Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (RGR)

In the past six months, Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.'s stock price has been impacted by several events. The Q3 2025 earnings report showed diluted EPS of $0.10, missing analyst estimates, despite net sales increasing from Q3 2024. The Q2 2025 earnings report showed adjusted diluted EPS of $0.41, falling short of forecasts, but exceeded revenue expectations. The company reduced its quarterly dividend by $0.02 per share to $0.16 per quarter. A limited-duration stockholder rights plan was adopted in response to Beretta Holding S.A. accumulating a significant economic interest and expressing intentions for discussions regarding potential collaborations. The stock has experienced volatility, with some increases following high-profile shooting incidents and political developments. The firearms industry generally faces softening demand, with retail firearm unit sales declining and revenue dropping in Q1 2025.

The firearms industry, and consequently demand for Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.'s products, exhibits both cyclical and seasonal patterns. Historically, summers are a tougher period for sales, with demand tending to be higher in the fall and spring. Data from NICS background checks indicates a normal seasonal trend, with a decrease in the first quarter compared to the fourth quarter of the previous year. More recently, firearm demand showed a sequential increase in September 2025, though it remained below the recent trendline. The industry is currently experiencing softening demand, with retail firearm unit sales and revenue declining year-over-year in Q1 2025. Overall, firearm sales are anticipated to decline for a fifth consecutive year, with flat revenue growth projected through fiscal year 2026.

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. is an American manufacturer of firearms, operating through Firearms and Castings segments. The Firearms segment produces a variety of rifles, pistols, revolvers, and accessories, including lever-action rifles under the Marlin brand. The Castings segment provides steel investment castings and MIM parts. The company is categorized within the Consumer Durables sector and the Recreational Products industry, with some sources also placing it in the Industrials sector and Aerospace & Defense industry.

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.'s design and manufacturing operations are based in the United States, with almost all product content being domestic. The company primarily sells its firearm products to the commercial sporting market through federally licensed, independent wholesale distributors located in the United States. Additionally, it exports firearm products through a network of commercial distributors and directly to foreign customers, including law enforcement agencies and foreign governments.

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. has a distinguished reputation for producing high-quality, reliable firearms and operates under the motto "Arms Makers for Responsible Citizens®," reflecting its commitment to corporate and community responsibility. In the past year, the company has focused on innovation and new product launches, such as the Ruger American Rifle Generation II and the RXM pistol, to drive consumer interest and maintain market share amidst industry headwinds. While the broader firearms industry often faces scrutiny and is impacted by political and social debates, there is no specific information in the provided context detailing events in the past year that have directly and significantly altered Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.'s consumer brand reputation, either positively or negatively, beyond the general industry environment.

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.'s ownership is a mix of institutional, individual, and retail investors. Institutional investors hold a significant portion, ranging from approximately 61% to 70.67% of the company's stock. Major institutional owners include BlackRock, Inc., Vanguard Group Inc, iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, Renaissance Technologies Llc, State Street Corp, UBS Group AG, Wellington Management Group Llp, Geode Capital Management, Llc, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, and Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. Insider ownership is between 1.77% and 4.60%, while retail investors hold approximately 31% to 55.92% of the stock. William B. Ruger Jr. is noted as the largest individual shareholder. Beretta Holding S.A. has recently become a significant shareholder, holding nearly a 10% stake.