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Who Owns Hanesbrands Inc.?
Understanding Hanesbrands Inc.'s ownership reveals its market influence and accountability. The company became independent after spinning off from Sara Lee Corporation in 2006.
Founded in 1901, Hanesbrands Inc. has grown into a global apparel marketer, featuring brands like Hanes and Champion. Its 2023 net sales reached $5.64 billion.
Who owns Hanesbrands Inc.?
Who Founded Hanes?
The foundational ownership of Hanesbrands Inc. traces back to two distinct entities established in 1901: Hanes Knitting Company, founded by John Wesley Hanes, and P.H. Hanes Knitting Company, founded by Pleasant Henderson Hanes. These two separate companies eventually merged in 1965 to form Hanes Corporation, which later became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange.
Founding Entities
Two separate companies, Hanes Knitting Company and P.H. Hanes Knitting Company, were established in 1901. They were founded by brothers John Wesley Hanes and Pleasant Henderson Hanes, respectively.
Early Consolidation
These two founding companies merged in 1965 to create Hanes Corporation. This consolidation laid the groundwork for the future apparel conglomerate.
Public Listing
Following the merger, Hanes Corporation became a publicly listed entity on the New York Stock Exchange. This marked its transition into a publicly owned company.
Acquisition by Consolidated Foods
In 1979, Hanes Corporation was acquired by Consolidated Foods Corporation. This acquisition integrated Hanes into a larger corporate structure.
Renaming to Sara Lee
Consolidated Foods Corporation later changed its name to Sara Lee Corporation. This rebranding reflected the company's evolving portfolio.
Spin-off of Hanesbrands Inc.
Hanesbrands Inc. was established as a standalone publicly traded company in 2006 through a spin-off from Sara Lee Corporation. Sara Lee then ceased its equity interest in the newly formed entity.
The acquisition of Hanes Corporation by Consolidated Foods Corporation in 1979 marked a significant departure from the original family ownership. This acquisition integrated Hanes into a larger conglomerate, which was later renamed Sara Lee Corporation. Hanesbrands Inc., as a distinct publicly traded entity, was not a result of traditional venture funding but rather a strategic spin-off from Sara Lee Corporation in 2006. This spin-off involved the allocation of assets and liabilities from its former parent company, and Sara Lee no longer held any equity in Hanesbrands.
Evolution of Ownership
The ownership journey of Hanesbrands Inc. transitioned from its founding brothers to a major corporate acquisition and subsequent spin-off. This evolution shaped its current corporate structure and public trading status.
- Founders: John Wesley Hanes and Pleasant Henderson Hanes
- Merger Year: 1965 (Hanes Corporation)
- Acquiring Company: Consolidated Foods Corporation (later Sara Lee Corporation) in 1979
- Spin-off Year: 2006 (Hanesbrands Inc. from Sara Lee Corporation)
- Current Status: Publicly traded company
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How Has Hanes’s Ownership Changed Over Time?
The ownership journey of Hanesbrands Inc. began with its spin-off from Sara Lee Corporation on September 6, 2006, establishing it as an independent, publicly traded entity. This pivotal moment allowed Hanesbrands to chart its own course in the market, separate from its former parent company.
| Shareholder Type | Percentage of Ownership (Approx.) |
| Institutional Shareholders | 89.56% |
| Hanesbrands Insiders | 3.52% |
| Retail Investors | 6.92% |
As of July 23, 2025, institutional investors are the dominant force in Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE: HBI) ownership, holding a substantial 89.56% of the company's stock. This significant institutional backing underscores the confidence major financial entities place in the company's market position and future prospects. Insiders hold a smaller stake of 3.52%, while retail investors collectively own 6.92%.
Major Institutional Investors in Hanesbrands
The landscape of Hanesbrands' ownership is heavily influenced by large institutional investors. These entities play a crucial role in shaping the company's direction through their significant shareholdings.
- BlackRock, Inc. is a leading shareholder with 15.01% of the company's stock.
- The Vanguard Group Inc. holds a substantial 11.61% stake.
- Loews Corp. is another key investor, owning 6.59% of the outstanding shares.
- Other notable institutional holders include iShares, State Street Corp, and Fuller & Thaler Asset Management, Inc.
- In the first quarter of 2025, the top 46 institutional holders collectively increased their ownership by 5.9 million shares.
The market performance of Hanesbrands stock reflects recent trends, with the share price at $4.72 on July 23, 2025. This represents a decrease of 11.85% compared to its price of $5.36 on July 23, 2024. Understanding these ownership dynamics is crucial for assessing the company's stability and strategic direction, especially when considering its Competitors Landscape of Hanes.
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Who Sits on Hanes’s Board?
The Hanesbrands Inc. Board of Directors is responsible for guiding the company's strategic decisions and overseeing its operations. As of mid-2025, the board comprises the Chief Executive Officer and nine independent directors, ensuring a strong emphasis on independent oversight. William S. Simon leads the board as Chairman, a position he assumed in December 2023, bringing significant retail leadership experience.
| Director Name | Appointed | Key Experience |
|---|---|---|
| William S. Simon | December 2023 | Former President and CEO of Wal-Mart U.S. |
| Geralyn R. Breig | July 2018 | |
| Colin Browne | November 2023 | Retail, consumer brands, operations |
| Natasha C. Chand | November 2023 | Retail, consumer brands, operations |
| Sharilyn S. Gasaway | July 2024 | Financial and executive experience |
The voting power within Hanesbrands Inc. generally follows a standard one-share-one-vote principle, typical for publicly traded entities. This structure means that each share of common stock typically carries one vote. There is no public indication of dual-class share structures or special voting rights that would grant disproportionate influence to specific shareholders or entities. As of mid-2025, the company has not experienced any significant proxy battles or activist investor campaigns that have publicly altered its decision-making processes or corporate governance.
Hanesbrands Board Oversight and Shareholder Influence
The Hanesbrands Inc. Board of Directors is structured to provide robust oversight, with a majority of independent members. This composition aims to ensure decisions are made in the best interest of the company and its shareholders. The voting power is distributed based on share ownership, reflecting a common corporate governance model.
- Majority independent board members ensure objective decision-making.
- William S. Simon, Chairman, brings extensive retail leadership experience.
- New directors appointed in late 2023 and mid-2024 enhance diverse expertise.
- Voting power is typically based on a one-share-one-vote system.
- No significant activist investor campaigns have been reported as of mid-2025.
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What Recent Changes Have Shaped Hanes’s Ownership Landscape?
Over the past few years, Hanesbrands Inc. has undergone significant strategic shifts, notably the sale of its global Champion business. These changes are reshaping its ownership trends and financial outlook, with a focus on core operations and debt reduction.
| Development | Date | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Sale of Global Champion Business | Announced June 2024 | $1.2 billion sale to Authentic Brands Group, aiming for faster debt reduction and improved liquidity. |
| CEO Transition | By end of 2025 or upon successor appointment | Initiated search for new CEO to drive positive sales growth and margin expansion. |
| Institutional Ownership | As of March 31, 2025 | Dominant trend with institutional investors holding a majority of shares; some institutions increasing holdings. |
Hanesbrands Inc. is actively navigating a period of transformation, underscored by its strategic decision to divest its global Champion business. This move, valued at $1.2 billion in June 2024, is designed to accelerate debt reduction and enhance the company's financial flexibility. The company's financial performance in 2024 saw net sales decline by 3.6% to $3.507 billion, resulting in a net loss of $320.43 million, though the fourth quarter showed a positive sales increase of 4.5%. Looking ahead to 2025, Hanesbrands projects total company sales to range between $3.47 billion and $3.52 billion.
Strategic Divestiture of Champion
The sale of the global Champion business for $1.2 billion in June 2024 is a key development. This action is intended to strengthen Hanesbrands' financial position by reducing debt and improving liquidity.
Leadership and Future Outlook
CEO Steve Bratspies is set to depart, with a search underway for a new leader. The company aims for positive sales growth, margin expansion, and debt reduction in 2025.
Ownership Structure Insights
Institutional investors maintain a significant presence, holding the majority of Hanesbrands' shares. Recent data from March 31, 2025, indicates some insider selling but also observed institutional buying activity.
Financial Performance and Projections
For 2024, net sales were $3.507 billion, with a projected range of $3.47 billion to $3.52 billion for 2025. The company's focus remains on its core innerwear and basics categories, as detailed in its Brief History of Hanes.
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