1549 ET - With recession fears on the rise, fitness remains a defensive industry, Baird analysts say in a research note, pointing to how gym membership estimates grew in both 2001 and during the Great Financial Crisis. Within such an industry, Planet Fitness's high-margin, subscription-based business model and value-based offering is an attractive setup, they say. They note the company has limited direct exposure to tariffs given a key equipment supplier has staged inventory to mitigate risks and the company has other offsets like scaled buying power. Foot traffic has also picked up recently, the analysts say. They say the company appears on track to meet or exceed initial full-year guidance. (kelly.cloonan@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 08, 2025 15:49 ET (19:49 GMT)
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