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Steven Madden (SHOO)
NASDAQ:SHOO

Steven Madden (SHOO) AI Stock Analysis

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SHOO

Steven Madden

(NASDAQ:SHOO)

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Neutral 56 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:56Neutral
Price Target:
$38.00
▲(6.68% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/25/26
The score is held back primarily by sharp 2025 profit compression and a step-up in leverage, reinforced by bearish technical signals (price below key moving averages and negative MACD). Offsetting factors include still-positive cash generation and a 2026 revenue growth outlook driven by Kurt Geiger and branded momentum, though tariff-driven uncertainty and private-label declines limit confidence, and the high P/E keeps valuation support modest.
Positive Factors
Cash Generation
Consistent positive operating and free cash flow provides durable internal funding for working capital, dividends and debt repayment. Even with a modest FCF decline from peak, multi-year positive cash generation supports reinvestment and resilience through cyclical industry swings.
Acquisition-Driven Revenue
The Kurt Geiger acquisition and branded momentum structurally diversify revenue and add international exposure. Pro forma Kurt Geiger growth (~11% in 2025) and management's revenue guidance indicate the deal meaningfully alters scale and channel mix, improving growth durability versus pure organic reliance.
Direct-to-Consumer Strength & Margins
Strong DTC performance and improved consolidated gross margins point to sustainable structural benefits: higher AUR, full-price recovery and margin expansion potential from owned channels. Durable DTC strength reduces dependency on lower-margin wholesale and supports long-term brand economics.
Negative Factors
Profitability Compression
A sharp drop in net income combined with a near-doubling of reported total debt materially weakens earnings quality and financial flexibility. Sustained margin compression limits ability to fund growth or absorb shocks, and higher leverage raises refinancing and covenant risks over the medium term.
Tariff & Private-Label Headwinds
Policy-driven tariff uncertainty is a structural risk that increases product costs and complicates sourcing strategies. A multi-year decline in private-label revenue reduces diversification and exposes the company to secular channel shifts, making topline and margin recovery harder without strategic channel repositioning.
Inventory & Cost Pressure
Material inventory buildup ties up cash and raises markdown risk, especially amid channel weakness. Simultaneously rising SG&A and fulfillment costs (restored incentive pay, warehouse pressures) create persistent margin pressure, limiting free cash flow upside until inventory and operating efficiency normalize.

Steven Madden (SHOO) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Steven Madden Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSteven Madden, Ltd. designs, sources, markets, and sells fashion-forward branded and private label footwear, accessories, and apparel for women, men, and children in the United States and internationally. Its Wholesale Footwear segment provides footwear under the Steve Madden, Steven by Steve Madden, Madden Girl, BB Dakota, Dolce Vita, DV Dolce Vita, Betsey Johnson, GREATS, Blondo, Anne Klein, Mad Love, Superga, Madden NYC, and COOL Planet brands, as well as private label footwear. The company's Wholesale Accessories/Apparel segment offers handbags, apparel, small leather goods, belts, soft accessories, fashion scarves, wraps, gifting, and other accessories under the Steve Madden, BB Dakota, Anne Klein, Betsey Johnson, Cejon, Madden NYC, and Dolce Vita brands, as well as private label handbag and accessories to department stores, mass merchants, off-price retailers, online retailers, specialty stores, and independent stores. Its Direct-to-Consumer segment operates Steve Madden and Superga full-price retail stores, Steve Madden outlet stores, and Steve Madden shop-in-shops, as well as digital e-commerce websites, including SteveMadden.com, DolceVita.com, betseyjohnson.com, Blondo.com, GREATS.com, and Superga-USA.com. The company's Licensing segment licenses its Steve Madden, Madden Girl, and Betsey Johnson trademarks. Its First Cost segment operates as a buying agent for footwear products under private labels for national chains, specialty retailers, and value-priced retailers. As of December 31, 2021, it owned and operated 214 brick-and-mortar retail stores that included 147 Steve Madden full-price stores, 66 Steve Madden outlet stores, and 1 Superga store, as well as 6 e-commerce websites. Steven Madden, Ltd. was incorporated in 1990 and is headquartered in Long Island City, New York.
How the Company Makes MoneyThe company generates revenue primarily through the sale of its footwear and accessories, which are distributed through a multi-channel approach. Key revenue streams include wholesale distribution to department stores, specialty stores, and mass retailers, as well as direct-to-consumer sales through its own branded retail stores and e-commerce platforms. Steven Madden also benefits from strategic partnerships with other brands and retailers, which can enhance its market reach and product visibility. Seasonal product releases, collaborations, and marketing initiatives play a significant role in driving sales, while the company's ability to adapt to changing fashion trends helps sustain consumer demand.

Steven Madden Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 25, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 13, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The call presented a mixed picture: clear topline momentum driven by the Kurt Geiger acquisition, strong DTC and branded assortment performance (notably Steve Madden and Dolce Vita), and improved gross margin. However, substantial headwinds from new tariffs materially pressured private label revenue, compressed profitability (net income down ~37%), raised SG&A and fulfillment costs, and created policy-driven uncertainty that prevented earnings guidance. The company provided revenue guidance for 2026 (+9% to +11%) but withheld EPS guidance due to tariff volatility.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Q4 Consolidated Revenue Growth
Consolidated Q4 revenue of $753.7M, up 29.4% year-over-year; excluding the Kurt Geiger acquisition, consolidated revenue decreased 1.4%.
Full Year Revenue Increase
Total revenue for fiscal 2025 increased 11% to $2.5B versus $2.3B in 2024; excluding Kurt Geiger, full-year revenue declined 6.6%.
Strong Direct-to-Consumer Performance
Q4 DTC revenue $316.6M, up 79.9% YoY; excluding Kurt Geiger, DTC revenue increased 1.6%. U.S. DTC returned to comp growth in Q4 with full-price channels offsetting outlet weakness.
Wholesale Footwear Strength
Wholesale footwear revenue of $252.4M in Q4, up 11% YoY (up 5.5% excluding Kurt Geiger), driven by double-digit increases in Steve Madden and Dolce Vita.
Improved Consolidated Gross Margin
Consolidated gross margin expanded to 43.8% in Q4 from 40.4% a year ago; wholesale gross margin increased to 31.5% from 30.5%.
Brand Momentum and Product Strength
Steve Madden returned to growth in Q4 with online searches +10% YoY and ongoing momentum into 2026; elevated quality and AUR increases (Steve Madden DTC AUR up ~18% in Q4 driven by ~10% price increases plus mix).
Kurt Geiger Acquisition Driving Growth
Kurt Geiger acquisition (closed May 6, 2025) contributed meaningfully: Q4/2025 inclusion drove strong reported growth; Kurt Geiger London grew ~11% on a pro forma basis in 2025 and is expected to show similar growth in 2026.
Dolce Vita Continued Expansion
Dolce Vita finished ~ $240M+ in revenue for 2025, expanded internationally and into handbags; company expects high single-digit revenue growth for Dolce Vita in 2026.
Negative Updates
Tariff-Driven Disruption and Uncertainty
New U.S. tariffs materially disrupted 2025 results and created significant policy uncertainty; management declined to provide earnings guidance due to tariff volatility even while providing revenue guidance.
Private Label Revenue Collapse
Private label revenue decreased 15% in 2025 and is expected to decline nearly 20% in 2026; private label fell from roughly $415M in 2024 to about $355M in 2025, with an anticipated incremental ~$70M decline in 2026.
Net Income Decline
Full-year net income attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd. fell to $120.9M ($1.70/sh) in 2025 from $192.4M ($2.67/sh) in 2024, a decline of ~37% year-over-year; Q4 net income also declined to $34.3M from $39.3M.
Higher Operating Expenses and SG&A Pressure
Q4 operating expenses rose to $278.9M (37% of revenue) from $182.9M (31.4%); management cited normalization of incentive compensation, restored executive salaries (roughly $0.14–$0.15/sh impact referenced), Kurt Geiger inclusion, warehouse/fulfillment cost pressures, and continued marketing and IT investments.
Operating Income and Margin Pressure
Q4 operating income decreased to $50.9M (6.8% of revenue) from $52.6M (9% of revenue) the prior year; DTC gross margin declined to 59.8% from 62% due to lower-margin Kurt Geiger concessions and tariff impact.
Inventory Buildup
Inventory at 12/31/2025 increased to $417.0M from $257.6M in 2024; excluding Kurt Geiger, inventory was $261.9M (a 1.6% increase), indicating a significant portion of the increase came from the acquisition but overall inventory levels rose materially.
Channel Weakness: Mass and Outlets
Mass channel (private label) and off-price continued to be pressured: mass expected to remain below both 2024 and 2025 levels; off-price to be below 2024 but above 2025. Company noted continued double-digit outlet decline in Q4 despite full-price recovery.
No Share Repurchases and Increased Dividend Cash Outlay
Company did not repurchase common stock in the open market in 2025 (spent only $13.5M on net settlement of vesting awards for the full year); board approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per share, signaling capital allocation toward dividends amid earnings pressure.
Company Guidance
Management gave revenue guidance for fiscal 2026 of +9% to +11% (with Q1 revenue of +15% to +17%) but declined to provide earnings/EPS guidance due to tariff uncertainty; excluding Kurt Geiger, consolidated revenue is expected to be up low-single-digits for the year (core branded business up low singles, Steve Madden mid- to high-single-digit growth), Dolce Vita high-single-digit growth, and Kurt Geiger contributing roughly +50% on a reported basis (and ~11% pro forma growth in 2025 with similar growth expected in 2026). They warned private label—which fell 15% in 2025—will be a headwind, forecast to decline nearly 20% in 2026 (about a ~30% decline in Q1), while DTC excluding Kurt Geiger is expected to grow roughly 7–8% (midpoint). Management also flagged higher SG&A (including roughly $0.14–$0.15 per share of incremental cost from restored incentive pay/salaries), ongoing warehouse/fulfillment pressures, continued marketing investment, and a $0.21 quarterly dividend payable 03/20/2026.

Steven Madden Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Cash flow remains solid (2025 operating cash flow $162.2M; free cash flow $119.5M), and the balance sheet is generally sound, but 2025 profitability deteriorated sharply (net income down to $44.7M from $169.4M in 2024) alongside a notable increase in total debt ($293.0M vs. $153.0M).
Income Statement
62
Positive
Revenue has grown over time (up ~7.3% in 2025 vs. 2024), but profitability has weakened sharply: net income fell from $169.4M (2024) to $44.7M (2025) and operating profit dropped meaningfully as well. Earlier years showed solid margins and profits (2021–2024), while 2020 was loss-making—highlighting some cyclicality; the key current issue is the steep 2025 margin/profit compression despite higher sales.
Balance Sheet
66
Positive
The balance sheet is generally solid with equity of $866.4M on $1.91B assets (2025), but leverage increased: total debt rose to $293.0M in 2025 from $153.0M in 2024. Prior years showed low debt-to-equity (~0.13–0.18 in 2020–2024) and strong returns on equity (around ~20–26% in 2021–2024), but the 2025 earnings decline combined with higher debt reduces financial flexibility versus the recent history.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
Cash generation remains a relative strength: operating cash flow was $162.2M and free cash flow was $119.5M in 2025, both positive. That said, free cash flow declined about 10.2% in 2025 and has trended down from the 2022 peak ($249.5M), indicating cooling cash momentum; in 2023–2024, free cash flow tracked reasonably well relative to earnings and remained supportive.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.52B2.28B1.98B2.12B1.87B
Gross Profit1.04B936.93M832.41M873.84M767.50M
EBITDA123.46M258.01M235.24M308.03M262.86M
Net Income44.66M169.39M171.55M216.06M190.68M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.91B1.41B1.35B1.26B1.36B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments112.42M203.41M219.81M289.80M263.54M
Total Debt292.99M152.99M138.88M108.63M110.83M
Total Liabilities1.01B535.77M499.91M414.13M535.00M
Stockholders Equity866.39M847.72M829.60M831.55M812.10M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow119.54M172.19M209.77M249.53M152.85M
Operating Cash Flow162.20M198.10M229.24M267.88M159.46M
Investing Cash Flow-400.92M-39.49M-99.89M5.52M-3.21M
Financing Cash Flow157.15M-167.91M-200.94M-215.83M-184.65M

Steven Madden Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price35.62
Price Trends
50DMA
41.71
Negative
100DMA
39.82
Negative
200DMA
33.37
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-1.59
Positive
RSI
35.48
Neutral
STOCH
28.98
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SHOO, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 35.62 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 38.20, below the 50-day MA of 41.71, and above the 200-day MA of 33.37, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -1.59 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 35.48 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 28.98 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for SHOO.

Steven Madden Risk Analysis

Steven Madden disclosed 31 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Steven Madden 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

Steven Madden Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$339.61M15.278.67%2.08%4.13%53.56%
70
Outperform
$303.07M12.349.57%9.66%-3.64%-16.12%
62
Neutral
$4.36B-69.05-5.19%<0.01%-77.31%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
61
Neutral
$1.46B15.5125.72%2.28%3.61%
56
Neutral
$2.59B57.305.21%1.97%6.26%-66.51%
49
Neutral
$385.73M19.213.33%2.11%-2.83%-86.19%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SHOO
Steven Madden
35.62
5.99
20.21%
CROX
Crocs
86.85
-13.53
-13.48%
RCKY
Rocky Brands
45.32
26.76
144.12%
WEYS
Weyco Group
31.74
-1.23
-3.72%
WWW
Wolverine World Wide
17.97
3.94
28.10%
CAL
Caleres
11.38
-4.42
-27.96%

Steven Madden Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyDividendsFinancial Disclosures
Steve Madden Posts Strong Sales, Adds New Quarterly Dividend
Negative
Feb 25, 2026

On February 25, 2026, Steve Madden reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results showing strong top-line growth but weaker profitability, alongside a new quarterly dividend. Fourth-quarter revenue rose 29.4% year-on-year to $753.7 million and full-year revenue increased 11.0% to $2.53 billion, driven in part by the Kurt Geiger acquisition, yet operating margins and net income declined as higher operating expenses, incentive compensation normalization and tariffs weighed on earnings.

Fourth-quarter net income fell to $23.2 million from $34.8 million a year earlier, while full-year net income dropped to $44.7 million from $169.4 million, though adjusted metrics also showed margin compression. The board declared a $0.21 per-share dividend payable March 20, 2026, and management projected 2026 revenue growth of 9% to 11% but withheld earnings guidance due to U.S. tariff uncertainty, underscoring both the growth momentum in its core Steve Madden brand and Kurt Geiger and the pressure on private-label operations and profitability.

At year-end 2025, the company operated 399 brick-and-mortar stores, seven e-commerce sites and 133 international concessions, with net debt of $121.7 million and no open-market share repurchases during the year. Channel results highlighted modest organic growth and margin impact from tariffs in wholesale and direct-to-consumer segments, as well as a significant reported revenue lift from the integration of Kurt Geiger’s wholesale and concessions businesses, signaling a strategic shift toward branded growth despite near-term cost headwinds.

The most recent analyst rating on (SHOO) stock is a Buy with a $50.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Steven Madden stock, see the SHOO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Steven Madden Signs New Three-Year President Employment Agreement
Positive
Jan 9, 2026

On January 6, 2026, Steven Madden, Ltd. entered into a new three-year employment agreement with President Amelia Newton Varela, effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028, replacing her prior contract that expired on December 31, 2025. The agreement sets escalating annual base salaries of $825,000 for 2026, $850,000 for 2027, and $875,000 for 2028, a monthly automobile allowance, a grant of restricted stock vesting over four years starting in January 2027, and eligibility for an annual performance-based cash bonus tied to EBIT, with payouts ranging from 30% to 80% of salary depending on performance. The contract also details severance protections, including salary continuation if terminated without cause and enhanced cash benefits in connection with a qualifying change of control, underscoring the company’s intent to retain key leadership and align executive incentives with shareholder and earnings performance.

The most recent analyst rating on (SHOO) stock is a Buy with a $50.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Steven Madden stock, see the SHOO 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 25, 2026