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J.C. Penney (JCP) Stock Up More Than 20% on Q4 Earnings Beat
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Shares of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. rallied roughly 22.6% during the trading session on Feb 28 following its fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 results, wherein the bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while the top line lagged the same. However, both the metrics declined year over year in the reported quarter.
The company didn’t provide any guidance for fiscal 2019, except that free cash flow is likely to be positive in fiscal 2019. Industry experts believe that the company, in order to win back customers, may focus on bringing in demand products even faster than its competitors. J. C. Penney announced plans to close stores that are not performing up to the mark and focus on core categories. Cumulatively, these might have raised investors’ sentiments.
Meanwhile, shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company, belonging to the Retail-Regional Department Stores industry, have gained 5.6% in the past month, against the S&P 500’s decline of 0.2%.
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
The company posted adjusted earnings per share of 18 cents, reflecting a sharp decline from 51 cents in the year-ago quarter. However, the figure exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 15 cents.
Total revenues in the quarter came in at $3,786 million, which declined 8.4% from the prior-year quarter’s figure and lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,836 million.
Further, total sales of $3,665 million fell 9.5% year over year, due to soft performance in major appliances, furniture, and women's accessories and handbags categories. This led management to stop selling appliances, going forward. Also, it has decided to sell furniture only via jcp.com and in few Puerto Rico stores.
Region wise, South East and Gold Coast regions didn’t perform well, partly offset by improved performance in Midwest and Southwest regions. Looking at the monthly trend, sales in the month of November and December proved to be better, while January sales were the weakest.
We note that credit income and other totaled $121 million, up 44% on a year-over-year basis, driven by functional improvement in the portfolio for credit customer.
Comparable sales (comps) during the quarter went down 6%, against a rise of 2.6% in the year-ago quarter. On a shifted basis, comps declined 4%, owing to lower transactions, which were partly mitigated by rise in average unit retail.
Gross margin during the quarter contracted roughly 220 basis points (bps) on account of liquidation of slow moving and old inventory. Adjusted EBITDA declined to $266 million from $394 million in the year-ago quarter, while adjusted EBITDA margin as percentage of total sales fell 250 bps to nearly 7%.
SG&A expenses dipped 3.8% to $1,007 million in the quarter, backed by lower incentive compensation. However, SG&A expenses as percent of sales expanded 150 bps to 27.5%, owing to comps decline in the reported quarter.
Other Financial Details
J. C. Penney ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $333 million compared with $458 million in the year-ago quarter. Meanwhile, long-term debt came in at $3,716 million, moderately down from $3,780 million in the year-ago period. Shareholders’ equity totaled $1,170 million at the end of the quarter. Merchandise inventory levels decreased 13.1% to $2,437 million.
The company generated free cash flow of $111 million for full year ending Feb 2, 2019, compared with $213 million in the prior-year period. Further, it incurred capital expenditures of $392 million during the fiscal year. The company anticipates capital expenditures of $300-$325 million for fiscal 2019.
Efforts to Achieve Turnaround
As part of its efforts to get back on track, the company plans to close 18 stores in fiscal 2019. Additionally, it will shut down 9 ancillary home and furniture stores. In doing so, the company will incur pretax cost of nearly $15 million related to this initiative during the first half of fiscal 2019.
This move comes after J. C. Penney noticed that comps at these stores were significantly low. Also, this step will help the company allocate capital resources in profitable businesses. Moving on, the employees affected by this store closure initiative will be compensated with separation benefits, including job assistance.
Apart from these, management is making efforts to boost growth in its women’s apparel, active apparel, special sized apparel and fine jewelry. The company is focused on eliminating product categories with dismal margins and significantly lowering unsold inventory.
Also, J. C. Penney plans to utilize advanced technology tools, which will help store associates improve customers’ shopping experience. Apart from these, the company seeks to improve product mix. In a bid to strengthen its financial profile, the company is focusing on women’s apparel and soft home categories, which are being viewed as profitable businesses.
Crocs (CROX - Free Report) , another Zacks #1 Ranked stock, has long-term earnings growth rate of 15%.
Under Armour (UAA - Free Report) , currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has long-term earnings growth rate of 22.7%.
This Could Be the Fastest Way to Grow Wealth in 2019
Research indicates one sector is poised to deliver a crop of the best-performing stocks you'll find anywhere in the market. Breaking news in this space frequently creates quick double- and triple-digit profit opportunities.
These companies are changing the world – and owning their stocks could transform your portfolio in 2019 and beyond. Recent trades from this sector have generated +98%, +119% and +164% gains in as little as 1 month.
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J.C. Penney (JCP) Stock Up More Than 20% on Q4 Earnings Beat
Shares of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. rallied roughly 22.6% during the trading session on Feb 28 following its fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 results, wherein the bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while the top line lagged the same. However, both the metrics declined year over year in the reported quarter.
The company didn’t provide any guidance for fiscal 2019, except that free cash flow is likely to be positive in fiscal 2019. Industry experts believe that the company, in order to win back customers, may focus on bringing in demand products even faster than its competitors. J. C. Penney announced plans to close stores that are not performing up to the mark and focus on core categories. Cumulatively, these might have raised investors’ sentiments.
Meanwhile, shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company, belonging to the Retail-Regional Department Stores industry, have gained 5.6% in the past month, against the S&P 500’s decline of 0.2%.
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | J. C. Penney Company, Inc. Quote
Let’s Delve Deeper
The company posted adjusted earnings per share of 18 cents, reflecting a sharp decline from 51 cents in the year-ago quarter. However, the figure exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 15 cents.
Total revenues in the quarter came in at $3,786 million, which declined 8.4% from the prior-year quarter’s figure and lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,836 million.
Further, total sales of $3,665 million fell 9.5% year over year, due to soft performance in major appliances, furniture, and women's accessories and handbags categories. This led management to stop selling appliances, going forward. Also, it has decided to sell furniture only via jcp.com and in few Puerto Rico stores.
Region wise, South East and Gold Coast regions didn’t perform well, partly offset by improved performance in Midwest and Southwest regions. Looking at the monthly trend, sales in the month of November and December proved to be better, while January sales were the weakest.
We note that credit income and other totaled $121 million, up 44% on a year-over-year basis, driven by functional improvement in the portfolio for credit customer.
Comparable sales (comps) during the quarter went down 6%, against a rise of 2.6% in the year-ago quarter. On a shifted basis, comps declined 4%, owing to lower transactions, which were partly mitigated by rise in average unit retail.
Gross margin during the quarter contracted roughly 220 basis points (bps) on account of liquidation of slow moving and old inventory. Adjusted EBITDA declined to $266 million from $394 million in the year-ago quarter, while adjusted EBITDA margin as percentage of total sales fell 250 bps to nearly 7%.
SG&A expenses dipped 3.8% to $1,007 million in the quarter, backed by lower incentive compensation. However, SG&A expenses as percent of sales expanded 150 bps to 27.5%, owing to comps decline in the reported quarter.
Other Financial Details
J. C. Penney ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $333 million compared with $458 million in the year-ago quarter. Meanwhile, long-term debt came in at $3,716 million, moderately down from $3,780 million in the year-ago period. Shareholders’ equity totaled $1,170 million at the end of the quarter. Merchandise inventory levels decreased 13.1% to $2,437 million.
The company generated free cash flow of $111 million for full year ending Feb 2, 2019, compared with $213 million in the prior-year period. Further, it incurred capital expenditures of $392 million during the fiscal year. The company anticipates capital expenditures of $300-$325 million for fiscal 2019.
Efforts to Achieve Turnaround
As part of its efforts to get back on track, the company plans to close 18 stores in fiscal 2019. Additionally, it will shut down 9 ancillary home and furniture stores. In doing so, the company will incur pretax cost of nearly $15 million related to this initiative during the first half of fiscal 2019.
This move comes after J. C. Penney noticed that comps at these stores were significantly low. Also, this step will help the company allocate capital resources in profitable businesses. Moving on, the employees affected by this store closure initiative will be compensated with separation benefits, including job assistance.
Apart from these, management is making efforts to boost growth in its women’s apparel, active apparel, special sized apparel and fine jewelry. The company is focused on eliminating product categories with dismal margins and significantly lowering unsold inventory.
Also, J. C. Penney plans to utilize advanced technology tools, which will help store associates improve customers’ shopping experience. Apart from these, the company seeks to improve product mix. In a bid to strengthen its financial profile, the company is focusing on women’s apparel and soft home categories, which are being viewed as profitable businesses.
3 Retail Stocks to Consider
Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM - Free Report) has long-term earnings growth rate of 10.9% and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Crocs (CROX - Free Report) , another Zacks #1 Ranked stock, has long-term earnings growth rate of 15%.
Under Armour (UAA - Free Report) , currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has long-term earnings growth rate of 22.7%.
This Could Be the Fastest Way to Grow Wealth in 2019
Research indicates one sector is poised to deliver a crop of the best-performing stocks you'll find anywhere in the market. Breaking news in this space frequently creates quick double- and triple-digit profit opportunities.
These companies are changing the world – and owning their stocks could transform your portfolio in 2019 and beyond. Recent trades from this sector have generated +98%, +119% and +164% gains in as little as 1 month.
Click here to see these breakthrough stocks now >>