products
The Amaze Puff remained among Columbia's top sellers and biggest growth drivers for Fall '26 after largely selling out the prior fall. Amaze Sweats were already among the company's top-selling women's pants, while the redesigned men's ROC Pant and women's Siena Hill Jacket also sold through exceptionally well. The Amaze collection is planned for prominent placement in dozens of DICK'S Sporting Goods House of Sports locations and Macy's Herald Square.
PFG Growth and Product Sell-Through
The PFG team engaged in more than 40 events and activations year to date, with additional events planned. Terminal Tech performance apparel largely sold out during the third quarter and became a key driver of the PFG Spring '27 order book. The Dry Tortugas boot also contributed to PFG growth.
Footwear Growth and Trail-Running Validation
Columbia brand footwear increased at a mid-single-digit percentage rate, led by more premium Omni-MAX styles including Peakfreak, Tellurix and Konos. Management said footwear growth was larger than apparel growth. Sponsored athletes placed 20th at the UTMB Finals and third in the Mammoth 200, supporting management's statement that Columbia trail products perform at the highest levels of the sport.
European and Asia-Pacific Product Momentum
Europe direct-to-consumer sales grew at a strong double-digit percentage rate despite unfavorable weather and a challenging macro environment. Street Tech launched with leading partners including JD Sports, Zalando and ASOS and showed high consumer engagement and strong sell-through. China increased share among younger consumers through local events, while Japan benefited from women's pants, Konos footwear and rainwear, and Korea benefited from Helvetia fleece, lightweight down and BOA footwear.
Spring 2027 Wholesale Order Book Improved
The Spring '27 order book improved from low- to mid-single-digit growth since the prior call. Management now anticipates first-half 2027 wholesale growth in the mid-single-digit percentage range in both the U.S. and globally, including low- to mid-single-digit growth in U.S. wholesale, with international growth expected to continue outpacing the U.S.
Healthy Balance Sheet and Inventory Position
The company exited the quarter with $230 million in cash and short-term investments and no debt. Inventory increased 11% in dollar terms and 10% in units, primarily due to higher in-transit inventory from delayed Fall '26 receipts, while management said overall inventory composition remained healthy.
Full-Year and Fourth-Quarter Outlook
Fourth-quarter sales are expected to grow 3.5% to 7%, with EPS of $1.85 to $2.10. Full-year sales guidance was revised to growth of 2% to 3%, and full-year reported EPS guidance is $4.65 to $4.90. Full-year reported gross margin is expected at 52.1% to 52.3%, up 160 to 180 basis points, with reported operating margin expected at 8.7% to 9.1%.
SOREL and Emerging Brand Product Progress
SOREL sales increased 2%, driven primarily by stronger Fall '26 wholesale orders. Its new Ambler franchise, rooted in the Caribou boot, showed encouraging DTC and e-commerce sell-through. prAna opened its fourth branded store in Burlingame, California, and management expects the brand to rebound in the fourth quarter once Fall '26 products are fully in stock.
Mountain Hardwear Product and Leadership Initiatives
Mountain Hardwear's full-price U.S. wholesale outerwear grew strongly, driven by the new patent-pending DoppleWeave stretchdown innovation. Its Hardwear Supply lifestyle line contributed to e-commerce growth with strong sell-through. Peter Rauch became President of Mountain Hardwear, while Troy Sicotte remained with the brand as Global Vice President of Sales.
Supply Chain Logistics Improving
Management stated that most in-transit inventory had been delivered to distribution centers and was moving to customers, and that the logistics issues were believed to be behind the company. The increase in projected inventory also included accelerated Spring '27 production because of longer logistics lead times.
COLM Earnings History
The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.
Beat
Missed