We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Can Gap (GPS) Return to Growth in 2021 on Solid Online Show?
Read MoreHide Full Article
The Gap, Inc. (GPS - Free Report) has been witnessing sluggish store traffic due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, management decided to shut down a few underperforming stores, which is likely to be concluded in fiscal 2021. Also, adverse product mix due to the shift in consumers’ changing preference to more casual fashion in sync with the current stay-at-home trend weighed on in the performance of its Gap Global and Banana Republic Global brands. Cumulatively, in-store sales declined 20% in third-quarter fiscal 2020.
Further, the company has been incurring expenses related to health and safety measures at stores along with higher shipping expenses to fulfill the increased online orders. As a result, operating expenses rose 8% in the fiscal third quarter, with the operating expense rate up 270 bps to 36.2%. Alongside this, elevated marketing expenses across all brands dented bottom-line growth and margins in the fiscal third quarter. Moreover, the operating expense rate is expected to rise 33-34% in fourth-quarter fiscal 2020.
These headwinds have led the Gap stock to underperform the industry and the Retail-Wholesale sector on a year-to-date basis. Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company rose 15% compared with the industry’s growth of 36.6% and the sector’s 36.4%.
Factors That May Turn the Tables in 2021
Robust online growth is now serving as the much-needed cushion to Gap’s top line with significant contributions from the Gap, Old Navy and Athleta brands. Notably, e-commerce sales improved 61% in the reported quarter, representing about 40% of its net sales in the fiscal third quarter. Further, its e-commerce business acquired 3.4 million new customers in the said quarter. Encouragingly, management is investing more in online shipping capabilities and curbside pickup options, which is likely to have contributed to a robust holiday shopping season. Evidently, it expects fourth-quarter fiscal 2020 net sales to be equal to or slightly higher than the year-ago quarter.
Moreover, management remains optimistic about its powerhouse brand — Old Navy — driven by better execution of its unique value equation and positioning, with style, fit, quality and price, all working in balance. Net sales for the Old Navy brand improved 15% in the fiscal third quarter, with comps growth of 17%.
Moreover, the Athleta brand has been a bright spot for the company as consumers are buying more comfortable apparel due to the pandemic-led stay-at-home trend. This activewear brand with increased digital marketing investments and focus on product strategy has been aiding sales. In third-quarter fiscal 2020, Athleta’s net sales were up 35%, with comps growth of 37%. Topping it, Athleta recorded the highest comps growth in the brand’s history, including more than 50% contribution from the online business. The brand also benefited from continued demand for its masks, which helped establish new customer engagements across other product offerings.
Moreover, Gap remains on track with the execution of its Power Plan 2023, which focuses on opening highly-profitable Old Navy and Athleta stores. As part of the plan, the company expects the Old Navy and Athleta brands to contribute about 70% of sales by 2023. In sync with its fleet optimization efforts, the closing of underperforming Gap and Banana Republic stores is anticipated to realize $100 million in EBITDA savings on an annualized basis by the end of 2023. It also envisions the e-commerce business to contribute 50% of sales by the end of 2023 on the back of higher investments in digital, technology and distribution capacity.
Wrapping Up
Despite weak store traffic, which is likely to persist, we believe that turnaround efforts, including investments in digital capabilities, expansion of the Old Navy and Athleta brands, store optimization and increased focus on consumers buying behavior, are likely to bring the stock back on the growth trajectory. In fact, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in fiscal 2021 is pegged at $1.29 per share, reflecting a rise of 16.2% in the past 60 days. These factors raise investors’ optimism on the stock.
Capri Holdings Limited (CPRI - Free Report) has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 5.6% and presently, a Zacks Rank #1.
Tapestry (TPR - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #1, has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 11.7%.
These Stocks Are Poised to Soar Past the Pandemic
The COVID-19 outbreak has shifted consumer behavior dramatically, and a handful of high-tech companies have stepped up to keep America running. Right now, investors in these companies have a shot at serious profits. For example, Zoom jumped 108.5% in less than 4 months while most other stocks were sinking.
Our research shows that 5 cutting-edge stocks could skyrocket from the exponential increase in demand for “stay at home” technologies. This could be one of the biggest buying opportunities of this decade, especially for those who get in early.
Image: Bigstock
Can Gap (GPS) Return to Growth in 2021 on Solid Online Show?
The Gap, Inc. (GPS - Free Report) has been witnessing sluggish store traffic due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, management decided to shut down a few underperforming stores, which is likely to be concluded in fiscal 2021. Also, adverse product mix due to the shift in consumers’ changing preference to more casual fashion in sync with the current stay-at-home trend weighed on in the performance of its Gap Global and Banana Republic Global brands. Cumulatively, in-store sales declined 20% in third-quarter fiscal 2020.
Further, the company has been incurring expenses related to health and safety measures at stores along with higher shipping expenses to fulfill the increased online orders. As a result, operating expenses rose 8% in the fiscal third quarter, with the operating expense rate up 270 bps to 36.2%. Alongside this, elevated marketing expenses across all brands dented bottom-line growth and margins in the fiscal third quarter. Moreover, the operating expense rate is expected to rise 33-34% in fourth-quarter fiscal 2020.
These headwinds have led the Gap stock to underperform the industry and the Retail-Wholesale sector on a year-to-date basis. Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company rose 15% compared with the industry’s growth of 36.6% and the sector’s 36.4%.
Factors That May Turn the Tables in 2021
Robust online growth is now serving as the much-needed cushion to Gap’s top line with significant contributions from the Gap, Old Navy and Athleta brands. Notably, e-commerce sales improved 61% in the reported quarter, representing about 40% of its net sales in the fiscal third quarter. Further, its e-commerce business acquired 3.4 million new customers in the said quarter. Encouragingly, management is investing more in online shipping capabilities and curbside pickup options, which is likely to have contributed to a robust holiday shopping season. Evidently, it expects fourth-quarter fiscal 2020 net sales to be equal to or slightly higher than the year-ago quarter.
Moreover, management remains optimistic about its powerhouse brand — Old Navy — driven by better execution of its unique value equation and positioning, with style, fit, quality and price, all working in balance. Net sales for the Old Navy brand improved 15% in the fiscal third quarter, with comps growth of 17%.
Moreover, the Athleta brand has been a bright spot for the company as consumers are buying more comfortable apparel due to the pandemic-led stay-at-home trend. This activewear brand with increased digital marketing investments and focus on product strategy has been aiding sales. In third-quarter fiscal 2020, Athleta’s net sales were up 35%, with comps growth of 37%. Topping it, Athleta recorded the highest comps growth in the brand’s history, including more than 50% contribution from the online business. The brand also benefited from continued demand for its masks, which helped establish new customer engagements across other product offerings.
Moreover, Gap remains on track with the execution of its Power Plan 2023, which focuses on opening highly-profitable Old Navy and Athleta stores. As part of the plan, the company expects the Old Navy and Athleta brands to contribute about 70% of sales by 2023. In sync with its fleet optimization efforts, the closing of underperforming Gap and Banana Republic stores is anticipated to realize $100 million in EBITDA savings on an annualized basis by the end of 2023. It also envisions the e-commerce business to contribute 50% of sales by the end of 2023 on the back of higher investments in digital, technology and distribution capacity.
Wrapping Up
Despite weak store traffic, which is likely to persist, we believe that turnaround efforts, including investments in digital capabilities, expansion of the Old Navy and Athleta brands, store optimization and increased focus on consumers buying behavior, are likely to bring the stock back on the growth trajectory. In fact, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in fiscal 2021 is pegged at $1.29 per share, reflecting a rise of 16.2% in the past 60 days. These factors raise investors’ optimism on the stock.
3 Retail Stocks to Watch
L Brands has a long-term earnings growth rate of 13% and currently, a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Capri Holdings Limited (CPRI - Free Report) has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 5.6% and presently, a Zacks Rank #1.
Tapestry (TPR - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #1, has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 11.7%.
These Stocks Are Poised to Soar Past the Pandemic
The COVID-19 outbreak has shifted consumer behavior dramatically, and a handful of high-tech companies have stepped up to keep America running. Right now, investors in these companies have a shot at serious profits. For example, Zoom jumped 108.5% in less than 4 months while most other stocks were sinking.
Our research shows that 5 cutting-edge stocks could skyrocket from the exponential increase in demand for “stay at home” technologies. This could be one of the biggest buying opportunities of this decade, especially for those who get in early.
See the 5 high-tech stocks now>>