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Acushnet Holdings (GOLF)
NYSE:GOLF

Acushnet Holdings (GOLF) AI Stock Analysis

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GOLF

Acushnet Holdings

(NYSE:GOLF)

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Outperform 70 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:70Outperform
Price Target:
$108.00
▲(8.55% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:01/09/26
The score is driven primarily by solid but mixed financial performance: stable sales and improving free cash flow are offset by margin compression, higher leverage, and weaker ROE. Technicals add support with an uptrend and healthy momentum, while valuation is a mild headwind due to a higher P/E and modest yield. Earnings call commentary is constructive on growth and guidance, with tariff-related margin pressure and Japan weakness as notable risks; the Vietnam JV is an incremental positive.
Positive Factors
Strong Brand Leadership
Titleist and FootJoy provide durable competitive advantages via brand equity, pro endorsements, and product premiumization. This supports pricing power, repeat purchases, and channel leverage across pro shops and retailers, underpinning steady demand and long-term unit economics.
Diversified Revenue & Distribution
Multiple product lines and a diversified distribution footprint (pro shops, sporting goods, ecommerce) reduce single-channel risk and smooth demand cyclicality. This structural mix helps sustain revenue through regional or category downturns and supports consistent cash generation.
Improving Free Cash Flow Generation
Material free cash flow growth strengthens the firm’s ability to fund capex, service debt, and invest in product innovation. Sustainable FCF improvement enhances financial flexibility and reduces reliance on external funding for strategic initiatives over the coming years.
Negative Factors
Tariff-Related Margin Pressure
Ongoing tariff costs are a structural headwind compressing gross margins and pressuring operating profitability. If tariffs persist or escalate, Acushnet faces sustained cost pressure absent successful price pass-through, margin recovery, or durable sourcing shifts to lower-cost regions.
Elevated Leverage from Recent Financing
Higher debt and recent $500M note issuance increase interest burden and reduce financial flexibility. Elevated leverage constrains capital allocation, heightens refinancing risk if rates rise, and makes the company more sensitive to profit or cash-flow volatility over the medium term.
Regional Demand Weakness (Japan)
Significant softness in Japan, especially footwear and apparel, highlights regional demand concentration risk. Persistent underperformance in a major market can erode segment revenue and margins, requiring either localized product/marketing fixes or longer recovery horizons for growth.

Acushnet Holdings (GOLF) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Acushnet Holdings Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAcushnet Holdings Corp. designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes golf products in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, Korea, and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Titleist Golf Balls, Titleist Golf Clubs, Titleist Golf Gear, and FootJoy Golf Wear. It offers golf balls under the Titleist brand; golf clubs, such as drivers, fairways, hybrids, and irons under the Titleist brand name; wedges under the Vokey Design brand; and putters under the Scotty Cameron brand. The company also provides golf bags, headwear, golf gloves, travel products, head covers, and other golf accessories, as well as offers customization and personalization of products in Titleist golf gear. In addition, it offers golf shoes, gloves, golf outerwear, and men's and women's golf apparels under the FootJoy brand; and ski, golf, and lifestyle apparels under the KJUS brand name. It sells its products through on-course golf shops and golf specialty retailers, as well as through representatives, other retailers, and online. The company was formerly known as Alexandria Holdings Corp. and changed its name to Acushnet Holdings Corp. in March 2016. Acushnet Holdings Corp. was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in Fairhaven, Massachusetts.
How the Company Makes MoneyAcushnet generates revenue primarily through the sale of its golf equipment and apparel. The core revenue streams include the sale of Titleist golf balls, which are known for their performance and quality, as well as Titleist golf clubs and FootJoy golf footwear and apparel. The company leverages its strong brand equity and loyal customer base to drive sales, with a focus on innovation in product development. Strategic partnerships with professional golfers and sponsorships enhance brand visibility and credibility, further contributing to sales. Additionally, Acushnet benefits from a diversified distribution network, including pro shops, sporting goods retailers, and e-commerce platforms, allowing the company to reach a wide range of customers in various markets.

Acushnet Holdings Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 26, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
Next Earnings Date:Apr 30, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call highlighted solid top-line growth (FY net sales +4%, Q4 +7%) driven by strong Titleist equipment and multiple product launches, healthy shareholder returns (dividends increased and buybacks), and an optimistic 2026 outlook with modest sales and EBITDA growth guidance. However, material headwinds from tariffs (≈$30M in 2025; $70M assumed for 2026), a Q4 EBITDA decline, reduced free cash flow, higher SG&A and one-time financing costs, and softness in gear/wearables in select international markets temper near-term margin and cash-flow visibility. Management remains constructive—investing in capacity, launching products earlier, and maintaining balance sheet discipline—leading to a generally positive posture but with clear, notable risks to margins and cash flow in the short term.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Full-Year Revenue and EBITDA Growth
Net sales of $2.56 billion for FY2025, up 4% year-over-year, and adjusted EBITDA of $410 million, up 1.5% year-over-year, reflecting overall revenue growth and underlying profitability expansion for the year.
Strong Titleist Golf Equipment Performance
Titleist Golf Equipment grew 6% for the year; equipment momentum included golf ball net sales +4% (driven by New Pro V1 gains across U.S., EMEA and Japan) and Titleist Golf Clubs growth of more than 7% in 2025, with Q4 equipment net sales up ~10% year-over-year.
Product Launches and Accelerated Driver Timing
Launched a comprehensive new ball lineup (Pro V1x Left Dash, AVX, TourSoft, Velocity) and new club products (T-Series irons, SM10/SM11 Vokey wedges, Scotty Cameron mallet putters); Titleist driver launch accelerated to late June 2026 to capture selling-season timing.
Capital Allocation and Shareholder Returns
Returned $268 million to shareholders in 2025 (dividends $56M; share repurchases $212M ~3.1M shares) and announced an 8.5% increase to the quarterly dividend to $0.255 per share for 2026 (ninth consecutive annual increase). Remaining repurchase authorization ~$241M as of Feb 21, 2026.
Balance Sheet Strength and Refinancing Actions
Proactively extended revolving credit to 2030 and refinanced senior notes into a 2033 maturity at a more favorable rate; net leverage ratio of 2.2x at year-end 2025, within stated policy target (<=2.25x on average).
Strategic Investments and Capacity Expansion
Continued investments in cast urethane golf ball production, custom club assembly and global fitting networks; FY2026 planned CapEx of ~$95 million (up from $74M in 2025) to scale ball manufacturing and club production capacity.
Positive Industry Backdrop and Consumer Demand
Management cited global rounds of golf up ~2% in 2025 with participation gains in U.S., EMEA and Japan; long-term structural strength in the sport supports demand, with particular strength in the U.S. golfer base (rounds and participation durable).
FY2026 Guidance Reflects Modest Growth and Margin Stability
Full-year 2026 net sales guidance of $2.625B–$2.675B (constant currency +2.5% to +4.5%) and adjusted EBITDA guidance of $415M–$435M (midpoint margin ~16%, flat with 2025) indicating expected continued growth and stable margins despite headwinds.
Negative Updates
Tariff Headwinds Impacting Margins and Costs
Incremental tariff costs of approximately $30 million in 2025 (Q4 was the largest quarterly impact at ~$15M) pressured gross margin (down 60 basis points to 47.7%); management assumes ~ $70 million of tariff costs for 2026 while awaiting regulatory clarity, with ~$40M incremental IEPA exposure called out.
Q4 Adjusted EBITDA Decline
Fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA of $9.8 million versus $12.4 million in Q4 2024 (decline), even though Q4 net sales were up 7%, reflecting margin pressure from tariffs and one-time comparisons in the prior year.
Free Cash Flow and Working Capital Drag
Free cash flow declined to $120 million in 2025 from $170 million in 2024 (down $50M), driven by a $33 million (≈6%) inventory build to support product launches and higher tariff-related costs, plus ERP implementation and a voluntary retirement program.
SG&A, Interest Expense and One-Time Charges
Full-year SG&A increased to $833 million (+4% YoY; excluding a $9M prior-year PTO benefit the increase was $23M) due to higher employee and A&P expenses and IT; interest expense rose ~$6M and the company recorded a $17M debt-extinguishment charge in Q4.
Segment and Regional Softness in Wearables and Gear
FootJoy sales were down 1% for the year (though Q4 FootJoy grew 4.5% on mix); Golf Gear net sales decreased 5% in Q4. Management noted softness in apparel and footwear in Japan and Korea, tempering outlooks in those categories despite equipment strength in those markets.
Gross Margin Compression and Tax Rate Increase
Gross margin fell 60 basis points to 47.7% YoY in 2025, primarily due to tariffs (~$30M); full-year effective tax rate rose to 21.9% from 19.2%, driven by jurisdictional mix changes and reduced FDII benefit, pressuring net income.
ERP Implementation and Near-Term Costs
Ongoing global cloud-based ERP implementation contributed to incremental operating expense (~$6M expected in 2026) and ~$25M of capitalized ERP costs planned in 2026, which alongside other one-time items weighed on 2025 free cash flow and may pressure near-term results.
Company Guidance
Acushnet guided 2026 full‑year net sales of $2.625–$2.675 billion (constant‑currency growth of ~2.5%–4.5%), adjusted EBITDA of $415–$435 million (midpoint implying ~16% margin, flat vs. 2025) while assuming roughly $70 million of tariffs (including about $40 million incremental IEPA exposure); management expects first‑half net sales and adjusted EBITDA to rise mid‑ to high‑single digits (Q1 net sales up low‑single digits) with growth weighted to Q2, capital expenditures of about $95 million (plus ~$25 million of capitalized ERP costs and ~$6 million of incremental ERP operating expense), a target net leverage at or below 2.25x (ended 2025 at 2.2x), an improvement in free cash flow versus the $120 million generated in 2025, and continued dividends and opportunistic buybacks (≈$241 million remaining authorization).

Acushnet Holdings Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Stable revenue growth and solid gross margins, plus positive free cash flow growth. However, profitability has weakened (lower net margin, declining EBIT/EBITDA margins), leverage has increased, and ROE has dropped, which tempers the financial strength.
Income Statement
75
Positive
The income statement shows a stable revenue growth with a TTM increase of 1.49% and consistent gross profit margins around 48-52%. However, the net profit margin has significantly decreased in the TTM period, indicating potential cost pressures or inefficiencies. EBIT and EBITDA margins have also seen a decline, suggesting a need for operational improvements.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06 in the TTM, indicating a balanced approach to leveraging. However, the increase in debt over recent periods could pose a risk if not managed carefully. Return on equity has significantly dropped in the TTM, highlighting a need for better asset utilization or profitability improvements.
Cash Flow
68
Positive
Cash flow analysis reveals a positive free cash flow growth of 13.62% in the TTM, which is a strong indicator of cash generation capabilities. However, the operating cash flow to net income ratio is relatively low, suggesting potential challenges in converting earnings into cash. The free cash flow to net income ratio remains healthy, indicating good cash flow management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.53B2.46B2.38B2.27B2.15B1.61B
Gross Profit1.11B1.19B1.25B1.18B1.12B829.84M
EBITDA385.72M360.27M336.59M315.15M295.80M171.27M
Net Income222.33M214.30M198.43M199.28M178.87M96.01M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.35B2.18B2.20B2.19B2.01B1.87B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments89.48M53.06M65.44M58.90M281.68M151.45M
Total Debt901.73M763.96M701.17M567.85M314.97M333.93M
Total Liabilities1.50B1.38B1.28B1.21B922.27M849.18M
Stockholders Equity852.27M765.25M864.24M939.06M1.04B984.08M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow110.14M170.48M271.23M-194.15M276.52M239.75M
Operating Cash Flow193.59M245.11M371.83M-67.79M314.12M264.43M
Investing Cash Flow-83.45M-74.62M-101.49M-140.22M-37.60M-24.68M
Financing Cash Flow-118.23M-179.68M-264.73M-8.58M-140.33M-128.59M

Acushnet Holdings Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price99.49
Price Trends
50DMA
91.94
Positive
100DMA
86.23
Positive
200DMA
80.54
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
2.29
Positive
RSI
57.33
Neutral
STOCH
36.29
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GOLF, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 99.49 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 99.74, above the 50-day MA of 91.94, and above the 200-day MA of 80.54, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 2.29 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 57.33 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 36.29 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for GOLF.

Acushnet Holdings Risk Analysis

Acushnet Holdings disclosed 65 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Acushnet Holdings reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Acushnet Holdings Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
70
Outperform
$5.87B27.3725.91%1.15%4.20%24.12%
66
Neutral
$522.34M-23.14-7.78%3.22%-0.07%-31.45%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
48
Neutral
$7.65M-0.06-383.63%178.32%70.79%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GOLF
Acushnet Holdings
99.49
35.43
55.31%
JOUT
Johnson Outdoors
51.04
24.83
94.71%
NWTG
Newton Golf Company
1.64
-10.54
-86.54%

Acushnet Holdings Corporate Events

Business Operations and Strategy
Acushnet Forms Vietnam Footwear Joint Venture with Myre
Positive
Jan 8, 2026

On January 6, 2026, Acushnet Cayman Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Acushnet Holdings Corp., entered into a Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreement with Myre Overseas Corp. to form ACL FootJoy Pte. Ltd., a joint venture focused on sourcing raw materials and contracting for the manufacture and production of Acushnet-branded footwear in Vietnam at factories owned or controlled by Myre and its affiliates. Under the agreement, Myre holds 60% and Acushnet Cayman 40% of ACL FootJoy’s ordinary shares, but Acushnet Cayman secures sole and exclusive rights to purchase, distribute, and arrange worldwide sale of all footwear produced at the partner factories, and gains significant governance influence through equal board representation, an Acushnet-appointed chair with a casting vote, and protective approval rights over business plans, budgets, organizational changes, and share transfers. This structure, alongside their long-standing China footwear joint venture dating back to June 1, 1995, underscores Acushnet’s strategy of tightening control over its Asian manufacturing base while ensuring stable, exclusive global supply for its branded footwear portfolio.

The most recent analyst rating on (GOLF) stock is a Sell with a $74.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Acushnet Holdings stock, see the GOLF Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Acushnet Holdings Issues $500M Senior Notes
Neutral
Nov 25, 2025

On November 24, 2025, Acushnet Holdings Corp.’s subsidiary, Acushnet Company, issued $500 million in senior notes due 2033 with a 5.625% interest rate. The proceeds will be used to redeem existing notes, repay part of a credit facility, and cover related expenses. Additionally, Acushnet amended its credit agreement to establish a $950 million revolving credit facility maturing in 2030, with various sublimits for international borrowings. This strategic financial restructuring aims to optimize Acushnet’s debt profile and enhance its financial flexibility.

The most recent analyst rating on (GOLF) stock is a Hold with a $82.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Acushnet Holdings stock, see the GOLF Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and Financing
Acushnet Holdings Announces $500M Senior Notes Pricing
Neutral
Nov 12, 2025

On November 12, 2025, Acushnet Holdings Corp. announced the pricing of $500 million in senior notes due 2033 through its subsidiary, Acushnet Company. The proceeds will be used to redeem $350 million of outstanding senior notes due 2028, repay part of a revolving credit facility, and cover related fees. The redemption of the 2028 notes is conditional upon the successful completion of the new notes offering, expected around November 24, 2025.

The most recent analyst rating on (GOLF) stock is a Hold with a $82.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Acushnet Holdings stock, see the GOLF Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and Financing
Acushnet Holdings Plans $500M Senior Notes Offering
Neutral
Nov 12, 2025

On November 12, 2025, Acushnet Holdings Corp. announced its subsidiary, Acushnet Company, plans to raise $500 million through an offering of senior notes due 2033. The proceeds will be used to refinance existing debt, including redeeming outstanding 7.375% Senior Notes due 2028 and repaying part of its revolving secured credit facility. The move aims to optimize the company’s financial structure, though it remains subject to market conditions and customary approvals.

The most recent analyst rating on (GOLF) stock is a Hold with a $82.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Acushnet Holdings stock, see the GOLF 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: Jan 09, 2026