A Look Back at Consumer Discretionary - Apparel and Accessories Stocks’ Q1 Earnings: Levi's (NYSE:LEVI) Vs The Rest Of The Pack

Wrapping up Q1 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the consumer discretionary - apparel and accessories stocks, including Levi's (NYSE:LEVI) and its peers.

The Consumer Discretionary sector, by definition, is made up of companies selling non-essential goods and services. When economic conditions deteriorate or tastes shift, consumers can easily cut back or eliminate these purchases. For long-term investors with five-year holding periods, this creates a structural challenge: the sector is inherently hit-driven, with low switching costs and fickle customers. As a result, only a handful of companies can reliably grow demand and compound earnings over long periods, which is why our bar is high and High Quality ratings are rare. Apparel and accessories companies design, brand, and distribute clothing, handbags, jewelry, and related lifestyle products, often spanning multiple price tiers. Tailwinds include premiumization trends (consumers trading up for perceived quality), international expansion into emerging markets, and growing digital commerce penetration. However, these businesses face headwinds from highly cyclical demand, intense promotional environments, and counterfeit competition undermining brand equity. Tariff volatility and sourcing concentration in a handful of countries add risk. Additionally, rapidly changing fashion cycles and the rise of ultra-fast-fashion digital competitors compress product life cycles and make demand forecasting exceptionally difficult.

The 15 consumer discretionary - apparel and accessories stocks we track reported a strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.6% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 7.3% on average since the latest earnings results.

Levi's (NYSE:LEVI)

Credited for inventing the first pair of blue jeans in 1873, Levi's (NYSE:LEVI) is an apparel company renowned for its iconic denim products and classic American style.

Levi's reported revenues of $1.74 billion, up 14.1% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 5.6%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ revenue and EPS estimates.

“We delivered very strong financial performance in the first quarter driven by broad-based growth across channels, regions and categories,” said Michelle Gass, President and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co.

Interestingly, the stock is up 22.3% since reporting and currently trades at $24.10.

Is now the time to buy Levi's? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Movado (NYSE:MOV)

With its watches displayed in 20 museums around the world, Movado (NYSE:MOV) is a watchmaking company with a portfolio of watch brands and accessories.

Movado reported revenues of $142.4 million, up 8.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 5.4%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 24.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $37.16.

Is now the time to buy Movado? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: Under Armour (NYSE:UAA)

Founded in 1996 by a former University of Maryland football player, Under Armour (NYSE:UAA) is an apparel brand specializing in sportswear designed to improve athletic performance.

Under Armour reported revenues of $1.17 billion, flat year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations and a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $6.03.

Read our full analysis of Under Armour’s results here.

Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL)

Originally founded as a necktie company, Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL) is an iconic American fashion brand known for its classic and sophisticated style.

Ralph Lauren reported revenues of $1.98 billion, up 16.6% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 7%. It was a very strong quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ revenue and adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 25.1% since reporting and currently trades at $411.75.

Read our full, actionable report on Ralph Lauren here, it’s free.

Figs (NYSE:FIGS)

Rising to fame via TikTok and founded in 2013 by Heather Hasson and Trina Spear, Figs (NYSE:FIGS) is a healthcare apparel company known for its stylish approach to medical attire and uniforms.

Figs reported revenues of $159.9 million, up 28% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 4.7%. Overall, it was a stunning quarter as it also produced a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 19.9% since reporting and currently trades at $12.31.

Read our full, actionable report on Figs here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand-wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Strong Momentum Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.