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Wolverine World Wide: Stifel Upgrades to Buy on Improving 2025 Prospects

Eli GrantTuesday, Dec 10, 2024 9:50 pm ET

3min read

WWW --

Wolverine World Wide, a leading marketer and licensor of branded footwear and apparel, has received a significant boost from Stifel, a prominent brokerage firm. Stifel recently upgraded its rating on Wolverine World Wide (WWW) to 'Buy' from 'Hold,' citing strong earnings growth prospects in 2025 and beyond. This upgrade reflects the company's strategic growth plan under CEO Chris Hufnagel and the potential for multi-year earnings power.

Under Hufnagel's leadership, Wolverine World Wide has been executing a three-phase growth plan. The first phase focused on stabilizing the business, while the second phase emphasized cost-cutting and balance sheet improvements. Stifel's upgrade reflects the company's entry into the third phase, the 'inflection to growth' stage, expected in 2025. This phase is anticipated to drive multi-year earnings power, with Stifel estimating adjusted EPS of $1.38 in 2025 on 7.5% revenue growth.

Stifel's upgrade is driven by several factors, including the company's high margin revenues and streamlined expense base. The brokerage also highlights the potential of WWW's Saucony running shoes brand and increased distribution, suggesting these factors will contribute to the projected growth. Additionally, Stifel lauds WWW's transformation under CEO Chris Hufnagel, who is expected to lead the company into its third phase of growth in 2025.

The inflection year of 2025 is part of Wolverine World Wide's long-term growth strategy. As the company enters this phase, investors can expect increased focus on multi-year earnings power, driven by factors such as spring orders, momentum in the Saucony running shoes brand, and increased distribution. Stifel's upgrade reflects a growing confidence in the company's financial health and its ability to deliver sustainable growth.

In conclusion, Wolverine World Wide's transformation under CEO Chris Hufnagel has contributed to Stifel's upgrade to 'Buy' on improving 2025 prospects. The company's strategic growth plan, high margin revenues, and streamlined expense base have positioned it for multi-year earnings power. As Wolverine World Wide enters the 'inflection to growth' phase in 2025, investors can expect increased focus on sustainable growth and a positive outlook for the company's future.

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