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Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM)
NASDAQ:COLM

Columbia Sportswear (COLM) AI Stock Analysis

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COLM

Columbia Sportswear

(NASDAQ:COLM)

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Neutral 67 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:67Neutral
Price Target:
$71.00
▲(8.08% Upside)
Overall score reflects solid underlying financial durability (strong balance sheet and generally positive free cash flow) but muted growth and materially lower profitability versus prior peaks. Technicals are supportive with price above major moving averages, though overbought readings add near-term risk. Valuation is reasonable but not compelling, and earnings-call guidance points to tariff-driven margin pressure and a weak near-term setup before a hoped-for second-half recovery.
Positive Factors
Strong balance sheet & shareholder returns
Large cash balance and zero net debt provide durable financial flexibility to fund marketing, inventory timing, and buybacks through cyclical weakness. Consistent shareholder returns and repurchases signal capital allocation discipline and buffer against external shocks.
Broad international growth and DTC resilience
Diversified revenue from stronger international markets and improving direct-to-consumer channels reduces dependence on a soft U.S. market. Geographic mix and DTC conversion gains create a more resilient revenue base and long-term growth runway.
Brand momentum and successful new products
Effective product launches and a cohesive brand platform are strengthening customer acquisition and retention. Sustained brand momentum supports pricing power, repeat purchases, and longer-term margin stability as marketing investments convert to durable brand equity.
Negative Factors
Tariff-driven margin pressure
Structural tariff costs materially compress gross margins and are expected to persist near-term, forcing price increases or margin sacrifices. Two-year stacking of tariff effects raises execution risk and can erode competitiveness if consumer sensitivity limits pricing pass-through.
U.S. demand weakness and supply constraints
Reduced purchasing to avoid tariff exposure created U.S. supply gaps and lost sales in a core market. Persistent U.S. softness and wholesale order timing risks threaten long-term retail relationships and revenue stability unless inventory planning normalizes.
Profitability compression and cash conversion variability
Significant margin erosion versus prior peaks and uneven free cash conversion indicate structural pressure on returns. Restoring historical profitability requires sustained cost control, effective pricing, and recovery in key markets; until then, returns and reinvestment capacity remain constrained.

Columbia Sportswear (COLM) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Columbia Sportswear Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionColumbia Sportswear Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, sources, markets, and distributes outdoor, active, and everyday lifestyle apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment in the United States, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Canada. The company provides apparel, accessories, and equipment that are used in various activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, climbing, mountaineering, camping, hunting, fishing, trail running, water sports, yoga, golf, and adventure travel. It also offers footwear products that include lightweight hiking boots, trail running shoes, rugged cold weather boots for activities on snow and ice, sandals and shoes for use in water activities, and function-first fashion footwear and casual shoes for everyday use. The company sells its products under the Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL, and prAna brand names through the company owned network of branded and outlet retail stores, brand-specific e-commerce sites, and concession-based arrangements with third-parties at branded outlet and shop-in-shop retail locations, as well as through independently operated specialty outdoor and sporting goods stores, sporting goods chains, department store chains, Internet retailers, and international distributors. As of December 31, 2021, it operated approximately 455 retail stores. The company was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in Portland, Oregon.
How the Company Makes MoneyColumbia Sportswear generates revenue primarily through the sale of its outdoor apparel, footwear, and accessories across various distribution channels, including wholesale, retail, and e-commerce. The company operates its own branded retail stores and also sells its products through third-party retailers. Key revenue streams include direct-to-consumer sales, which have been increasingly important as more customers shop online. Columbia has established significant partnerships with major sporting goods retailers and outdoor specialty stores, enhancing its market reach. Additionally, the company invests in marketing and brand promotion to drive consumer engagement and boost sales during peak outdoor seasons.

Columbia Sportswear Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 03, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 23, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The call contained a balance of encouraging operational and brand momentum—notably international growth, successful new product launches (Amaze Puff/Amaze), an effective new brand platform, cleaner inventories, Q4 gross margin expansion, and a strong balance sheet with meaningful shareholder returns—against material near-term and structural headwinds including significant tariff-related cost pressure, continued U.S. demand weakness, inventory/supply constraints from conservative purchasing, elevated marketing and SG&A investment, and short-term guidance showing a weak Q1 and a wide operating-margin range. Management expects a stronger second half of 2026 driven by bookings and price mitigation, but near-term uncertainty and tariff impacts remain meaningful.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Q4 Results Above Guidance
Fourth-quarter results exceeded guidance with net sales of $1.1 billion (down 2% YoY) and operating income and diluted EPS above guidance driven by stronger-than-anticipated demand in the U.S.
Full-Year Revenue and International Strength
Full-year 2025 net sales increased 1% to $3.4 billion with broad-based international growth offsetting U.S. headwinds; LIAP net sales +10% (constant currency), China grew low double-digits, Japan high single-digits, LAP distributor markets high-teens, EMEA +3%, Canada +3%.
Gross Margin Expansion in Q4
Gross margin expanded 50 basis points in Q4 to 51.6%, driven by cleaner inventories, lower promotions/clearance and reduced inventory loss provisions that more than offset incremental U.S. tariff costs.
Direct-to-Consumer Resilience Globally
Global DTC net sales increased 1% in Q4 (partially offset by wholesale declines), and improvements in ecommerce conversion and marketing efficiency were highlighted in multiple markets (notably China and Korea).
Brand Momentum and Marketing Wins
Columbia Accelerate Growth strategy gaining traction: Amaze Puff and Amaze collections drove engagement and new customers; 'Engineered for Whatever' campaign increased unaided brand awareness and branded searches and produced strong activation results (e.g., Expedition Impossible).
Healthy Balance Sheet and Shareholder Returns
Exited year with $791 million in cash and equivalents, no debt, $201 million in share repurchases and $66 million in dividends returned to shareholders in 2025.
Inventory Discipline and SG&A Optimization
Inventories described as healthy and essentially flat exiting 2025 inclusive of tariff costs; rate of SG&A growth slowed with targeted cost reductions while maintaining elevated marketing investments (marketing spend was ~6.5% of sales in 2025, planned ~6.4% in 2026).
Positive 2026 Initial Outlook
Initial full-year 2026 guidance calls for net sales growth of 1%–3%, operating margin improvement from 2025, diluted EPS of $3.20–$3.65 (including ~+$0.10 from FX), and second-half wholesale growth supported by >80% of fall '26 bookings in hand.
Negative Updates
U.S. Demand Weakness and Sales Declines
U.S. net sales decreased 8% in Q4 with U.S. wholesale down high-teens percent (timing/shipping shifts and lower order book) and U.S. DTC down low-single-digits; ecommerce also down low-single-digits in the quarter.
Tariff Impact and Gross Margin Pressure
Unmitigated tariffs cost just over $30 million in 2025; company expects incremental tariff-related gross margin contraction of ~70–50 basis points in 2026 (guidance to gross margin ~49.8%–50.0%); management noted two-year stacking of tariff impacts (~400 bps) and front-loaded margin pressure in H1 2026.
Full-Year Profitability Shortfalls and Impairments
2025 operating margin contracted and earnings declined; nonrecurring impairment charges (~$29 million) in 2025 weighed on comparables and profitability.
Q1 2026 Near-Term Weakness
Company expects Q1 2026 sales down approximately 2.5%–4.0%, SG&A deleverage and Q1 diluted EPS of $0.29–$0.37, indicating near-term pressure before expected H2 recovery.
Emerging Brands Underperformance
Several emerging U.S.-centric brands were down in Q4: one brand declined ~18% (earlier shipments and reduced clearance) and Mountain Hardwear net sales decreased 5%, reflecting mixed performance across portfolio.
Inventory Supply Constraints in U.S.
Company curtailed some 2025 inventory purchases in response to tariff uncertainty which led to supply constraints and contributed to missed demand opportunities in the U.S.
Higher SG&A and Marketing Cost Impact
SG&A increased 3% in Q4 driven by higher DTC expense and nonrecurring costs tied to profit improvement programs; marketing increased to ~6.5% of sales in 2025 (from 5.9%), contributing to operating margin pressure even as it drove brand momentum.
Uncertainty and Wide Guidance Range
2026 operating margin guidance range is broad (0.2% to 6.9%) and management emphasized retailer caution and consumer sensitivity to tariff-induced price increases, highlighting elevated execution risk and uncertainty around consumer response to price increases.
Company Guidance
The company guided full-year 2026 net sales growth of 1%–3% (with foreign‑currency providing a ~50–100 bps tailwind), expects second‑half global wholesale to rise up to mid‑single digits with >80% of fall ’26 bookings in hand, and projects gross margin to contract ~70–50 bps to about 49.8%–50% (tariffs a primary driver, with spring and fall ’26 U.S. price increases in the high single‑digits to mitigate); SG&A is expected to grow modestly but slower than sales while marketing spend is planned to be roughly flat at ~6.4% of sales (6.5% in 2025), yielding an operating margin outlook of 0.2%–6.9% and full‑year diluted EPS of $3.20–$3.65 (including ~+$0.10 from FX). For Q1, the company anticipates net sales down ~2.5%–4% and EPS of $0.29–$0.37.

Columbia Sportswear Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Fundamentals are solid but not accelerating. Revenue has been flat-to-down recently and profitability is well below the 2021–2022 peak (net margin ~11.3% in 2021 vs ~5.2% in 2025; EBIT margin ~14.4% vs ~6.8%), while gross margin has remained resilient (~49%–52%). Balance sheet strength (low leverage) and mostly positive free cash flow, including a 2025 FCF rebound, support the score despite uneven cash conversion.
Income Statement
62
Positive
Revenue has been essentially flat-to-down recently (2024 and 2025 both slightly negative growth), and profitability has compressed versus the 2021–2022 peak. Net margin fell from ~11.3% (2021) to ~5.2% (2025), and operating profitability also stepped down (EBIT margin ~14.4% in 2021 vs ~6.8% in 2025). Offsetting this, gross margin has stayed resilient around ~49%–52%, suggesting the pressure is more from operating costs and demand mix than core product economics.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The balance sheet looks solid with modest leverage: debt-to-equity is low-to-moderate (~0.19–0.28 across 2020–2025), providing flexibility in a softer demand environment. Equity remains sizable (~$1.71B in 2025), though it has drifted down from 2023, and returns have cooled (return on equity down from ~17.8% in 2021 to ~10.4% in 2025), reflecting weaker earnings rather than balance-sheet stress.
Cash Flow
67
Positive
Cash generation is generally healthy, with positive free cash flow in most years and a strong rebound after the 2022 dip (2025 free cash flow up ~27.9% year over year). However, cash flow has been more volatile than earnings at times—operating cash flow was negative in 2022—and cash conversion weakened recently (2025 free cash flow ran at ~77% of net income, down from ~91% in 2023). Overall, the company is producing cash, but consistency is a watch item.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.40B3.37B3.49B3.46B3.13B
Gross Profit1.72B1.69B1.73B1.71B1.61B
EBITDA286.46M326.69M393.35M546.90M566.08M
Net Income177.22M223.27M251.40M311.44M354.11M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.93B2.98B2.94B3.05B3.17B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments790.79M815.48M764.50M430.96M894.55M
Total Debt477.69M449.19M407.86M379.31M385.10M
Total Liabilities1.22B1.20B1.00B1.12B1.18B
Stockholders Equity1.71B1.78B1.94B1.94B1.99B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow216.74M431.24M581.69M-83.71M319.66M
Operating Cash Flow282.90M491.04M636.30M-25.24M354.41M
Investing Cash Flow-120.72M87.33M-461.82M72.74M-163.75M
Financing Cash Flow-267.12M-386.24M-254.79M-360.83M-210.89M

Columbia Sportswear Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price65.69
Price Trends
50DMA
55.24
Positive
100DMA
53.65
Positive
200DMA
56.55
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.95
Negative
RSI
77.02
Negative
STOCH
83.90
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For COLM, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 65.69 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 55.14, above the 50-day MA of 55.24, and above the 200-day MA of 56.55, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.95 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 77.02 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 83.90 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for COLM.

Columbia Sportswear Risk Analysis

Columbia Sportswear disclosed 31 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Columbia Sportswear reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Columbia Sportswear Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
67
Neutral
$3.54B20.2710.16%2.18%2.76%-7.83%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
60
Neutral
$2.78B-4.56%-6.35%-565.47%
60
Neutral
$7.92B18.4723.63%2.58%-1.23%109.67%
53
Neutral
$8.29B38.4312.93%1.95%-3.12%
49
Neutral
$2.78B-30.72-4.56%-6.35%-565.47%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
COLM
Columbia Sportswear
65.69
-12.41
-15.89%
UA
Under Armour
6.51
-0.53
-7.53%
VFC
VF
21.18
-2.93
-12.15%
UAA
Under Armour
6.61
-0.99
-13.03%
LEVI
Levi Strauss & Co
19.93
1.42
7.65%

Columbia Sportswear Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyDividendsFinancial Disclosures
Columbia Sportswear Posts Mixed Q4 Results, Cautious 2026 Outlook
Negative
Feb 3, 2026

On February 3, 2026, Columbia Sportswear reported that for the fourth quarter of 2025 net sales slipped 2% to $1.07 billion while gross margin improved to 51.6%, and operating income fell 15% to $116.7 million, as U.S. softness and higher SG&A offset better-than-expected demand and international growth; diluted EPS edged down to $1.73, yet the company ended the year with $790.8 million in cash and no debt, and the board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share payable March 20, 2026. For full year 2025, net sales grew 1% to $3.40 billion, but operating income dropped 24% to $207.0 million and net income declined 21% to $177.2 million, reflecting higher expenses and $29 million in impairment charges at prAna and Mountain Hardwear, even as margins expanded modestly; looking to 2026, management signaled cautious growth with a sales outlook of 1–3% and earnings broadly flat to slightly higher, underscoring a transition period in which the ACCELERATE strategy and new brand platform aim to restore profitable growth despite persistent U.S. headwinds and tariff pressures.

The most recent analyst rating on (COLM) stock is a Buy with a $75.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Columbia Sportswear stock, see the COLM Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Columbia Sportswear Announces New Senior Leadership Appointments
Positive
Nov 12, 2025

On November 12, 2025, Columbia Sportswear Company announced changes to its senior leadership team as part of its succession plans. Peter J. Bragdon and Joseph P. Boyle were appointed as co-presidents, with Bragdon overseeing international businesses and certain brands, and Boyle continuing to lead the Columbia brand. These appointments aim to advance the company’s commercial opportunities and growth. Additionally, Richelle T. Luther and Jana C. Humble were appointed to new executive roles to support the leadership transition.

The most recent analyst rating on (COLM) stock is a Hold with a $55.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Columbia Sportswear stock, see the COLM Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 05, 2026