Hibbett Sports will close 175 stores around the U.S. over the next three years as its parent company, JD Sports, looks to reorganize its footprint.

JD Sports acquired Hibbett in 2024 in a deal valued at around $1.1 billion, with the acquisition viewed as enhancing JD’s presence in the North American footwear market. Hibbett had 1,169 stores in 36 states as of May 2024, according to the press release for the deal.

Now, the company is moving to reduce its store count as part of a cost-cutting strategy.

POPULAR CONVENIENCE STORE CHAIN TO CLOSE HUNDREDS OF STORES

JD Sports will close about 175 Hibbett Sports stores over the next three years, the company said. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

JD Sports CEO Regis Schultz said on the company’s fourth quarter earnings call that its “second key strategic initiative is driving store productivity and optimization of our store estate. Our net store movement last year was a reduction of 39 stores, demonstrating our fewer, bigger, and better store strategy.”

“In North America, we will leverage group best practice to optimize EBIT store footprint and profitability. As part of this, we will close around 170 underperforming EBIT stores over the next three years,” Schultz added.

JD said that at the start of its fiscal year in February 2025, there were 999 Hibbett stores and that figure declined to a total of 982 when its fiscal year ended in January 2026 as the group consolidated its operations after the Hibbett acquisition.

JOANN, MACY’S, OTHER STORE CLOSURES PART OF A 274% SPIKE IN RETAIL LAYOFFS IN 2025

JD Sports said it will focus on closing underperforming Hibbett Sports locations. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

JD’s CFO Dominic Platt added that the group is planning to open about 20 new JD stores as well as converting between 70 to 80 Finish Line stores to JD locations in North America.

After factoring in JD Sports’ plans in Europe, the group expects its total store count to “stay broadly flat for the year,” Platt said.

JD Sports’ stock is down about 1.7% year to date and is around 1.8% higher over the last year.

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PLANS TO CLOSE SOME FOOT LOCKER STORES

Hibbett was acquired by JD Sports for $1.1 billion in 2024. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The news comes as Hibbett’s retail footwear rival, Foot Locker, announced store closure plans last November following its $2.4 billion acquisition by Dick’s Sporting Goods in September 2025.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

The company didn’t specify how many Foot Locker locations would close, though nine Dick’s locations closed in 2025, along with about 11 Foot Locker-owned stores and four licensed stores.

Available for 27 days

A new report says that three in four people are not saving enough for a moderate retirement. Do you know how much you should be putting into your pension?

How good planning before you even set foot in the airport can make the most of your holiday money.

And the future of online shopping- how is AI changing what that looks like.

And if you’ve got a story or an experience you’d like to share, you can get in touch – just email cfb@bbc.co.uk.

Programme WebsiteShow less

According to NSE block deal data, Motilal Oswal Foundation and Motilal Oswal Healthcare Foundation together sold 18.2 lakh shares of Motilal Oswal Financial Services at Rs 842.5 per share. The larger transaction was executed by Motilal Oswal Foundation, which sold 14.55 lakh shares, translating into a deal value of about Rs 122.58 crore.

Separately, Motilal Oswal Healthcare Foundation sold 3.65 lakh shares, valued at about Rs 30.75 crore.
Together, the two entities sold shares worth around Rs 153.34 crore.The entire stake was acquired by HDFC Life Insurance Company through a corresponding block deal at the same price.

Live Events

The transaction represents a transfer of shares from promoter-linked philanthropic entities to a large domestic institutional investor. There was no immediate indication of any change in the promoter group’s controlling stake in the company.
Motilal Oswal Financial is one of India’s leading diversified financial services firms with operations spanning wealth management, capital markets, asset management, housing finance and investment banking.
The company has benefited from the rapid financialisation of household savings and growing participation of retail investors in equities and mutual funds over the past few years. Strong capital market activity and rising assets under management have also supported growth across its key business segments.
HDFC Life’s purchase reflects continued institutional interest in financial-sector stocks, which remain among the preferred bets for domestic investors amid expectations of sustained growth in India’s savings and investment ecosystem.

Shares of Motilal Oswal Financial Services are likely to remain in focus as investors assess the implications of the transaction and changes in institutional ownership. The stock has been one of the key beneficiaries of the structural shift of household savings towards financial assets, a trend that market participants expect to continue over the long term.

NEW YORK — Netflix Inc. shares rose modestly on Monday, climbing to $82.51 in morning trading as investors continued to reward the streaming leader’s consistent subscriber growth and content strategy amid intensifying competition in the video entertainment sector.

The 0.40% gain added $0.33 per share in early dealings, reflecting steady buying interest in one of the market’s most prominent growth stocks. Trading volume was in line with recent averages as Netflix navigated a broader technology sector that showed mixed performance on the day.

Netflix has delivered strong results throughout 2026, with subscriber additions remaining robust across both domestic and international markets. The company’s focus on a broad content slate, including originals, licensed programming and live events, has helped it maintain leadership in the streaming space even as rivals expand their offerings and crack down on password sharing.

Analysts largely maintain Buy ratings on Netflix, citing its scalable business model, improving profitability and ability to command premium pricing. Average 12-month price targets suggest room for further upside, with some optimistic forecasts highlighting the company’s potential to expand margins through advertising tiers and international growth.

The bullish case for Netflix centers on its global scale and data-driven content strategy. With hundreds of millions of subscribers worldwide, the company benefits from significant economies of scale and a vast library that drives viewer engagement. Recent expansions into live sports, gaming and advertising-supported plans have diversified revenue streams and opened new growth avenues.

Netflix’s profitability has improved markedly in recent quarters, with operating margins expanding as the company focuses on efficiency and disciplined content spending. Free cash flow generation has strengthened, providing flexibility for share repurchases, debt management and continued investment in original programming.

For investors, Netflix remains a core holding in the media and technology space. Its ability to retain and grow subscribers while increasing revenue per user has been a key differentiator. The company’s ad tier has shown encouraging adoption rates, contributing to overall revenue growth without significantly cannibalizing higher-priced plans.

Risks for potential buyers include intensifying competition from established players and new entrants, potential saturation in key markets and the high cost of content production. Regulatory scrutiny around data privacy and content moderation also remains a factor, though Netflix has generally navigated these challenges effectively.

For sellers or those on the sidelines, valuation is a primary consideration. Shares trade at premiums that assume continued strong execution and subscriber growth. Any slowdown in international expansion or margin compression could pressure multiples. Near-term volatility tied to quarterly earnings and content release schedules warrants caution for shorter-term traders.

Investment decisions in 2026 should factor time horizon and risk tolerance. Long-term investors focused on digital entertainment trends may favor accumulation on weakness, viewing Netflix as a high-quality compounder with durable competitive advantages. Growth-oriented portfolios benefit from its exposure to global consumer spending on entertainment and advertising.

Broader market context supports a constructive view for Netflix. Streaming consumption continues to grow as cord-cutting persists and consumers seek convenient, personalized content. Netflix’s first-mover advantage and brand strength provide a significant moat in a fragmented market.

Analyst sentiment remains positive overall, with recent notes highlighting the company’s progress in monetization strategies and international markets. Institutional ownership stays high, reflecting confidence among professional investors. Earnings momentum and subscriber metrics continue to drive positive revisions.

Diversification remains important for any exposure to Netflix. While the company’s quality and growth prospects are compelling, concentration risk in media and technology warrants balancing with other sectors. Pairing it with more defensive holdings or international exposure can help manage volatility.

As the year progresses, key catalysts include quarterly subscriber numbers, content slate performance and updates on advertising tier adoption. Netflix’s ability to balance content investment with profitability will be closely watched.

The company continues investing in technology, including recommendation algorithms and original production capabilities, to enhance user experience and retention. Its focus on global storytelling and localized content has been a key driver of international growth.

For retail investors, Netflix offers an accessible way to participate in the digital entertainment economy. Its consumer-facing service provides everyday relevance, while its business model demonstrates strong network effects and pricing power.

Monday’s trading added to positive momentum but also highlighted the stock’s sensitivity to broader market sentiment. The modest gain fits within normal daily movements for a company of Netflix’s size and influence.

As one of the world’s leading entertainment companies, Netflix plays a central role in shaping how audiences consume content globally. Its products and services reach hundreds of millions of households, influencing cultural conversations and viewing habits worldwide.

Investors evaluating Netflix should conduct thorough due diligence, consider individual risk tolerance and maintain a long-term perspective. The company’s track record of innovation and adaptation through industry shifts supports optimism for continued success in the streaming era.

Overall, Netflix remains a high-quality growth story with significant competitive advantages. While risks around competition and content costs persist, its scale, brand strength and strategic execution make it a compelling consideration for investors seeking exposure to the evolving media landscape.