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Kohl's Corporation (KSS - Free Report) posted first-quarter fiscal 2018 results, with the top and the bottom line improving year over year and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This marked Kohl’s fourth consecutive sales beat, while earnings came ahead of estimates for the second successive quarter.
Moreover, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock has rallied 72.2% in a year compared with the industry’s surge of 48.1%.
Adjusted earnings per share of 64 cents surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents and soared 65% on a year-over-year basis. On a reported basis, earnings improved 15% to 45 cents. The uptick came on the back of solid sales and enhanced gross margin.
Sales and Margins
First-quarter net revenues came in at $4,208 million, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,951 million and rose 3.5% year over year.
Kohl's Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Further, comparable store sales (comps) rose 3.6% against a 2.7% dip recorded in the year-ago quarter. Well, comps have been positive and depicting year-over-year growth since the past three quarters. This indicates that the company’s strategic initiative — Greatness Agenda — is yielding results. The initiative, which commenced in first-quarter 2014, was designed to drive transactions per store and sales.
Moving on, gross margin expanded 50 basis points (bps) to 36.9% in the reported quarter. Further operating income came in at $210 million, up 13.5% from the prior-year quarter’s level.
Other Financial Details
Kohl’s ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $822 million, long-term debt of $2,301 million and shareholders’ equity of $5,356 million. Cash flow from operations amounted to $387 million during the quarter under review.
On May 16, Kohl's declared quarterly cash dividend of 61 cents per share, payable on Jun 27 to shareholders of record as of Jun 13.
Also, during the first quarter, the company accounted for loss on debt extinguishment worth $42 million.
Guidance
Management is impressed with the better-than-expected quarterly results as well as sturdy comps and top-line performance. Additionally, management is pleased with its inventory management efforts that propelled the company to surpass the high end of margin expectations. Also, expenses during the quarter were well-administrated and consistent with management’s expectations.
Well, such upsides boosted the company’s bottom-line expectations for fiscal 2018. It now expects earnings in the band of $5.05-$5.50 per share compared with the previous range of $4.95-$5.45. Including loss on debt extinguishment, earnings are expected in the range of $4.86 -$5.31.
Looking for More? Check These Trending Retail Stocks
Best Buy Co., Inc (BBY - Free Report) , with a Zacks rank #2, delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 19.1% in the trailing four quarters. It has a long-term earnings growth rate of 14.6%.
Ulta Beauty Inc (ULTA - Free Report) has a long-term earnings growth rate of 18.6% and a Zacks Rank #2.
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce ""the world's first trillionaires,"" but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.
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Kohl's (KSS) Beats on Q1 Earnings & Sales, Raises '18 View
Kohl's Corporation (KSS - Free Report) posted first-quarter fiscal 2018 results, with the top and the bottom line improving year over year and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This marked Kohl’s fourth consecutive sales beat, while earnings came ahead of estimates for the second successive quarter.
Moreover, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock has rallied 72.2% in a year compared with the industry’s surge of 48.1%.
Adjusted earnings per share of 64 cents surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents and soared 65% on a year-over-year basis. On a reported basis, earnings improved 15% to 45 cents. The uptick came on the back of solid sales and enhanced gross margin.
Sales and Margins
First-quarter net revenues came in at $4,208 million, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,951 million and rose 3.5% year over year.
Kohl's Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Kohl's Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Kohl's Corporation Quote
Further, comparable store sales (comps) rose 3.6% against a 2.7% dip recorded in the year-ago quarter. Well, comps have been positive and depicting year-over-year growth since the past three quarters. This indicates that the company’s strategic initiative — Greatness Agenda — is yielding results. The initiative, which commenced in first-quarter 2014, was designed to drive transactions per store and sales.
Moving on, gross margin expanded 50 basis points (bps) to 36.9% in the reported quarter. Further operating income came in at $210 million, up 13.5% from the prior-year quarter’s level.
Other Financial Details
Kohl’s ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $822 million, long-term debt of $2,301 million and shareholders’ equity of $5,356 million. Cash flow from operations amounted to $387 million during the quarter under review.
On May 16, Kohl's declared quarterly cash dividend of 61 cents per share, payable on Jun 27 to shareholders of record as of Jun 13.
Also, during the first quarter, the company accounted for loss on debt extinguishment worth $42 million.
Guidance
Management is impressed with the better-than-expected quarterly results as well as sturdy comps and top-line performance. Additionally, management is pleased with its inventory management efforts that propelled the company to surpass the high end of margin expectations. Also, expenses during the quarter were well-administrated and consistent with management’s expectations.
Well, such upsides boosted the company’s bottom-line expectations for fiscal 2018. It now expects earnings in the band of $5.05-$5.50 per share compared with the previous range of $4.95-$5.45. Including loss on debt extinguishment, earnings are expected in the range of $4.86 -$5.31.
Looking for More? Check These Trending Retail Stocks
Dollar General (DG - Free Report) , carrying a Zacks Rank #2, has an impressive long-term earnings growth rate of 14.6%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Best Buy Co., Inc (BBY - Free Report) , with a Zacks rank #2, delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 19.1% in the trailing four quarters. It has a long-term earnings growth rate of 14.6%.
Ulta Beauty Inc (ULTA - Free Report) has a long-term earnings growth rate of 18.6% and a Zacks Rank #2.
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce ""the world's first trillionaires,"" but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.
See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>