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Roku Channel Explodes With New Channels and AI Features as Free Streaming Surges in 2026

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The Roku Channel is quietly becoming one of the biggest winners in the streaming wars, adding more than a dozen new free channels in March 2026 alone while rolling out user-requested features and leaning into AI personalization to keep viewers glued to ad-supported content without subscriptions.

Roku
Roku

The free, ad-supported streaming television service — available on Roku devices, Roku TVs and increasingly across other platforms — continues its rapid expansion, strengthening Roku Inc.’s position as the dominant player in connected TV with nearly half of all U.S. streaming hours flowing through its ecosystem. As of early April 2026, The Roku Channel boasts hundreds of live linear channels and tens of thousands of on-demand titles, all accessible at no cost beyond watching occasional commercials.

In late March, Roku quietly added 15 to 16 new channels spanning news, sports, classic cartoons, reality TV and nature documentaries. Highlights include Salem News Channel, Scripps Sports, Inspector Gadget, Grizzly and the Lemmings, Nat Geo Animals, Nat Geo History, Flo Racing 24/7 and Life with Derek. The additions cater to families, sports fans, nostalgia seekers and international viewers, further diversifying the platform’s already robust lineup of more than 500 live FAST channels.

“Roku continues to strengthen its position in the competitive streaming market by emphasizing free ad-supported streaming television, or FAST, services,” noted industry observers. The strategy allows users to enjoy live and on-demand content across genres with nothing more than an internet connection and a Roku device or app.

The channel expansion comes alongside welcome usability upgrades. Roku TV owners recently gained a long-requested “last channel” button in the Live TV Guide, making channel flipping faster and smoother than ever. Previously, switching between FAST channels like those on The Roku Channel or Pluto TV could involve noticeable delays as streams reloaded. The 2026 software update has reduced lag, improved the guide’s interface and made navigation more responsive, addressing one of the most common complaints from cord-cutters.

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Roku is also betting heavily on artificial intelligence to transform how viewers discover content. In its 2026 predictions for the streaming industry, the company forecast a new wave of AI-driven personalization that will dramatically shrink the time it takes users to find their next show or live channel. By combining first-party viewing data with generative AI tools, The Roku Channel aims to deliver hyper-relevant recommendations, boosting retention and ad engagement in the process.

These moves appear to be paying dividends. In December 2025, The Roku Channel captured a record 3% share of total U.S. television viewership according to Nielsen’s The Gauge — higher than Paramount+ and approaching levels of larger subscription services. Creator-led content on the platform saw nearly 80% year-over-year growth in streaming hours per household in some periods, while the service has consistently ranked among the top apps on Roku devices.

Roku’s broader platform, which powers streaming on millions of devices, reported strong momentum heading into 2026. The company expects to surpass 100 million streaming households this year and is on track for double-digit platform revenue growth. Analysts have grown bullish, with Baird raising its price target on Roku stock to $120 in early April, citing improving fundamentals and the rising value of The Roku Channel’s ad inventory.

Advertising remains the lifeblood of the free service. Roku has expanded its self-service Ads Manager, introduced innovative formats like Pause Ads and partnered with major players including Amazon Ads to reach a massive authenticated connected TV audience. Video advertising on the platform is growing faster than the overall OTT market, executives have said, as brands seek measurable performance in a fragmented media landscape.

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Small and mid-sized businesses are increasingly turning to Roku for their first TV campaigns, with some reporting significant sales lifts. The company’s emphasis on outcome-based optimization through partnerships like iSpot further enhances its appeal to performance-focused advertisers.

Beyond free content, Roku is layering in premium options. The platform now offers seamless access to dozens of subscription services directly within The Roku Channel, including recent additions like Apple TV. It also continues to grow its low-cost Howdy service — a $2.99 monthly ad-free streaming option — which recently launched a companion mobile app and expanded availability on Prime Video.

A redesigned home screen planned for later in 2026 will place even greater emphasis on The Roku Channel and the Live TV Guide, aiming to drive higher engagement and monetization while keeping the interface intuitive.

The aggressive push into FAST comes as consumers grow weary of rising subscription costs. With multiple streaming services now charging $15 or more monthly, free tiers like The Roku Channel, Tubi and Pluto TV have captured a growing slice of viewing time — together accounting for about 5% of total TV consumption in recent measurements, outpacing some paid services.

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Roku’s scale gives it a distinct advantage. Its devices and platform reach tens of millions of households daily, providing unparalleled first-party data for targeting and personalization. The company has invested in original programming and licensed libraries, offering everything from classic movies and TV reruns to live news, sports and niche entertainment.

Industry analysts say the combination of free access, improving user experience and AI enhancements positions The Roku Channel for continued gains. Digital news brands and independent creators are also taking notice, viewing the platform as a valuable distribution channel with massive potential reach and no upfront cost to viewers.

Yet challenges remain. Competition in the FAST space is intensifying, with rivals adding their own live channels and improving interfaces. Roku must continue innovating to maintain its edge while balancing ad load to avoid alienating users. Regulatory scrutiny of connected TV advertising and data practices could also shape future growth.

For consumers, the latest updates mean more choice without additional bills. Whether binge-watching classic cartoons, catching up on sports highlights or exploring international news, the expanding Roku Channel library offers something for nearly every interest.

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Roku, headquartered in San Jose, California, has transformed from a simple streaming device maker into a full-fledged media and advertising platform. Its stock has shown volatility in 2026 amid broader market swings, but many Wall Street voices see long-term upside tied to platform revenue and The Roku Channel’s rising influence.

As April 2026 unfolds, the service shows no signs of slowing its content rollout or feature improvements. With Q1 earnings expected later in the month, investors and viewers alike will watch closely for updates on viewership metrics, ad growth and plans for the rest of the year.

In an era of streaming fatigue, Roku’s bet on free, easy-to-use television backed by smart technology appears to be resonating. The Roku Channel isn’t just surviving the cord-cutting revolution — it’s helping lead it, one new channel and smoother swipe at a time.

For millions of households, that means more entertainment options at zero extra cost, proving that in streaming, free can still feel premium when executed well.

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Chrysler CEO touts minivan ‘resurgence’ but stays quiet on plans

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Chrysler CEO touts minivan 'resurgence' but stays quiet on plans

Matt McAlear, chief executive officer of Chrysler and Dodge, during the 2026 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) in New York, US, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Bing Guan | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Chrysler and Dodge CEO Matt McAlear wants the world to know that the minivan is not dead. Far from it, he said, at the New York International Auto Show, where he showed off the latest version of the Pacifica Pinnacle, the highest-end trim of the brand’s sole product line.

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The Chrysler brand — once one of the biggest names in the auto industry — only sells a single family of minivans, which many take as a sign of the brand’s impending demise.

Chrysler, which has been promising new products for years, said it will share more plans at parent company Stellantis‘ investor day on May 21 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. McAlear didn’t elaborate further but said the brand had “a lot of things in the works” and touted its only vehicle.

“We absolutely see the minivan market growing, and we believe there’s an opportunity for Chrysler to continue its growth year over year,” McAlear said. Chrysler is the best-selling brand in the segment, he added.

Minivan resurgence?

Chrysler is often credited with inventing the minivan, or at least mainstreaming it in the United States in the early 1980s. Rivals followed, but many have since abandoned it.

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Since the 1990s, minivans have steadily lost ground to SUVs, which are considered sportier and more adventurous. Minivan sales were a mere 1.7% of the market in 2017, according to Edmunds. In 2025, they were up to 2.4%.

Sales numbers from Chrysler and its few competitors in this segment indicate growing interest in the adaptive and often affordable “multipurpose vehicle,” as the minivan is sometimes called. The average transaction price for a large SUV is $77,215, according to Edmunds. The average minivan price, meanwhile, is  $48,269 — just above the overall industry average cost for a new vehicle of $48,402.

There is enough demand that Chrysler saw fit to unveil a new highest-end version of its minivan at the Auto Show, called the Pinnacle. The vehicle is full of features common in higher-end family vehicles, like screens on the backs of seats so passengers in a rear row can watch movies on a road trip. But there are also some perks that are tough to find outside the segment: both second and third row seats on some versions can be completely stowed in the floor, for example. 

Companies like Chrysler are also trying to look beyond the “family hauler” identity the minivan has had for much of its history. Its Grizzly Peak concept has knobby tires and a roof rack, for a more rugged option and McAlear said the company was thinking about how to do more of that. 

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“We’re looking at it,” he said. “We’re trying to figure out if there’s a way to do it because people love it. And it is unlike anything you’ve ever seen from a minivan brand before.”

McAlear also touted the van’s storage capacity compared with similar vehicles.

“I’ve got a friend that’s a racecar driver,” he said. “One of his favorite things about this is he puts a shifter kart in the backseat with the third row down, with his kids so he can keep it safe and doesn’t have to have a trailer. Another buddy of mine loves kiteboarding, and he doesn’t want to put it on the top because it’s hard to get it up and down. It’s hard to keep it secure and safe. He keeps it inside.”

Pacifica sales were only up slightly in 2025. The affordable Voyager model, which the brand has since renamed the Pacifica LX, sells in lower quantities but saw a bigger jump. Pacifica sales were down for the first quarter of 2026, but Chrysler said they were up nearly 84% in March year over year. 

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There are only a handful of vehicles in this segment in the U.S., or five basic model lines including the electric Volkswagen ID Buzz, which VW prefers not to call a minivan. 

Toyota Sienna sales jumped 35% in 2025, and were up again in the first quarter of 2026. It’s nowhere near Toyota’s best-selling vehicle, and many models — some of which were new ones or refreshes — saw greater increase. Toyota’s Japanese rival Honda saw sales of its Odyssey jump 10% last year. But they dipped in the first quarter of 2026. 

One especially successful model has been the Kia Carnival. Volumes rose in 2025 and in the first quarter of 2026. It still doesn’t match Kia’s comparable SUVs, as minivan sales are just a few thousand shy of the three-row Sorento, but far below the popular, more rugged Telluride. 

“Carnival is just a great family, practical vehicle,” said Eric Watson, vice president of sales operations for Kia America. “I think in the stage of life when people have kids and want those power sliding doors and the configuration of what that vehicle provides, it’s perfect in that life stage.”

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Kia was one of the later entrants into the segment, and though it has the sliding rear door that defines the minivan segment, the body panel on it is punched into give the illusion the vehicle is an SUV. 

“I think that attracts a lot of people and lowers that stigma of being a minivan family,” Watson said.

But some are attracted to the segment itself. While the Chrysler Pinnacle starts above $56,000, the lowest priced LX, starts just above $41,000.

“We’re actually seeing a resurgence,” McAlear said. “At the end of the day, these things make life easier and you don’t always have to impress everybody.”

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Form 144 SailPoint For: 7 April

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Form 144 SailPoint For: 7 April

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Jet fuel supply concerns grow with Iran war as airlines cut flights

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Jet fuel supply concerns grow with Iran war as airlines cut flights

A Lufthansa passenger aircraft is parked at a gate while a SASCA fuel truck services it on the apron at Toulouse Blagnac Airport in Blagnac in Occitanie in France on March 15, 2026.

Isabelle Souriment | AFP | Getty Images

The surging price of jet fuel isn’t the airline industry’s only problem. Now, it’s whether it will have enough.

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Since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, the price of jet fuel in the U.S. has nearly doubled, going from $2.50 a gallon on Feb. 27 to $4.88 a gallon on April 2, with the increases even sharper in other regions. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz is choking off supplies of both crude and refined products like jet fuel, further driving up the price.

That’s forcing airlines to consider cutting flights, especially overseas.

Carsten Spohr, CEO of Germany’s Deutsche Lufthansa, told employees in a webcast last week that the carrier is assigning teams to come up with contingency plans because of the war in the Middle East, including for drops in demand or a lack of jet fuel, a spokesman said. Those plans could include grounding some of its aircraft.

The U.S. produces a lot of jet fuel and isn’t as exposed as other regions like Europe and parts of Asia are in comparison. But aircraft fill up locally, so some U.S. airlines could face shortages on international trips.

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United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told reporters late last month that the carrier, which has the most service to Asia among U.S. airlines, would have to cut back its flights there. He also said it’s “not impossible” that airlines collectively would have to reduce service in that region.

He noted that as the price of jet fuel goes up, it could be more acute in parts of the U.S. that aren’t as connected by pipelines.

“There’s not enough refining capacity, and so fuel price prior to this and going forward is more susceptible to supply weakness on the West Coast than anywhere else in the country,” he said.

Kirby told employees earlier in March that the airline is preparing for oil to stay above $100 a barrel through 2027 and is pruning some of its flights in the near term.

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“To be clear, nothing changes about our longer-term plans for aircraft deliveries or total capacity for 2027 and beyond, but there’s no point in burning cash in the near term on flying that just can’t absorb these fuel costs,” he said in a March 20 message to employees.

Travel demand wild card

Airlines overall are pruning some flights for the coming months, though they often adjust schedules throughout the year to match demand, aircraft availability or other complications.

Domestic capacity in the second quarter for U.S. carriers is up 2.1%, down from previous plans of 2.3% growth, while total capacity is set to rise 1.1%, down from 2.4% on the week ended March 20, according to a Monday report from UBS.

“We expect more capacity cuts in the coming weeks,” UBS said.

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So far, airline executives have said that travel demand is strong, but the fuel strains and price spikes are a headache for carriers and passengers alike as the peak summer travel season approaches.

Fuel is generally airlines’ biggest expense after labor, and carriers are already raising airfare and fees like for checked luggage to make up for the added cost.

A truck parks after refuelling a Citilink Airbus at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport following the government approval of a jet fuel surcharge, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tangerang, on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia, April 6, 2026.

Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana | Reuters

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Investors will be listening for more insights into how the jet fuel spike could affect the industry as airline earnings kick off Wednesday with Delta Air Lines. That carrier owns a refinery, so it could benefit from jet fuel sales.

Delta on Tuesday raised checked bag fees, joining JetBlue Airways and United, which did the same last week.

The strong demand, particularly compared with this time last year could further insulate airlines, at least in the U.S. Last year, bookings fell as President Donald Trump‘s trade war kicked off with steep tariffs, markets sank and layoffs within the government, led by Elon Musk‘s so-called Department of Government Efficiency, took effect.

“The positive commentary on demand is still holding, but fuel at $4/4.50 [a gallon] for longer isn’t something airlines can pass through,” said Savanthi Syth, an airline analyst at Raymond James. “If fuel stays high, you’ll just see capacity being cut.”

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Airlines could see a bigger problem if higher gasoline prices and other pressures on consumers cause a pullback in spending.

“We’re watching the airlines very closely right now. This doesn’t have to go on too terribly long at these [fuel price] levels before you start to see potential for ratings pressures,” said Joseph Rohlena, senior director at Fitch Ratings who covers U.S. airlines.

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OmniAb director Foehr sells $29k in shares

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The US refinery now processing Venezuelan oil

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The US refinery now processing Venezuelan oil

Chevron is now importing 250,000 barrels of crude per day from Venezuela.

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Goldman, BoA, Citadel clash with brokers over options clearing

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Goldman, BoA, Citadel clash with brokers over options clearing
Bank of America, Citadel Securities and Goldman Sachs Group have rallied in support of a controversial plan from the world’s largest options clearing house. Retail brokers warn the changes would add hundreds of millions of dollars in extra costs. Executives from the three firms backed a proposal from the Options Clearing, which would change how contributions to a pot of money that pays out in the event a clearing member goes bust are tallied up. They said the plan “reduces the likelihood of abrupt and destabilizing clearing fund reallocations during periods of market stress.”

“Clearing members whose activities drive growth in the size of the overall clearing fund today are not responsible for funding that increase,” wrote Stuart Bourne, co-head of global equities and global head of prime financing at BofA Securities; Stephen Berger, global head of government and regulatory policy at Citadel Securities; and Alicia Crighton, global co-head of futures and global head of clearing at Goldman Sachs.

The row is a sign of growing tensions between Wall Street and retail brokers over risk management amid the explosion in retail derivatives trading since the Covid pandemic, with the Options Clearing now handling trades worth about $4 trillion in notional value a day. The clearinghouse wants risk charges “more fairly” allocated among large banks and retail brokers such as Robinhood Markets and Charles Schwab, which have helped fuel a 130% increase in average daily volume to 69 million trades a day, according to the clearinghouse.

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Phoenix Education Partners, Inc. (PXED) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Phoenix Education Partners, Inc. (PXED) Q2 2026 Earnings Call April 7, 2026 5:00 PM EDT

Company Participants

Elizabeth Coronelli – Vice President of Investor Relations
Christopher Lynne – President, CEO & Director
Blair Westblom – CFO & Treasurer

Conference Call Participants

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Jasper Bibb – Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division
Alexander Paris – Barrington Research Associates, Inc., Research Division
Keen Fai Tong – Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division
Griffin Boss – B. Riley Securities, Inc., Research Division
Ryan Griffin – BMO Capital Markets Equity Research
Stephanie Benjamin Moore – Jefferies LLC, Research Division

Presentation

Operator

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Good afternoon, and welcome to Phoenix Education Partners Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions]

I would now like to turn the call over to Beth Coronelli, Vice President of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Elizabeth Coronelli
Vice President of Investor Relations

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Thank you. Welcome to the Phoenix Education Partners’ Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Earnings Conference Call. Speaking on today’s call are Chris Lynne, our Chief Executive Officer; and Blair Westblom, our Chief Financial Officer. Before we begin, I would like to remind everyone that certain statements and projections of future results made in this presentation constitute forward-looking statements that are based on current market, competitive and regulatory expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially.

Listeners should not place undue reliance on such statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements after this presentation. The risks related to these forward-looking statements are described in our filings with the SEC, including our most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other public filings.

We will also discuss certain non-GAAP financial measures. You should consider our non-GAAP results as supplements to and not in lieu of our GAAP results. Reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures can be found in

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Sebi grants one-time relaxation to companies planning public issues

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Sebi grants one-time relaxation to companies planning public issues
Mumbai: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Tuesday provided a one-time relaxation to companies planning public issues, extending the validity of its observation letters in a bid to ease fundraising pressures in a volatile market.

“Sebi has received representation from the industry body on difficulties faced by the issuers in mobilising resources and accessing the capital market in the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. This has led to several issuers to defer, recalibrate or withdraw issuance plans leading to potential lapses in observation letter validity and duplication of regulatory processes,” Sebi said in a circular.

The regulator said observation letters expiring between April 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026, will now remain valid until September 30, 2026. The relief is conditional upon the lead manager submitting an undertaking confirming compliance with updated disclosure requirements when filing revised offer documents.

“This is a pragmatic move by Sebi acknowledging the impact of global macroeconomic conditions on IPO market activity,” said Dharmesh Mehta, MD & CEO, DAM Capital Advisors.

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Out of 141 valid approvals that were to collectively raise about ₹1.73 lakh crore through IPOs, regulatory nods for 15 mainboard companies were about to expire in 1-3 months with issuance worth ₹26,000 crore, according to data from Prime Database.


Under existing norms, Sebi’s observation letters – a key clearance for launching public issues – are valid for 12 months, or up to 18 months in certain cases. The regulator said the new rule takes immediate effect.

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Port investment enables economic growth

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Port investment enables economic growth

Transport infrastructure spending continues to provide for more volume and diversity.

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Levi Strauss (LEVI) earnings Q1 2026

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Levi Strauss (LEVI) earnings Q1 2026
Levi Strauss shares pop on strong Q1 earnings beat

Levi Strauss saw another quarter of strong sales, helped in part by higher prices, and direct-to-consumer sales made up more than half of its overall revenue — a milestone for a company that has long relied on wholesalers.

The denim maker’s revenue grew by 14% while DTC sales through Levi’s own stores and website jumped 16%, bringing total DTC sales to 52% of overall revenue.

In an interview with CNBC, CEO Michelle Gass said she expects DTC revenue to make up more than half of overall sales for the duration of the year, even as its more traditional wholesale channel continues to grow.

The growth is not from increased sales volume alone: Levi is benefiting from higher prices and positive foreign exchange headwinds. Finance chief Harmit Singh, who announced plans to retire on Tuesday, said about half of Levi’s growth is related to recent price increases and half is tied to actual units sold.

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Given its first-quarter beat, Levi raised its guidance. It’s now expecting full-year adjusted earnings per share to be between $1.42 and $1.48, shy of expectations of $1.47 per share on the low end, according to LSEG.

It’s expecting sales to rise between 5.5% and 6.5%, largely ahead of estimates of 5.6%, according to LSEG. 

Here’s how the apparel maker did in its first fiscal quarter compared with what Wall Street was anticipating, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:

  • Earnings per share: 42 cents adjusted vs. 37 cents expected 
  • Revenue: $1.74 billion vs. $1.65 billion expected 

The company’s reported net income for the three-month period that ended March 1 was $175.8 million, or 45 cents per share, compared with $135 million, or 34 cents per share, a year earlier. 

Sales rose to $1.74 billion, up about 14% from $1.53 billion a year earlier. 

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Levi’s DTC-first strategy comes with bigger margins but also higher costs in the short term as it changes its distribution system, which has weighed on earnings. However, Singh said its sales are becoming more profitable as DTC scales.

He also noted that Levi’s guidance could rise later in the year. Currently, it’s assuming a 20% global tariff, though President Donald Trump has for now set a 10% duty on U.S. imports after the Supreme Court rolled back so-called reciprocal tariffs earlier this year. If that 10% tariff remains in effect, it could boost full-year earnings by $35 million, or 7 cents per share. The company could also be refunded as much as $80 million after the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s previous global tariff policy, Singh said.

While that could boost earnings, Levi could face weaker sales in the coming months as consumers digest higher gas prices and consider pulling back on nice-to-haves like new clothes. Gass told CNBC she has not seen a pullback in spending so far, and the business is segmented in a way that it’s reaching a wide array of consumer demographics.

For example, Levi’s value brand Signature saw sales rise 16% during the quarter and its middle market Red Cap was up 9%, while its premium line Blue Tab is also growing, said Gass.

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“We talked about over the last couple years, we made big, bold moves like selling Dockers and other brands and businesses. Now we’re really focused on segmentation around the Levi’s umbrella,” said Gass. “We feel like we’re really covered to serve the consumer across really every demographic and psychographic cohort and I think the other piece is, when we think about our business globally, 60% of our business is outside the U.S., which also gives us some really nice diversification. So we’re watching it closely, but overall, we’re feeling good about the consumer.”

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