Each week in our Footwear Insight Extra newsletter online, the Footwear Insight Index tracks 20 of the most important publicly traded companies that have a substantial footwear business (6 retailers, 14 brands). In 2020, the footwear segment tracked by the Index rose more than 16.5 percent.

For the 12 months ended Dec. 30, the Dow rose more than 1,967 points to close the year up 6.9 percent. The stock market reached record highs despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, high unemployment, a weaker U.S. dollar and deteriorating U.S. consumer confidence in 2020’s final month. But the annual performance by the Segment was stronger despite mixed results. The Segment’s 16.5 percent rise in 2020 came as six stocks, led by Deckers, Crocs, Puma and Nike, increased by double-digit percentages. Conversely, nine industry stocks within the Segment declined by double-digit percentages, paced by retail parents, Designer Brands (DSW), Genesco  (Journeys) and Caleres (Famous Footwear).