NEW YORK, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Xcel Brands (NASDAQ: XELB), an industry leading media and consumer products company specializing in building influencer-driven brands through social commerce and livestreaming, is proud to announce a groundbreaking new partnership with supermodel, advocate, and founder of Coco Rocha Model Camp, Coco Rocha.
With more than two decades at the highest level of the fashion industry—having graced over 100 magazine covers, been shot by top photographers across the globe, and walked runways for luxury fashion houses ranging from Chanel, Louis Vuitton, John Galliano, Prada and Schiaparelli to Jean Paul Gaultier, Tom Ford, Moschino, and Marc Jacobs—Coco Rocha brings a rare depth of experience and insight to this collaboration. Rocha’s illustrious career has granted her a front-row seat to the inner workings of the world’s most legendary designers. Together, Coco Rocha and Xcel Brands will develop a bold, thoughtfully crafted fashion brand designed for women who lead with both strength and style.
“What excites me about partnering with Xcel is the opportunity to finally channel all of those unbelievable lived experiences into something of my own,” said Rocha. “This isn’t about chasing trends or putting my name on a label—it’s about designing elevated essentials that reflect the life I live now as a mother, businesswoman, and creative.”
This collaboration aims to speak to women seeking pieces that feel as powerful and dynamic as their daily lives. Coco Rocha’s collection will deliver runway-inspired elegance with everyday practicality.
Robert W. D’Loren, Chairman and CEO of Xcel Brands, said, “Coco Rocha is one of the most influential fashion figures of our time. Her perspective, creativity, and commitment to authenticity make her the perfect partner for our next brand launch. We are thrilled to work alongside her in building something empowering and extraordinary.”
This announcement further pushes Xcel’s commitment to redefining modern fashion through innovative partnerships with authentic, visionary creators. For more information, visit www.xcelbrands.com
About Xcel Brands Xcel Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: XELB) is a media and consumer products company engaged in the design, licensing, marketing, live streaming, and social commerce sales of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, fine jewelry, home goods and other consumer products, and the acquisition of dynamic consumer lifestyle brands. Xcel was founded in 2011 with a vision to reimagine shopping, entertainment, and social media as social commerce. Xcel owns the Halston, Judith Ripka, and C. Wonder brands, as well as the co-branded collaboration brands TowerHill by Christie Brinkley, LB70 by Lloyd Boston, Trust. Respect. Love. by Cesar Millan, and GemmaMade by Gemma Stafford, and also holds noncontrolling interests or long-term license agreements in the Isaac Mizrahi brand, Orme Live and Jenny Martinez Live brands. Xcel also owns and manages the Longaberger brand through its controlling interest in Longaberger Licensing, LLC. Xcel is pioneering a true modern consumer products sales strategy which includes the promotion and sale of products under its brands through interactive television, digital live-stream shopping, social commerce, brick-and-mortar retailers, and e-commerce channels to be everywhere its customers shop. The company’s brands have generated in excess of $5 billion in retail sales via livestreaming in interactive television and digital channels alone and consisting of over 20,000 hours of content production time in live-stream and social commerce. The brand portfolio reaches in excess of 40 million social media followers with broadcast reach into 200 million households. Headquartered in New York City, Xcel Brands is led by an executive team with significant live streaming, production, merchandising, design, marketing, retailing, and licensing experience, and a proven track record of success in elevating branded consumer products companies. For more information, visit www.xcelbrands.com.
About Coco Rocha Coco Rocha is an internationally acclaimed supermodel, entrepreneur, and educator who has redefined the role of a model through two decades of innovation and influence. Named Model of the Year by Elle and Marie Claire, and hailed by Vogue Paris and Vogue Italia as one of the top models of all time, she has graced the runways of every major fashion house and appeared in countless international campaigns and covers.
Widely known as the “Queen of Pose”, Coco is considered one of the most technically proficient and versatile models of her generation. In 2014, she authored Study of Pose, a 2,000-page visual encyclopedia that has become a go-to reference for models and photographers alike. A pioneer in digital influence, Coco was the first high-fashion model to fully embrace social media—amassing millions of followers and earning recognition from Time magazine and TikTok as a leading voice in fashion.
An outspoken advocate for model rights, she played a pivotal role in passing legislation in New York to protect underage models. In 2018, she launched the Coco Rocha Model Camp (CRMC), a first-of-its-kind program offering hands-on modeling training combined with career and business strategy. Nearly 5,000 students have trained under Coco—including Kendall Jenner, Alix Earle, Bryce Dallas Howard, Dixie D’Amelio, Tabria Majors, and more.
She has shared her expertise through guest lectures at Harvard, Brown, and SCAD, and co-founded Nomad MGMT, a boutique modeling agency with offices in three countries. Beyond fashion, Coco is an active investor and advisor to early-stage startups in tech, media, and commerce. She lives in New York with her husband and creative partner, James Conran, and their three children.
Coco Rocha is represented by The Lions Management.
For further information, please contact: Seth Burroughs Xcel Brands [email protected]
500 5th Avenue 20th Floor New York, NY 10110 United States Sector(s): Consumer Cyclical Industry: Apparel Manufacturing Full Time Employees: 599 Key Executives Name Title Pay Exercised Year Born Mr. Jonathan CEO & Director 825.62k N/A 1958 Ms. Marie Fogel Senior VP and Chief Merchandising & Manufacturing Officer 633.19k N/A 1961 Mr. John Chief Financial Officer
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Solid Q1 results. the company reported Q1 revenue of $57.9 million and an adj. EBITDA loss of $3.0 million, both of which were better than our estimates of $56.0 million and a loss of $5.5 million, respectively. Notably, while revenue and adj. EBITDA are both modestly lower than the prior year period; we view the Q1 results favorably, given the company’s ability to manage the uncertain tariff outlook.
Tariff mitigation. The company highlighted that it has been taking steps to reduce its exposure to China, currently roughly 60% of its cost of goods sold. Notably, the company is sourcing from other countries and expects that China will be roughly 25% of its cost of goods by the end of 2025. The company has leadership located in the sourcing countries to ensure product quality.
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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Vince Holding Corp. (NYSE: VNCE) (“VNCE” or the “Company”), a global contemporary retailer, today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended May 3, 2025.
Brendan Hoffman, Chief Executive Officer of VNCE said, “I continue to be encouraged by the strong execution and commitment to excellence I see across our organization, and while we are navigating a challenging environment marked by uncertainty, our first quarter performance was relatively in line with our expectations. As an organization, we quickly pivoted all efforts in the latter portion of the quarter to develop and put into action mitigation plans in light of the evolving tariff policies. In short order we have diversified our supply chain, negotiated with vendors, and leveraged other opportunities to mitigate near-term costs. As we look ahead, we will continue these efforts along with providing customers a high quality product offering and an engaging experience across our channels.”
In this press release, the Company is presenting its financial results in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) as well as on an “adjusted” basis. Adjusted results presented in this press release are non-GAAP financial measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for more information about the Company’s use of non-GAAP financial measures and Exhibit 3 and Exhibit 4 to this press release for a reconciliation of GAAP measures to such non-GAAP measures.
For the first quarter ended May 3, 2025:
Total Company net sales decreased 2.1% to $57.9 million compared to $59.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The year-over-year decline was driven by store closures and remodels which negatively impacted the retail store channel in the direct-to-consumer segment.
Gross profit was $29.2 million, or 50.3% of net sales, compared to gross profit of $29.9 million, or 50.6% of net sales, in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The decrease in gross margin rate was primarily driven by approximately 260 basis points related to higher freight and duty costs, approximately 120 basis points related to wholesale channel mix, and approximately 60 basis points due to higher distribution and handling costs. These factors were partially offset by approximately 330 basis points related to lower product costs and higher pricing and approximately 80 basis points related to lower promotional activity.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $33.6 million, or 58.0% of sales, compared to $31.9 million, or 54.0% of sales, in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase in SG&A dollars was primarily driven by higher marketing and advertising expenses, increased legal, information technology and third-party costs as well as increased expenses related to remodels and relocations.
Loss from operations was $4.4 million compared to income from operations of $5.6 million in the same period last year. Excluding the Gain on Sale of Subsidiary (as defined below) in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, Adjusted loss from operations* in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $2.0 million.
The income tax provision was $0 for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, as the Company has year-to-date ordinary pre-tax losses for the interim period and is anticipating annual ordinary pre-tax income for the fiscal year. The Company has determined that it is more likely than not that the tax benefit of the year-to-date loss will not be realized in the current or future years and as such, tax provisions for the interim periods should not be recognized until the Company has year-to-date ordinary pre-tax income. The tax provision in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compares to an income tax benefit of $0.9 million in the same period last year.
Net loss was $4.8 million or $(0.37) per share compared to net income of $4.4 million or $0.35 per share in the same period last year. Excluding the Gain on Sale of Subsidiary, the Adjusted net loss* was $3.3 million or $(0.26) per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
Adjusted EBITDA* was $(3.0) million compared to $(1.5) million in the same period last year.
The Company ended the quarter with 58 company-operated Vince stores, a net decrease of 4 stores since the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
First Quarter Review
Net sales decreased 2.1% to $57.9 million as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
Wholesale segment sales increased 0.1% to $30.3 million compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
Direct-to-consumer segment sales decreased 4.4% to $27.6 million compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
Income from operations relating to our reportable segments, Vince Wholesale and Vince Direct-to-consumer, was $8.6 million compared to income from operations of $10.1 million in the same period last year.
Net Sales and Operating Results by Segment:
Balance Sheet
At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2025, total borrowings under the Company’s debt agreements totaled $34.7 million and the Company had $20.4 million of excess availability under its revolving credit facility.
Net inventory at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was $62.3 million compared to $56.7 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
During the quarter ended May 3, 2025, the Company did not issue shares of common stock under the ATM program. The Company continues to have shares available under the program to exercise with proceeds to be used as sources, along with cash from operations, to fund future growth.
Outlook
For the second quarter of fiscal 2025 the Company expects the following:
Net sales to be approximately flat to down 3% compared to the prior year period.
Operating Income as a percentage of net sales to be approximately (1)% to 1%.
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales to be approximately 1% to 4%.
Given the uncertainty related to the potential impact and duration of current tariff policy, the Company is not providing guidance for the full year fiscal 2025.
Strategic Partnership with Authentic Brands Group
On May 25, 2023, the Company announced that it completed the previously announced transaction (the “Authentic Transaction”) with Authentic Brands Group (“Authentic”).
In connection with the Authentic Transaction, VNCE entered into an exclusive, long-term license agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Authentic for usage of the contributed intellectual property for VNCE’s existing business in a manner consistent with the Company’s current wholesale, retail and e-commerce operations. The License Agreement contains an initial ten-year term and eight ten-year renewal options allowing VNCE to renew the agreement.
*Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided, with respect to the financial results relating to the three months ended May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2024, adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, capitalized cloud computing amortization, and gain on sale of Rebecca Taylor, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary (“Gain on Sale of Subsidiary”). For the three months ended May 4, 2024, the Company has provided adjusted income (loss) from operations, adjusted income (loss) before income taxes and equity in net loss of equity method investment, adjusted income (loss) before equity in net loss of equity method investment, adjusted net income (loss), and adjusted earnings (loss) per share, which are non-GAAP measures, in order to eliminate the effect of the Gain on Sale of Subsidiary.
The Company believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP measures facilitates an understanding of the Company’s continuing operations without the impact associated with the aforementioned items. While these types of events can and do recur periodically, they are excluded from the indicated financial information due to their impact on the comparability of earnings across periods. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results has been provided in Exhibit 3 and Exhibit 4 to this press release.
Conference Call
A conference call to discuss the first quarter results will be held today, June 17, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. ET, hosted by Vince Holding Corp. Chief Executive Officer, Brendan Hoffman, and Chief Financial Officer, Yuji Okumura. During the conference call, the Company may make comments concerning business and financial developments, trends and other business or financial matters. The Company’s comments, as well as other matters discussed during the conference call, may contain or constitute information that has not been previously disclosed.
Those who wish to participate in the call may do so by dialing (833) 470-1428, conference ID 598215. Any interested party will also have the opportunity to access the call via the Internet at http://investors.vince.com/. To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register and download any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a recording will be available for 12 months after the date of the event. Recordings may be accessed at http://investors.vince.com.
ABOUT VINCE HOLDING CORP.
Vince Holding Corp. is a global retail company that operates the Vince brand women’s and men’s ready to wear business. Vince, established in 2002, is a leading global luxury apparel and accessories brand best known for creating elevated yet understated pieces for every day effortless style. Vince Holding Corp. operates 44 full-price retail stores, 14 outlet stores, and its e-commerce site, as well as through premium wholesale channels globally. Please visit www.vince.com for more information.
Forward-Looking Statements: This document, and any statements incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include the statements under “Outlook” above as well as statements regarding, among other things, our current expectations about possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company and are indicated by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “plan,” “target,” “project,” “forecast,” “envision” and other similar phrases. Although we believe the assumptions and expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these assumptions and expectations may not prove to be correct and we may not achieve the results or benefits anticipated. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of actual results, and our actual results may differ materially from those suggested in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control, including, without limitation: changes to and unpredictability in the trade policies and tariffs imposed by the U.S. and the governments of other nations; our ability to maintain adequate cash flow from operations or availability under our revolving credit facility to meet our liquidity needs; general economic conditions; restrictions on our operations under our credit facilities; our ability to improve our profitability; our ability to maintain our larger wholesale partners; our ability to accurately forecast customer demand for our products; our ability to maintain the license agreement with ABG Vince, a subsidiary of Authentic Brands Group; ABG Vince’s expansion of the Vince brand into other categories and territories; ABG Vince’s approval rights and other actions; our ability to realize the benefits of our strategic initiatives; the execution of our customer strategy; our ability to make lease payments when due; our ability to open retail stores under favorable lease terms and operate and maintain new and existing retail stores successfully; our operating experience and brand recognition in international markets; our ability to remediate the identified material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting; our ability to comply with domestic and international laws, regulations and orders; increased scrutiny regarding our approach to sustainability matters and environmental, social and governance practices; competition in the apparel and fashion industry; the transition associated with the appointment of new chief executive officer and new chief financial officer; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; seasonal and quarterly variations in our revenue and income; the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights relating to the Vince brand; our ability to successfully conclude remaining matters following the wind down of the Rebecca Taylor business; the extent of our foreign sourcing; our reliance on independent manufacturers; our ability to ensure the proper operation of the distribution facilities by third-party logistics providers; fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials; the ethical business and compliance practices of our independent manufacturers; our ability to mitigate system or data security issues, such as cyber or malware attacks, as well as other major system failures; our ability to adopt, optimize and improve our information technology systems, processes and functions; our ability to comply with privacy-related obligations; our ability to submit a required business plan and regain compliance with the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) Listed Company Manual and maintain a listing of our common stock on the NYSE; our status as a “controlled company”; our status as a “smaller reporting company”; and other factors as set forth from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including those described under “Item 1A—Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We intend these forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of this release and do not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available, except as required by law.
Investor Relations: ICR, Inc. Caitlin Churchill, 646-277-1274 [email protected]
Patrick McCann, CFA, Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Highlights from Noble’s Emerging Growth Virtual Conference. Lenny Sokolow, Co-CEO, presented at Noble’s Virtual Equity conference June 4 & 5th. Mr. Sokolow discussed the company’s innovative technology, commercial partnerships, and its quest for mandatory standardization with the NEC, among other topics. A rebroadcast is available here.
Mandatory standardization efforts getting a boost. Management remains optimistic about its push for mandatory standardization, citing recent backing from a prominent government safety leader. The company’s “Code Team” expects further support from key safety organizations to advance its ceiling receptacle technology as a regulatory standard.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Highlights its investment merits. On June 5, the company presented at the Noble Virtual Conference to the investment community. The presentation conducted by Michael Benstock, CEO, and Mike Koempel, CFO, highlighted the company’s diverse business segments, favorable history of growth, and solid financial position. A replay of the presentation is available for viewing here.
Diverse business segments. The company operates three distinct business segments: Healthcare Apparel, Branded Products, and Contact Centers. Importantly, all three of the company’s segments have favorable organic growth opportunities, are profitable, and have compelling acquisition target opportunities. Furthermore, the company has a solid history of growth, with consolidated revenue growing at an 8% CAGR from 2019 through 2024.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
LAKE ZURICH, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) — the leader in branded consumer and office products — announced changes to its senior executive leadership team, in connection with the multi-year restructuring and cost savings program initiated last year. These important moves are a continuation of the company’s efforts to simplify the operating structure and bring key leaders closer to the customer, and to better leverage our global sourcing capabilities.
Effective August 1, 2025, Patrick Buchenroth, Executive Vice President of ACCO Brands and President of the Americas segment will be leaving the company. The company will continue reporting two segments, the Americas segment and the International segment. Effective July 1, 2025, the Americas operating segment will be led by John “Jed” Peters, newly named Senior Vice President, ACCO Brands and President, North America, who will be leading the company’s commercial businesses in the U.S. and Canada, and Rubens Passos, Senior Vice President, who will be leading its businesses in Brazil, Mexico, Chile and export markets in Latin America.
Effective December 31, 2025, Cezary Monko, Executive Vice President of ACCO Brands and President of the International segment will begin his transition out of the company. Ard-Jen “AJ” Spijkervet has been appointed Senior Vice President, ACCO Brands and President, International effective January 1, 2026. Spijkervet will be responsible for all commercial activities in EMEA, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the export markets in the Middle East and Africa.
“We are focused on delivering sustained, profitable sales growth, and our leadership team is committed to providing value to our customers and consumers. As we continue to optimize our cost structure and deliver best in class service, we are well positioned for the future. In addition, I would like to thank Pat and Cezary for their significant contributions to ACCO Brands and their leadership of our business,” said Tom Tedford, President and Chief Executive Officer of ACCO Brands.
Executive Biographies
Jed Peters
Jed Peters brings 27 years expertise in the office products industry and at ACCO Brands, starting as a management trainee at the company in 1998. During that time, Peters has developed deep relationships with our North American customer and consumer base through roles of increasing responsibilities within the marketing, sales and global product development functions. Most recently, he served as General Manager, U.S. School & Office Products and PowerA. Peters has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Marketing degree from Notre Dame.
AJ Spijkervet
AJ Spijkervet has more than 30 years of international business experience. He joined ACCO Brands in 2016 as part of the Esselte acquisition where he held several key roles over his tenure, including Vice President of Marketing EMEA, Marketing & Sales in China, as well as Marketing Director for Central Europe. Spijkervet is currently serving as Vice President for Central Europe. Prior to Esselte/ACCO Brands, he worked in the consumer goods industry spanning International Sales & Marketing, Trade-& Brand-Marketing and Operations. Spijkervet earned a master’s degree in International Marketing & Strategy from the University of Groningen, Netherlands and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from NHL Stenden University.
Rubens Passos
Rubens Passos has 40 years of international business experience, joining ACCO Brands in 2012 as part of the Mead Consumer and Office Products acquisition where he held key positions including CFO and President of the business in Brazil. He has served as SVP Latin America and is currently serving as SVP Latin America and interim General Manager for the business in Canada. Prior to Mead/ACCO Brands, he held key leadership positions working in Consumer Goods, Pulp & Paper and Telecom. Passos holds an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and an undergraduate degree in Economics from F.A.A.P. in Sao Paulo Brazil.
About ACCO Brands Corporation
ACCO Brands is the leader in branded consumer products that enable productivity, confidence and enjoyment while working, when learning and while playing. Our widely recognized brands include AT-A-GLANCE®, Five Star®, Kensington®, Leitz®, Mead®, PowerA®, Swingline®, Tilibra® and many others. More information about ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) can be found at www.accobrands.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained herein, other than statements of historical fact, particularly those anticipating future financial performance, business prospects, growth, strategies, business operations and similar matters, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, and those relating to cost reductions and anticipated pre-tax savings and restructuring costs are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management based on information available to us at the time such statements are made. These statements, which are generally identifiable by the use of the words “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” and similar expressions, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no duty or obligation to update them. Forward-looking statements are subject to the occurrence of events outside the Company’s control and actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those suggested or implied by such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Investors and others are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements when deciding whether to buy, sell or hold the Company’s securities.
Among the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements are: changes in trade policy and regulations, including changes in trade agreements and the imposition of tariffs, and the resulting consequences; global political and economic uncertainties; a limited number of large customers account for a significant percentage of our sales; sales of our products are affected by general economic and business conditions globally and in the countries in which we operate; risks associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; challenges related to the highly competitive business environment in which we operate; our ability to develop and market innovative products that meet consumer demands and to expand into new and adjacent product categories; our ability to successfully expand our business in emerging markets and the exposure to greater financial, operational, regulatory, compliance and other risks in such markets; the continued decline in the use of certain of our products; risks associated with seasonality, the sufficiency of investment returns on pension assets, risks related to actuarial assumptions, changes in government regulations and changes in the unfunded liabilities of a multi-employer pension plan; any impairment of our intangible assets; our ability to secure, protect and maintain our intellectual property rights, and our ability to license rights from major gaming console makers and video game publishers to support our gaming accessories business; our ability to grow profitably through acquisitions, and successfully integrate them; our ability to successfully execute our multi-year restructuring and cost savings program and realize the anticipated benefits; continued disruptions in the global supply chain; risks associated with inflation and other changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, transportation, labor, and other necessary supplies and services and the cost of finished goods; risks associated with outsourcing production of certain of our products, information technology systems and other administrative functions; the failure, inadequacy or interruption of our information technology systems or its supporting infrastructure; risks associated with a cybersecurity incident or information security breach, including that related to a disclosure of personally identifiable information; risks associated with our indebtedness, including limitations imposed by restrictive covenants, our debt service obligations, and our ability to comply with financial ratios and tests; a change in or discontinuance of our stock repurchase program or the payment of dividends; product liability claims, recalls or regulatory actions; the impact of litigation or other legal proceedings; the impact of additional tax liabilities stemming from our global operations and changes in tax laws, regulations and tax rates; our failure to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations and self-regulatory requirements, the costs of compliance and the impact of changes in such laws; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the volatility of our stock price; risks associated with circumstances outside our control, including those caused by telecommunication failures, labor strikes, power and/or water shortages, public health crises, such as the occurrence of contagious diseases, severe weather events, war, terrorism and other geopolitical incidents; and other risks and uncertainties described in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts
For further information:
Christopher McGinnis Investor Relations (847) 796-4320
Key Points: – Consumers now expect inflation to rise 3.2% over the next year, down from 3.6% in April, signaling easing price concerns. – President Trump’s decision to pause aggressive tariff plans appears to have calmed inflation fears. – Fewer Americans expect job losses or missed debt payments, and optimism about the stock market has ticked up.
Americans appeared more optimistic about inflation in May, as expectations for rising prices declined across the board, according to a new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The improvement coincides with President Donald Trump’s decision to ease back on his sweeping tariff threats, providing some relief to consumers and policymakers alike.
The Fed’s Survey of Consumer Expectations, released Monday, showed that the anticipated inflation rate one year from now fell to 3.2%, down from 3.6% in April. It marks one of the sharpest monthly drops in recent years and suggests Americans are growing more confident that inflation may not spiral out of control.
Longer-term inflation outlooks also improved. The three-year expectation ticked down to 3%, while the five-year projection eased to 2.6%. While still above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, the declines point to a growing belief among households that price pressures could be moderating.
The shift comes after the White House softened its stance on some of its more aggressive trade proposals. In April, President Trump announced sweeping 10% tariffs on all U.S. imports and floated the idea of “reciprocal” duties on specific countries. But by early May, the administration introduced a 90-day negotiation period and paused additional tariff hikes, calming fears of an escalating trade war.
The easing rhetoric appears to have had a measurable effect on consumer sentiment, at a time when officials at the Federal Reserve are closely monitoring expectations to determine the future path of interest rates.
“The inflation outlook is coming down, even as tariff collections rise,” said National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett in an interview Monday. “It runs counter to the narrative that tariffs automatically lead to higher inflation.”
April’s core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, remained at 2.5% — stable, but not accelerating. Headline PCE, which includes food and energy, dipped slightly to 2.1%, one of the lowest levels in over three years.
The New York Fed’s survey also found that inflation expectations declined across several major spending categories. While Americans still expect food prices to climb by 5.5% over the next year — up slightly from April — they foresee smaller increases in gas, rent, medical care, and college tuition.
In addition to inflation, the report included promising data on labor market confidence and household finances. The percentage of respondents who believe they’ll lose their job in the next 12 months dropped to 14.8%, a slight but notable improvement. Meanwhile, fewer Americans expect to miss a minimum debt payment in the near term, with that figure falling to 13.4%, the lowest since January.
Consumers also seem to be gaining confidence in the markets. The share of respondents expecting stock prices to be higher a year from now rose to 36.3%, reflecting optimism despite geopolitical uncertainty.
As policymakers weigh inflation, tariffs, and rate decisions, these improving expectations may offer a signal: Americans are cautiously optimistic that the worst inflation fears could be fading.
FAT Brands (NASDAQ: FAT) is a leading global franchising company that strategically acquires, markets, and develops fast casual, quick-service, casual dining, and polished casual dining concepts around the world. The Company currently owns 17 restaurant brands: Round Table Pizza, Fatburger, Marble Slab Creamery, Johnny Rockets, Fazoli’s, Twin Peaks, Great American Cookies, Hot Dog on a Stick, Buffalo’s Cafe & Express, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Pretzelmaker, Elevation Burger, Native Grill & Wings, Yalla Mediterranean and Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses, and franchises and owns over 2,300 units worldwide. For more information on FAT Brands, please visit www.fatbrands.com.
Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Pipeline. FAT Brands new store pipeline consists of approximately 1,100 units already paid for by franchisees, which will add some $50-60 million of incremental EBITDA once opened. With some 250 new unit agreements per year and some 100+ new openings per year, we expect the pipeline to be a key driver of financial performance going forward.
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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Xcel Brands, Inc. 1333 Broadway 10th Floor New York, NY 10018 United States https:/Sector(s): Consumer Cyclical Industry: Apparel Manufacturing Full Time Employees: 84 Key Executives Name Title Pay Exercised Year Born Mr. Robert W. D’Loren Chairman, Pres & CEO 1.27M N/A 1958 Mr. James F. Haran CFO, Principal Financial & Accou
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Q1 Results. First quarter results indicated a modest improvement from Q4, but it was a slow start to the year. First quarter revenues were $1.3 million, and the company reported an adj. EBITDA loss of $0.7 million from continuing operations. We believe the company is well positioned to benefit from a number of favorable developments, including the launch of new brands, contributions from Halston, and a lower cost base.
Positive outlook. The company indicated that it plans to be adj. EBITDA $1 million to $2.5 million positive for full year 2025 in spite of the potential impact of trade policies and disruption from headquarter consolidation at HSN and QVC. The outlook is supported by significant cost reductions that are expected to be at a run rate of $2.5 million per quarter and building royalty revenue from GIII and its Halston brand. Most of the trade policy uncertainty is focused on the second half of the year.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Key Points: – April’s inflation rate slowed to 2.1%, lower than expected, easing pressure on the Federal Reserve. – Consumer spending grew just 0.2%, while the savings rate jumped to 4.9%. – Core PCE inflation held at 2.5% annually, supporting a wait-and-see approach from policymakers.
Inflation cooled in April, offering a potential signal that price pressures may be stabilizing and possibly giving the Federal Reserve more flexibility in managing interest rates. According to data released Friday by the Commerce Department, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index — the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge — rose just 0.1% for the month, bringing the annual rate down to 2.1%. That figure is slightly below expectations and marks the lowest inflation reading of the year so far.
Core PCE, which strips out the more volatile food and energy categories and is considered a better indicator of long-term inflation trends, also increased just 0.1% in April. On a year-over-year basis, core inflation stood at 2.5%, slightly under the anticipated 2.6%.
These subdued inflation figures arrive amid a backdrop of softer consumer spending and a jump in personal savings. Consumer spending rose just 0.2% for the month — a sharp slowdown from the 0.7% gain in March. Meanwhile, the personal savings rate surged to 4.9%, its highest level in nearly a year. This suggests that households may be pulling back on discretionary purchases and becoming more cautious with their finances.
The moderation in price increases could provide the Federal Reserve with more breathing room as it considers the trajectory of interest rates. While the Fed has resisted calls for rate cuts amid lingering inflation concerns, a sustained easing trend could support a policy shift later this year. However, the central bank remains wary, particularly as some inflationary risks — such as potential tariff impacts — loom in the background.
Energy prices ticked up by 0.5% in April, while food prices dipped by 0.3%. Shelter costs, a key driver of persistent inflation in recent months, continued to rise at a 0.4% pace. Nonetheless, the overall inflation picture showed clear signs of deceleration.
Notably, personal income climbed by 0.8% in April, well above the 0.3% estimate. This growth in income, paired with higher savings, points to a consumer base that may be more financially resilient than previously thought, even if spending has temporarily cooled.
Markets responded with relative indifference to the inflation data. Stock futures drifted lower and Treasury yields were mixed, as investors weighed the implications for future monetary policy against broader economic uncertainties.
Recent trade tensions — especially President Trump’s imposition of sweeping tariffs and the ongoing legal back-and-forth over their legitimacy — add complexity to the outlook. While the direct inflationary impact of tariffs has so far been muted, economists warn that higher input costs could feed into prices later this year if tariff policies persist.
Looking ahead, the Fed will be closely monitoring inflation trends, consumer behavior, and labor market developments. If price pressures remain tame and growth conditions warrant, the central bank may eventually consider adjusting rates — though for now, caution remains the guiding principle.
Xcel Brands, Inc. 1333 Broadway 10th Floor New York, NY 10018 United States https:/Sector(s): Consumer Cyclical Industry: Apparel Manufacturing Full Time Employees: 84 Key Executives Name Title Pay Exercised Year Born Mr. Robert W. D’Loren Chairman, Pres & CEO 1.27M N/A 1958 Mr. James F. Haran CFO, Principal Financial & Accou
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Lackluster Q4 results. The company reported Q4 revenue of $1.2 million and an adj. EBITDA loss of $0.8 million, both of which were well below our estimates of $2.6 million and $0.2 million, respectively, as illustrated in Figure #1 Q4 Results. Notably, while Q4 results were softer than expected, the company has signed several new brands this year, which have yet to impact operating results. Importantly, the new brand launches have increased the company’s total social media following from 5 million to 45 million over the past five months, a significant step towards reaching its goal of 100 million followers.
Preliminary Q1 results. Additionally, the company provided preliminary Q1 results of $1.33 million in revenue, a decrease from $2.18 million last year, and an expected net loss of roughly $2.67 million, which is an improvement from a net loss of $6.35 million last year. The improvement in net loss is attributable to a $0.8 million improvement in core operating results and a $2.3 million impairment charge recorded in the prior year period.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Key Points: – Mortgage rates edge up — 30-year fixed rates rose to 6.89%, tracking higher Treasury yields. – Buyer affordability hit — High rates continue to suppress home sales and affordability. – Applications mixed — Purchase applications rose 3%, while refinance demand fell 7%.
Mortgage rates rose modestly this week, with the average 30-year fixed loan hitting 6.89%, up slightly from 6.86% the week before. The 15-year average also inched higher to 6.03%, reflecting the continued influence of Treasury yields, which have been volatile amid shifting economic signals.
The movement in mortgage rates follows recent fluctuations in the 10-year Treasury yield, a key benchmark for borrowing costs. Investors have been digesting a complex mix of developments, including the U.S. credit rating downgrade, the fiscal implications of proposed tax reforms, and evolving trade policy. While yields dipped slightly in recent days, overall borrowing costs remain elevated.
High mortgage rates continue to act as a headwind for the housing sector. According to newly released data, pending home sales dropped sharply in April, underscoring how rate-sensitive the market remains. Despite a modest weekly increase in home purchase applications, affordability challenges persist, particularly for first-time buyers and middle-income households.
This constrained environment has implications beyond real estate. A sluggish housing market can ripple through related industries—from homebuilding and furniture to construction materials and local services—potentially influencing performance in sectors that rely on consumer confidence and discretionary spending.
Although refinancing activity dropped by 7%, the slight increase in purchase applications signals that some buyers are still moving forward, especially those less sensitive to rate fluctuations or motivated by limited inventory. Nonetheless, sustained high rates may continue to delay broader recovery in housing-related demand.
In this climate, market participants are keeping a close eye on interest rate trends and consumer sentiment data, both of which remain central to shaping the economic outlook. As borrowing costs remain elevated, the pressure on housing and adjacent industries may persist—adding another layer of complexity to growth expectations in the months ahead.
Key Points: – Google partners with Warby Parker, Gentle Monster, and Samsung to develop Android XR smart glasses powered by Gemini AI. – Features include in-lens displays, cameras, real-time translation, and smartphone integration. – The move sets up a new front in the wearables race against Meta and Apple
Google is reentering the smart glasses race with renewed focus and fresh partners. At its annual Google I/O conference in Mountain View, California, the tech giant announced partnerships with eyewear brands Warby Parker and Gentle Monster to create stylish, AI-powered smart glasses. The company is also expanding its collaboration with Samsung into the realm of intelligent eyewear, building on their joint efforts in augmented reality.
Unlike the tech-heavy and socially awkward Google Glass of 2013, Google’s new smart glasses aim to blend cutting-edge functionality with fashion-forward design. Set to run on the new Android XR operating system, the glasses will include features like turn-by-turn navigation, real-time translation, camera-enabled photography, hands-free calling, and seamless integration with apps—all delivered through the company’s Gemini AI platform.
In a direct challenge to Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta glasses, Google’s new offering will pair with smartphones and be equipped with microphones, speakers, and optional in-lens displays. These displays will allow users to access information such as text messages or directions without pulling out their phone. While the glasses will still rely on smartphones for processing and connectivity, they mark a significant leap in the evolution of wearable tech.
“This new wave of smart glasses is about combining form and function,” said Rick Osterloh, Google’s SVP of Devices & Services. “By working with top eyewear designers, we’re making sure these devices are not only useful, but also something people will want to wear every day.”
Importantly, Google says it will begin working with developers and testers later this year to fine-tune the technology, especially in terms of privacy and usability—areas that proved problematic for the original Google Glass. That early attempt, which cost $1,500 and looked like something out of a sci-fi film, failed to gain traction with mainstream consumers, partly due to design and partly due to discomfort around being unknowingly recorded.
Today’s consumers, however, are more acclimated to cameras in public spaces, and the success of Meta’s more discreet Ray-Ban glasses shows the market may finally be ready for smart eyewear—if it looks good and works well.
The resurgence of interest in smart glasses comes amid a broader push by tech giants to identify the next big hardware platform after the smartphone. Google is also involved in Samsung’s Project Moohan, an AR/VR headset co-developed with Qualcomm, signaling its broader ambitions in the spatial computing space.
Apple is rumored to be working on its own smart glasses, though Bloomberg reports they may not launch until 2027. That gives Google and Meta time to shape the market—and consumer expectations.
While smart glasses are unlikely to replace smartphones overnight, they are becoming a serious contender in the next phase of personal technology. The challenge now is whether Google, this time with the right design and timing, can finally succeed where Google Glass stumbled—and convince the world to put computers on their faces.
