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Planet Fitness (PLNT) Up 11.4% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?

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A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Planet Fitness (PLNT - Free Report) . Shares have added about 11.4% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.

Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Planet Fitness due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.

Planet Fitness Q3 Earnings & Revenues Top Estimates

Planet Fitness reported remarkable third-quarter 2023 results, with earnings and revenues beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Also, both metrics increased on a year-over-year basis.

The company’s results reflect the solid increase in members and global growth in store counts. In the reporting quarter, the company witnessed more than 18.5 million members accompanied by the store count growing to 2,498 locations, globally.

Given the current macroeconomic scenario, the company is focusing on adjusting its store-level return model to enhance the opening and operations of its stores. The improvements include reducing certain capital investments by extending the timing for equipment replacement and remodeling completion. This will position the company to ensure long-term sustainable growth.

Earnings & Revenue Discussion

For the third quarter, Planet Fitness reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 59 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of earnings of 55 cents per share by 7.3%. In the prior-year quarter, the company reported an adjusted EPS of 42 cents.

Quarterly revenues of $277.6 million topped the consensus mark of $267.7 million by 3.7%. Furthermore, the top line improved 13.6% from the year-ago quarter’s levels, driven by solid performances in all segments as well as system-wide same-store sales growth of 8.4% year over year.

Adjusted EBITDA was $111.9 million compared with $93.9 million reported in the year-ago quarter.

Segmental Performance

Franchise: In the quarter, this segment’s revenues were $98.2 million, up 21.6% from the prior-year quarter.  

The upside was driven by rises of $8 million, $3 million, $1.5 million and $3.5 million in franchise royalty revenues, National Advertising Fund revenues, equipment placement revenues and franchise and other fees, respectively. Also, $1.3 million of revenues associated with the sale of HVAC units to franchisees added to the uptrend.

EBITDA in the Franchise segment was $67.6 million compared with $53.5 million reported in the prior-year quarter.

Corporate-owned Stores: Revenues of this segment amounted to $113.2 million, up 11.8% from the reported value of $101.3 million in the year-ago quarter. For this segment’s revenues, our anticipated value was $114.1 million, up 12.6% year over year.

The uptick can primarily be attributed to an increase of 10.1% in corporate-owned store same-store sales and an additional $5.1 million from new store openings since Jul 1, 2022. The acquisition of four stores in Florida also contributed to the segment’s revenues.

EBITDA totaled $44.3 million compared with $40.4 million reported in the prior-year quarter.

Equipment: In the Equipment segment, revenues totaled $66.1 million, up 6.1% year over year.

The segment’s revenue growth was attributed to $5.6 million of higher equipment sales to existing franchisee-owned stores in the quarter.

EBITDA was $16.4 million compared with $15.8 million reported in the year-ago quarter.

Other Financial Details

As of Sep 30, 2023, cash and cash equivalents totaled $309 million compared with $409.8 million as of Dec 31, 2022. Long-term debt (net of current maturities) amounted to $1.97 billion, on par with the value reported on Dec 31, 2022.

Revised 2023 Outlook

Planet Fitness now expects revenues to increase approximately 14% compared with the previous expectation of approximately 12%. Adjusted EBITDA is now estimated to increase approximately 18% (previously expected approximately 17%) and adjusted net income is anticipated to increase about 33% (previously expected nearly 30%). Adjusted EPS is now projected to increase approximately 35% compared with the prior-expectation of approximately 34%. The company still anticipates adjusted shares outstanding to be approximately 89 million, which includes 1.7 million shares repurchases through Sep 30, 2023.

The company now expects new equipment placements to be between approximately 130 and 140 (previously expected approximately 140) in franchisee-owned locations. Also, system-wide new stores are now expected to open in between approximately 150 and 160 locations (previously expected approximately 160 locations).

Yet, system-wide same-store sales are still expected to be in the high single-digit percentage range. The metrics are based on the assumption of no significant supply-chain disruptions.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?

It turns out, fresh estimates have trended upward during the past month.

VGM Scores

At this time, Planet Fitness has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a D. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

Outlook

Estimates have been broadly trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions has been net zero. Notably, Planet Fitness has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.

Performance of an Industry Player

Planet Fitness belongs to the Zacks Leisure and Recreation Services industry. Another stock from the same industry, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH - Free Report) , has gained 35.3% over the past month. More than a month has passed since the company reported results for the quarter ended September 2023.

Norwegian Cruise Line reported revenues of $2.54 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +57%. EPS of $0.76 for the same period compares with -$0.64 a year ago.

For the current quarter, Norwegian Cruise Line is expected to post a loss of $0.05 per share, indicating a change of +95.2% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -56.5% over the last 30 days.

The overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions translate into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Norwegian Cruise Line. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of A.


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