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Ascena's Holiday Comps Up 3%, Stock Down on Bleak Q2 View
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Ascena Retail Group, Inc. reported robust sales numbers for the holiday period extending from Nov 17, 2018 through Jan 1, 2019. Despite stellar holiday results, loss per share widened in second-quarter fiscal 2019. This weighed on investor sentiments, sending shares down as much as 7% yesterday.
The company registered a 3% rise in comparable sales (comps) this holiday season against a 3% decline witnessed in the year-ago period. Comps growth was driven by continued momentum at Premium Fashion and impressive performance at the Value Fashion segment. The upside was somewhat offset by soft performance at Plus Fashion division.
At the Premium and the Value Fashion segments, comps rose 12% and 2%, respectively. Under the Premium Fashion segment, the metric grew 7% at Ann Taylor and 14% at LOFT. Meanwhile, comps at maurices and dressbarn increased a respective 2% and 3% under the Value segment.
Further, comps edged up 1% at Kids Fashion division, while the same at Plus Fashion decreased 8%. Under the Plus Fashion unit, comps fell 9% at Lane Bryant and 3% at Catherines. Although comps at the Kids segment improved 1%, the rate of growth decelerated from 4% in the year-ago period.
Management remains pleased with comps growth and margin expansion during the holiday season. Further, enterprise comps rose 3% so far in the quarter. As a result, comps are still anticipated to increase 2-4% for the impending quarter.
However, Ascena now envisions adjusted loss per share of 23-28 cents for the fiscal second quarter, wider than loss of 15-25 cents guided earlier.
In the past month, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock has gained approximately 20% compared with the industry’s 0.4% growth.
L Brands, Inc. delivered average positive earnings surprise of 7.3% in the trailing four quarters. It has long-term earnings growth rate of 11% and a Zacks Rank #2.
Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN - Free Report) delivered average positive earnings surprise of 14.5% in the trailing four quarters. It has long-term earnings growth rate of 11.2% and a Zacks Rank #2.
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Ascena's Holiday Comps Up 3%, Stock Down on Bleak Q2 View
Ascena Retail Group, Inc. reported robust sales numbers for the holiday period extending from Nov 17, 2018 through Jan 1, 2019. Despite stellar holiday results, loss per share widened in second-quarter fiscal 2019. This weighed on investor sentiments, sending shares down as much as 7% yesterday.
The company registered a 3% rise in comparable sales (comps) this holiday season against a 3% decline witnessed in the year-ago period. Comps growth was driven by continued momentum at Premium Fashion and impressive performance at the Value Fashion segment. The upside was somewhat offset by soft performance at Plus Fashion division.
At the Premium and the Value Fashion segments, comps rose 12% and 2%, respectively. Under the Premium Fashion segment, the metric grew 7% at Ann Taylor and 14% at LOFT. Meanwhile, comps at maurices and dressbarn increased a respective 2% and 3% under the Value segment.
Further, comps edged up 1% at Kids Fashion division, while the same at Plus Fashion decreased 8%. Under the Plus Fashion unit, comps fell 9% at Lane Bryant and 3% at Catherines. Although comps at the Kids segment improved 1%, the rate of growth decelerated from 4% in the year-ago period.
Management remains pleased with comps growth and margin expansion during the holiday season. Further, enterprise comps rose 3% so far in the quarter. As a result, comps are still anticipated to increase 2-4% for the impending quarter.
However, Ascena now envisions adjusted loss per share of 23-28 cents for the fiscal second quarter, wider than loss of 15-25 cents guided earlier.
In the past month, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock has gained approximately 20% compared with the industry’s 0.4% growth.
3 Stocks to Watch
Fossil Group, Inc. (FOSL - Free Report) outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a wide margin in the trailing four quarters. It currently sports a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
L Brands, Inc. delivered average positive earnings surprise of 7.3% in the trailing four quarters. It has long-term earnings growth rate of 11% and a Zacks Rank #2.
Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN - Free Report) delivered average positive earnings surprise of 14.5% in the trailing four quarters. It has long-term earnings growth rate of 11.2% and a Zacks Rank #2.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
See the pot trades we're targeting>>