The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who didn’t). Let’s take a look at how consumer discretionary - apparel and accessories stocks fared in Q1, starting with Columbia Sportswear (NASDAQ: COLM).

The Consumer Discretionary sector, by definition, is made up of companies selling non-essential goods and services. When economic conditions deteriorate or tastes shift, consumers can easily cut back or eliminate these purchases. For long-term investors with five-year holding periods, this creates a structural challenge: the sector is inherently hit-driven, with low switching costs and fickle customers. As a result, only a handful of companies can reliably grow demand and compound earnings over long periods, which is why our bar is high and High Quality ratings are rare. Apparel and accessories companies design, brand, and distribute clothing, handbags, jewelry, and related lifestyle products, often spanning multiple price tiers. Tailwinds include premiumization trends (consumers trading up for perceived quality), international expansion into emerging markets, and growing digital commerce penetration. However, these businesses face headwinds from highly cyclical demand, intense promotional environments, and counterfeit competition undermining brand equity. Tariff volatility and sourcing concentration in a handful of countries add risk. Additionally, rapidly changing fashion cycles and the rise of ultra-fast-fashion digital competitors compress product life cycles and make demand forecasting exceptionally difficult.

The 15 consumer discretionary - apparel and accessories stocks we track reported a strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.4% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 2.7% on average since the latest earnings results.

Columbia Sportswear (NASDAQ: COLM)

Originally founded as a hat store in 1938, Columbia Sportswear (NASDAQ: COLM) is a manufacturer of outerwear, sportswear, and footwear designed for outdoor enthusiasts.

Columbia Sportswear reported revenues of $779 million, flat year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.6%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tim Boyle commented, “We’re pleased to have delivered net sales and profitability exceeding our guidance for the first quarter, driven by early Spring 2026 wholesale shipments and better-than-expected demand in Europe and the U.S. The strength of our international business continues to lead our growth. Our U.S. business declined, which was largely expected due to a lower Spring 2026 wholesale order book, and our decisions taken last year to reduce supply of winter season products as a precautionary measure in response to U.S. tariff announcements.

Interestingly, the stock is up 3.2% since reporting and currently trades at $62.84.

Is now the time to buy Columbia Sportswear? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Movado (NYSE: MOV)

With its watches displayed in 20 museums around the world, Movado (NYSE: MOV) is a watchmaking company with a portfolio of watch brands and accessories.

Movado reported revenues of $142.4 million, up 8.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 5.4%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 23.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $36.73.

Is now the time to buy Movado? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: Under Armour (NYSE: UAA)

Founded in 1996 by a former University of Maryland football player, Under Armour (NYSE: UAA) is an apparel brand specializing in sportswear designed to improve athletic performance.

Under Armour reported revenues of $1.17 billion, flat year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations and a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 6% since the results and currently trades at $6.42.

Read our full analysis of Under Armour’s results here.

VF Corp (NYSE: VFC)

Owner of The North Face, Vans, and Supreme, VF Corp (NYSE: VFC) is a clothing conglomerate specializing in branded lifestyle apparel, footwear, and accessories.

VF Corp reported revenues of $2.17 billion, up 8.1% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 2%. It was an exceptional quarter as it also logged a beat of analysts’ EPS and adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is down 3.4% since reporting and currently trades at $16.18.

Read our full, actionable report on VF Corp here, it’s free.

Carter's (NYSE: CRI)

Rumored to sell more than 10 products for every child born in the United States, Carter's (NYSE: CRI) is an American designer and marketer of children's apparel.

Carter's reported revenues of $681.1 million, up 8.1% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 3.2%. Overall, it was a stunning quarter as it also recorded EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is up 13.7% since reporting and currently trades at $37.92.

Read our full, actionable report on Carter's here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand-wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 6 Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.