American shoe manufacturer Rocky Brands Inc has reported net sales of $139.7 million in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025 ended December 31, an increase of 9.1 per cent year on year (YoY). The growth was primarily supported by strong retail channel momentum, with retail sales surging 30.8 per cent to $57.0 million, while wholesale sales declined 2.1 per cent to $79.6 million and contract manufacturing sales slipped 1.6 per cent to $3.2 million.

The gross margin for the quarter stood at 41.3 per cent of net sales, slightly below 41.5 per cent a year earlier. The marginal decline reflected tariff-driven pressure on wholesale margins, partially offset by improved retail profitability and a higher retail sales mix. Operating expenses increased to $48.1 million, or 34.5 per cent of net sales, mainly due to higher logistics costs linked to retail growth as well as increased incentive compensation and discretionary spending.

Rocky Brands has posted net sales of $139.7 million in Q4 2025, up 9.1 per cent YoY, driven by a 30.8 per cent surge in retail sales, while wholesale and contract manufacturing declined.
Net income rose 35.7 per cent to $6.5 million.
Full-year sales grew 6.2 per cent to $482 million with improved margins and profitability, supported by strong DTC demand despite tariff pressures.

Income from operations increased 12.8 per cent to $9.6 million, representing 6.9 per cent of net sales, compared with $8.5 million in the prior-year quarter. Net income rose sharply by 35.7 per cent to $6.5 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, versus $4.8 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, a year earlier, Rocky Brands said in a press release.

Adjusted net income for the quarter was $7.2 million, or $0.94 per diluted share, compared with $8.9 million, or $1.19 per diluted share in the corresponding period of 2024. Interest expense declined to $2.5 million from $3 million due to lower debt levels and easing interest rates.

For the full year 2025, Rocky Brands recorded net sales of $482 million, up 6.2 per cent from $453.8 million in 2024. Wholesale sales grew modestly by 1 per cent to $316.6 million, while retail sales climbed 20.5 per cent to $152.9 million, highlighting the continued shift towards direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels. Contract manufacturing revenue declined 7.7 per cent to $12.5 million.

Annual gross margin improved significantly by 150 basis points to 40.9 per cent, driven by stronger wholesale profitability and favourable channel mix. Operating expenses totalled $160.1 million, or 33.2 per cent of net sales, reflecting investments to support growth initiatives. Income from operations increased 19.7 per cent to $37.2 million, representing 7.7 per cent of net sales.

Net income for 2025 nearly doubled to $22.3 million, or $2.96 per diluted share, compared with $11.4 million, or $1.52 per diluted share in 2024. Adjusted net income reached $24.5 million, or $3.26 per diluted share, up from $19.0 million, or $2.54 per diluted share the previous year. Interest expense declined to $10.0 million following debt refinancing in April 2024 and continued deleveraging, with total debt falling to $122.6 million at year-end from $128.7 million in 2024.

“We concluded 2025 with our highest quarterly net sales growth rate for the year in the fourth quarter, reflecting the momentum that has been building in our business,” said Jason Brooks, chairman, president and CEO at Rocky Brands. “Our performance during the key holiday selling season was highlighted by strong demand in our direct-to-consumer channel led by XTRATUF, which delivered nearly triple digit sales growth online. These results contributed to a very good year for our Company, especially considering the industry headwinds caused by higher tariffs and deteriorating US consumer sentiment.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)

Switzerland’s textile machinery manufacturer Rieter has reported order intake of CHF 703.4 million (~$907.4 million) in 2025, compared with CHF 725.5 million in 2024, remaining broadly stable on a currency-adjusted basis. The Machines and Systems division posted orders of CHF 346.3 million, marginally lower year on year (YoY) as tariff uncertainty delayed project finalisation.

The components division generated CHF 193.5 million (~$249.6 million) in orders amid cautious investment in new machinery, while the After Sales division posted a 6 per cent increase to CHF 163.6 million, supported by expanded service networks and stronger activity in Central Asia and China.

Rieter has reported stable 2025 order intake of CHF 703.4 million (~$907.4 million) despite market uncertainty, while sales fell 20 per cent to CHF 685.1 million (~$883.8 million).
Cost controls delivered positive operating EBIT, but Barmag-related charges led to a net loss.
The Barmag acquisition expands fibre capabilities.
For 2026, Rieter projects CHF 1.3-1.5 billion ($1.68-1.94 billion) sales.

Group sales declined 20 per cent YoY to CHF 685.1 million (~$883.8 million) from CHF 859.1 million, reflecting subdued market demand. Sales in Machines and Systems dropped 23 per cent to CHF 329.1 million, Components fell 19 per cent to CHF 200.8 million, and After Sales decreased 17 per cent to CHF 155.2 million. Order backlog stood at around CHF 510 million at the end of 2025, Rieter said in a press release.

Despite weaker sales, Rieter achieved a positive operating EBIT of CHF 2.5 million through cost control measures. However, restructuring expenses and transaction costs related to the Barmag acquisition, totalling CHF 54.2 million, resulted in a net loss of CHF 63.4 million for the year compared with a net profit of CHF 10.4 million in 2024. Free cash flow turned negative at CHF 40.6 million, although net liquidity improved to CHF 184.3 million following a capital increase completed in October 2025.

Given the negative earnings, the board has proposed no dividend distribution while reaffirming its long-term policy of paying at least 40 per cent of net profit. The equity ratio strengthened to 53.3 per cent at the end of 2025, reflecting the capital raise linked to the acquisition.

Rieter completed the acquisition of Barmag on February 2, 2026, integrating the business as its new Man-Made Fiber Division. The move expands the company’s capabilities beyond short-staple fibre machinery, positioning it as a system supplier across natural and man-made fibre processing and strengthening technological capabilities in automation and digitisation.

The company expects at least CHF 20 million in synergies from the acquisition and has outlined new medium-term scenarios. Depending on market conditions, annual sales could range from CHF 1.4 billion with 2-5 per cent operating margins in a subdued environment to CHF 2.2 billion with margins of 8-11 per cent under strong demand.

For 2026, which Rieter described as a transition year, the group forecasts sales between CHF 1.3 billion and CHF 1.5 billion ($1.68-1.94 billion) and a positive operating EBIT margin of 0-3 per cent as integration and restructuring initiatives progress. Financing for the combined entity’s development is fully secured.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)

According to *fashion.com/market-intelligence/texpro-textile-and-apparel/” target=”_blank”>sourcing intelligence tool TexPro, export volumes reached **.*** billion pairs in ****, up from **.*** billion pairs in **** and **.*** billion pairs in ****. This steady rise in shipments highlights China’s scale advantage and strong manufacturing ecosystem, enabling suppliers to push higher volumes into international markets even amid softer demand conditions and heightened price sensitivity among buyers.

Average export prices continued their downward trajectory, declining to $*.** per pair in **** from $*.** in ****, $*.** in **** and $*.** in ****. The sustained erosion in unit values suggests a combination of factors, including aggressive pricing competition, a shift towards lower-priced product mixes, and buyer efforts to optimise sourcing costs in an uncertain global consumption environment.