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Shoe Carnival, Inc. SCVL reported third-quarter fiscal 2024 results, wherein the top line lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate and bottom line surpassed the same. Both metrics declined year over year.
The company witnessed weak performance, with lower adjusted gross profit and operating income, although these were partially offset by synergies from the Rogan’s acquisition and reduced SG&A expenses. Progress was made on the store rebanner strategy, with several Shoe Carnival stores converted to Shoe Station. For the full fiscal 2024, the company has revised its sales guidance, expecting modest growth despite the calendar shift and a shorter fiscal year.
Shoe Carnival, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Shoe Carnival, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Shoe Carnival, Inc. Quote
More on SCVL’s Q3 Results
Shoe Carnival reported adjusted earnings per share of 71 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 61 cents. However, the bottom line declined from adjusted earnings of 80 cents per share reported in the year-ago quarter.
Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Net sales amounted to $306.9 million, down 4.1% year over year. Also, the top line missed the consensus estimate of $311 million. This decline reflects the effects of a retail calendar shift, which moved approximately $20 million of net sales out of the fiscal third quarter of 2024 compared with the previous year. Comparable store sales declined 4.1% year over year in the quarter under review.
Shoe Carnival’s Margin & Cost Details
Adjusted gross profit decreased 6% year over year to $110.6 million. The adjusted gross margin of 36.1% contracted 70 basis points (bps) year over year. This decrease was due to higher merchandise margins and leverage in buying, distribution, and occupancy costs associated with operating more stores, as well as the deleveraging effect of reduced net sales during the quarter due to the retail calendar shift.
Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 4.5% year over year to $85.7 million. The decrease was primarily attributed to lower selling costs at Shoe Carnival and Shoe Station banner stores, which more than offset the costs associated with operating the recently acquired Rogan’s stores during the quarter.
As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses declined 10 bps year over year to 28%. Moreover, the company realized synergies within Rogan’s during the fiscal third quarter of 2024 and is ahead of schedule in integrating the acquired operations.
Adjusted operating income decreased 10.9% year over year to $24.9 million. As a percentage of net sales, this metric declined 60 bps year over year to 8.1%. This decline was primarily due to lower net sales resulting from the calendar shift, partially offset by growth from the Rogan’s acquisition and associated synergies, as well as reduced SG&A expenses.
SCVL’s Store Update
As of Nov. 21, 2024, the company reached a milestone of 431 stores, consisting of 361 Shoe Carnival, 42 Shoe Station stores and 28 Rogan’s locations. In the fiscal third quarter, one new Shoe Station store was opened in Tennessee, marking the brand's entry into a new market.
The company made progress on its store banner growth strategy during the quarter, with seven Shoe Carnival stores converted to Shoe Station stores. In total, 10 stores have now been rebannered. The company plans to rebanner 25 more Shoe Carnival stores to Shoe Station stores in the first half of fiscal 2025.
Shoe Carnival’s Financial Health Snapshot
The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $77.2 million, a long-term portion of operating lease liabilities of $317.7 million and total shareholder’s equity of $635.7 million.
As of Nov. 21, 2024, the company had $50 million available for future share repurchases. SCVL did not engage in any share repurchase activity during the quarter.
SCVL’s Fiscal 2024 Outlook
Following the third-quarter results, the company has updated its guidance range for fiscal 2024. Net sales are now projected to be between $1.20 billion and $1.23 billion, revised from the prior range of $1.23 billion-$1.25 billion, representing growth of 2% to 4.5% compared with fiscal 2023. The company remains on track for Rogan’s acquisition to generate over $80 million in net sales for fiscal 2024. Gross margin is expected to remain consistent with fiscal 2023. Gross margin was 35.8% in fiscal 2023.
SG&A, as a percentage of net sales, is anticipated to increase by approximately 30 basis points compared with fiscal 2023, slightly improved from the previous guidance of a 40-basis-point increase.
GAAP earnings per share (EPS) remains forecasted in the range of $2.55-$2.70, while adjusted EPS is expected to be between $2.60 and $2.75. In fiscal 2023, GAAP EPS was $2.68 and adjusted EPS was $2.70.
The company informed that fiscal 2024 comprises 52 weeks compared with 53-week fiscal 2023. This, combined with the retail calendar shift, is expected to reduce fiscal fourth-quarter 2024 net sales by approximately $20 million compared with the prior-year period, with an estimated negative impact of 10 cents on EPS.
Shares of this Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company have lost 23.3% in past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 5.6%.
Key Picks
We have highlighted three better-ranked stocks, namely, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. ANF, Gildan Activewear Inc. GIL and Steven Madden, Ltd. SHOO.
Abercrombie is a specialty retailer of premium, high-quality casual apparel. It carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
ANF delivered a 16.8% earnings surprise in the last reported quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Abercrombie’s fiscal 2025 earnings and sales indicates growth of 64.8% and 13.4%, respectively, from fiscal 2024 reported levels. ANF has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 28%.
Gildan is a manufacturer and marketer of premium quality branded basic activewear for sale principally in the wholesale imprinted activewear segment of North America’s apparel market. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The consensus estimate for Gildan’s current financial-year earnings and sales indicates growth of 15.6% and 1.5%, respectively, from figures of 2023. GIL has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 5.4%.
Steven Madden designs, sources, markets, and sells fashion-forward name-brand and private-label footwear. It currently has a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Steven Madden’s 2024 earnings and sales indicates growth of 8.2% and 13.4%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. SHOO has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 9.8%.
Zacks Investment Research
Kohl's Corporation KSS is likely to register declines in the top and bottom lines when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2024 earnings on Nov. 26. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $3.8 billion, which indicates a 5.3% decrease from the year-ago quarter's actual. The consensus mark for quarterly earnings moved down by a penny in the last seven days to 27 cents per share, indicating a decline of 49.1% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure. KSS has a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 145.3%, on average.
Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Things to Know About KSS’ Upcoming Results
Kohl's continues to face significant challenges due to a tough macroeconomic environment. The company is experiencing pressure from cautious consumer spending, with customers becoming more selective, leading to lower sales despite a rise in transaction frequency. Underlying inflation is affecting purchasing power, especially among middle-income shoppers.
In addition, the ongoing weakness in Kohl’s digital business poses a threat to its performance. The persistence of these factors poses a threat to Kohl’s performance in the to-be-reported quarter, as the company navigates persistent pressures in the current retail environment.
Despite facing challenges, Kohl’s is benefiting from its successful partnership with Sephora. The company has also been prioritizing the growth of underdeveloped categories such as home décor, gifting and impulse items. The continuation of these positive trends is likely to have provided some respite in the fiscal third quarter.
Kohl's Corporation Price and EPS Surprise
Kohl's Corporation price-eps-surprise | Kohl's Corporation Quote
Earnings Whispers for KSS
Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Kohl's this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
KSS has a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of -7.41%.
Stocks With the Favorable Combination
Here are some companies worth considering, as our model shows that these have the correct combination to beat on earnings this time.
Casey's General Stores CASY currently has an Earnings ESP of +5.22% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CASY’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $4.05 billion, which implies a 0.5% decline from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
However, CASY’s bottom line is anticipated to increase year over year when it reports second-quarter fiscal 2025 results. The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $4.28 per share, indicating 0.9% growth from the year-ago quarter. CASY has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.8%, on average.
Abercrombie & Fitch ANF currently has an Earnings ESP of +4.59% and a Zacks Rank of 2. ANF is likely to register growth in top and bottom lines when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2024 results.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its quarterly revenues is pegged at $1.18 billion, indicating an 11.8% increase from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter. The consensus estimate for ANF’s earnings is pegged at $2.32 per share, implying 26.8% growth from the year-ago quarter’s actual. ANF has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 28%, on average.
Dollar Tree DLTR has an Earnings ESP of +2.80% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The company is likely to register growth in top and bottom lines when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2024 results. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DLTR’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $7.45 billion, which indicates 1.9% growth from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.
The consensus estimate for Dollar Tree’s quarterly earnings has risen by 1 cent over the past 30 days to $1.07 per share. The figure calls for growth of 10.3% from the year-ago quarter’s number. DLTR delivered an average negative earnings surprise of 10.9% in the trailing four quarters.
Zacks Investment Research
Guess?, Inc. GES is likely to register top-line growth when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings on Nov. 26. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $751 million, implying a 15.3% increase from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure. The consensus mark for earnings has remained unchanged in the past 30 days at 43 cents per share, though it indicates a 12.2% decline from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter. GES has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8.7%, on average.
Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Factors Likely to Fuel GES’ Upcoming Results
Guess? has been benefiting from robust brand momentum globally and strong customer response to its collections across various product categories. The company has been focused on its core strategies, which include organization and culture, functional capacities, brand relevance with three main consumer groups (heritage, Millennials and Generation Z customers), customer focus, product brilliance and international footprint.
A strong global platform bodes well for the company’s Guess and Marciano businesses. Gains from the rag & bone acquisition (concluded in April 2024) are likely to contribute to third-quarter results. The company’s wholesale business also represents a significant growth driver, with strong performances in the European and American markets.
Guess?’s expansive global footprint, broad channel capabilities, extensive supply chain, diverse category portfolio and strong management team are likely to have acted as upsides in the quarter under review. For the third quarter of fiscal 2025, the company expects revenue growth in the 14.5-16.5% band.
Guess?, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Guess?, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Guess?, Inc. Quote
Challenges Expected in GES’ Q3 Release
Guess? continues to operate in a dynamic shopping environment where consumers are increasingly selective and more sensitive to pricing and promotions. A volatile consumer landscape is likely to have impacted the upcoming results. High operating costs are a threat to Guess?. Management expects freight costs to be an added challenge for the gross margin in the second half of the year due to shipping issues from the Red Sea crisis. This is likely to have affected profits in the third quarter.
For the third quarter of fiscal 2025, the adjusted operating margin is likely to be between 4.7% and 5.8%, down from 8.9% recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. Adjusted earnings per share for the quarter are forecasted in the range of 33-45 cents, suggesting a decline from the 49 cents reported in the year-ago period.
Earnings Whispers for GES
Our proven model doesn’t conclusively predict an earnings beat for Guess? this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is not the case here.
Guess? carries a Zacks Rank #3 and has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Stocks With the Favorable Combination
Here are some companies worth considering, as our model shows that these have the correct combination to beat on earnings this time.
Casey's General Stores CASY currently has an Earnings ESP of +5.22% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CASY’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $4.05 billion, which implies a 0.5% decline from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
However, CASY’s bottom line is anticipated to increase year over year when it reports second-quarter fiscal 2025 results. The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $4.28 per share, indicating 0.9% growth from the year-ago quarter. Casey's General has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.8%, on average.
Abercrombie & Fitch ANF currently has an Earnings ESP of +4.59% and a Zacks Rank of 2. ANF is likely to register bottom and top-line growth when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2024 results.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its quarterly revenues is pegged at $1.18 billion, indicating an 11.8% increase from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter. The consensus estimate for ANF’s earnings is pegged at $2.32 per share, implying 26.8% growth from the year-ago quarter’s actual. Abercrombie & Fitch has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 28%, on average.
Victoria's Secret & Co. VSCO currently has an Earnings ESP of +5.82% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for VSCO’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $1.28 billion, which suggests 1.2% growth from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.
The company is also likely to register a bottom-line improvement when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2024 results. The consensus estimate for Victoria's Secret’s bottom line is pegged at a loss of 66 cents per share, indicating a 1.2% improvement from the year-ago quarter. VSCO has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2.9%, on average.
Zacks Investment Research
Nordstrom, Inc. JWN is scheduled to release third-quarter fiscal 2024 results on Nov. 26 after the closing bell. This fashion specialty retailer is expected to have witnessed revenue growth in the to-be-reported quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $3.33 billion, which indicates a rise of 0.3% from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter.
Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar.
The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at 23 cents per share, which indicates a decline of 8% from that reported in the year-ago quarter. The consensus mark for earnings has moved up by a penny in the past seven days.
In the last reported quarter, the company surpassed the earnings estimate by 29.7%. Also, it delivered a negative earnings surprise of 17.8%, on average, in the trailing four quarters.
Nordstrom, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Nordstrom, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Nordstrom, Inc. Quote
Key Factors to Note
Nordstrom’s top-line results in third-quarter fiscal 2024 are likely to reflect benefits from robust strategic efforts, including the expansion of the reach of Nordstrom Rack and the enhancement of digital capabilities. The company has been focused on the closer-to-you strategy, which aims to link stores and services to expedite deliveries, expand online offerings and add cheaper merchandise at its Rack off-price stores to enrich customers' shopping experiences.
Increased focus on distribution facilities and improved connectivity of physical and digital capabilities are expected to have boosted the company’s performance in the to-be-reported quarter. It has been introducing more premium brands and better assortments at Rack and increasing brand awareness. These efforts are expected to have driven Rack’s performance and overall sales. Our model estimates a 5.3% improvement in sales for the Nordstrom Rack segment in the fiscal third quarter.
Nordstrom has been making efforts to enhance customer experience through faster delivery. Hence, the company remains focused on operational optimization. JWN continues seeking additional efficiencies in flow and improved productivity through inventory management initiatives. These upsides are likely to have contributed to the upcoming results.
The Rack banner also remains on track to increase productivity throughout its network, cut transportation costs, reduce delivery times, and enhance services via faster delivery. The company continues focusing on introducing more premium brands at Rack, better assortment, and increasing brand awareness.
What Does the Zacks Model Say About JWN Stock?
Our proven model conclusively predicts an earnings beat for Nordstrom this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Nordstrom has an Earnings ESP of +5.37% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present.
Stocks With the Favorable Combination
Abercrombie & Fitch ANF currently has an Earnings ESP of +4.59% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The company is likely to register growth in top and bottom lines when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2024 results. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $1.2 billion, which indicates an increase of 11.8% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The consensus estimate for quarterly earnings per share of $2.32 suggests an increase of 26.8% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Nordstrom’s earnings has moved up by a penny in the past 30 days.
Urban Outfitters URBN currently has an Earnings ESP of +8.17% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The company is likely to register top-line growth and bottom-line decline when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2024 results. The consensus mark for URBN’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $1.3 billion, which suggests a growth of 4.1% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Urban Outfitters’s earnings has moved up by a penny to 84 cents per share in the past seven days. The consensus estimate indicates a decline of 4.6% from the year-ago quarter’s actual.
Torrid Holdings CURV presently has an Earnings ESP of +23.08% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The company is likely to register growth in the top and bottom lines when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2024 results. The consensus mark for CURV’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $2.8 billion, which suggests 2.7% growth from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.
The consensus mark for Torrid Holdings quarterly earnings has moved up by a penny in the past 30 days to 3 cents per share. The consensus estimate suggests an increase of 200% from the year-ago quarter’s actual.
Zacks Investment Research
Helen of Troy Limited HELE has announced plans to acquire Olive & June, LLC., an omnichannel nail care brand, for $225 million in cash, with an additional $15 million earnout tied to future performance. This strategic move aims to strengthen Helen of Troy’s presence in the multi-billion-dollar beauty industry and diversify its product offerings. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of 2024.
Founded in 2013, Olive & June is a leading innovator in the DIY nail care industry, revolutionizing the at-home manicure experience. The company offers a wide range of nail care products, including nail polish, artificial nails, tools, treatments and care solutions, designed to deliver salon-quality results at home. With a focus on consumer-centric product innovation and a digital-first approach, Olive & June engages and educates customers, fostering strong brand loyalty and generating social media engagement that exceeds industry averages.
Strategic Fit With Helen of Troy’s Goals
The acquisition of Olive & June aligns with Helen of Troy’s strategic goal of Continuing Better Together M&A. HELE sees significant potential in enhancing Olive & June's value by leveraging its scalable operating platform. In return, Olive & June will help drive profitable growth and further diversify Helen of Troy’s product portfolio. While HELE remains focused on strengthening the performance of its core brands, Olive & June will operate independently, with support from Helen of Troy.
The envisioned acquisition is expected to immediately contribute to Helen of Troy’s revenue growth, gross profit margin, adjusted EBITDA margin and adjusted earnings per share growth. In addition, it is anticipated to positively impact the company’s free cash flow conversion. The total purchase price reflects a multiple of under 11x the projected calendar year 2025 adjusted EBITDA before synergies, which is favorable compared to recent company transactions. For the calendar year 2024, Olive & June is projected to generate approximately $92 million in net sales revenue.
All said, the acquisition of Olive & June not only enhances Helen of Troy’s portfolio but also underscores its commitment to innovation and long-term growth. Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 29.4% in the past three months against the industry’s 28.3% decline.
Three Stocks Looking Red Hot
We have highlighted three top-ranked stocks, namely Deckers DECK, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. ANF and Nordstrom Inc. JWN.
Deckers, a footwear and accessories dealer, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). DECK delivered an average earnings surprise of 41.1% in the trailing four quarters. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Deckers’ current financial-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 13.6% and 12.6%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures.
Abercrombie, a leading casual apparel retailer, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). Abercrombie has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of almost 28%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ANF’s current financial-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 13.4% and 64.8%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures.
Nordstrom is a leading fashion specialty retailer in the United States. The company offers an extensive selection of both branded and private-label merchandise. It currently has a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Nordstrom’s fiscal 2024 sales indicates growth of 0.9% from the fiscal 2023 reported figure. JWN has a trailing four-quarter average negative earnings surprise of 17.8%.
Zacks Investment Research
The retail sector is making solid efforts to bounce back from its earlier lows. Sales have increased over the past few months as price pressures eased following the Federal Reserve’s back-to-back rate cuts. Robust consumer spending is helping overall retail sales.
Also, the holiday season is approaching, and a shopping extravaganza is expected to boost overall retail sales. Given this positive outlook, investing in retail stocks would be a prudent choice.
We have selected four such stocks: Amazon.com, Inc. AMZN, Tapestry, Inc. TPR, Casey's General Stores, Inc. CASY and Abercrombie & Fitch ANF. These stocks have seen positive earnings estimate revisions in the last 60 days. These stocks have a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and assure good returns. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Black Friday, Cyber Monday Sales to Hit New Highs
Retailers who look forward to the all-important holiday sales to maximize their revenues can expect a robust Black Friday to Cyber Monday. Retail sales are projected to hit $75 billion for the first time during the Black Friday to Cyber Monday shopping window, up 5% year over year and ahead of the total holiday period sales growth of 3%, according to Bain.
Of the total holiday period sales, 8% will be generated between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the largest in the post-pandemic era.
The popularity of e-commerce has made Cyber Monday an important shopping day. Cyber Monday this year is also expected to be great, with online sales growing in October. The Commerce Department, in its sales report, said that online sales grew 0.3% last month.
Overall Retail Sales Grow
The retail sector suffered for most of 2022 and 2023 as consumers spent cautiously amid rising price pressures and higher borrowing rates. However, price pressures have eased substantially, with inflation declining sharply over the past few months.
Retail sales grew 0.4% sequentially in October, surpassing analysts’ expectations of a rise of 0.3%. The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates by 75 basis points since September after inflation declined substantially in the second and third quarters.
Lower borrowing costs have been helping consumers gain more purchasing power. Also, consumer spending has been robust. Consumer spending rose 0.5% month over month in September and 3.7% annually. A jump in retail sales and consumer spending bodes well for the sector ahead of the holiday season.
4 Retail Stocks With Upside
Amazon.com, Inc.
Amazon.com, Inc.is one of the largest e-commerce providers, with sprawling operations in North America, now spreading across the globe. AMZN’s online retail business revolves around the Prime program well-supported by the company’s massive distribution network. Further, the Whole Foods Market acquisition helped Amazon establish a footprint in the physical grocery supermarket space. AMZN also enjoys a dominant position in the cloud-computing market, particularly in the Infrastructure as a Service space, thanks to Amazon Web Services.
Amazon.com has an expected earnings growth rate of 78.3% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 8.8% over the last 60 days. AMZN presently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Tapestry, Inc.
Tapestry, Inc. is the designer and marketer of fine accessories and gifts for women and men in the United States and internationally. TPR offers lifestyle products, which include handbags, women’s and men’s accessories, footwear, jewelry, seasonal apparel collections, sunwear, travel bags, fragrance and watches.
Tapestry has an expected earnings growth rate of 6.3% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 2% over the last 60 days. TPR presently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Casey's General Stores
Casey's General Stores, Inc. operates convenience stores under the Casey's and Casey's General Store names in 16 states, mainly Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. CASY offers a comprehensive range of products and services to meet the needs of its customers. In addition to fuel, the stores provide a wide variety of merchandise, including groceries, prepared food, snacks, beverages, tobacco products, health and beauty aids, school supplies, housewares, pet supplies and automotive supplies.
Casey’s has an expected earnings growth rate of 6% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1.6% over the last 60 days. CASY currently has a Zacks Rank #2.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch operates as a specialty retailer of premium, high-quality casual apparel for men, women, and kids through a network of approximately 850 stores across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. ANF's product portfolio includes knit and woven shirts, graphic T-shirts, fleece, jeans and woven pants, shorts, sweaters, outerwear, personal care products and accessories for men, women and kids, under the Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie kids and Hollister brands.
Abercrombie & Fitch’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 64.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.5% over the past 60 days. ANF currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.
Zacks Investment Research
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. ANF is scheduled to report third-quarter fiscal 2024 results on Nov 26, before the opening bell.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ANF’s fiscal third-quarter revenues is pegged at $1.2 billion, suggesting 11.8% growth from that reported in the year-ago quarter. For fiscal third-quarter earnings, the consensus mark is pegged at $2.32 per share, implying a 26.8% increase from the $1.83 reported in the year-ago quarter. The consensus estimate for earnings has moved up by a penny in the past 30 days.
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In the last reported quarter, Abercrombie's earnings beat the consensus estimate by 16.8%. Moreover, ANF has delivered an earnings surprise of 28%, on average, in the trailing four quarters.
Earnings Whispers
Our proven model conclusively predicts an earnings beat for Abercrombie this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Abercrombie currently has an Earnings ESP of +4.59% and a Zacks Rank of 2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Trends Leading Up to ANF’s Q3 Results
ANF has been gaining from continued momentum in the Abercrombie brand, improvement in the Hollister brand and store-optimization efforts. The company has noted that its efforts to improve the positioning of the Hollister brand have been paying off. Investments across stores, digital and technology via its Always Forward Plan bode well.
The company's third-quarter fiscal 2024 results are anticipated to reflect the strength of its brands and robust demand for products that resonate with customers. Management is focused on curating trend-right merchandise, strengthening customer relationships through marketing, advancing digital commerce and efficiently managing expenses.
On the last reported quarter’s earnings call, management expected to benefit from brand strength, driven by its focus on delivering high-quality, on-trend assortments for new and retained customers across regions and brands. It has also been focused on making investments across stores, digital and technology, which are slated to strengthen the company’s performance in the forward quarters.
Abercrombie anticipates third-quarter fiscal 2024 consolidated net sales to increase in the low-double digits from the $1.06 billion reported in the year-ago period. The operating margin is expected to be 13-14%, suggesting an increase from the operating margin of 13.1% delivered in third-quarter fiscal 2023.
Our model predicts third-quarter fiscal 2024 total revenues to increase 10.1% year over year. We expect sales for the Abercrombie brand to grow 12.4%. Sales for Hollister are expected to improve 7.7%.
Abercrombie & Fitch Company Price and EPS Surprise
Abercrombie & Fitch Company price-eps-surprise | Abercrombie & Fitch Company Quote
We note that Abercrombie has been witnessing favorable margin trends, driven by lower freight and raw material expenses, and improved average unit retail (AUR). This has been boosting the company’s gross and operating margins.
For the third quarter of fiscal 2024, ANF projected an operating margin of 13-14%, implying an increase from the operating margin of 13.1% delivered in third-quarter fiscal 2023. This growth is expected to have been backed by a higher gross margin rate on continued benefits from cotton prices, improved AUR and modest expense leverage. We expect an adjusted operating margin of 13.4% for the fiscal third quarter, suggesting a year-over-year rise of 30 bps. Our model predicts the gross margin to remain flat year over year at 64.9% in the fiscal third quarter.
However, Abercrombie has been witnessing elevated operating costs on higher technology expenses and incentive-based compensation. Additionally, inflation and increased investment for the 2025 Always Forward Plan initiatives are likely to have been concerning in the to-be-reported quarter. Our model estimates a year-over-year increase of 10.3% in adjusted operating expenses for the fiscal third quarter.
ANF’s Price Performance & Valuation
Abercrombie’s shares have exhibited an uptrend in the year-to-date period, leaving behind its industry peers and the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector. Year to date, the New Albany, OH-based company’s shares have risen 63.6%, outperforming the industry and the sector’s growth of 5% and 23.2%, respectively. The company has also lagged the S&P 500’s rally of 24.5%.
ANF’s One-Year Price Performance
The Abercrombie stock has rallied ahead, leaving arch-rival American Eagle AEO struggling with an 18.6% decline in the same period. Also, ANF’s stability stands out against competitors like Urban Outfitters’ URBN 4.6% gain and The Gap Inc.’s GAP 19.2% rise in the year-to-date period.
At the current price of $141.57, ANF trades at a 28.1% discount to its 52-week high of $196.99. It also trades at a 96.3% premium to its 52-week low mark of $72.13.
From the valuation standpoint, ANF trades at a forward 12-month P/E multiple of 13.46X, lower than the industry average of 15.92X and the S&P 500’s average of 22.28X. Abercrombie’s valuation appears attractive at this level.
Investment Thesis
Abercrombie has achieved remarkable success in recent years, fueled by its steadfast dedication to offering premium, high-quality casual apparel for men, women, and children. Its rebranding efforts, particularly targeting millennials with a focus on jeans, have boosted sales across all brands, especially the Abercrombie brand.
ANF has bolstered its market position by leveraging favorable fashion trends through digital initiatives and effective strategies, including store optimization. These efforts have driven strong financial performance, marked by notable growth in sales and profitability. Abercrombie's strategic transformation has paved the way for sustainable long-term growth, positioning the company to capitalize on market trends, sustain its momentum and deliver value to shareholders.
Conclusion
Regardless of Abercrombie's stock performance after the third-quarter fiscal 2024 results, it will remain a strong long-term investment option due to its solid fundamentals. The company's financial stability and operational efficiency are reflected in its core metrics. With initiatives like rebranding, digital expansion and store optimization, Abercrombie is well-positioned for sustained growth. These factors make the stock appealing even ahead of the fiscal third-quarter results.
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