Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q4 behind us, let’s have a look at National Vision (NASDAQ: EYE) and its peers.

Some retailers try to sell everything under the sun, while others—appropriately called Specialty Retailers—focus on selling a narrow category and aiming to be exceptional at it. Whether it’s eyeglasses, sporting goods, or beauty and cosmetics, these stores win with depth of product in their category as well as in-store expertise and guidance for shoppers who need it. E-commerce competition exists and waning retail foot traffic impacts these retailers, but the magnitude of the headwinds depends on what they sell and what extra value they provide in their stores.

The 4 specialty retail stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.9% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 0.5% above.

While some specialty retail stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 3.5% since the latest earnings results.

Best Q4: National Vision (NASDAQ: EYE)

Operating under multiple brands, National Vision (NYSE: EYE) sells optical products such as eyeglasses and provides optical services such as eye exams.

National Vision reported revenues of $503.4 million, up 15.1% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.5%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

National Vision achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth, but had the weakest full-year guidance update of the whole group. Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 11% since reporting and currently trades at $23.69.

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

Petco (NASDAQ: WOOF)

Historically known for its window displays of pets for sale or adoption, Petco (NASDAQ: WOOF) is a specialty retailer of pet food and supplies as well as a provider of services such as wellness checks and grooming.

Petco reported revenues of $1.52 billion, down 2.4% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. The business had a very strong quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and EBITDA guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 12.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $2.71.

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

Weakest Q4: Leslie's (NASDAQ: LESL)

Named after founder Philip Leslie, who established the company in 1963, Leslie’s (NASDAQ: LESL) is a retailer that sells pool and spa supplies, equipment, and maintenance services.

Leslie's reported revenues of $147.1 million, down 16% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 6.9%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and EBITDA estimates.

Leslie's delivered the highest full-year guidance raise but had the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 4.2% since the results and currently trades at $1.25.

Read our full analysis of Leslie’s results here.

Tractor Supply (NASDAQ: TSCO)

Started as a mail-order tractor parts business, Tractor Supply (NASDAQ: TSCO) is a retailer of general goods such as agricultural supplies, hardware, and pet food for the rural consumer.

Tractor Supply reported revenues of $3.90 billion, up 3.3% year on year. This result came in 2.4% below analysts' expectations. Overall, it was a softer quarter as it also produced full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations and a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 20% since reporting and currently trades at $44.11.

Read our full, actionable report on Tractor Supply 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 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.