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Casey's (CASY) Stock Down Despite Q2 Earnings & Sales Beat
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Casey's General Stores, Inc. (CASY - Free Report) continued its positive earnings and sales surprise for the second straight quarter, when it reported second-quarter fiscal 2019 results. Notably, both the top and bottom line improved year over year. However, in spite of better-than-expected performance, the stock declined about 6.8% during after-market trading hours on Dec 11. This can be attributed to trimmed fuel gallons same-store sales projection.
Nevertheless, the company is on track with its Value Creation Plan. This combined with fleet card program and efforts to strengthen store base have been yielding positive results. In fact, the strategic endeavors have propelled this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company’s shares to gain 12% in a year compared with the industry’s growth of 11%.
A Closer Look at Q2 Results
The company reported quarterly earnings of $1.80 per share that surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.55 cents and improved 40.6% year over year. The bottom-line performance in the reported quarter can be attributed to several strategic initiatives including recent investments in stores, strategic pricing, cost containment efforts and favorable impacts from tax reforms.
Total revenues of $2,538 million surged 17.8% and also surpassed the consensus mark of $2,512 million. The top line benefited from improved revenues across the company’s segments.
Gross profit during the quarter came in at $510.3 million, rising almost 9.1% year on year. However, gross margin contracted 160 basis points (bps) to 20.1%.
Further, Casey's witnessed higher cost of goods sold (up 20.3%) and operating expenses (up 6.6%) during the reported quarter. Operating expenses expanded primarily due to increase of 94 stores in the reported quarter compared with the prior-year quarter’s tally. Additionally, higher credit card fees and fleet fuel costs increased operating expenses burden. The company continues to anticipate operating expenses to increase in the range of 8.5-10.5% during fiscal 2019.
Caseys General Stores, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
We note that Fuel sales increased 24.2% to $1,621.9 million. Fuel gallons same-store sales decreased 1.1% against 1.9% growth witnessed in the year-ago quarter. Fuel margin of 20 cents per gallon, increased 1.5% year over year. Management now envisions fiscal 2019 fuel gallons same-store sales in the band of down 1% to up 0.5% compared with earlier forecast of 1.5-3% growth. It projects fuel margin in the range of 19-21 cents per gallon compared with prior view of 18.5-20.5 cents per gallon.
Grocery and Other Merchandise sales rose 8.1% to $618.3 million, while same-store sales rose 2.7% compared with 2.5% growth registered in the prior-year quarter. Grocery and other merchandise margin improved 40 bps to 32.4%. The segment’s performance in the quarter benefited from packaged beverage and other tobacco subcategories. Casey's continues to expect grocery and other merchandise same-store sales in the band of 1.5-3% with margin expected between 31.5% and 32.5% for fiscal 2019.
Prepared Food and Fountain sales jumped 8% to $283.1 million, while same-store sales increased 2.2% compared with growth of 2.1% recorded in the year-ago quarter. During the quarter, the segment gained from strong performance in breakfast daypart. Further, Prepared Food and Fountain margin expanded 110 basis points to of 62.4% on account of price increase. Management continues to project prepared food and fountain same-store sales in the band of 1.5-3.5% with margin between 60% and 62% for fiscal 2019.
Store Update
During the first six months of fiscal 2019, the company constructed 25 new stores and acquired three. Further, the company closed six stores. As of Oct 31, 2018, the company operated 2,097 stores.
Other Financial Aspects
Casey's ended the reported quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $51.9 million, long-term debt (excluding current portion) of $1,284 million and shareholders’ equity of $1,357.1 million. During the quarter, the company did not make any share repurchases and still has $300 million under authorization.
Shoe Carnival (SCVL - Free Report) delivered average positive earnings surprise of 31.4% in the trailing four quarters. The stock flaunts a Zacks Rank #1.
Fossil Group, Inc. (FOSL - Free Report) has average positive earnings surprise of 119.5% in the trailing four quarters and a Zacks Rank #1.
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Image: Bigstock
Casey's (CASY) Stock Down Despite Q2 Earnings & Sales Beat
Casey's General Stores, Inc. (CASY - Free Report) continued its positive earnings and sales surprise for the second straight quarter, when it reported second-quarter fiscal 2019 results. Notably, both the top and bottom line improved year over year. However, in spite of better-than-expected performance, the stock declined about 6.8% during after-market trading hours on Dec 11. This can be attributed to trimmed fuel gallons same-store sales projection.
Nevertheless, the company is on track with its Value Creation Plan. This combined with fleet card program and efforts to strengthen store base have been yielding positive results. In fact, the strategic endeavors have propelled this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company’s shares to gain 12% in a year compared with the industry’s growth of 11%.
A Closer Look at Q2 Results
The company reported quarterly earnings of $1.80 per share that surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.55 cents and improved 40.6% year over year. The bottom-line performance in the reported quarter can be attributed to several strategic initiatives including recent investments in stores, strategic pricing, cost containment efforts and favorable impacts from tax reforms.
Total revenues of $2,538 million surged 17.8% and also surpassed the consensus mark of $2,512 million. The top line benefited from improved revenues across the company’s segments.
Gross profit during the quarter came in at $510.3 million, rising almost 9.1% year on year. However, gross margin contracted 160 basis points (bps) to 20.1%.
Further, Casey's witnessed higher cost of goods sold (up 20.3%) and operating expenses (up 6.6%) during the reported quarter. Operating expenses expanded primarily due to increase of 94 stores in the reported quarter compared with the prior-year quarter’s tally. Additionally, higher credit card fees and fleet fuel costs increased operating expenses burden. The company continues to anticipate operating expenses to increase in the range of 8.5-10.5% during fiscal 2019.
Caseys General Stores, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Caseys General Stores, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Caseys General Stores, Inc. Quote
Performance by Categories
We note that Fuel sales increased 24.2% to $1,621.9 million. Fuel gallons same-store sales decreased 1.1% against 1.9% growth witnessed in the year-ago quarter. Fuel margin of 20 cents per gallon, increased 1.5% year over year. Management now envisions fiscal 2019 fuel gallons same-store sales in the band of down 1% to up 0.5% compared with earlier forecast of 1.5-3% growth. It projects fuel margin in the range of 19-21 cents per gallon compared with prior view of 18.5-20.5 cents per gallon.
Grocery and Other Merchandise sales rose 8.1% to $618.3 million, while same-store sales rose 2.7% compared with 2.5% growth registered in the prior-year quarter. Grocery and other merchandise margin improved 40 bps to 32.4%. The segment’s performance in the quarter benefited from packaged beverage and other tobacco subcategories. Casey's continues to expect grocery and other merchandise same-store sales in the band of 1.5-3% with margin expected between 31.5% and 32.5% for fiscal 2019.
Prepared Food and Fountain sales jumped 8% to $283.1 million, while same-store sales increased 2.2% compared with growth of 2.1% recorded in the year-ago quarter. During the quarter, the segment gained from strong performance in breakfast daypart. Further, Prepared Food and Fountain margin expanded 110 basis points to of 62.4% on account of price increase. Management continues to project prepared food and fountain same-store sales in the band of 1.5-3.5% with margin between 60% and 62% for fiscal 2019.
Store Update
During the first six months of fiscal 2019, the company constructed 25 new stores and acquired three. Further, the company closed six stores. As of Oct 31, 2018, the company operated 2,097 stores.
Other Financial Aspects
Casey's ended the reported quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $51.9 million, long-term debt (excluding current portion) of $1,284 million and shareholders’ equity of $1,357.1 million. During the quarter, the company did not make any share repurchases and still has $300 million under authorization.
3 Picks You Can’t Miss
Boot Barn Holdings (BOOT - Free Report) recorded average positive earnings surprise of 15.1% for the trailing four quarters. It sports a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Shoe Carnival (SCVL - Free Report) delivered average positive earnings surprise of 31.4% in the trailing four quarters. The stock flaunts a Zacks Rank #1.
Fossil Group, Inc. (FOSL - Free Report) has average positive earnings surprise of 119.5% in the trailing four quarters and a Zacks Rank #1.
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.
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