Fashion
Germany’s Hugo Boss sees Q2 growth amid volatility, sales hit $1.2 bn
While the reported revenue declined 1 per cent due to adverse currency effects, EBIT jumped 15 per cent to €81 million (~$93.15 million), lifting the EBIT margin by 120 basis points (bps) to 8.1 per cent.
Germany’s Hugo Boss has reported solid Q2 2025 results, with currency-adjusted sales up 1 per cent to €1,002 million (~$1.16 million) and EBIT rising 15 per cent to €81 million (~$93.15 million).
Growth was driven by Boss Menswear and digital sales, offsetting declines in Asia and other segments.
The company reaffirmed its 2025 outlook, projecting sales growth between –2 per cent and +2 per cent.
Brand-wise, Boss Menswear remained the company’s main growth driver, with currency-adjusted sales up 5 per cent. In contrast, Boss Womenswear and Hugo declined by 8 per cent and 12 per cent respectively, as the company undertakes strategic adjustments in these segments.
Regionally, Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and the Americas returned to growth with 3 per cent and 2 per cent increases respectively, while the Asia/Pacific region lagged, down 5 per cent, largely due to weak consumer sentiment in China.
The digital business grew by 7 per cent and wholesale by 3 per cent, though brick-and-mortar retail saw a slight 1 per cent dip.
The gross margin held steady at 62.9 per cent in Q2, aided by sourcing efficiencies and improved product costs. Operating expenses declined 3 per cent, reflecting stringent cost discipline across selling, marketing, and administrative functions.
Notably, selling and marketing costs dropped 4 per cent, with marketing investments down 10 per cent YoY in Q2, though largely due to timing shifts.
The net income of the company rose 28 per cent to €50 million (~$57.5 million), with earnings per share (EPS) increasing by 27 per cent to €0.68. Financial expenses declined 27 per cent, benefitting from favourable currency developments.
Trade net working capital (TNWC) remained stable at €839 million, though up 5 per cent currency-adjusted, due to increased inventories and trade receivables. This rise was a strategic move to mitigate tariff uncertainties. The TNWC ratio, based on a four-quarter moving average, improved to 19.7 per cent from 21.2 per cent last year.
“The second quarter (Q2) of 2025 was once again marked by a challenging macroeconomic and industry environment, with global consumer confidence remaining at a low level. Against this backdrop, we delivered solid top and bottom-line improvements, supported by further efficiency gains through our rigorous and sustainable cost discipline,” said Daniel Grieder, chief executive officer (CEO) at Hugo Boss. “Importantly, we remain committed to our long-term ambition of strengthening brand relevance over short-term gains. The successful launch of our Beckham X Boss collection in April is just one example of how we are continuing to drive brand momentum, even in a volatile environment.”
For full year 2025, Hugo Boss is expecting group sales between €4.2 billion and €4.4 billion (–2 per cent to +2 per cent), and EBIT between €380 million and €440 million, marking a projected rise of 5 to 22 per cent. The EBIT margin is forecasted between 9 per cent and 10 per cent.
Sales are anticipated to remain stable in EMEA and the Americas, while Asia/Pacific is expected to witness a moderate decline. Capital expenditure for the year is projected between €200 million and €250 million, lower than €286 million in 2024.
Despite ongoing geopolitical and economic volatility, Hugo Boss aims to drive high-quality growth by executing new brand campaigns and fashion shows in the second half of 2025, reinforcing its global relevance and customer engagement.
“Based on our performance in the first half of 2025, we confirm our full-year outlook for both sales and operating profit. As we enter the second half of the year, our focus remains on exciting consumers, unlocking additional business opportunities and maintaining a consistent focus on high-quality growth. I am particularly excited about our upcoming Fall/Winter 2025 collections and the launch of our new brand campaigns later this month, which are set to further boost brand relevance,” added Grieder.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Following earlier increases in purified terephthalic acid (PTA), melt and PSF, Indian producers have now raised PFY prices. POY, FDY and PTY prices have been increased by ****;* per kg across all deniers and lustres with effect from March *, reflecting rapid cost pass-through amid heightened volatility in crude-linked value chains, according to the market sources.
In the previous weekly revision effective February **, ****, PTA was increased by ****;*.** per kg to ****;**.** per kg, while monoethylene glycol (MEG) was retained at ****;**.** per kg. Polyester melt prices were raised by ****;*.** per kg to ****;**.** per kg. Downstream PSF prices were also revised upward by ****;*.** per kg from March *.
May 2026 cotton settled at 64.59 cents per pound, down 1.02 cents. This marked the lowest settlement price for May contract since February 20, effectively erasing all gains made over that period.
Cotton futures on Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) fell over 1 per cent, with May 2026 settling at 64.59 cents/lb, the lowest since Feb 20, amid Middle East tensions and a stronger US dollar.
Rising inventories and risk aversion pressured prices.
Speculators cut net shorts, while crude oil surged.
ICE cotton traded mixed in early Indian hours today.
Total trading volume for the session came in at 73,225 contracts. ICE-certified deliverable No. 2 cotton inventory rose to 126,178 bales as of February 26, up from 119,457 bales the previous trading day.
The US dollar climbed to its highest level in over a month, making dollar-denominated commodities like cotton more expensive for international buyers and reducing export demand.
Market analysts stated that the Middle East conflict is putting significant pressure on cotton and that a broader risk-aversion tone is affecting the market.
On March 2, Iran continued launching attacks on US military bases across multiple countries in the Middle East, with explosions reported in several locations. An advisor to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander announced that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed, with Iran threatening to strike any vessels attempting to pass through it.
US President Trump indicated that military action against Iran could last four to five weeks, while also expressing readiness for operations to extend considerably longer.
Major Wall Street indices declined on Monday as the conflict raised fears of disrupted global trade routes and renewed inflationary pressures. Analysts warned that investors appear to be rebuilding short positions in cotton, suggesting continued downward price pressure in the near term. The earlier May contract low of 62.86 cents per pound as a key support level that could be tested again.
CFTC data released the prior Friday showed that speculators reduced their net short positions in ICE cotton futures and options by 26,508 contracts in the week ending February 24, bringing net shorts to 48,922 contracts.
International crude oil and natural gas prices surged sharply on Monday following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with retaliatory actions forcing the closure of several energy facilities in the region.
This morning (Indian Standard Time), ICE cotton for May 2026 was traded at 64.75 cents per pound (up 0.16 cent), cash cotton at 62.59 cents (down 1.02 cent), the March 2026 contract at 62.59 cents ((down 1.02 cent)), the July 2026 contract at 66.75 cents (up 0.14 cent), the October 2026 contract at 68.18 cents (down 0.49 cent) and the December 2026 at 69.04 cents (up 0.12 cent). A few contracts remained at their previous closing levels, with no trading recorded so far today.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
If the US administration imposes a 15-per cent levy, the US ETR would rise to 11.3 per cent.
President Donald Trump reinstated tariffs immediately following the US Supreme Court’s February 20 ruling that invalidated the reciprocal tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The new blanket 10-per cent tariff rate is authorised under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 and expires in 150 days unless extended by Congress.
The 10-per cent blanket reciprocal tariff imposed by the US on most trading partners has reduced the US effective tariff rate (ETR) to 9.4 per cent from 12.7 per cent, Fitch Ratings said.
If a 15-per cent levy is imposed, the ETR would rise to 11.3 per cent.
China has the highest ETR among trading partners, followed by Vietnam, Japan and Brazil.
China’s ETR is around 19 per cent from 29 per cent earlier.
Section 122 permits a maximum rate of 15 per cent but does not allow for tariff adjustments for individual countries.
Prior to the court decision, China was subject to two reciprocal tariffs: a fentanyl tariff of 10 per cent that applied to all imports and a 10-per cent reciprocal tariff on an import base subject to carveouts. The two tariffs have been consolidated into the 10-per cent blanket tariff, reducing China’s ETR to around 19 per cent from 29 per cent, Fitch said in a release.
China still has the highest ETR among major trading partners, followed by Vietnam, Japan and Brazil. Of the United States’ 31 largest trading partners, 26 will see their ETRs decline. Brazil benefits the most, with its ETR decreasing by 18 percentage points (pp) to 11 per cent from 29 per cent.
ETRs for most countries largely remain unchanged following the switch in tariff regimes, and no country will see an increase in its ETR if the Section 122 tariff rate remains at 10 per cent.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
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