Closure of Strait of Hormuz Triggers Supply Chain Crisis
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 20 hours ago
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Supply Chain Strain: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts approximately 20% of global oil and gas supplies, directly impacting retailers reliant on Asian manufacturing, such as Carter's and Gap, thereby increasing costs and operational risks.
- Significant Tariff Impact: Carter's anticipates tariff-related costs to reach $200 million to $250 million, leading to the closure of 150 stores and a 15% workforce reduction, compounding its already strained cost structure.
- Inventory Management Challenges: Oxford Industries faced a reduction of $1.25 to $1.50 per share in earnings due to tariffs in fiscal 2025, forcing inventory cuts and deeper discounts, while its alternative sourcing options are also affected by the Hormuz closure.
- Surging Transportation Costs: Kontoor Brands and Gap are experiencing increased transportation costs due to rerouting and soaring insurance premiums, particularly as Gap's main sourcing countries, Vietnam and India, are severely disrupted, impacting their market competitiveness.
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Analyst Views on CRI
Wall Street analysts forecast CRI stock price to fall
3 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
0 Hold
2 Sell
Moderate Sell
Current: 34.750
Low
25.00
Averages
34.67
High
50.00
Current: 34.750
Low
25.00
Averages
34.67
High
50.00
About CRI
Carter's, Inc. is a marketer of young children's apparel in North America. Its segments include U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International. The U.S. Retail segment includes sales of products in the United States through its retail stores and eCommerce websites. The U.S. Wholesale segment consists of sales in the United States of products to its wholesale partners. The International segment includes sales of products outside the United States, through its retail stores and e-commerce websites in Canada and Mexico, and sales to its international wholesale customers and licensees. It owns Carter's and OshKosh B'gosh brands. These brands are sold in department stores, national chains, and specialty retailers domestically and internationally. They are also sold through nearly 1,000 Company-operated stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico and online at www.carters.com, www.oshkosh.com, www.cartersoshkosh.ca, and www.carters.com.mx. It also owns Little Planet and Skip Hop brands.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Impact of Strait of Hormuz Closure on Consumer Goods
- Supply Chain Disruption Risk: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts approximately 20% of global oil and gas transport, directly impacting major garment-producing countries like Vietnam, India, and Bangladesh, which could lead to increased consumer goods prices and affect retailers' profit margins.
- Carter's Significant Damage: As North America's largest branded baby apparel company, Carter's estimates annual losses of $200 million to $250 million due to tariff costs, and with the closure of the Strait, it may face greater supply chain pressures, resulting in the closure of 150 stores and a 15% workforce reduction.
- Oxford Industries Financial Strain: Oxford Industries anticipates a reduction of $1.25 to $1.50 per share in earnings for fiscal 2025 due to tariffs, and with the Strait's closure, it faces increased freight and insurance costs, potentially leading to further inventory cuts and discounts that could impact profitability.
- Gap Inc. Supply Chain Challenges: Gap Inc.'s primary sourcing countries, Vietnam and India, are directly affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and despite efforts to diversify its supply chain, the company must contend with rising shipping costs and supply disruptions, which could undermine its market competitiveness.
See More
Closure of Strait of Hormuz Triggers Supply Chain Crisis
- Supply Chain Strain: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts approximately 20% of global oil and gas supplies, directly impacting retailers reliant on Asian manufacturing, such as Carter's and Gap, thereby increasing costs and operational risks.
- Significant Tariff Impact: Carter's anticipates tariff-related costs to reach $200 million to $250 million, leading to the closure of 150 stores and a 15% workforce reduction, compounding its already strained cost structure.
- Inventory Management Challenges: Oxford Industries faced a reduction of $1.25 to $1.50 per share in earnings due to tariffs in fiscal 2025, forcing inventory cuts and deeper discounts, while its alternative sourcing options are also affected by the Hormuz closure.
- Surging Transportation Costs: Kontoor Brands and Gap are experiencing increased transportation costs due to rerouting and soaring insurance premiums, particularly as Gap's main sourcing countries, Vietnam and India, are severely disrupted, impacting their market competitiveness.
See More
Opportunities and Challenges in the Footwear and Apparel Industry
- Premiumization Trend: The footwear and apparel industry is benefiting from consumers' preference for high-performance, high-quality products, which is driving price increases and enhancing brand loyalty, likely strengthening market competitiveness further.
- Digital Transformation: Brands are increasingly investing in e-commerce platforms and data analytics, improving customer relationships and inventory efficiency, which promotes growth in direct-to-consumer sales and enhances market responsiveness.
- Margin Pressure: Despite the overall optimistic outlook for the industry, frequent promotional activities, excess inventory, and cautious consumer spending are compressing profit margins, posing challenges to profitability.
- Industry Ranking: The Zacks Shoes and Retail Apparel industry ranks 89, placing it in the top 37%, indicating the sector's potential for future earnings growth, even though its overall performance has been poor over the past year.
See More
Carter's Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Revenue Growth Resurgence: Carter's reported Q4 2025 net sales of $925 million, an 8% increase year-over-year, and a 3% rise in consolidated net sales excluding the 53rd week, marking the first year-over-year growth since 2021, indicating successful brand and consumer strategies.
- Margin Challenges: Despite revenue growth, gross margin fell to 43.2%, down 460 basis points year-over-year, primarily due to a $40 million tariff impact, reflecting pressure on the company's cost control and pricing power, which may affect future profitability.
- Cautious Future Outlook: Management expects net sales growth in the low to mid-single digits for 2026, while adjusted earnings per share are projected to decline in the low double digits to mid-teens, indicating a cautious stance on future profitability amid tariff and inflation challenges.
- Management Changes: Carter's announced the retirement of Treasurer Sean McHugh and appointed T.C. Robillard as the new Vice President of Investor Relations, signaling strategic adjustments at the executive level to address future challenges.
See More
Carter's Guidance Overshadows Q4 Earnings, Shares Plunge
- Strong Sales Growth: Carter's reported a 7.6% year-over-year increase in Q4 sales to $925.5 million, although the actual growth was only 3.4% due to an extra week, indicating growth across U.S. retail, international, and wholesale segments, yet the market reacted negatively due to poor future guidance.
- Operating Income Slightly Up: Operating income rose 1.8% to $84.7 million, but the operating margin fell by 50 basis points to 9.2% due to increased tariffs, product investments, and incentive compensation, highlighting the cost pressures impacting profitability.
- Adjusted EPS Decline: Carter's adjusted EPS fell by 20.5% to $1.90, reflecting significant pressure on profitability in a high-cost environment, which exacerbated market pessimism regarding future earnings expectations.
- Future Guidance Below Expectations: The company guided for mid-single-digit net sales growth in Q1, but EPS guidance of $0.02 to $0.08 is well below the consensus of $0.36, leading to a 12.3% drop in shares during premarket trading.
See More
Carters Inc. Reports Increased Q4 Earnings
- Earnings Growth: Carters Inc. reported a fourth-quarter profit of $64.22 million, translating to $1.76 per share, which is an increase from last year's $61.52 million and $1.71 per share, indicating sustained improvement in profitability.
- Adjusted Earnings: Excluding items, the company reported adjusted earnings of $69.2 million or $1.90 per share, reflecting strong performance in its core business and enhanced profitability.
- Revenue Increase: The company's revenue rose 7.6% year-over-year to $925.45 million, up from $859.71 million last year, demonstrating increased market demand and effective sales strategies.
- Market Impact: The growth in earnings and revenue not only boosts investor confidence but also lays the groundwork for future business expansion and market share enhancement, strengthening Carters Inc.'s competitive position in the children's apparel market.
See More
Impact of Strait of Hormuz Closure on Consumer Goods
- Supply Chain Disruption Risk: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts approximately 20% of global oil and gas transport, directly impacting major garment-producing countries like Vietnam, India, and Bangladesh, which could lead to increased consumer goods prices and affect retailers' profit margins.
- Carter's Significant Damage: As North America's largest branded baby apparel company, Carter's estimates annual losses of $200 million to $250 million due to tariff costs, and with the closure of the Strait, it may face greater supply chain pressures, resulting in the closure of 150 stores and a 15% workforce reduction.
- Oxford Industries Financial Strain: Oxford Industries anticipates a reduction of $1.25 to $1.50 per share in earnings for fiscal 2025 due to tariffs, and with the Strait's closure, it faces increased freight and insurance costs, potentially leading to further inventory cuts and discounts that could impact profitability.
- Gap Inc. Supply Chain Challenges: Gap Inc.'s primary sourcing countries, Vietnam and India, are directly affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and despite efforts to diversify its supply chain, the company must contend with rising shipping costs and supply disruptions, which could undermine its market competitiveness.
See More
Closure of Strait of Hormuz Triggers Supply Chain Crisis
- Supply Chain Strain: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts approximately 20% of global oil and gas supplies, directly impacting retailers reliant on Asian manufacturing, such as Carter's and Gap, thereby increasing costs and operational risks.
- Significant Tariff Impact: Carter's anticipates tariff-related costs to reach $200 million to $250 million, leading to the closure of 150 stores and a 15% workforce reduction, compounding its already strained cost structure.
- Inventory Management Challenges: Oxford Industries faced a reduction of $1.25 to $1.50 per share in earnings due to tariffs in fiscal 2025, forcing inventory cuts and deeper discounts, while its alternative sourcing options are also affected by the Hormuz closure.
- Surging Transportation Costs: Kontoor Brands and Gap are experiencing increased transportation costs due to rerouting and soaring insurance premiums, particularly as Gap's main sourcing countries, Vietnam and India, are severely disrupted, impacting their market competitiveness.
See More
Opportunities and Challenges in the Footwear and Apparel Industry
- Premiumization Trend: The footwear and apparel industry is benefiting from consumers' preference for high-performance, high-quality products, which is driving price increases and enhancing brand loyalty, likely strengthening market competitiveness further.
- Digital Transformation: Brands are increasingly investing in e-commerce platforms and data analytics, improving customer relationships and inventory efficiency, which promotes growth in direct-to-consumer sales and enhances market responsiveness.
- Margin Pressure: Despite the overall optimistic outlook for the industry, frequent promotional activities, excess inventory, and cautious consumer spending are compressing profit margins, posing challenges to profitability.
- Industry Ranking: The Zacks Shoes and Retail Apparel industry ranks 89, placing it in the top 37%, indicating the sector's potential for future earnings growth, even though its overall performance has been poor over the past year.
See More
Carter's Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Revenue Growth Resurgence: Carter's reported Q4 2025 net sales of $925 million, an 8% increase year-over-year, and a 3% rise in consolidated net sales excluding the 53rd week, marking the first year-over-year growth since 2021, indicating successful brand and consumer strategies.
- Margin Challenges: Despite revenue growth, gross margin fell to 43.2%, down 460 basis points year-over-year, primarily due to a $40 million tariff impact, reflecting pressure on the company's cost control and pricing power, which may affect future profitability.
- Cautious Future Outlook: Management expects net sales growth in the low to mid-single digits for 2026, while adjusted earnings per share are projected to decline in the low double digits to mid-teens, indicating a cautious stance on future profitability amid tariff and inflation challenges.
- Management Changes: Carter's announced the retirement of Treasurer Sean McHugh and appointed T.C. Robillard as the new Vice President of Investor Relations, signaling strategic adjustments at the executive level to address future challenges.
See More
Carter's Guidance Overshadows Q4 Earnings, Shares Plunge
- Strong Sales Growth: Carter's reported a 7.6% year-over-year increase in Q4 sales to $925.5 million, although the actual growth was only 3.4% due to an extra week, indicating growth across U.S. retail, international, and wholesale segments, yet the market reacted negatively due to poor future guidance.
- Operating Income Slightly Up: Operating income rose 1.8% to $84.7 million, but the operating margin fell by 50 basis points to 9.2% due to increased tariffs, product investments, and incentive compensation, highlighting the cost pressures impacting profitability.
- Adjusted EPS Decline: Carter's adjusted EPS fell by 20.5% to $1.90, reflecting significant pressure on profitability in a high-cost environment, which exacerbated market pessimism regarding future earnings expectations.
- Future Guidance Below Expectations: The company guided for mid-single-digit net sales growth in Q1, but EPS guidance of $0.02 to $0.08 is well below the consensus of $0.36, leading to a 12.3% drop in shares during premarket trading.
See More
Carters Inc. Reports Increased Q4 Earnings
- Earnings Growth: Carters Inc. reported a fourth-quarter profit of $64.22 million, translating to $1.76 per share, which is an increase from last year's $61.52 million and $1.71 per share, indicating sustained improvement in profitability.
- Adjusted Earnings: Excluding items, the company reported adjusted earnings of $69.2 million or $1.90 per share, reflecting strong performance in its core business and enhanced profitability.
- Revenue Increase: The company's revenue rose 7.6% year-over-year to $925.45 million, up from $859.71 million last year, demonstrating increased market demand and effective sales strategies.
- Market Impact: The growth in earnings and revenue not only boosts investor confidence but also lays the groundwork for future business expansion and market share enhancement, strengthening Carters Inc.'s competitive position in the children's apparel market.
See More
