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Ralph Lauren Q2 Earnings Preview: Can Brand Momentum Fuel a Beat?

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Key Takeaways

  • Ralph Lauren's Q2 earnings are projected to grow 12.7% y/y to $4.27 per share, with revenues rising 6.6%.
  • RL expects mid-teens revenue growth in Asia, while stronger full-price sales may support margin expansion.
  • Higher tariffs, freight costs and weaker European demand may pressure RL's margins despite AUR growth.

Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL - Free Report) is set to report second-quarter fiscal 2027 results on Nov. 5, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $2.14 billion, which indicates an increase of 6.6% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.

The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $4.27 per share, which suggests growth of 12.7% from the year-earlier actual. The consensus mark for earnings has inched up 1.2% in the past seven days.

In the last reported quarter, the company’s bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.7%. Ralph Lauren has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8.7%, on average.

Ralph Lauren Corporation Price and EPS Surprise

Ralph Lauren Corporation Price and EPS Surprise

Ralph Lauren Corporation price-eps-surprise | Ralph Lauren Corporation Quote

Factors Likely to Have Impacted RL’s Q2 Performance

Ralph Lauren’s second-quarter fiscal 2027 performance is likely to have benefited from sustained brand momentum, strong consumer engagement and continued execution of its Next Great Chapter: Drive strategy. Investments in brand-building campaigns, immersive experiences and targeted marketing initiatives are expected to have strengthened customer acquisition and retention. Higher full-price selling, reduced promotional activity and favorable product mix may have supported average unit retail (AUR) growth, which management projected in the mid- to high-single-digit range for the fiscal second quarter.

The company’s performance is likely to have benefited from continued demand for core products, alongside growth in high-potential categories such as women’s apparel, outerwear and handbags. Seasonal product launches, including the Polo Blaze handbag collection, and the strength of its lifestyle offerings may have supported consumer spending. Expansion across key cities, digital commerce initiatives and improved customer engagement are also expected to have contributed to sales growth.

Regionally, Asia is likely to have remained the primary growth driver, with management anticipating mid-teens revenue growth, supported by brand momentum in China, Japan and Korea. North America is expected to have registered mid-single-digit growth, benefiting from healthy direct-to-consumer demand and wholesale performance.

For second-quarter fiscal 2027, management projected revenues to increase 5-6% in constant currency and the operating margin to expand 80-100 basis points, led by a gross margin expansion.

However, macroeconomic uncertainty, inflationary pressures, elevated energy costs and weaker tourism from the Middle East may have constrained European demand. Higher tariff and freight expenses could also have exerted pressure on margins, although favorable channel and geographic mix, disciplined inventory management and stronger AUR are expected to have provided offsets.

What the Zacks Model Unveils for RL

Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Ralph Lauren this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Ralph Lauren currently has an Earnings ESP of -0.13% and a Zacks Rank of 2.

Valuation Picture of RL Stock

The RL stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 19.59X, higher than the Textile - Apparel industry's 16.24X.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The recent market movements show that RL shares have risen 28.62% in the past year compared with the industry's 9.6% growth.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks With the Favorable Combination

Here are three companies, which according to our model, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.

SharkNinja, Inc. (SN - Free Report) presently has an Earnings ESP of +0.79% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is likely to register top- and bottom-line growth when it reports third-quarter 2026 numbers. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SN’s quarterly earnings per share of $1.89 indicates year-over-year growth of 26%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The consensus estimate for SN’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $1.86 billion, indicating a rise of 14.4% from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure. SharkNinja has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11.4%, on average. 

Planet Fitness (PLNT - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.53% and a Zacks Rank #3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings per share is pegged at 80 cents, suggesting no year-over-year change.

The consensus estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $342.1 million, which suggests an increase of 3.6% from the prior-year quarter’s actual. PLNT delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.3%, on average.

Birkenstock Holding PLC (BIRK - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.20% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The company is likely to report top-line growth when it releases fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 numbers. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BIRK’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $696.4 million, indicating growth of 13.2% from the prior-year quarter’s actual.

The consensus estimate for Birkenstock’s quarterly earnings per share of 51 cents indicates a decline of 15% from the prior-year quarter’s actual. BIRK has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8.3%, on average.

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