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Cracker Barrel (CBRL) Up 4% Since Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (CBRL - Free Report) . Shares have added about 4% in that time frame.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is CBRL 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 catalysts.
Cracker Barrel Beats on Q3 Earnings, Raises EPS View
Cracker Barrel reported better-than-expected third-quarter fiscal 2018 results. Earnings of $2.03 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.93 by 5.2%. Earnings also increased 4.1% year over year due to a shift in the company’s marketing, favorable general and administrative expenses, and increased revenues.
Quarterly revenues of $721.4 million surpassed the consensus estimate of $715.2 million by 0.9% and grew 3% from the prior-year quarter. Revenues were favored by positive comps and restaurant openings.
While the company’s sales building initiatives favored comps growth and the overall top line, expenses related to the implementation of these initiatives and commodity inflation remain a concern for the company.
Comps Details
Comparable store restaurant sales increased 1.5% in the quarter, including a 2.8% increase in average check, partially offset by a 1.3% decrease in store traffic. The figure compared favorably with 1.1% increase in second-quarter fiscal 2018. Notably, the average menu price increase was close to 2.5%.
Comparable store retail sales in the fiscal third quarter increased 0.9%, slightly better than the 0.5% improvement recorded in the fiscal second quarter.
Operating Highlights
Operating income in the third quarter was $63.3 million, indicating a fall from the year-ago quarter’s figure of $71.5 million. Resultantly, operating margin in the reported quarter was 8.8%, down 140 basis points from 10.2% a year ago.
Net income was $48.7 million in the quarter, reflecting a 3.8% increase from the prior-year quarter’s net income of $46.9 million.
Balance Sheet
As of Apr 27, 2018, cash and cash equivalents were $174.3 million, down from $183.7 million as of Apr 28, 2017 (end of first-quarter fiscal 2017). Long-term debt remained $400 million in the third quarter, flat with the prior-year quarter value.
Inventory, at the end of the third quarter, amounted to $157 million, up from $155.5 million in third-quarter fiscal 2017.
Cash flow from operating activities as of Apr 27, 2018 was $221 million compared with $203.1 million as of Apr 28, 2017.
In the third quarter, Cracker Barrel announced that it increased the quarterly dividend to $1.25 per share on the company's common stock, reflecting a 4.2% increase from the company's previous quarterly dividend of $1.20. The quarterly dividend is payable on Aug 6, 2018 to its shareholders of record on Jul 13, 2018.
Also, management declared a special dividend of $3.75 per share on the company's common stock. The special dividend is payable on Aug 3, 2018 to its shareholders of record on Jul 13, 2018.
Fiscal 2018 Guidance
For fiscal 2018, the company expects adjusted earnings per share in the range of $10.35-$10.45, up from the previous band of $9.30-$9.50.
Total revenues are expected to roughly come in at $3.1 billion, reflecting the anticipated opening of eight or nine new Cracker Barrel stores, and three new Holler & Dash Biscuit House restaurants. The company maintained its previous revenue guidance.
The guidance also takes into consideration a projected increase in comparable store restaurant sales of 1-2% (same as previously announced). Comparable store retail sales are expected to remain flat as before.
Operating margin, as a percentage of revenues, is expected to be 9.5%, down from the previously guided range of 9.5-10%. Capital expenditures are anticipated to be $150 million.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. There have been two revisions lower for the current quarter. Last month, the consensus estimate has shifted downward by 6.1% due to these changes.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. Price and Consensus
At this time, CBRL has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a lot on the momentum front with an F. The stock was also allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% 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.
Zacks' style scores indicate that the company's stock is suitable for value and growth investors.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, CBRL has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
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Cracker Barrel (CBRL) Up 4% Since Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (CBRL - Free Report) . Shares have added about 4% in that time frame.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is CBRL 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 catalysts.
Cracker Barrel Beats on Q3 Earnings, Raises EPS View
Cracker Barrel reported better-than-expected third-quarter fiscal 2018 results. Earnings of $2.03 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.93 by 5.2%. Earnings also increased 4.1% year over year due to a shift in the company’s marketing, favorable general and administrative expenses, and increased revenues.
Quarterly revenues of $721.4 million surpassed the consensus estimate of $715.2 million by 0.9% and grew 3% from the prior-year quarter. Revenues were favored by positive comps and restaurant openings.
While the company’s sales building initiatives favored comps growth and the overall top line, expenses related to the implementation of these initiatives and commodity inflation remain a concern for the company.
Comps Details
Comparable store restaurant sales increased 1.5% in the quarter, including a 2.8% increase in average check, partially offset by a 1.3% decrease in store traffic. The figure compared favorably with 1.1% increase in second-quarter fiscal 2018. Notably, the average menu price increase was close to 2.5%.
Comparable store retail sales in the fiscal third quarter increased 0.9%, slightly better than the 0.5% improvement recorded in the fiscal second quarter.
Operating Highlights
Operating income in the third quarter was $63.3 million, indicating a fall from the year-ago quarter’s figure of $71.5 million. Resultantly, operating margin in the reported quarter was 8.8%, down 140 basis points from 10.2% a year ago.
Net income was $48.7 million in the quarter, reflecting a 3.8% increase from the prior-year quarter’s net income of $46.9 million.
Balance Sheet
As of Apr 27, 2018, cash and cash equivalents were $174.3 million, down from $183.7 million as of Apr 28, 2017 (end of first-quarter fiscal 2017). Long-term debt remained $400 million in the third quarter, flat with the prior-year quarter value.
Inventory, at the end of the third quarter, amounted to $157 million, up from $155.5 million in third-quarter fiscal 2017.
Cash flow from operating activities as of Apr 27, 2018 was $221 million compared with $203.1 million as of Apr 28, 2017.
In the third quarter, Cracker Barrel announced that it increased the quarterly dividend to $1.25 per share on the company's common stock, reflecting a 4.2% increase from the company's previous quarterly dividend of $1.20. The quarterly dividend is payable on Aug 6, 2018 to its shareholders of record on Jul 13, 2018.
Also, management declared a special dividend of $3.75 per share on the company's common stock. The special dividend is payable on Aug 3, 2018 to its shareholders of record on Jul 13, 2018.
Fiscal 2018 Guidance
For fiscal 2018, the company expects adjusted earnings per share in the range of $10.35-$10.45, up from the previous band of $9.30-$9.50.
Total revenues are expected to roughly come in at $3.1 billion, reflecting the anticipated opening of eight or nine new Cracker Barrel stores, and three new Holler & Dash Biscuit House restaurants. The company maintained its previous revenue guidance.
The guidance also takes into consideration a projected increase in comparable store restaurant sales of 1-2% (same as previously announced). Comparable store retail sales are expected to remain flat as before.
Operating margin, as a percentage of revenues, is expected to be 9.5%, down from the previously guided range of 9.5-10%. Capital expenditures are anticipated to be $150 million.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. There have been two revisions lower for the current quarter. Last month, the consensus estimate has shifted downward by 6.1% due to these changes.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. Price and Consensus
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. Price and Consensus | Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. Quote
VGM Scores
At this time, CBRL has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a lot on the momentum front with an F. The stock was also allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% 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.
Zacks' style scores indicate that the company's stock is suitable for value and growth investors.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, CBRL has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.