The Buckle profit rises to $46.9 million to kick off fiscal year

The Buckle (NYSE:BKE) reported a significant increase in first-quarter profitability, driven by steady brick-and-mortar sales growth and an injection of cash from a finalized legal settlement.

For the 13-week fiscal quarter ended May 2, 2026, the Nebraska-based fashion retailer generated net income of $46.9 million, or $0.93 per basic share.

On a diluted basis, earnings landed at $0.92 per share.

The bottom-line figure marks a substantial advance from the first quarter of fiscal 2025, when the company posted a net income of $35.2 million, or $0.70 per basic and diluted share.

The company's bottom-line expansion was considerably amplified by a one-time financial credit.

During the quarter, The Buckle finalized a settlement agreement resolving long-standing credit card interchange fee litigation.

The resolution brought in cash proceeds of $19.1 million, net of associated legal fees.

Management recorded the entire net settlement as a direct reduction to its selling expenses for the quarter, significantly lowering operational costs and bolstering net profits.

Top-line performance also demonstrated resilience across physical sales channels.

Total net sales for the quarter grew 6.1% to reach $288.7 million, climbing from the $272.1 million recorded during the prior-year period ended May 3, 2025.

The revenue expansion was primarily anchored by core physical locations.

Comparable store net sales for the 13-week period advanced 5.1% compared to the baseline set in the previous fiscal year.

Meanwhile, the retailer's digital platform experienced a more modest upward trajectory.

Online sales edged up 2.8% to reach $47.7 million for the quarter, compared to $46.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025.