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.
Casey's (CASY) Q3 Earnings Top Estimates, Revenues Fall Y/Y
Read MoreHide Full Article
Casey's General Stores, Inc. (CASY - Free Report) reported better-than-expected third-quarter fiscal 2021 results. While the top line declined year over year, the bottom line improved from the year-ago period. Notably, this was the third straight quarter of positive earnings surprise. Investment in fuel capabilities and positive inside sales volume, thanks to numerous initiatives in grocery and other merchandise category, favorably impacted results.
A Closer Look at Results
Casey's reported quarterly earnings of $1.04 per share that beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 93 cents and improved significantly from 91 cents in the year-ago period. This year-over-year increase can be attributed to higher fuel margin and lower interest expense.
Total revenues of $2,008 million declined 10.7% year over year but surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,991 million, marking the second successive beat. Revenue declines across Fuel and Prepared Food & Fountain categories, were partly offset by higher sales in Grocery & Other Merchandise category. Markedly, digital sales soared 95% compared with year-ago quarter.
In spite of the decline in the top line, gross profit increased 8.7% year over year to $540.2 million due to fall in cost of goods sold. Further, gross margin expanded 480 basis points to 26.9%. The company witnessed a decline of 16.2% in cost of goods sold during the reported quarter.
We note that Casey's registered an increase of 9.8% in operating expenses of $414.4 million on account of operating 36 more stores compared with the same period last year, $11 million expenses associated with the ongoing pandemic, $10 million in incremental incentive compensation costs and $3 million in labor costs, offset by a reduction in credit card fees. Same store operating expenses, excluding credit card fees, were up 5.6% in the quarter under review.
Shares of this Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company have advanced 14.7% in the past six months compared with the industry’s growth of 3.7%.
Caseys General Stores, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
We note that Fuel sales decreased 20% to $1,100.9 million on account of decline in average retail price per gallon and the number of gallons sold. We note that average retail price per gallon decreased 11.6%, while total gallons sold declined 9.5% to 518.4 million. Fuel gallons same-store sales fell 12.1% compared with decline of 2% in the year-ago quarter, on account of lower guest traffic due to the ongoing pandemic. Impressively, gross profit increased 37.1% to $170.4 million. Notably, fuel margin surged to 32.9 cents per gallon from 21.7 cents per gallon in the prior-year period owing to the centralized fuel team and its ability to navigate the broad spectrum of the fuel marketplace.
Grocery & Other Merchandise sales rose 7.2% to $624.5 million. Same-store sales increased 5.4% compared with 3.5% in the year-ago quarter, primarily owing to robust sales of alcohol and packaged beverages. We note that Grocery & Other Merchandise margin contracted 220 basis points to 30.7%. Again, gross profit dipped 0.1% to $191.5 million during the quarter.
Prepared Food & Fountain sales declined 3.5% to $264 million. Same-store sales decreased 5% against 2.8% growth witnessed in the year-ago quarter. The metric declined due to pressure in the dispensed beverage and bakery categories. Nonetheless, Prepared Food & Fountain margin increased 40 basis points to 60.6%. Lower commodity costs favorably impacted the margin. However, we note that gross profit fell 2.9% year over year to $160 million.
Store Update
During first-nine month of fiscal 2021, the company constructed 27 new stores and closed eight. As of Jan 31, the company operated 2,229 stores in 16 Midwest states. Additionally, the company anticipates to complete the construction of about 40 new stores this fiscal year.
Other Financial Aspects
Casey's ended the reported quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $388.9 million, long-term debt and finance lease obligations (net of current maturities) of $1,362.1 million and shareholders’ equity of $1,893.6 million. During the quarter, the company did not make any share repurchases and still has $300 million under authorization.
L Brands has a long-term earnings growth rate of 13%. It sports a Zacks Rank #1.
Tapestry (TPR - Free Report) has a long-term earnings growth rate of 10%. Currently, it carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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
Casey's (CASY) Q3 Earnings Top Estimates, Revenues Fall Y/Y
Casey's General Stores, Inc. (CASY - Free Report) reported better-than-expected third-quarter fiscal 2021 results. While the top line declined year over year, the bottom line improved from the year-ago period. Notably, this was the third straight quarter of positive earnings surprise. Investment in fuel capabilities and positive inside sales volume, thanks to numerous initiatives in grocery and other merchandise category, favorably impacted results.
A Closer Look at Results
Casey's reported quarterly earnings of $1.04 per share that beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 93 cents and improved significantly from 91 cents in the year-ago period. This year-over-year increase can be attributed to higher fuel margin and lower interest expense.
Total revenues of $2,008 million declined 10.7% year over year but surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,991 million, marking the second successive beat. Revenue declines across Fuel and Prepared Food & Fountain categories, were partly offset by higher sales in Grocery & Other Merchandise category. Markedly, digital sales soared 95% compared with year-ago quarter.
In spite of the decline in the top line, gross profit increased 8.7% year over year to $540.2 million due to fall in cost of goods sold. Further, gross margin expanded 480 basis points to 26.9%. The company witnessed a decline of 16.2% in cost of goods sold during the reported quarter.
We note that Casey's registered an increase of 9.8% in operating expenses of $414.4 million on account of operating 36 more stores compared with the same period last year, $11 million expenses associated with the ongoing pandemic, $10 million in incremental incentive compensation costs and $3 million in labor costs, offset by a reduction in credit card fees. Same store operating expenses, excluding credit card fees, were up 5.6% in the quarter under review.
Shares of this Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company have advanced 14.7% in the past six months compared with the industry’s growth of 3.7%.
Caseys General Stores, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Caseys General Stores, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Caseys General Stores, Inc. Quote
Performance by Categories
We note that Fuel sales decreased 20% to $1,100.9 million on account of decline in average retail price per gallon and the number of gallons sold. We note that average retail price per gallon decreased 11.6%, while total gallons sold declined 9.5% to 518.4 million. Fuel gallons same-store sales fell 12.1% compared with decline of 2% in the year-ago quarter, on account of lower guest traffic due to the ongoing pandemic. Impressively, gross profit increased 37.1% to $170.4 million. Notably, fuel margin surged to 32.9 cents per gallon from 21.7 cents per gallon in the prior-year period owing to the centralized fuel team and its ability to navigate the broad spectrum of the fuel marketplace.
Grocery & Other Merchandise sales rose 7.2% to $624.5 million. Same-store sales increased 5.4% compared with 3.5% in the year-ago quarter, primarily owing to robust sales of alcohol and packaged beverages. We note that Grocery & Other Merchandise margin contracted 220 basis points to 30.7%. Again, gross profit dipped 0.1% to $191.5 million during the quarter.
Prepared Food & Fountain sales declined 3.5% to $264 million. Same-store sales decreased 5% against 2.8% growth witnessed in the year-ago quarter. The metric declined due to pressure in the dispensed beverage and bakery categories. Nonetheless, Prepared Food & Fountain margin increased 40 basis points to 60.6%. Lower commodity costs favorably impacted the margin. However, we note that gross profit fell 2.9% year over year to $160 million.
Store Update
During first-nine month of fiscal 2021, the company constructed 27 new stores and closed eight. As of Jan 31, the company operated 2,229 stores in 16 Midwest states. Additionally, the company anticipates to complete the construction of about 40 new stores this fiscal year.
Other Financial Aspects
Casey's ended the reported quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $388.9 million, long-term debt and finance lease obligations (net of current maturities) of $1,362.1 million and shareholders’ equity of $1,893.6 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 Out On
Boot Barn Holdings (BOOT - Free Report) , a Zacks Rank #1 stock (Strong Buy), has a long-term earnings growth rate of 20%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
L Brands has a long-term earnings growth rate of 13%. It sports a Zacks Rank #1.
Tapestry (TPR - Free Report) has a long-term earnings growth rate of 10%. Currently, it carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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>>