• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
RetailSales

Here’s Why Shares of Gunmaker Smith & Wesson Are Jumping

Robert Hackett
By
Robert Hackett
Robert Hackett
Down Arrow Button Icon
Robert Hackett
By
Robert Hackett
Robert Hackett
Down Arrow Button Icon
January 5, 2016, 8:58 AM ET
Inside the National Rifle Association (NRA) Annual Meetings & Exhibits
Attendees look over hand guns in the Smith & Wesson booth on the exhibition floor of the 144th National Rifle Association (NRA) Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., on Saturday, April 11, 2015. Top Republican contenders for their party's 2016 presidential nomination are lining up to speak at the annual NRA event, except New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, who were snubbed by the country's largest and most powerful gun lobby. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesDaniel Acker—Bloomberg via Getty Images

This story has been updated to reflect the opening of trade.

Gunmaker Smith & Wesson (SWHC) is projecting an incredible start to 2016, which sent shares up more than 11% in morning trading.

The company raised its revenue and earnings guidance for the current quarter and fiscal year, based on strong sales at recent gun shows as well as an uptick in year-end FBI background checks, an indicator that potential customers are looking to obtain gun licenses.

Smith & Wesson now expects sales between $175 million and $180 million from $150 million to $155 million for its third and present quarter, which ends Jan. 31. The company also boosted its adjusted earnings outlook, raising its estimate to between 39 cents and 41 cents from 27 cents and 29 cents for the same quarter.

SIGN UP: Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s daily newsletter about the business of technology:

The optimistic guidance improved Smith & Wesson’s already bright prospects for the fiscal year, which ends April 30. The company expects revenue between $650 million and $660 million, up from its earlier projection of between $625 million and $635 million. The company also raised its expected adjusted earnings to between $1.36 and $1.41 per share from between $1.26 and $1.31 per share.

Smith & Wesson’s revised guidance comes on the heels of President Barack Obama’s intention to tighten gun control laws. It’s likely that customers are preparing to stock up on the company’s products before any new regulations, such as stricter licensing and background checks, take effect.

WATCH: For more on guns, see our Fortune video.

The heated partisan debate over gun control in the U.S. contributed to the company’s stellar stock performance last year. By mid-Dec. Smith & Wesson’s share price had surged more than 151%.

About the Author
Robert Hackett
By Robert Hackett
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Retail

AsiaPepsiCo
Three Asias, three different playbooks: How PepsiCo’s Anne Tse views the world’s fastest-growing snack market
By Nicholas GordonMarch 20, 2026
6 hours ago
A man walks between two luxury cars with the skyline of Dubai in the background.
RetailLuxury
The Middle East is one of the world’s fastest growing luxury markets—and the war in Iran may cut its sales in half, analysts say
By Sasha RogelbergMarch 20, 2026
10 hours ago
AsiaMitsubishi
How an MBA internship led Mitsubishi to e-commerce platform Yami—and into the U.S. snacks market
By Nicholas GordonMarch 20, 2026
20 hours ago
Melissa Ben Ishay attends The Build Series to discuss Baked By Melissa at AOL HQ on October 14, 2016 in New York City.
C-SuiteFood and drink
Baked by Melissa’s founder was fired at 24. Two decades later, she’s ‘so freaking thrilled’ to step down as CEO
By Eva RoytburgMarch 19, 2026
1 day ago
Stephan Winkelmann, wearing a dark blue suit, speaks in front of a black background with the Lamborghini logo on it.
RetailAutos
Lamborghini is selling a record number of cars—but tariffs are eating its profits
By Sasha RogelbergMarch 19, 2026
2 days ago
wine barrels
LawFood and drink
Argentines once drank 90 liters of wine a year. Now they’re down to 15 — and 1,100 vineyards have already closed
By The Associated Press and Clara PreveMarch 18, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.