Gildan's Critical Year-End Report: HanesBrands Integration and 2026 Outlook in Focus

MONTREAL, QC – February 13, 2026 – Gildan Activewear Inc. is set to close the books on a transformative 2025, announcing it will release its fourth quarter and full-year financial results on Thursday, February 26, 2026. While the announcement of an earnings date is routine, the context surrounding this particular report is anything but. Investors and market analysts will be scrutinizing the results not just for performance metrics, but for crucial insights into the apparel giant’s strategic direction following a year of record sales, operational shifts, and a landmark acquisition.

The company will issue a press release before the markets open, followed by a conference call at 8:30 AM ET where CEO Glenn J. Chamandy and his executive team will face questions from analysts. The call is expected to provide the first detailed public commentary on the integration of HanesBrands and offer a forward-looking outlook for 2026 amidst a complex global economic environment.

A Tale of Two Segments

Gildan’s financial narrative throughout 2025 has been one of robust strength in its core activewear business, contrasted by persistent declines in its hosiery and underwear segment. The company posted record net sales in both the second and third quarters, driven by impressive growth in activewear, which climbed 12% and 5.4% respectively in those periods. This momentum has been attributed to market share gains as competitors have retreated, a favorable product mix, and positive reception to innovations like its “Soft Cotton Technology.”

Conversely, the hosiery and underwear division has been a drag on overall performance, with sales falling 22.1% in the third quarter alone. Company reports consistently point to the planned phase-out of its former private-label program with Under Armour as a primary driver of this decline, compounded by what it terms “broader market weakness” in the category. Investors will be eager to hear management's strategy for stabilizing and revitalizing this segment, especially now with the addition of HanesBrands' significant underwear and intimates portfolio.

Financially, the company has benefited significantly from favorable commodity costs. Lower prices for cotton and other manufacturing inputs helped bolster gross margins, which reached an impressive 33.7% in the third quarter. This efficiency has been crucial in delivering record adjusted diluted earnings per share, which hit $1.00 in Q3, a 17.6% increase year-over-year. The upcoming report will reveal if these margin trends continued through the final quarter of the year.

The HanesBrands Gambit

The most significant development for Gildan in 2025 was undoubtedly the completion of its $2.2 billion acquisition of HanesBrands on December 1. This monumental deal dramatically expands Gildan’s portfolio, adding iconic names like Hanes, Champion, Bali, and Playtex to its roster alongside its own established brands like Gildan and American Apparel. The transaction positions the company as an undisputed powerhouse in the basic and active apparel markets.

However, the acquisition brings both immense opportunity and significant integration challenges. The fourth-quarter results will only include one month of HanesBrands' operations, but the accompanying conference call will be the first major platform for leadership to outline the integration roadmap. Analysts will be probing for details on expected synergies, plans for brand management, potential facility consolidations, and the financial impact on the company’s balance sheet. The success or failure of this integration is widely seen as the defining factor for Gildan’s long-term growth trajectory.

This strategic move comes after a period of internal stabilization. A contentious proxy battle in 2024, which led to the temporary ouster and subsequent reinstatement of CEO Glenn Chamandy, has given way to a renewed focus on growth under a reconstituted board. The HanesBrands acquisition is the board's first and most decisive strategic play, signaling an aggressive push for market dominance.

Guidance, Expectations, and ESG Commitments

Heading into the year-end report, Gildan has guided the market to expect mid-single-digit revenue growth for the full year 2025. More importantly, it projected adjusted diluted EPS to land between $3.45 and $3.51, which would represent a substantial 15% to 17% increase over 2024. Meeting or exceeding this guidance will be a key barometer of success for investors and will heavily influence the stock's performance post-announcement. Analyst consensus largely reflects this optimism, with most maintaining a “Buy” or “Strong Buy” rating on the stock.

Beyond the numbers, Gildan continues to emphasize its “Gildan Sustainable Growth” (GSG) strategy, which integrates Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles directly into its operations. The company has garnered accolades for its efforts, including being named one of Canada’s Best 50 Corporate Citizens and earning a spot on TIME's list of the World's Most Sustainable Companies in 2025. With vertically-integrated manufacturing facilities in Central America, the Caribbean, and Asia, its commitment to labor and environmental standards is a critical component of its brand identity and risk management strategy. Investors will listen for updates on its progress toward science-based targets for emission reductions, which the company has committed to achieving by 2030.

As February 26 approaches, the market is poised for a report that will do more than just tally the previous year’s sales. It will offer the first concrete glimpse into a newly enlarged Gildan, providing critical clarity on how the company plans to leverage its expanded scale, navigate a challenging macroeconomic backdrop, and deliver on the immense promise of its transformative HanesBrands acquisition in the year ahead.