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WSM Stock Up on Q2 Earnings & Revenue Beat, FY25 View Up

By Zacks Equity Research | August 27, 2025, 12:55 PM

Williams-Sonoma Inc. WSM reported results for the second-quarter fiscal 2025 (ended Aug. 3), with earnings and net revenues beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate and increasing year over year.

Following the earnings release, shares of this multi-channel specialty retailer of premium quality home products moved up 4.1% in today’s pre-market trading session.

The quarter’s performance was driven by positive comps in both furniture and non-furniture, and strong performance in its retail and ecommerce channels. Robust trends led to the company raising its fiscal 2025 guidance.

With a strong omnichannel platform and infrastructure, going forward, the company expects to beat its expectations and multiply growth across its brands, despite macro challenges.

WSM’s Earnings, Revenues & Comps Discussion

The company reported earnings of $2 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.79 by 11.7%. In the prior-year quarter, it reported earnings per share (EPS) of $1.74.

Net revenues of $1.84 billion also topped the consensus mark of $1.82 billion by 1.1% and grew 2.8% year over year.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Quote

In the quarter, comps were up 3.7% against a negative 3.3% in the year-ago period.

Comps at Williams-Sonoma increased 5.1% against a 0.8% decline reported in the year-ago quarter. Comps at West Elm gained 3.3% against a 4.8% decline reported in the year-ago quarter. Pottery Barn Kids and Teens comps grew 5.3% compared with 1.5% reported in the year-ago quarter. On the other hand, Pottery Barn comps inched up 1.1% against a 7.1% decline reported in the year-ago quarter.

Operating Highlights of Williams-Sonoma

The gross margin was 47.1% (up from our projection of 44.3%), which expanded 220 basis points (bps) year over year. The increase was due to higher merchandise margins and supply-chain efficiencies.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were 29.2% of net revenues (above our projection of 29%), reflecting a decline of 20 bps year over year due to lower advertising and general expenses, partially offset by higher performance-based incentive compensation.

The operating margin expanded 240 bps from the year-ago figure to 17.9% for the quarter. Our model predicted an operating margin of 15.3% in the quarter.

Williams-Sonoma’s Financials

As of Aug. 3, 2025, Williams-Sonoma reported cash and cash equivalents of $985.8 billion, up from $1.21 billion at the fiscal 2024-end.

Net cash from operating activities totaled $401.7 million in the first six months of fiscal 2025 compared with $473.3 million a year ago. This allowed the company to return nearly $280 million to its shareholders through $199 million in stock repurchases and $81 million in dividends.

WSM Raises Fiscal 2025 Guidance

Looking ahead, fiscal 2025 will be a 52-week year compared with 53 weeks in fiscal 2024. WSM now projects annual net revenues in the range of +0.5% to +3.5% (from -1.5% to +1.5%), with comparable brand revenue growth now expected to be between +2.0% and +5.0% (from flat to +3.0%).

The company expects incremental tariff costs to impact net revenues, including the additional tariffs on China of 30%, India of 50%, Vietnam of 20%, an average tariff on the rest of the world of 18%, as well as the steel and aluminum tariff of 50% and the copper tariff of 50%.

Operating margin guidance still stands between 17.4% and 17.8%.

Over the long term, the company anticipates mid-to-high single-digit net revenue growth and operating margins in the mid-to-high teens.

WSM’s Zacks Rank & Recent Retail-Wholesale Releases

Williams-Sonoma currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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The Home Depot Inc. HD has reported second-quarter fiscal 2025 results, wherein both the sales and earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, both metrics improved year over year. Also, comparable sales increased year over year.
 
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Brinker International, Inc. EAT reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results, with both earnings and revenues surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate and increasing on a year-over-year basis. Revenues beat the consensus estimate for the sixth consecutive quarter.
 
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Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Brinker International, Inc. (EAT): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
The Home Depot, Inc. (HD): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM): Free Stock Analysis Report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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