During the quarter ended 4 April 2026, Wolverine Worldwide recorded an 11% year-on-year rise in revenue, reaching $457.6m, compared to $412.3m in the prior year period.
The company’s operating profit increased by 61.4%, rising from $21.0m in Q1 2025 to $33.9m in Q1 2026.
Net earnings attributable to the company were $20.2m over the quarter, up 67.0% from $12.1m in the first quarter last year. This translates to diluted earnings per share of $0.24, compared to $0.15 previously.
The company maintained its year-over-year gross margin at 47.6%. The financial statement noted a beneficial sales mix of more full-price sales and price increases, partially offset by increased US tariffs.
As of 4 April 2026, Wolverine Worldwide says its inventory increased 0.4% to $280m and its net debt fell 14.1% to $519m from $604m at the end of Q1 2025.
“The team delivered a solid start to 2026, with first quarter revenue, gross margin, and earnings per share all exceeding our expectations. I believe we're better brand builders today – led by Merrell and Saucony – with encouraging progress now evident across our broader portfolio," said Wolverine Worldwide president and chief executive officer Chris Hufnagel.
"We're executing our strategies with pace, navigating a dynamic operating environment by leaning into what we do best – building awesome products, telling amazing stories, and driving the business forward each day.”
For the full year 2026, Wolverine Worldwide maintained its revenue outlook of approximately $1.96bn to $1.99bn, which represents projected annual growth of 4.6% to 5.9% for 2025.
The company says it now forecasts a gross margin of about 46.4% for FY26, 90 basis points lower than 2025, but ahead of its previous projection of 46.0%.
Operating margin for FY26 is projected at 9.2%, up 120 basis points from the prior year and up from the previous expectation of approximately 8.8%.
The company estimates diluted earnings per share of $1.39 to $1.54, up from the previous guidance of a range of $1.31 to $1.46.
The news follows shortly after Wolverine Worldwide shared results for the fourth quarter of 2025, which exceeded expectations and ended a “solid year” for the conglomerate.
