Dick’s Sporting Goods Chairman Cites ‘Uncertain World,’ Tariff Concerns as Profit Forecast Falls Below Expectations

Dick’s Sporting Goods signaled a difficult road ahead for the company on March 11, with executives and other representatives showing signs of uncertainty over the current macroeconomic environment.

The sporting goods retailer forecasted that 2025 profits would come in lower than Wall Street expectations, with EPS (earnings per share) anticipated to fall between $13.80 and $14.40, per CNBC. Wall Street estimates rested at $14.86, according to LSEG, or $14.82, according to a FactSet consensus projection provided by MarketWatch. Whichever figure one prefers, profits are still expected to fall short over the course of the year.

Speaking to CNBC, Dick’s Executive Chairman Ed Stack underscored the fact that the company’s sourcing from Canada, Mexico, and China was minimal, yet ailing consumer confidence could still impact spending habits.

“I do think it’s just a bit of an uncertain world out there right now. What’s going to happen from a tariff standpoint? You know, if tariffs are put in place and prices rise the way that they might, what’s going to happen with the consumer?” Stack asked.

On the other hand, CEO Lauren Hobart seemed enthusiastic about the fortunes of Dick’s consumer base while also gesturing toward the same broader economic concerns mentioned by Stack.

“We definitely are feeling great about our consumer. We are just reflecting an appropriate level of caution given so much uncertainty out in the marketplace,” Hobart said on an analyst call.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Could Have a Sunny 2025, but Investors Were Spooked by Profit Guidance

Investors seemed to show wariness over the weaker-than-expected profit projections issued by the retailer, with Dick’s share price tumbling by 5.71% as of 4:16 p.m. ET on March 11, resting at $198.97.

Despite the soft EPS figures, some other metrics looked somewhat encouraging for Dick’s. Concerning its Q4 earnings results, a revenue beat of $3.89 billion versus $3.78 billion expected was one highlight, as was net income of $300 million ($3.62 per share) against $296 million ($3.57 per share) a year prior.

Net sales are anticipated to hit between $13.6 billion and $13.9 billion, with the top end of that range meeting Wall Street expectations of $13.9 billion. Dick’s plans to open 16 new House of Sport locations and 18 Field House locations throughout the next year at a net cost of $1 billion.

MarketWatch indicated that Dick’s saw some sales potential in the events slated for the next five years, including the World Cup in 2026, the 2028 Olympics, and the 2031 Rugby World Cup, the latter of which is to be held in the U.S. for the first time.

“The convergence of sport and culture in our country has never been stronger, and with a series of major sporting events set to take place in the U.S., this momentum is only expected to grow through 2030 and beyond,” Stack said.