Guess?, Inc. (GES)

A major event impacting Guess?, Inc.'s stock was the announcement on August 20, 2025, of a definitive agreement for a take-private transaction led by co-founders Maurice and Paul Marciano, CEO Carlos Alberini, and Authentic Brands Group, valuing the company at approximately $1.4 billion. Shareholders are expected to receive $16.75 per share in cash, representing a premium of approximately 73% to the company's closing stock price on March 14, 2025, which led to a stock surge of 24.59% pre-market on August 20, 2025. The transaction is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026. Over the past year, from January 8, 2025, to January 7, 2026, the share price increased by 24.04%. The company also reported strong first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, exceeding expectations with 9% revenue growth.

The apparel and accessories industry, in which Guess?, Inc. operates, is characterized by changing consumer preferences and seasonal demand cycles. The company's business model and product portfolio align with seasonal fashion cycles, and Guess? manages its inventory accordingly. The company's strategic focus includes adapting its retail and digital presence to maintain a competitive edge in response to evolving fashion cycles.

Guess?, Inc. is a global lifestyle brand that designs, markets, distributes, and licenses contemporary apparel and accessories for men, women, and children. The company operates in the Consumer Discretionary sector, specifically in the Apparel & Accessories Retailers industry, and its product portfolio includes a wide range of items such as denim, jeans, dresses, activewear, handbags, footwear, and jewelry. Guess? markets its products under brand names like GUESS, MARCIANO, and rag & bone, generating revenue through retail, wholesale, and licensing segments.

Guess?, Inc. has a significant global presence, operating in approximately 100 countries. As of August 2, 2025, the company operated 1,062 directly-managed retail stores and 527 partner-operated stores globally. Its operations are segmented into Americas Retail, Americas Wholesale, Europe, Asia, and Licensing. The European segment covers direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels across Europe and the Middle East, while the Americas Retail segment includes directly operated retail, factory outlet stores, and e-commerce sites in North, Central, and South America. The Asia segment covers retail, e-commerce, and wholesale operations in Asia and the Pacific.

Guess?, Inc. has focused on enhancing its brand reputation through its "ACTION GUESS" ESG strategy, refined in fiscal year 2025. The company released its FY2024–2025 ESG Report, highlighting commitments to responsible sourcing, emissions reductions, community engagement, and governance practices. Key initiatives include reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, aiming for 75% of global apparel materials to be environmentally preferred by 2030, and introducing repair, resale, and upcycling initiatives by the end of 2025. Guess? is also committed to eliminating the intentional use of PFAS by the end of 2025. The company has also been enhancing the customer experience through refreshed store layouts, improved visual merchandising, and a stronger focus on brand storytelling, particularly in Europe.

Guess?, Inc.'s ownership structure is transitioning from a publicly traded entity to a privately held company. Major institutional owners include BlackRock, Inc., Dimensional Fund Advisors Lp, Vanguard Group Inc, IJR - iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, American Century Companies Inc, VTSMX - Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd., Lsv Asset Management, and Nomura Holdings Inc. Individual owners include co-founders Maurice and Paul Marciano, and CEO Carlos Alberini, who, along with their affiliates, are leading the take-private deal. Insiders hold approximately 40.47% of the company's stock, with Paul Marciano owning the most shares among individuals.