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Guess? (GES) Posts In-Line Loss in Q1, Raises '19 Guidance
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Guess?, Inc. (GES - Free Report) posted first-quarter fiscal 2019 results, wherein adjusted loss was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while revenues surpassed the same. The top and the bottom line improved year on year. Performance in the quarter was driven by strong revenue growth in the European and Asian regions. Further, the company raised its outlook for fiscal 2019. However, revenues from the Americas Retail continued to be dismal.
Quarter in Detail
Adjusted loss came in at 23 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The bottom line improved 4.2% from the year-ago quarter level. During the quarter, currency had an unfavorable impact of 3 cents on the bottom line.
Net revenues amounted to $521.3 million, surpassing the consensus mark of $510.5 million and increasing 14.7% year over year. This marks the seventh straight quarter of year-on-year revenue improvement. On a constant-currency (cc) basis, revenues grew 7.7%. The upside can be attributed to solid sales in the Europe, Asia and Americas Wholesale segments. These were partly offset by soft revenues in the Americas Retail.
Notably, the company’s European and Asian businesses have been delivering superb results for quite some time, which drove the top line. This has been raising investors’ optimism in this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock that has surged 95.2% in the past year, compared with the industry’s rally of 44.1%.
Gross profit improved 20.2% from the prior-year quarter’s tally to $174 million on the back of higher revenues. The company’s gross margin also expanded 160 basis points (bps) to 33.4%, owing to lower markdowns and rents as well as increased IMU’s. These upsides were partially offset by occupancy deleverage stemming from increased European logistics costs.
Adjusted operating loss in the quarter was $20.5 million, up 7.8% from the prior-year quarter’s level, owing to higher revenues and gross margin. This was offset by higher SG&A expenses. Also, adjusted operating margin rose 100 bps to negative 3.9%, including a 30 bps negative impact of currency. Operating margin gained from lower markdowns in Americas Retail and segment mix, partially countered by higher distribution costs stemming from relocation of the European distribution center.
Segment Performance
Revenues of $171.3 million in the Americas Retail segment fell 1.4% (down 2.1% at cc) year over year, primarily due to lower traffic. Further, Retail comp sales, including e-commerce, declined 2% (down 1% at cc). Operating margin in the segment improved 910 bps to negative 3.3%, driven by the positive impacts of higher initial markups, lower markdowns and rent reductions.
Net revenues of $40.7 million in the American Wholesale segment increased 13.4% (up 11.3% at cc). However, operating margin in the segment declined 470 bps to 14.8%, primarily due to lower gross margins.
The Europe segment's revenues of $205.4 million rose 24.2% (up 9.1% at cc). Store openings and comps growth boosted the region’s performance, which was backed by efficient sales-driving initiatives. Retail comp sales, including e-commerce, improved 15% (up 1% at cc). Operating margin declined 930 bps to reach a negative 9.9%, thanks to higher distribution costs from the repositioning of the European distribution center.
Revenues of $84.1 million from Asia increased 32.6% (up 25.1% at cc) on the back of improved comps. Retail comp sales, including e-commerce, grew 22% (up 15% at cc). Operating margin in the segment surged 430 bps to 4.8% on higher gross margins.
Net revenues of $19.8 million at the Licensing segment increased 23.5% in U.S. dollar and at cc. Operating margin in the segment improved 440 bps.
Guess? exited the first quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $232.5 million as well as long-term debt and capital lease obligations of $37.2 million. Further, the stockholders’ equity was $857.7 million. Net cash used for operating activities during the period amounted to $67.6 million.
During the first quarter, the company’s board approved a quarterly cash dividend of 22.5 cents per share payable on Jun 29, 2018, to shareholders of record as of Jun 13, 2018. The company also repurchased 1.5 million shares worth $24 million during the quarter.
As on May 5, the company’s directedly-operated stores were 1,020, which are located across Asia, Europe and the Americas. Its distributors and licensees operated additional 624 stores.
Guidance
Management is impressed with Guess?’ solid business progress in Europe and Asia. It continues to make capital investments in these regions to improve sales and margins. Additionally, the company has been striving to improve performance in the Americas and has undertaken several initiatives to reduce costs and enhance profits. Further, the company is on track with expanding digital capabilities and plans to launch the Guess? Digital Office — an innovation hub directed toward developing new technologies to meet consumer demand efficiently.
That said, management raised its outlook for fiscal 2019. It now expects net revenue growth in the range of 8.5-9.5% compared with the previous range of 7-8% growth. At cc, consolidated net revenues are expected to grow 6.5-7.5%, up from the previous projection of 5-6%. Further, adjusted earnings per share for fiscal 2019 are estimated in the range of 88-99 cents,compared with the prior view of 86-98 cents. Currency is likely to have a positive impact of 10 cents on earnings.
Additionally, for the second quarter of fiscal 2019, management expects consolidated net revenues to improve in the range of 14-15.5%. At cc, consolidated net revenues are projected to grow 11-12.5%. The company anticipates adjusted earnings for the quarter in the range of 27-30 cents, including currency impacts of 8 cents.
Other Stocks to Consider
Delta Apparel, Inc. , sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), came up with an average positive earnings surprise of 71.2% for the trailing four quarters. It has a long-term earnings growth rate of 15%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK - Free Report) with a solid earnings surprise history and long-term earnings growth rate of 11.6%. It carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Michael Kors Holdings Limited , with a Zacks Rank #2, has an impressive earnings surprise history and a long-term growth rate of 7%.
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With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.
Image: Bigstock
Guess? (GES) Posts In-Line Loss in Q1, Raises '19 Guidance
Guess?, Inc. (GES - Free Report) posted first-quarter fiscal 2019 results, wherein adjusted loss was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while revenues surpassed the same. The top and the bottom line improved year on year. Performance in the quarter was driven by strong revenue growth in the European and Asian regions. Further, the company raised its outlook for fiscal 2019. However, revenues from the Americas Retail continued to be dismal.
Quarter in Detail
Adjusted loss came in at 23 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The bottom line improved 4.2% from the year-ago quarter level. During the quarter, currency had an unfavorable impact of 3 cents on the bottom line.
Net revenues amounted to $521.3 million, surpassing the consensus mark of $510.5 million and increasing 14.7% year over year. This marks the seventh straight quarter of year-on-year revenue improvement. On a constant-currency (cc) basis, revenues grew 7.7%. The upside can be attributed to solid sales in the Europe, Asia and Americas Wholesale segments. These were partly offset by soft revenues in the Americas Retail.
Notably, the company’s European and Asian businesses have been delivering superb results for quite some time, which drove the top line. This has been raising investors’ optimism in this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock that has surged 95.2% in the past year, compared with the industry’s rally of 44.1%.
Gross profit improved 20.2% from the prior-year quarter’s tally to $174 million on the back of higher revenues. The company’s gross margin also expanded 160 basis points (bps) to 33.4%, owing to lower markdowns and rents as well as increased IMU’s. These upsides were partially offset by occupancy deleverage stemming from increased European logistics costs.
Adjusted operating loss in the quarter was $20.5 million, up 7.8% from the prior-year quarter’s level, owing to higher revenues and gross margin. This was offset by higher SG&A expenses. Also, adjusted operating margin rose 100 bps to negative 3.9%, including a 30 bps negative impact of currency. Operating margin gained from lower markdowns in Americas Retail and segment mix, partially countered by higher distribution costs stemming from relocation of the European distribution center.
Segment Performance
Revenues of $171.3 million in the Americas Retail segment fell 1.4% (down 2.1% at cc) year over year, primarily due to lower traffic. Further, Retail comp sales, including e-commerce, declined 2% (down 1% at cc). Operating margin in the segment improved 910 bps to negative 3.3%, driven by the positive impacts of higher initial markups, lower markdowns and rent reductions.
Net revenues of $40.7 million in the American Wholesale segment increased 13.4% (up 11.3% at cc). However, operating margin in the segment declined 470 bps to 14.8%, primarily due to lower gross margins.
The Europe segment's revenues of $205.4 million rose 24.2% (up 9.1% at cc). Store openings and comps growth boosted the region’s performance, which was backed by efficient sales-driving initiatives. Retail comp sales, including e-commerce, improved 15% (up 1% at cc). Operating margin declined 930 bps to reach a negative 9.9%, thanks to higher distribution costs from the repositioning of the European distribution center.
Revenues of $84.1 million from Asia increased 32.6% (up 25.1% at cc) on the back of improved comps. Retail comp sales, including e-commerce, grew 22% (up 15% at cc). Operating margin in the segment surged 430 bps to 4.8% on higher gross margins.
Net revenues of $19.8 million at the Licensing segment increased 23.5% in U.S. dollar and at cc. Operating margin in the segment improved 440 bps.
Guess?, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Guess?, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Guess?, Inc. Quote
Other Updates
Guess? exited the first quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $232.5 million as well as long-term debt and capital lease obligations of $37.2 million. Further, the stockholders’ equity was $857.7 million. Net cash used for operating activities during the period amounted to $67.6 million.
During the first quarter, the company’s board approved a quarterly cash dividend of 22.5 cents per share payable on Jun 29, 2018, to shareholders of record as of Jun 13, 2018. The company also repurchased 1.5 million shares worth $24 million during the quarter.
As on May 5, the company’s directedly-operated stores were 1,020, which are located across Asia, Europe and the Americas. Its distributors and licensees operated additional 624 stores.
Guidance
Management is impressed with Guess?’ solid business progress in Europe and Asia. It continues to make capital investments in these regions to improve sales and margins. Additionally, the company has been striving to improve performance in the Americas and has undertaken several initiatives to reduce costs and enhance profits. Further, the company is on track with expanding digital capabilities and plans to launch the Guess? Digital Office — an innovation hub directed toward developing new technologies to meet consumer demand efficiently.
That said, management raised its outlook for fiscal 2019. It now expects net revenue growth in the range of 8.5-9.5% compared with the previous range of 7-8% growth. At cc, consolidated net revenues are expected to grow 6.5-7.5%, up from the previous projection of 5-6%. Further, adjusted earnings per share for fiscal 2019 are estimated in the range of 88-99 cents,compared with the prior view of 86-98 cents. Currency is likely to have a positive impact of 10 cents on earnings.
Additionally, for the second quarter of fiscal 2019, management expects consolidated net revenues to improve in the range of 14-15.5%. At cc, consolidated net revenues are projected to grow 11-12.5%. The company anticipates adjusted earnings for the quarter in the range of 27-30 cents, including currency impacts of 8 cents.
Other Stocks to Consider
Delta Apparel, Inc. , sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), came up with an average positive earnings surprise of 71.2% for the trailing four quarters. It has a long-term earnings growth rate of 15%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK - Free Report) with a solid earnings surprise history and long-term earnings growth rate of 11.6%. It carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Michael Kors Holdings Limited , with a Zacks Rank #2, has an impressive earnings surprise history and a long-term growth rate of 7%.
Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?
Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.
With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.
It's not the one you think.
See This Ticker Free >>