Genesco (NYSE:GCO) Issues Earnings Results

Posted by Francis Steltz on Sep 5th, 2026

Genesco (NYSE:GCO – Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported ($0.83) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($1.37) by $0.54, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $529.86 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $527.26 million. Genesco had a net margin of 1.71% and a return on equity of 3.13%. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned ($1.79) earnings per share. Genesco updated its FY 2027 guidance to 2.000-2.400 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Genesco’s conference call:

Fiscal Q2 earnings significantly exceeded expectations: Adjusted operating loss improved to $8 million from $14 million, despite revenue declining 3% to $530 million, driven by 140 basis points of gross-margin expansion and disciplined expense management.
Journeys maintained strong momentum with its eighth consecutive positive comparable-sales quarter, supported by lifestyle athletic products, Mary Janes and ballet-inspired footwear, higher conversion, full-price selling, and 4.0 stores generating more than a 25% sales lift.
Johnston & Murphy posted its third consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales, aided by new apparel and footwear assortments, stronger traffic and conversion, and the extended two-year partnership with Peyton Manning.
Schuh’s reset is improving profitability but pressuring sales: gross margin increased 300 basis points and operating income was nearly flat year over year despite a 9% comp decline, as the company reduced promotions, closed stores, and optimized costs.
Genesco raised its outlook to the high end of its previously increased $2.00–$2.40 adjusted EPS range and expects up to $20 million of fiscal 2027 structural savings; it also repurchased approximately 318,000 shares for $11 million through August 31.

Genesco Trading Up 4.2%

Shares of GCO opened at $35.90 on Friday. Genesco has a 12 month low of $21.92 and a 12 month high of $43.60. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $35.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $33.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 0.37. The stock has a market cap of $398.85 million, a PE ratio of 9.35 and a beta of 1.80.

Trending Headlines about Genesco

Here are the key news stories impacting Genesco this week:

Positive Sentiment: Genesco reported an adjusted loss of $0.83 per share, significantly better than the $1.37 loss analysts expected and improved from a $1.79 loss a year earlier. Revenue of approximately $529.9 million also exceeded consensus estimates of $527.3 million. Genesco Boosts FY27 Adjusted EPS Outlook
Positive Sentiment: The company raised its fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS outlook to the high end of its existing $2.00-$2.40 range, implying confidence in its turnaround plan. Revenue guidance of about $2.4 billion was maintained, broadly matching analyst expectations. Genesco Signals Fiscal 2027 EPS at High End
Positive Sentiment: Journeys comparable sales rose 2%, while Johnston & Murphy comparable sales increased 4%. Genesco also plans to open approximately 95 Journeys 4.0 locations, supporting expectations for future growth.
Positive Sentiment: GAAP gross margin expanded to 51.4% from 45.8%, and the company swung to $3.5 million of net income from an $18.5 million loss in the prior-year quarter.
Neutral Sentiment: Truist Financial lowered its price target from $40 to $38 and kept a “hold” rating. The revised target still indicates modest upside, but signals limited near-term conviction.
Negative Sentiment: Sales declined 3% year over year, comparable sales fell 1%, and e-commerce comparable sales dropped 6%. An analysis also cautioned that the $22.5 million tariff refund, including interest, materially boosted quarterly results and may obscure underlying operating performance. One-Time Cash Payments Distort the Real Picture

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Gregory Sandfort bought 2,958 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 9th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $33.80 per share, for a total transaction of $99,980.40. Following the acquisition, the director owned 29,172 shares in the company, valued at $986,013.60. This represents a 11.28% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 23.11% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Genesco

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its position in shares of Genesco by 92.3% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,960 shares of the company’s stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 941 shares in the last quarter. Group One Trading LLC purchased a new stake in Genesco during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its stake in Genesco by 6.3% during the 3rd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 18,966 shares of the company’s stock worth $550,000 after buying an additional 1,121 shares during the period. Quarry LP lifted its holdings in Genesco by 182.2% in the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,964 shares of the company’s stock worth $57,000 after buying an additional 1,268 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp acquired a new position in Genesco in the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.51% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on GCO shares. Seaport Research Partners downgraded shares of Genesco from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Weiss Ratings lowered Genesco from a “hold (c)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research note on Friday, June 12th. Zacks Research downgraded Genesco from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, July 31st. Truist Financial dropped their target price on shares of Genesco from $40.00 to $38.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Genesco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, June 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $36.00.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Genesco

About Genesco

(Get Free Report)

Genesco Inc is a Nashville, Tennessee-based retailer, wholesaler and licensee specializing in branded footwear, headwear, apparel and accessories. Through its portfolio of retail chains, wholesale distribution channels and licensing agreements, Genesco brings a range of product offerings to consumers in North America and Europe.

The company’s retail segment includes specialty chains such as Journeys, which targets fashion-focused teens and young adults in the United States and Canada, and Schuh, a footwear retailer with locations in the United Kingdom and Ireland.