Iconic denim products maker Levi Strauss (LEVI:NYSE) may be one of the oldest companies in the US, tracing its origins all the way back to 1853, but it remains highly relevant today.

It regularly scores near the top in apparel brand rankings in both the US and internationally and the company’s shares are on a strong run ahead of its first-quarter numbers (to the end of February) on 3 April.

Earnings have consistently come in ahead of expectations in recent quarters, although those expectations have been pitched pretty low at times as management have guided them down. This will be the first release under new chief executive Michelle Gass who took over from Chip Bergh on 29 January.

There was modest disappointment in January when the fourth-quarter earnings were accompanied by a muted outlook. Shareholders will be looking for an update on plans to cut between 10% and 15% of the firm's global workforce in the first half of 2024 with the aim of saving $100 million in costs for the year to 30 November 2024.

The company is also trying to sell more through its own physical stores and website rather than through third parties. Retailers are still pretty cautious about taking on too much stock amid fairly muted consumer demand over the last couple of years thanks to cost-of-living pressures. 

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