Tearsheet

Garmin (GRMN)


Market Price (4/13/2026): $256.9 | Market Cap: $49.4 Bil
Sector: Consumer Discretionary | Industry: Consumer Electronics

Garmin (GRMN)


Market Price (4/13/2026): $256.9
Market Cap: $49.4 Bil
Sector: Consumer Discretionary
Industry: Consumer Electronics

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Detailed financial logic regarding cash flow yields vs trend-riding momentum.

0

Strong revenue growth
Rev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 15%

Attractive operating margins
Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 26%

Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 23%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 19%

Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 32%

Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Digital Health & Telemedicine, Advanced Aviation & Space, and Precision Positioning & Navigation. Themes include Wearable Health Devices, Show more.

Trading close to highs
Dist 52W High is -0.3%, Dist 3Y High is -0.3%

Expensive valuation multiples
P/SPrice/Sales ratio is 6.8x, P/CFOPrice/(Cash Flow from Operations). CFO is cash before capital expenditures. is 30x

Key risks
GRMN key risks include [1] persistent operating losses in its Auto OEM segment, Show more.

0 Strong revenue growth
Rev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 15%
1 Attractive operating margins
Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 26%
2 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 23%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 19%
3 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 32%
4 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Digital Health & Telemedicine, Advanced Aviation & Space, and Precision Positioning & Navigation. Themes include Wearable Health Devices, Show more.
5 Trading close to highs
Dist 52W High is -0.3%, Dist 3Y High is -0.3%
6 Expensive valuation multiples
P/SPrice/Sales ratio is 6.8x, P/CFOPrice/(Cash Flow from Operations). CFO is cash before capital expenditures. is 30x
7 Key risks
GRMN key risks include [1] persistent operating losses in its Auto OEM segment, Show more.

Valuation, Metrics & Events

Price Chart

Why The Stock Moved

Qualitative Assessment

AI Analysis | Feedback

Garmin (GRMN) stock has gained about 25% since 12/31/2025 because of the following key factors:

1. Garmin's robust fourth-quarter 2025 financial performance significantly exceeded analyst expectations and was coupled with optimistic full-year 2026 guidance. The company reported Q4 2025 earnings per share (EPS) of $2.79, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.39 by 16.74%. Additionally, quarterly revenue increased by 16.6% year-over-year to $2.12 billion, outperforming the consensus estimate of $2.01 billion. This strong finish to 2025, which also saw record full-year revenue of $7.25 billion (up 15%) and record EPS of $8.56, provided a significant boost to investor confidence, further supported by upbeat 2026 growth projections, including an expected EPS of $9.40, a 9.8% increase from fiscal 2025.

2. Multiple positive analyst rating upgrades and increased price targets reflected growing market confidence in Garmin's future prospects. For example, Tigress Financial maintained a "Strong Buy" rating and raised its price target to $320.00 on February 20, 2026, citing growth drivers such as AI-enabled services. Morgan Stanley upgraded Garmin to an "Equal-Weight" rating with a $252.00 price target on February 19, 2026, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. also raised its price target to $265.00. Overall, analysts provided a consensus "Moderate Buy" recommendation with an average 1-year price target of $254.00 as of April 7, 2026.

Show more

Stock Movement Drivers

Fundamental Drivers

The 27.1% change in GRMN stock from 12/31/2025 to 4/12/2026 was primarily driven by a 19.9% change in the company's P/E Multiple.
(LTM values as of)123120254122026Change
Stock Price ($)202.08256.8927.1%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)6,9437,2464.4%
Net Income Margin (%)22.6%23.0%1.5%
P/E Multiple24.829.719.9%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)1921920.1%
Cumulative Contribution27.1%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

12/31/2025 to 4/12/2026
ReturnCorrelation
GRMN27.1% 
Market (SPY)-5.4%54.8%
Sector (XLY)-5.5%55.8%

Fundamental Drivers

The 5.2% change in GRMN stock from 9/30/2025 to 4/12/2026 was primarily driven by a 7.2% change in the company's Total Revenues ($ Mil).
(LTM values as of)93020254122026Change
Stock Price ($)244.23256.895.2%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)6,7587,2467.2%
Net Income Margin (%)23.2%23.0%-1.0%
P/E Multiple30.029.7-0.9%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)1931920.1%
Cumulative Contribution5.2%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

9/30/2025 to 4/12/2026
ReturnCorrelation
GRMN5.2% 
Market (SPY)-2.9%47.8%
Sector (XLY)-5.6%51.0%

Fundamental Drivers

The 20.3% change in GRMN stock from 3/31/2025 to 4/12/2026 was primarily driven by a 15.1% change in the company's Total Revenues ($ Mil).
(LTM values as of)33120254122026Change
Stock Price ($)213.61256.8920.3%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)6,2977,24615.1%
Net Income Margin (%)22.4%23.0%2.5%
P/E Multiple29.129.72.2%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)192192-0.1%
Cumulative Contribution20.3%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

3/31/2025 to 4/12/2026
ReturnCorrelation
GRMN20.3% 
Market (SPY)16.3%64.3%
Sector (XLY)15.0%64.9%

Fundamental Drivers

The 169.4% change in GRMN stock from 3/31/2023 to 4/12/2026 was primarily driven by a 58.3% change in the company's P/E Multiple.
(LTM values as of)33120234122026Change
Stock Price ($)95.36256.89169.4%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)4,8607,24649.1%
Net Income Margin (%)20.0%23.0%14.6%
P/E Multiple18.829.758.3%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)192192-0.4%
Cumulative Contribution169.4%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

3/31/2023 to 4/12/2026
ReturnCorrelation
GRMN169.4% 
Market (SPY)63.3%48.4%
Sector (XLY)54.4%46.4%

Return vs. Risk

Price Returns Compared

 202120222023202420252026Total [1]
Returns
GRMN Return15%-30%43%63%-0%27%139%
Peers Return28%-8%19%24%34%11%158%
S&P 500 Return27%-19%24%23%16%-0%82%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
GRMN Win Rate67%33%67%58%67%50% 
Peers Win Rate68%37%52%60%63%65% 
S&P 500 Win Rate75%42%67%75%67%50% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
GRMN Max Drawdown-4%-41%0%-7%-16%-2% 
Peers Max Drawdown-8%-19%-15%-7%-16%-4% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-1%-25%-1%-2%-15%-7% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] Peers: AAPL, GOOGL, RTX, HON, LHX. See GRMN Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2026 data is for the year up to 4/10/2026 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventGRMNS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-56.0%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven127.3%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven657 days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-38.6%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven62.9%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven143 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-15.4%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven18.2%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven86 days120 days
2008 Global Financial Crisis2008 Global Financial Crisis  
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Loss% Loss-87.7%-56.8%
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven713.4%131.3%
2008 Global Financial CrisisTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven4,444 days1,480 days

Compare to AAPL, GOOGL, RTX, HON, LHX

In The Past

Garmin's stock fell -56.0% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 8/30/2021. A -56.0% loss requires a 127.3% gain to breakeven.

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About Garmin (GRMN)

Garmin Ltd. designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes a range of wireless devices in the Americas, the Asia Pacific, Australian Continent, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Its Fitness segment offers running and multi-sport watches; cycling products; activity tracking and smartwatch devices; and fitness and cycling accessories. This segment also provides Garmin Connect and Garmin Connect Mobile, which are web and mobile platforms; and Connect IQ, an application development platform. The company's Outdoor segment offers adventure watches, outdoor handhelds, golf devices and mobile apps, and dog tracking and training devices. Its Aviation segment designs, manufactures, and markets various aircraft avionics solutions comprising integrated flight decks, electronic flight displays and instrumentation, navigation and communication products, automatic flight control systems and safety-enhancing technologies, audio control systems, engine indication systems, traffic awareness and avoidance solutions, ADS-B and transponder solutions, weather information and avoidance solutions, datalink and connectivity solutions, portable GPS navigators and wearables, and various services products. The company's Marine segment provides chartplotters and multi-function displays, cartography products, fish finders, sonar products, autopilot systems, radars, compliant instrument displays and sensors, VHF communication radios, handhelds and wearable devices, sailing products, entertainment, digital switching products, and trolling motors. Its Auto segment offers embedded computing models and infotainment systems; personal navigation devices; and cameras. The company sells its products through independent retailers, online retailers, dealers, distributors, installation and repair shops, and original equipment manufacturers, as well as an online webshop, garmin.com. Garmin Ltd. was founded in 1989 and is based in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

AI Analysis | Feedback

Here are 1-2 brief analogies for Garmin (GRMN):

  1. Garmin is like a blend of Fitbit for advanced wearables and a specialized aerospace and marine electronics supplier.
  2. Garmin is like Apple, but laser-focused on mastering advanced GPS and navigation technology for a vast range of uses, from smartwatches to aircraft.

AI Analysis | Feedback

  • Fitness Watches & Activity Trackers: Wearable devices including running, multi-sport, and smartwatch devices for tracking fitness and daily activity.
  • Outdoor Handhelds & Adventure Watches: GPS devices and rugged watches designed for outdoor navigation, hiking, and other adventures.
  • Golf Devices: Products such as rangefinders and GPS-enabled devices for tracking and improving golf performance.
  • Dog Tracking & Training Devices: GPS-enabled collars and handheld units for tracking and training dogs.
  • Aviation Avionics Solutions: Integrated flight decks, electronic displays, navigation, communication, and automatic flight control systems for aircraft.
  • Marine Chartplotters & Sonar: Multi-function displays, fish finders, sonar products, and navigation systems for marine vessels.
  • Marine Autopilot Systems: Systems designed for automatically steering boats and other marine craft.
  • Automotive Infotainment Systems: Embedded computing models and entertainment systems for vehicles.
  • Personal Navigation Devices: Standalone GPS devices for in-car navigation.
  • Garmin Connect & Connect IQ: Web and mobile platforms for fitness data analysis and an application development platform for Garmin devices.

AI Analysis | Feedback

Garmin (GRMN) primarily sells its products to individuals, who are the ultimate end-users across most of its diverse product segments. While Garmin distributes its products through a network of independent retailers, online retailers, dealers, distributors, and installation/repair shops (which are B2B customers), the demand for the majority of its offerings is driven by individual consumers. Garmin also sells directly to individuals through its online webshop, garmin.com. Additionally, its Aviation, Marine, and parts of its Auto segment involve sales to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and professional installers.

The three main categories of individual customers that Garmin serves are:

  1. Athletes and Fitness Enthusiasts: This category includes individuals who use Garmin's running, cycling, multi-sport, and activity tracking watches, as well as smartwatches and fitness accessories, to monitor their health, performance, and daily activities.
  2. Outdoor Adventurers and Recreationists: This group comprises individuals who engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, golfing, and hunting, utilizing Garmin's adventure watches, outdoor handheld GPS devices, golf devices, and dog tracking and training equipment.
  3. Vehicle Operators (Aviation, Marine, and Auto): This category includes pilots, boaters, and drivers who use Garmin's navigation, communication, safety, and infotainment solutions for personal and recreational use in their aircraft, marine vessels, and automobiles.

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Clifton Pemble, President and Chief Executive Officer

Clifton Pemble joined Garmin in 1989 as a software engineer and was among the company's first associates. He has held various leadership roles, including systems engineering and software engineering management, Vice President of Engineering, and Chief Operating Officer. Pemble became CEO in January 2013, succeeding co-founder Dr. Min Kao. Before joining Garmin, he was a software engineer for AlliedSignal, involved in the development of earth-based and satellite-based navigation systems for general aviation. He also worked at King Radio, where he met Garmin's founders. He holds bachelor's degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science from MidAmerica Nazarene University.

Doug Boessen, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Doug Boessen joined Garmin in 2014 as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. He oversees financial planning, accounting, investor relations, treasury, and internal audit functions. Prior to Garmin, he served as CFO at Collective Brands. His career also includes 13 years of experience as an independent auditor for Arthur Andersen. Boessen is a certified public accountant and earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of Central Missouri. He also completed an executive development program at Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Patrick Desbois, Co-Chief Operating Officer

Patrick Desbois was appointed co-Chief Operating Officer, effective July 1, 2024. In this role, he provides executive oversight for Garmin's aviation and auto OEM segments, global supply chain and operations, information technology, and human resources. Desbois joined Garmin in 2011 as Vice President, Executive Office, and was promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations in 2017. Before his tenure at Garmin, he was a senior director of engineering at Dell Computers for 10 years. He holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from George Mason University.

Brad Trenkle, Co-Chief Operating Officer

Brad Trenkle was appointed co-Chief Operating Officer, effective July 1, 2024. He provides executive oversight for Garmin's consumer business segments, engineering innovation and support, as well as global consumer sales, marketing, and creative. Trenkle joined Garmin in 2002 as a software engineer and contributed to the development of many product lines, particularly in the outdoor segment. He has served in various leadership roles, including engineering management and providing leadership for some of Garmin's significant acquisitions. In 2017, he was promoted to Vice President of Garmin's Outdoor Segment. Trenkle earned a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Philip Straub, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Aviation

Philip Straub leads all facets of Garmin's aviation business, including product development, flight operations, certification, sales, marketing, and support. He joined Garmin in 1993 after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. Straub was a key contributor and leader in the creation of game-changing products such as the GNS 430/530 and G1000 integrated cockpit systems.

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AI Analysis | Feedback

Garmin faces two key risks to its business:

  1. Market Disruption by General-Purpose Smart Devices and Intense Competition in Consumer Electronics: Garmin's Auto segment, particularly its personal navigation devices, has been significantly impacted by the widespread adoption of smartphones with free navigation apps. Similarly, in the Fitness segment, Garmin competes with major technology companies offering general-purpose smartwatches that integrate fitness tracking with broader smartphone functionalities and app ecosystems. This creates pressure on Garmin to differentiate its specialized devices and could lead to market share erosion in segments where consumers opt for multi-functional alternatives.

  2. Rapid Technological Change and the Imperative for Continuous Innovation: Across its consumer-facing segments (Fitness, Outdoor, and to some extent Marine and Aviation), Garmin operates in environments characterized by rapid technological advancements. The company must continuously invest in research and development to introduce new features, improve sensor accuracy, enhance battery life, and maintain connectivity options to keep its products competitive and prevent obsolescence. Failure to keep pace with technological trends and competitor innovations could diminish the appeal of its specialized devices and impact sales.

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  • The increasing integration and dominance of major tech ecosystems (e.g., Apple, Google, Samsung) in the smartwatch and wearable market pose an emerging threat to Garmin's Fitness and Outdoor segments. These tech giants are continuously enhancing the health tracking, outdoor navigation, and overall feature sets of their general-purpose smartwatches, often deeply integrated into their vast consumer tech ecosystems. This trend could erode demand for Garmin's specialized fitness and adventure watches, as increasingly capable general-purpose devices might satisfy the needs of a growing segment of consumers, similar to how smartphones impacted dedicated GPS devices.
  • In the Auto segment, an emerging threat comes from automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and major tech companies (e.g., Google with Google Automotive Services) taking increasing control over the in-car infotainment experience. As the automotive industry shifts towards software-defined vehicles, OEMs are either developing their own proprietary infotainment systems or forming direct partnerships with large tech platforms, reducing their reliance on traditional third-party suppliers like Garmin for embedded computing models and infotainment systems.

AI Analysis | Feedback

Garmin Ltd. (GRMN) operates in diverse markets, and the addressable market sizes for its main products and services vary across regions and product categories. Here's an overview of the market sizes for Garmin's key segments, primarily based on 2024 figures or recent projections:

Fitness Segment (Smartwatches, Fitness Trackers, Cycling Products, and Sports Watches)

  • Smartwatches: The global smartwatch market was estimated to be between USD 39.1 billion and USD 52.2 billion in 2024. It is projected to grow to approximately USD 76.19 billion by 2032 with an 8.7% CAGR, or to USD 92 billion by 2034 with a 9% CAGR, or potentially to USD 293.89 billion by 2035 with a 17.01% CAGR. Smartwatches represented a significant portion of the broader fitness tracker market in 2024, accounting for between 48.5% and 56.3% of the revenue share.
  • Fitness Trackers (including smartwatches and smart bands): The global fitness tracker market was valued at approximately USD 60.9 billion to USD 70.05 billion in 2024. It is forecast to reach between USD 162.8 billion by 2030 and USD 364.16 billion by 2033, exhibiting CAGRs ranging from 16% to 20.10% from 2025 onwards. North America was the largest market for fitness trackers, holding a revenue share of 32.4% to 41.7% in 2024. The U.S. fitness tracker market alone was valued at USD 19.39 billion in 2024.
  • Sports Watches: The global sports watches market size was approximately USD 15.36 billion in 2024. It is anticipated to reach USD 28.48 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2025. Another estimate placed the global sport watches market at USD 25 billion in 2023, projected to reach USD 45 billion by 2032 with a 6.5% CAGR.
  • GPS Bike Computers: The global GPS bike computer market size was valued at around USD 495.04 million to USD 637.93 million in 2024. It is expected to grow to approximately USD 804.4 million by 2033 with a 5.2% CAGR or USD 982.74 million by 2032 with a 5.55% CAGR. Asia-Pacific held the largest revenue share in the GPS bike computer market in 2024.

Outdoor Segment (Adventure Watches, Outdoor Handhelds, Golf Devices, and Dog Tracking Devices)

  • Outdoor Handhelds (part of Portable Navigation Devices): The global Portable Navigation Devices (PND) market, which includes handheld outdoor devices, was valued between USD 3.15 billion and USD 13.8 billion in 2024. It is expected to reach between USD 5.62 billion by 2032 and USD 19.7 billion by 2030, with CAGRs of 6.1% to 7.50% from 2025. North America dominated the PND market in 2024.
  • Golf GPS Devices: The global Golf GPS market size showed varied estimates, ranging from USD 336 million to USD 4,215.2 million in 2024. Projections indicate growth to between USD 403 million by 2032 and USD 5,484.8 million by 2032, with CAGRs between 2.7% and 5.44%. North America held the largest market share in 2024, accounting for approximately 38.6% to over 40% of the global revenue.
  • Dog Tracking and Training Devices (Pet GPS Trackers): The global dog GPS tracker market size was approximately USD 132.5 million to USD 315.8 million in 2024. It is projected to reach between USD 352.45 million by 2031 and USD 1165 million by 2034, growing at CAGRs of 12.60% to 15.00%. North America held a significant market share of over 40% in 2024, while Europe contributed about three-fourths of the global market revenue in the same year.

Aviation Segment (Aircraft Avionics Solutions)

  • Aviation Avionics: The global aerospace avionics market size was estimated between USD 47.5 billion and USD 108.2 billion in 2024. It is projected to grow to between USD 116.9 billion by 2034 and USD 200.9 billion by 2034, with CAGRs ranging from 7% to 9.6% from 2025. North America was the largest revenue-generating market in 2023, and is estimated to contribute 36% to 37.2% of the market growth.

Marine Segment (Chartplotters, Fish Finders, Sonar Products, Autopilot Systems, Radars, etc.)

  • Marine Electronics: The global marine electronics market size was valued between USD 6.064 billion and USD 7.9 billion in 2024. It is predicted to reach between USD 9.73 billion by 2030 and USD 13.10 billion by 2034, with CAGRs ranging from 5.0% to 6.82% from 2025. North America dominated the global marine electronics market, holding a revenue share of 36.48% to 41% in 2024.

Auto Segment (Embedded Computing Models, Infotainment Systems, Personal Navigation Devices, and Cameras)

  • Automotive Infotainment Systems: The global automotive infotainment market size was estimated between USD 28.3 billion and USD 37.35 billion in 2024. It is expected to grow to between USD 28,933.3 million (approximately USD 28.9 billion) by 2030 and USD 79.79 billion by 2033, with CAGRs ranging from 5.7% to 11.6% from 2024. Asia Pacific was the largest revenue-generating market in 2023 and is projected to be the fastest-growing region.

AI Analysis | Feedback

Garmin (GRMN) is expected to drive future revenue growth over the next 2-3 years through several key initiatives and market trends:

  1. Strong Performance and New Product Launches in Fitness and Outdoor Segments: Garmin anticipates continued strong growth in its Fitness and Outdoor segments, largely propelled by a robust product roadmap and numerous new product introductions, particularly in wearables and adventure watches. The Fitness segment experienced significant revenue increases in late 2024, driven by strong demand for wearables. Similarly, the Outdoor segment has shown growth, led by adventure watches. Garmin's CEO has highlighted a "robust product lineup and many product launches planned during the year," signifying ongoing innovation in these areas.
  2. Growth in the Auto OEM Segment: The Auto OEM segment is expected to continue its upward trajectory, fueled by increased shipments of domain controllers and new business awards for digital instrument clusters and infotainment systems. While historically operating at a loss, this segment is a consistent area of growth mentioned in company outlooks, indicating its role in future revenue.
  3. Innovation and Expansion in Aviation and Marine Segments: Both the Aviation and Marine segments are poised for sustained growth. The Aviation segment has seen revenue increases and is expanding its footprint for enhanced aircraft certification and flight-test capabilities. The Marine segment has also demonstrated strong performance, with new product launches like the GPSMAP® 9000xsv series of chartplotters and the introduction of advanced sonar technology, such as the 360-degree sonar system with its new Spy Pole. Garmin's consistent recognition as a leading manufacturer in the marine industry further underscores its growth potential.
  4. Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Wearables and Health Platforms: Garmin is strategically integrating AI into its wearables and health platforms. This includes features like AI-powered health analytics in smartwatches, such as the new Venu 4, and enhanced nutrition tracking and insights via AI-based Garmin Active Intelligence™ within Garmin Connect+. This focus on AI is expected to generate excitement and contribute to medium-term growth.

AI Analysis | Feedback

Share Repurchases

  • Garmin purchased $181 million of company shares in 2025.
  • In February 2026, Garmin's Board of Directors approved a new $500 million share repurchase program through December 2028, replacing a previous $300 million authorization under which $244 million of shares were repurchased through December 2025.
  • The company repurchased $32.95 million in Q4 2024, $20.14 million in Q3 2024, and $9.45 million in Q2 2024.

Share Issuance

  • Garmin's shares outstanding were approximately 0.194 billion at the end of 2025, a slight increase of 0.17% from 2024.
  • Shares outstanding were approximately 0.193 billion in 2024, a 0.64% increase from 2023.
  • Individual equity awards, such as restricted stock units granted to employees, contribute to share issuances, with one award in February 2025 set to vest in installments beginning February 2026.

Outbound Investments

  • Garmin acquired MYLAPS, a sports timing systems, devices, and services company, in July 2025.
  • The company acquired Lumishore, a provider of marine underwater lighting systems, in October 2024.
  • In August 2023, Garmin completed the purchase of JL Audio, expanding its presence in marine, car, and home audio markets.
  • Garmin also acquired Vesper Marine in January 2022 and AeroData in May 2021.
  • In February 2026, Garmin expanded its aviation operations by acquiring a hangar and office complex at Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona to enhance aircraft certification and flight testing capacity.

Capital Expenditures

  • Garmin's capital expenditures were $270 million in 2025.
  • Capital expenditures were $194 million in both 2024 and 2023.
  • For 2026, Garmin expects capital expenditures of approximately $400 million, primarily due to a new manufacturing facility in Thailand expected to be operational in early 2027.

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Peer Comparisons

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Financials

GRMNAAPLGOOGLRTXHONLHXMedian
NameGarmin Apple Alphabet RTX Honeywel.L3Harris. 
Mkt Price256.89260.48317.24201.56235.04353.59258.69
Mkt Cap49.43,841.63,830.4271.1149.366.1210.2
Rev LTM7,246435,617402,83788,60337,44221,86563,022
Op Inc LTM1,876141,070129,0399,3006,5672,1507,934
FCF LTM1,363123,32473,2667,4485,4222,6826,435
FCF 3Y Avg1,262109,49771,8425,3635,0822,1605,222
CFO LTM1,633135,472164,71310,5676,4083,1068,488
CFO 3Y Avg1,481120,066130,5868,5365,9482,5877,242

Growth & Margins

GRMNAAPLGOOGLRTXHONLHXMedian
NameGarmin Apple Alphabet RTX Honeywel.L3Harris. 
Rev Chg LTM15.1%10.1%15.1%9.7%7.8%2.5%9.9%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg14.4%4.1%12.5%9.9%2.0%8.7%9.3%
Rev Chg Q16.6%15.7%18.0%12.1%8.8%2.3%13.9%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM4.4%4.7%4.5%3.0%1.5%0.6%3.7%
Op Mgn LTM25.9%32.4%32.0%10.5%17.5%9.8%21.7%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg24.0%31.6%30.5%7.9%18.4%9.5%21.2%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM0.3%0.4%-0.2%0.2%-0.6%-0.8%0.0%
CFO/Rev LTM22.5%31.1%40.9%11.9%17.1%14.2%19.8%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg23.9%29.5%36.6%10.7%17.0%12.3%20.4%
FCF/Rev LTM18.8%28.3%18.2%8.4%14.5%12.3%16.3%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg20.4%27.0%20.5%6.7%14.5%10.3%17.4%

Valuation

GRMNAAPLGOOGLRTXHONLHXMedian
NameGarmin Apple Alphabet RTX Honeywel.L3Harris. 
Mkt Cap49.43,841.63,830.4271.1149.366.1210.2
P/S6.88.89.53.14.03.05.4
P/EBIT26.327.224.025.721.926.125.9
P/E29.732.629.040.331.641.132.1
P/CFO30.328.423.325.723.321.324.5
Total Yield4.7%3.5%3.7%3.8%5.2%3.8%3.8%
Dividend Yield1.3%0.4%0.3%1.3%2.0%1.4%1.3%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg3.8%3.1%3.0%3.3%3.8%4.8%3.5%
D/E0.00.00.00.10.20.20.1
Net D/E-0.10.0-0.00.10.20.20.1

Returns

GRMNAAPLGOOGLRTXHONLHXMedian
NameGarmin Apple Alphabet RTX Honeywel.L3Harris. 
1M Rtn10.0%4.1%4.9%-1.4%0.2%-1.5%2.2%
3M Rtn21.5%0.5%-3.4%7.3%13.9%5.7%6.5%
6M Rtn4.4%6.4%34.3%28.7%25.4%21.9%23.7%
12M Rtn37.6%32.0%102.6%59.8%28.2%62.0%48.7%
3Y Rtn173.4%59.6%197.7%111.6%35.7%86.7%99.1%
1M Excs Rtn8.2%-0.7%2.2%-3.4%-2.4%-3.5%-1.6%
3M Excs Rtn22.3%2.2%-0.9%9.6%16.6%10.4%10.0%
6M Excs Rtn-1.2%0.2%28.9%19.5%19.2%15.2%17.2%
12M Excs Rtn13.6%14.9%83.2%33.3%2.4%42.3%24.1%
3Y Excs Rtn105.4%-6.7%139.2%50.0%-27.0%24.6%37.3%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment
$ Mil20252024202320222021
Outdoor1,9621,6971,7701,2821,128
Fitness1,7741,3451,1091,5341,317
Marine1,073917904875658
Aviation877846793712623
Auto Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)611423284255185
Consumer Auto   325275
Total6,2975,2284,8604,9834,187


Operating Income by Segment
$ Mil20252024202320222021
Outdoor703515573476441
Fitness483232105359319
Marine236179215250176
Aviation211226213193137
Auto Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)-39-61-79-108-60
Consumer Auto   4841
Total1,5941,0921,0281,2191,054


Price Behavior

Price Behavior
Market Price$256.89 
Market Cap ($ Bil)49.4 
First Trading Date12/08/2000 
Distance from 52W High-0.3% 
   50 Days200 Days
DMA Price$232.21$222.90
DMA Trendupup
Distance from DMA10.6%15.2%
 3M1YR
Volatility37.0%30.6%
Downside Capture0.400.60
Upside Capture263.64124.07
Correlation (SPY)50.0%51.0%
GRMN Betas & Captures as of 3/31/2026

 1M2M3M6M1Y3Y
Beta0.951.481.511.251.221.02
Up Beta0.60-0.860.271.131.090.97
Down Beta0.571.071.581.421.351.18
Up Capture126%358%274%124%137%120%
Bmk +ve Days7162765139424
Stock +ve Days10233468146413
Down Capture113%104%107%115%118%96%
Bmk -ve Days12233358110323
Stock -ve Days12192958106333

[1] Upside and downside betas calculated using positive and negative benchmark daily returns respectively
Based On 1-Year Data
Annualized
Return
Annualized
Volatility
Sharpe
Ratio
Correlation
with GRMN
GRMN50.6%32.4%1.29-
Sector ETF (XLY)28.9%22.5%1.0561.1%
Equity (SPY)31.2%17.3%1.4760.3%
Gold (GLD)60.1%27.8%1.697.8%
Commodities (DBC)29.8%16.6%1.5811.5%
Real Estate (VNQ)21.3%15.2%1.0750.9%
Bitcoin (BTCUSD)-4.3%43.7%0.0233.5%

Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How
Based On 5-Year Data
Annualized
Return
Annualized
Volatility
Sharpe
Ratio
Correlation
with GRMN
GRMN15.9%30.1%0.52-
Sector ETF (XLY)6.3%23.7%0.2352.9%
Equity (SPY)11.1%17.0%0.5056.7%
Gold (GLD)22.1%17.8%1.029.1%
Commodities (DBC)11.8%18.8%0.5211.4%
Real Estate (VNQ)3.7%18.8%0.1048.0%
Bitcoin (BTCUSD)4.3%56.5%0.3023.1%

Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How
Based On 10-Year Data
Annualized
Return
Annualized
Volatility
Sharpe
Ratio
Correlation
with GRMN
GRMN23.8%28.2%0.80-
Sector ETF (XLY)12.2%22.0%0.5156.7%
Equity (SPY)13.8%17.9%0.6660.9%
Gold (GLD)14.2%15.9%0.746.1%
Commodities (DBC)8.6%17.6%0.4119.1%
Real Estate (VNQ)5.1%20.7%0.2249.0%
Bitcoin (BTCUSD)67.6%66.9%1.0715.4%

Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date3312026
Short Interest: Shares Quantity2.9 Mil
Short Interest: % Change Since 3152026-5.4%
Average Daily Volume0.8 Mil
Days-to-Cover Short Interest3.8 days
Basic Shares Quantity192.3 Mil
Short % of Basic Shares1.5%

Earnings Returns History

Expand for More
 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
2/18/20269.4%15.9%7.1%
10/29/2025-11.5%-17.2%-21.5%
7/30/2025-7.4%-4.6%-1.6%
2/19/202512.6%5.2%-2.4%
10/30/202423.2%22.8%27.6%
7/31/2024-4.5%-8.2%0.4%
5/1/202413.1%17.6%12.7%
2/21/20248.8%9.7%20.1%
...
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive111314
# Negative12109
Median Positive8.8%7.0%8.1%
Median Negative-2.4%-5.4%-4.1%
Max Positive23.2%22.8%27.6%
Max Negative-11.5%-17.2%-21.5%

SEC Filings

Expand for More
Report DateFiling DateFiling
12/31/202502/18/202610-K
09/30/202510/29/202510-Q
06/30/202507/30/202510-Q
03/31/202504/30/202510-Q
12/31/202402/19/202510-K
09/30/202410/30/202410-Q
06/30/202407/31/202410-Q
03/31/202405/01/202410-Q
12/31/202302/21/202410-K
09/30/202311/01/202310-Q
06/30/202308/02/202310-Q
03/31/202305/03/202310-Q
12/31/202202/22/202310-K
09/30/202210/26/202210-Q
06/30/202207/27/202210-Q
03/31/202204/27/202210-Q

Recent Forward Guidance [BETA]

Latest: Q4 2025 Earnings Reported 2/18/2026

Forward GuidanceGuidance Change
MetricLowMidHigh% Chg% DeltaChangePrior
2026 Revenue 7.90 Bil 11.3% Higher NewActual: 7.10 Bil for 2025
2026 Operating Margin 25.5% 1.2%0.3%Higher NewActual: 25.2% for 2025
2026 Pro forma EPS 9.35 14.7% Higher NewActual: 8.15 for 2025
2026 Gross Margin 58.5% 00Same NewActual: 58.5% for 2025

Prior: Q3 2025 Earnings Reported 10/29/2025

Forward GuidanceGuidance Change
MetricLowMidHigh% Chg% DeltaChangePrior
2025 Revenue 7.10 Bil 0 AffirmedGuidance: 7.10 Bil for 2025
2025 Pro forma EPS 8.15 1.9% RaisedGuidance: 8 for 2025
2025 Gross Margin 58.5% 00AffirmedGuidance: 58.5% for 2025
2025 Operating Margin 25.2% 1.6%0.4%RaisedGuidance: 24.8% for 2025

Insider Activity

Expand for More
#OwnerTitleHoldingActionFiling DatePriceSharesTransacted
Value
Value of
Held Shares
Form
1Pemble, Clifton APresident and CEODirectSell12172025206.2310,4312,151,16227,877,873Form
2Boessen, Douglas GCFO and TreasurerDirectSell12172025206.262,485512,5625,964,280Form
3Wang, Cheng-WeiGeneral Manager - Garmin Corp.DirectSell8272025232.4810,2022,371,7808,390,734Form
4Link, Edward JVP, Information TechnologyDirectSell8112025230.001,718395,1406,371,690Form
5Minard, Laurie AVP, Human ResourcesDirectSell8062025230.00787181,0101,045,810Form

GRMN Trade Sentinel


Stock Conviction

ACCUMULATE (Score 7-8)

CONVICTION RATIONALE

The probability-adjusted skew of 1.82x is attractive. While the competitive risk from Apple is significant, it is a known factor. The current valuation appears to fairly price this risk. The Alpha Driver—dominance in high-margin, high-barrier professional niches—provides a stable earnings base, while the strong secular tailwind in wearables offers a path to upside, making the risk/reward compelling.

STOCK ARCHETYPE
Mature Cash Cow

Garmin exhibits key 'Mature Cash Cow' traits: a debt-free balance sheet, high and consistent margins (Gross ~59%, Operating ~25%), and strong free cash flow conversion. Its growth, while solid in specific segments, is in the high single digits overall, disqualifying it from 'High-Beta Compounder'. The focus is on defending profitable niches and efficient capital return.

INVESTMENT THESIS
Durable Profitability from High-Barrier Aviation and Marine Segments

The core long thesis rests on the durability of Garmin's high-margin professional segments (Aviation, Marine, and Outdoor). These niches are protected by significant barriers to entry, including regulatory hurdles (FAA certification), high switching costs (hardware integration/training), and superior product performance (battery life, durability) that generalist competitors like Apple cannot easily replicate. This creates a highly profitable and predictable earnings stream that anchors the company's valuation.

Mechanism: Garmin captures value by engineering purpose-built, mission-critical hardware for niche professional and pro-sumer markets. This focus allows for premium pricing and insulates the majority of its profit pool from the hyper-competitive mainstream consumer electronics market.
Supporting Evidence:
  • Aviation and Marine segments deliver significantly higher operating margins than the more competitive Fitness segment.
  • Regulatory Protection: FAA certifications create a 'nearly impenetrable' barrier to entry in the high-margin aviation business.
  • Product Performance: Garmin's Fenix line offers battery life measured in weeks, a critical feature for serious athletes that the Apple Watch cannot match.
PRIMARY RISK
Feature Creep from Apple Watch Eroding High-End Consumer Moat

The primary risk is the gradual erosion of Garmin's competitive advantage in the high-end consumer wearables space by Apple. As Apple continues to add specialized features to its Watch Ultra line (e.g., satellite SOS connectivity, enhanced durability, advanced health sensors), it narrows the performance gap with Garmin's premium Fenix and Outdoor watches. This could cap Garmin's growth in its largest and fastest-growing segments (Fitness/Outdoor), leading to market share loss and margin compression over time.

Mechanism: The thesis breaks if Apple's ecosystem and brand strength prove sufficient to persuade high-end pro-sumers to sacrifice Garmin's specific performance advantages for the convenience of a single, integrated device. This would commoditize the high-end wearables market and reduce Garmin to a niche player.
Supporting Evidence:
  • Apple is identified as a 'STRUCTURAL' threat with high revenue exposure (>40%).
  • The Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) added satellite SOS and 5G, directly competing with core Garmin features.
  • Garmin's Outdoor segment revenue growth decelerated sharply, turning negative (-5% YoY) in Q3 2025, showing vulnerability in this key high-margin consumer area.
Key KPI Watchlist
KPI Threshold Rationale
Outdoor Segment Revenue Growth (YoY)Return to Positive GrowthThis high-margin segment's recent -5% YoY decline was a major driver of the stock's negative reaction. A return to growth is critical to validate the durability of Garmin's high-end consumer franchise.
Fitness Segment Revenue Growth (YoY)Sustain >25%As the largest and fastest-growing segment, Fitness is the primary engine for the company's overall growth. Any significant deceleration below its current +30% rate would signal market share loss to Apple and invalidate the growth compounder thesis.
Consolidated Gross MarginStabilize above 59%The recent 90bps decline in gross margin is a concern. A stable or expanding margin is necessary to prove Garmin is maintaining its pricing power and that the accelerating Fitness growth is not coming at the expense of overall profitability.
Core Investment Debate

Fitness Growth vs. High-Margin Outdoor Decay

BULL VIEW

Fitness segment's +30% YoY growth is capturing market share from Apple. The Outdoor weakness is a temporary issue due to tough product cycle comparisons.

CORE TENSION

Can strong, lower-margin Fitness growth offset the significant deceleration and margin pressure in the historically profitable Outdoor segment, which the market punished heavily last quarter?


PREVAILING SENTIMENT
BEARISH

The stock fell ~11.5% after its Q3 2025 earnings, despite a guidance raise, due to a -5% YoY decline in the high-margin Outdoor segment and a 90bps drop in consolidated gross margin.

BEAR VIEW

The Outdoor segment's -5% YoY decline and guidance cut, plus rising inventory and compressing gross margins, signal weakening consumer demand for high-end products.

Next 6 months: Risks and Catalysts
Timeline Event & Metric To Watch
Feb 18, 2026
Q4 2025 Earnings Call & 2026 Guidance
Watch: 2026 Gross Margin Guidance and Days of Inventory. A sequential reduction in inventory is critical to prove demand is not collapsing.
June - September 2026
Apple WWDC / September Hardware Event
Watch: Launch of a next-gen Apple Watch Ultra with significant battery life extension (>7 days) or new, exclusive health sensors (e.g., blood pressure, glucose).
Ongoing (Monthly/Quarterly)
Quarterly Consumer Credit & Retail Sales Data
Watch: YoY change in 90-day+ auto and credit card delinquency rates. A continued sharp increase signals consumer stress.
Ongoing, potential ruling in H1 2026
ECHA / EPA Regulatory Rulings on PFAS
Watch: Final ECHA ruling on PFAS restrictions; specifically, whether exemptions are granted for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing.
Key Events in Last 6 Months
Date Event Stock Impact
2025-07-30
Q2 2025 Earnings Release
Details: Garmin reported Q2 2025 earnings. Despite an EPS beat, the stock fell notably, indicating potential market concerns over guidance or segment performance.
Plummeted -7.44%
$237.38 -> $219.72
2025-08-19
Major Software Feature Update
Details: Garmin announced its August 2025 Feature Update, rolling out 18 new features to multiple smartwatches including the Fenix and Forerunner series.
Flat (0.36%)
$230.74 -> $231.58
2025-10-29
Q3 2025 Earnings Release
Details: Despite record Q3 revenue of $1.77B and a raised EPS guidance, the stock crashed due to a -5% revenue decline in the high-margin Outdoor segment and a gross margin decline.
Plummeted -11.48%
$247.03 -> $218.67
2026-01-06
CES 2026 Product Showcase
Details: At CES 2026, Garmin unveiled its 'Unified Cabin 2026' for the automotive sector, featuring a next-generation AI-based virtual assistant and other infotainment advancements.
Rose significantly by 2.74%
$203.76 -> $209.35
2026-01-14
Q4 2025 Earnings Date Announcement
Details: Garmin announced it would host its Q4 2025 earnings conference call on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Slight -1.12% pullback
$213.91 -> $211.52
2026-02-03
New Product Launch
Details: Garmin announced the Varia RearVue 820, a new rear-facing cycling radar and tail light, adding advanced vehicle tracking and USB-C charging.
Rose significantly by 2.01%
$201.22 -> $205.26
Risk Management
Position Sizing

1% - 3%

CONSERVATIVE

The stock is in a Moderate Volatility regime. However, the Bearish fundamental sentiment, driven by margin pressure and slowing high-end segments, warrants a Conservative 'Watchlist' position until visibility improves and the inventory situation stabilizes.

Diversification Alternatives
BIRK
SECTOR

Unlike Garmin, Birkenstock is a brand/fashion play, not a tech hardware company, insulating it from technological obsolescence risk from Apple. It possesses strong pricing power and brand loyalty.

Core Thesis: The core thesis rests on a 250-year-old iconic brand with durable pricing power, a loyal multi-generational customer base, and a defensible niche in the premium comfort footwear market.
PLNT
SECTOR

Planet Fitness has a recurring revenue membership model, offering higher visibility than Garmin's transactional hardware sales. It is also less exposed to discretionary trade-downs due to its value positioning.

Core Thesis: A low-cost, high-value gym membership model that is resilient in economic downturns, driven by franchise expansion and a strong, recognized brand appealing to casual fitness users.
How Is The Market Pricing GRMN?

Trading at a 28x P/E, Garmin is evolving from a consumer-focused GPS device maker into a diversified technology leader with high-margin, specialized products in Aviation (76% GM) and Marine (52% GM), while its Fitness segment (59% GM) continues to drive record revenue growth.

Filter all news through the lens of margin sustainability and segment diversification, focusing on whether Garmin can defend its premium pricing and high-margin segments (Aviation/Outdoor) against competition from big tech.

What will confirm the thesis

Sustained gross margins >58%; Aviation/Marine/Outdoor segments growing revenue >10% YoY; new Auto OEM design wins with named automakers like BMW or Mercedes-Benz converting to revenue; market share gains in the high-end wearables category against Apple Watch Ultra.

What will damage the thesis

Gross margin compression below 58% due to competitive pricing pressure; revenue deceleration in high-margin Aviation or Marine segments; major tech competitors like Apple making significant inroads into specialized fitness/outdoor features; operating losses widening in the Auto OEM segment.

Noise: Real but irrelevant to thesis

Quarterly fluctuations in consumer wearables unit shipments (already expected); minor price changes on legacy products; standard product refresh cycles for non-flagship models.

Repricing Catalyst

The primary catalyst is the market's recognition of Garmin's durable, high-margin business model outside of the hyper-competitive consumer fitness space. Growth in the Aviation segment (+13% YoY in FY2025) and Marine (+10% YoY), which carry gross margins of 75% and 55% respectively, provides a stable, high-profit base that differentiates it from pure-play consumer electronics companies.

What GRMN Makes & Who Pays
TTM figures based on Q4 and Full Year 2025 Earnings Press Release, Feb 18, 2026
Fitness & Wearable Tech
$2.4B TTM (32.5% of Total) · 59% Margin
What It Is

Forerunner running watches (e.g., 970), Venu smartwatches (e.g., Venu 4), fēnix adventure watches, cycling computers, and health monitoring devices.

Who Pays & How

Consumers, from casual fitness users to serious athletes, pay for superior battery life, specialized training/recovery metrics (Body Battery, Training Readiness), and durability that surpasses general-purpose smartwatches.

Per-unit hardware sale to retailers, distributors, and directly to consumers.
Competition
Apple - Apple Watch Series & Ultra
Seamless integration with the iOS ecosystem, larger third-party app store, and strong brand loyalty for general-purpose users.
Superiority in specialized use cases: multi-week battery life, more advanced and diverse fitness/health metrics (VO2 Max, Training Load), and industry-leading GPS accuracy create a loyal following among dedicated athletes.
Outdoor Recreation GPS
$2.1B TTM (28.3% of Total) · 66% Margin
What It Is

fēnix and epix adventure watches, inReach satellite communicators (e.g., Mini 3 Plus), and handheld GPS devices.

Who Pays & How

Hikers, mountaineers, trail runners, and hunters pay for rugged devices with long battery life and life-saving features like two-way satellite communication and SOS messaging where cellular service is unavailable.

Per-unit hardware sale, with a recurring subscription component for inReach satellite services.
Competition
Apple - Apple Watch Ultra (with Emergency SOS via satellite)
Apple's satellite SOS is integrated into its massive ecosystem, but is limited to emergency messaging.
Garmin's inReach technology provides two-way messaging, not just SOS, which is a critical feature for users in remote areas. This technological advantage and established reputation in the outdoor community create a strong moat.
Aviation
$1.0B TTM (13.6% of Total) · 76% Margin
What It Is

Integrated flight decks (G5000H), autopilots, navigation/communication transceivers, and aviator smartwatches (D2 Mach 2).

Who Pays & How

Aircraft OEMs and private aircraft owners pay for certified, mission-critical avionics. Switching costs are extremely high due to FAA certification requirements, deep integration into aircraft, and pilot training.

Per-unit hardware sale to OEMs and for aftermarket retrofits.
Competition
Honeywell, Collins Aerospace (Raytheon)
Long-standing relationships with major commercial and military airframers.
Dominant position in the general and business aviation markets. Garmin has consistently ranked #1 in product support, creating significant brand loyalty and high switching costs for owners and operators.
Marine
$1.2B TTM (16.3% of Total) · 52% Margin
What It Is

Chartplotters (GPSMAP 9000xsv series), fish finders, sonar modules, and autopilots.

Who Pays & How

Boat owners and manufacturers pay for integrated marine electronics that enhance navigation, fish finding, and safety. The components are designed as an integrated system, creating high switching costs.

Per-unit hardware sale to OEMs and dealers.
Competition
Navico (Lowrance, Simrad), Humminbird (Johnson Outdoors), Furuno
Established brands with strong dealer networks and specific technology advantages in certain niches (e.g., specific sonar frequencies).
Garmin's moat is its highly integrated ecosystem of products (chartplotters, radar, sonar, autopilots all working together), strong brand recognition, and innovative features like Panoptix live sonar.
Automotive OEM
$0.7B TTM (9.2% of Total) · 17% Margin
What It Is

Domain controllers, infotainment systems, and navigation software for automakers.

Who Pays & How

Automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz pay for integrated cockpit solutions. The economic lock-in is extremely high due to multi-year design cycles, deep software integration, and the high cost of switching to a new supplier mid-platform.

Per-unit sales based on long-term contracts with automakers.
Competition
Bosch, Continental, Visteon
Long-standing, deeply entrenched relationships with the world's largest automakers.
Garmin's moat is its expertise in user interface design and software integration, which allows them to win contracts for complex domain controllers that integrate multiple vehicle systems.
GRMN Evolution: Price Return by Era
1989–2007 · The GPS Dominance Era
Pioneering Consumer GPS and Market Leadership +1,500% (Dec 2000 IPO to Oct 2007 peak)
Founded in 1989, Garmin first established itself by supplying GPS units to the U.S. Army and then expanded into aviation and marine. The company went public in 2000 and rose to prominence with its StreetPilot and Nüvi personal navigation devices (PNDs) for cars, becoming the dominant player in a rapidly growing market.
2008–2014 · The iPhone Disruption & Diversification
Navigating the Collapse of the PND Market -85% peak-to-trough (Oct 2007 - Nov 2008)
The launch of the iPhone in 2007 and the inclusion of free GPS navigation on smartphones decimated the high-margin PND market, causing a significant downturn in Garmin's core business and stock price. In response, the company accelerated its diversification, launching the first Forerunner GPS running watch in 2003 and the Fenix outdoor watch in 2012, planting the seeds for its future growth engines.
2015–Present · The High-Margin Verticals Era
Dominating Profitable Niches +450% (Jan 2015 - Feb 2026)
Garmin successfully transitioned into a multi-vertical technology company. The Fitness segment became the largest revenue contributor, while the high-margin Aviation, Marine, and Outdoor segments became powerful profit engines. The company established a durable competitive advantage by focusing on specialized features, reliability, and creating ecosystems for enthusiasts and professionals where competitors could not easily follow.
Market Appears To Be Aligned With Core Thesis
Price structure is strongly bullish. The regime, trend, and proximity to highs all point towards intact institutional trend. Relative to SPY: Performance in line with the broader market with no relative edge or drag in current window. Volume and momentum are strongly confirming. The institutional accumulation is evident and momentum is accelerating. Earnings history is mildly supportive. The reaction or drift are positive but not both at full conviction.
① Structure
+4
Structural pillar score (-4 to +4). Driven by trend regime, SMA cross events, proximity to 52W high, and relative strength vs SPY.
② Volume / Momentum
+3
Volume/Momentum pillar score (-4 to +4). Driven by institutional footprint score, OBV divergence, and momentum character.
③ Catalyst
+1
Catalyst pillar score (-4 to +4). Driven by earnings day reaction, 20D post-earnings drift, and post-earnings volume character.
Combined Score
8 / 12
1 Price Structure & Trend Trending Up · Golden Cross
2 Momentum Accelerating
3 Relative Strength vs. SPY Neutral Relative Strength
4 Institutional Footprint & Volume Mild Accumulation
5 Volatility Normal
6 Key Price Levels Range · Vol Rising
7 Earnings Reaction History Inconsistent
8 How the Verdict Is Derived Three Pillars