BJ'S Wholesale (BJ) Beats on Q2 Earnings & Sales Estimates

ZUMZ BJ URBN BOOT

BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (BJ - Free Report) delivered second-quarter fiscal 2018 results, wherein both the top and bottom lines not only surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate but also improved year over year. Management also provided initial view for fiscal 2018.

The operator of membership warehouse clubs reported adjusted earnings of 31 cents a share that beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 27 cents and increased significantly from 22 cents reported in the year-ago period. This Westborough, MA-based company generated total revenue of $3,307.1 million that came ahead of the consensus mark of $3,276 million, and grew 4.4% year over year.

Notably, net sales jumped 4.3% to $3,236.7 million, while membership fee income advanced 9.7% to $70.4 million.

Comparable sales rose 5% during the quarter under review. Excluding the impact of gasoline sales, merchandise comparable sales increased 2%, marking the fourth straight quarter of growth.

Gross profit came in at $588.5 million, up 6.4% from the year-ago period, while gross margin expanded 30 basis points to 17.8%. Adjusted EBITDA jumped 5.4% to $143 million, while adjusted EBITDA margin remained flat at 4.3%.

Other Financial Details

BJ's Wholesale Club, which carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $31.3 million, long-term debt of $1,894.1 million, and stockholders' deficit of $317.9 million. Management projects capital expenditures in the band of $160-$170 million.

FY18 Outlook

Management now forecasts fiscal 2018 net sales in the range of $12.6-$12.7 billion with merchandise comparable store sales (excluding gasoline) expected to come in the band of 1.8-2.1%. Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $553 million and $563 million.

The company now envisions adjusted earnings in the range of $1.17-$1.24 per share for the fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the full year is pegged at $1.14.

3 Stocks You Can’t Miss

Boot Barn Holdings (BOOT - Free Report) delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 31.8% in the trailing four quarters. It has a long-term earnings growth rate of 23% and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Urban Outfitters (URBN - Free Report) delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 17.7% in the trailing four quarters and a Zacks Rank #1.

Zumiez (ZUMZ - Free Report) delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 18.6% in the trailing four quarters. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #1.

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>>

Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.

This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.

Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>