Fashion
Klarna raises $1.37 billion in US IPO, boosting fintech hopefuls
By
Reuters
Published
September 10, 2025
Buy-now, pay-later lender Klarna raised $1.37 billion in its U.S. initial public offering, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday, setting the stage for a market debut that could set the trend for high-growth fintech listings.
The Sequoia Capital-backed Swedish company and some of its existing investors sold 34.3 million shares at $40 each above the targeted range of $35 to $37.
The IPO values Klarna at $15.11 billion, a significant step down from the more than $45 billion valuation it notched in 2021 after a rapid ascent as a BNPL leader.
Its valuation dropped to $6.7 billion in 2022 amid rising interest rates and inflation.
Klarna is headlining companies ranging from crypto to consumer that are aiming to go public in New York this week, as a rallying stock market and blockbuster debuts ease tariff worries and rekindle investor interest in IPOs.
The company, which has been planning a New York listing for years, paused its efforts in April as sweeping U.S. tariffs on its trading partners resulted in choppy global markets.
Founded in 2005, Klarna was profitable until its U.S. expansion in 2019, just ahead of the online shopping boom sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While its user count and gross merchandise value continue to expand in double digits, profitability remains a challenge.
Losses widened to $52 million in the quarter ended June 30 from $7 million a year ago, while revenue rose to $823 million from $682 million.
“While the market is open again to fintech listings, companies will be judged quickly on their ability to balance growth with profitability in a tougher macro backdrop,” said Rudy Yang, senior analyst at PitchBook.
The company also operates as a digital-first neobank. Peer Chime’s shares popped 59% in its Nasdaq debut in June, although they trade below the issue price, as of last close.
However, analysts said Klarna’s brand power might help secure its footing among fintechs.
“The sector is highly competitive and rapidly evolving, and brand recognition, where Klarna remains strong, is often as critical as (the) business model,” said Kat Liu, vice president at IPO research firm IPOX.
U.S. consumer spending has held up despite sticky inflation, labor market cracks, and slowing income growth.
Alternative payments services such as Klarna, which ease the immediate financial burden by allowing shoppers to split purchases into smaller, interest-free installments over weeks or months, have witnessed stable demand.
For the 12 months ended June 30, Klarna earned 75% of its revenue from transaction and service-based fees – the majority of which came from merchants on its network – the lowest as a share of total revenue for the same period since 2022.
The share of interest income in this period rose to 25%.
“Since Klarna’s BNPL model depends on both transaction volume and repayment rates, lower spending reduces merchant fee capture while also raising the risk of credit losses,” Liu said.
Goldman Sachs, J.P.Morgan, and Morgan Stanley are the joint book-running managers. Klarna will start trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KLAR” on Wednesday.
© Thomson Reuters 2025 All rights reserved.
Fashion
Netherlands’ goods exports to US fall 4.7% in Jan-Oct 2025
The data showed that the decline was driven mainly by weaker domestic exports, with goods produced in the Netherlands down 8 per cent YoY. In contrast, re-exports to the US rose 3.9 per cent during the period. Exports to the US have fallen every month on a YoY basis since July, CBS said in a press release.
Trade flows were influenced by uncertainty around US import tariffs. In the first half of 2025, trade between the two countries continued to grow, possibly as companies advanced shipments ahead of announced tariff measures.
Goods exports from the Netherlands to the United States fell 4.7 per cent YoY to €27.5 billion (~$33 billion) in the first ten months of 2025, driven by an 8 per cent drop in domestic exports, according to CBS.
Re-exports rose 3.9 per cent, while tariff uncertainty weighed on trade.
Imports from the US increased 1.9 per cent to €48.1 billion (~$57.7 billion).
Meanwhile, imports from the United States rose 1.9 per cent YoY to €48.1 billion (~$57.7 billion) in the first ten months of 2025.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Fashion
Philippines revises Q3 2025 GDP growth down to 3.9%
The Philippines’ economic growth for the third quarter (Q3) of 2025 has been revised slightly lower, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding 3.9 per cent year on year (YoY), down from the preliminary estimate of 4 per cent.
Gross national income growth for the quarter was also revised to 5.4 per cent from 5.6 per cent, while net primary income from the rest of the world was adjusted to 16.2 per cent from 16.9 per cent.
The Philippine Statistics Authority has revised down the country’s third-quarter 2025 GDP growth to 3.9 per cent from an earlier estimate of 4 per cent.
Gross national income growth was also lowered to 5.4 per cent, while net primary income from abroad eased to 16.2 per cent.
The PSA said the adjustments reflect its standard, internationally aligned revision policy.
The Philippine Statistics Authority said the revisions were made in line with its approved revision policy, which follows international standards for national accounts updates.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Fashion
US’ Levi Strauss reports solid FY25, driven by organic growth
Operating margin improved sharply to 10.8 per cent from 4.4 per cent in FY24, while adjusted EBIT margin increased to 11.4 per cent from 10.7 per cent, marking the third consecutive year of margin expansion. The net income from continuing operations more than doubled to $502 million from $210 million, with adjusted net income rising to $537 million.
Levi Strauss & Co has delivered a strong FY25, with net revenues rising 4 per cent to $6.3 billion and organic growth of 7 per cent, alongside sharp margin expansion and higher profitability.
Q4 saw 5 per cent organic growth, led by Europe, Asia and DTC, which accounted for nearly half of revenues.
The company expects mid-single digit growth and further margin gains in FY26.
Diluted EPS from continuing operations increased to $1.26 from $0.52 in the previous year, while adjusted diluted EPS rose to $1.34 from $1.24. The company generated $530 million in operating cash flow and $308 million in adjusted free cash flow. The company returned $363 million to shareholders during the fiscal, up 26 per cent YoY, LS&Co said in a press release.
In the fourth quarter (Q4) ended November 30, 2025, the company reported net revenues of $1.8 billion, up 1 per cent on a reported basis and 5 per cent organically compared with Q4 FY24. Growth was broad-based, supported by strong momentum in Europe, Asia and Beyond Yoga, alongside high-single digit comparable growth in direct-to-consumer (DTC).
Europe recorded reported revenue growth of 8 per cent and organic growth of 10 per cent, while Asia delivered growth of 2 per cent reported and 4 per cent organically. In the Americas, revenues declined 4 per cent reported but increased 2 per cent organically, with the US business flat on an organic basis. Beyond Yoga continued to outperform, posting reported growth of 37 per cent and organic growth of 45 per cent.
DTC revenues increased 8 per cent on a reported basis and 10 per cent organically, driven by strength across all regions. E-commerce revenues rose 19 per cent reported and 22 per cent organically, with DTC accounting for 49 per cent of total quarterly revenues. Wholesale revenues declined 5 per cent reported and were flat organically.
Operating margin in the quarter was stable at 11.9 per cent, while adjusted EBIT margin declined to 12.1 per cent from 13.9 per cent a year earlier due to tariff-related pressure on gross margins and higher adjusted SG&A expenses. Gross margin stood at 60.8 per cent versus 61.8 per cent in Q4 FY24. Net income from continuing operations was $160 million, with diluted EPS of $0.4 and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.41.
“Over the past few years, we’ve taken bold steps towards becoming a DTC-first, head-to-toe denim lifestyle brand,” said Michelle Gass, president and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co. “We are well on our way toward realising our strategic ambitions. We have narrowed our focus, improved operational execution and built greater agility across the organisation. As a result, we’ve elevated the Levi’s brand and delivered faster growth and higher profitability as reflected by our Q4 and full year 2025 results. While we still have important work ahead, the company is at an inflection point—emerging as a stronger, more resilient global business ready to define the next chapter of LS&Co.”
“We are sustaining our momentum, delivering 5 per cent organic growth in the fourth quarter on top of 8 per cent growth in the prior year. Our success in denim lifestyle has enabled us to expand our addressable market, positioning us for mid-single digit growth in 2026 and beyond,” said Harmit Singh, chief financial and growth officer of Levi Strauss & Co. “Our disciplined approach to converting growth into profitability has improved adjusted EBIT margin again in 2025 for the third year in a row, and we are on track to expand margins further as we strive toward 15 per cent. Our confidence in this trajectory is reflected in a new $200 million ASR program.”
Looking ahead, the company expects mid-single digit revenue growth in fiscal 2026 alongside further adjusted EBIT margin expansion, supported by continued DTC momentum, disciplined cost management and ongoing brand strength, added the release.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
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