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.
Big 5 Sporting Grappling With Headwinds: Should You Offload?
Read MoreHide Full Article
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (BGFV - Free Report) has been struggling with multiple headwinds like weak comparable-store sales (comps), sluggishness across the hard goods category and margin pressures. The company has dismal top- and bottom-line trends as well.
These factors have largely hurt investors’ confidence in the stock, as this Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) company’s shares have plunged 31.4% in the past three months. Meanwhile, the industry rallied 10.6%. The stock’s dismal run on bourses is also well reflected by a VGM Score of F. Let’s have a detailed look.
Factors Weighing on the Stock
Lower customer transactions, coupled with fall in sales at various product categories — hard goods, in particular, have been marring comps, which has witnessed a decline in the recent quarters. Comps dropped 2.1% in second-quarter 2018 against an increase of 0.9% in the year-ago quarter. Unfavorable weather in the company’s key markets during the highest summer selling season also hurt comps. Comps fell in a low-mid-single digit at hard goods due to weakness across camping and water sports products besides persistent softness in firearm-related products. Sluggish hard goods category remains a deterrent to comps and top-line growth.
Additionally, Big 5 Sporting is witnessing margin constraints for a while now due to lower sales and higher costs. Gross margin contracted 110 basis points (bps) in the second quarter, on increased distribution and store occupancy costs as a percentage of net sales. This marked the third straight quarter of gross margin contraction, with a 200 bps and 280 bps decline witnessed in first-quarter 2018 and fourth-quarter 2017, respectively.
Though it reported operating income in the second quarter, it recorded operating loss in the prior two quarters. Contraction in margins has been significantly weighing on the company’s profitability, which is evident from its loss per share recorded in the last three quarters.
We note that Big 5 Sporting has delivered an average negative bottom-line surprise of 8.9% in the trailing four quarters. Also, the top line has lagged estimates in three of the last five quarters, including second-quarter 2018. Earnings per share are anticipated to be 14-24 cents for the third quarter, down from 28 cents earned in the year-ago period. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the impending quarter is pegged at 19 cents.
Intense competition from key players of sporting goods and other retailers on grounds of size, availability of financial and marketing resources, pricing strategies, among others might result in the loss of market share and adversely impact its business. Big 5 Sporting also remains exposed to the risks related to seasonal business.
Is There any Hope for a Turnaround?
Though the above-mentioned headwinds cannot be ignored, Big 5 Sporting's store-growth initiatives, technological advancements and merchandising strategy are encouraging. As part of its store-expansion strategy, it opened two stores in the second quarter and simultaneously shuttered two outlets, including one relocation. It expects to open nearly five stores and close three in 2018.
Additionally, the company’s exclusive merchandise strategy helped it retain a solid inventory position. Inventories improved 10.1% at the end of second-quarter 2018 from Dec 31, 2017.
Despite these positives, the company will surely take time to address the above headwinds and return to growth trajectory.
Five Below, Inc. (FIVE - Free Report) has an impressive long-term earnings growth rate of 28% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
Tractor Supply Company (TSCO - Free Report) , also a Zacks Rank #2 stock, has delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 3.4% in the trailing four quarters. It has a long-term earnings growth rate of 12.8%.
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.
Image: Bigstock
Big 5 Sporting Grappling With Headwinds: Should You Offload?
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (BGFV - Free Report) has been struggling with multiple headwinds like weak comparable-store sales (comps), sluggishness across the hard goods category and margin pressures. The company has dismal top- and bottom-line trends as well.
These factors have largely hurt investors’ confidence in the stock, as this Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) company’s shares have plunged 31.4% in the past three months. Meanwhile, the industry rallied 10.6%. The stock’s dismal run on bourses is also well reflected by a VGM Score of F. Let’s have a detailed look.
Factors Weighing on the Stock
Lower customer transactions, coupled with fall in sales at various product categories — hard goods, in particular, have been marring comps, which has witnessed a decline in the recent quarters. Comps dropped 2.1% in second-quarter 2018 against an increase of 0.9% in the year-ago quarter. Unfavorable weather in the company’s key markets during the highest summer selling season also hurt comps. Comps fell in a low-mid-single digit at hard goods due to weakness across camping and water sports products besides persistent softness in firearm-related products. Sluggish hard goods category remains a deterrent to comps and top-line growth.
Additionally, Big 5 Sporting is witnessing margin constraints for a while now due to lower sales and higher costs. Gross margin contracted 110 basis points (bps) in the second quarter, on increased distribution and store occupancy costs as a percentage of net sales. This marked the third straight quarter of gross margin contraction, with a 200 bps and 280 bps decline witnessed in first-quarter 2018 and fourth-quarter 2017, respectively.
Though it reported operating income in the second quarter, it recorded operating loss in the prior two quarters. Contraction in margins has been significantly weighing on the company’s profitability, which is evident from its loss per share recorded in the last three quarters.
We note that Big 5 Sporting has delivered an average negative bottom-line surprise of 8.9% in the trailing four quarters. Also, the top line has lagged estimates in three of the last five quarters, including second-quarter 2018. Earnings per share are anticipated to be 14-24 cents for the third quarter, down from 28 cents earned in the year-ago period. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the impending quarter is pegged at 19 cents.
Intense competition from key players of sporting goods and other retailers on grounds of size, availability of financial and marketing resources, pricing strategies, among others might result in the loss of market share and adversely impact its business. Big 5 Sporting also remains exposed to the risks related to seasonal business.
Is There any Hope for a Turnaround?
Though the above-mentioned headwinds cannot be ignored, Big 5 Sporting's store-growth initiatives, technological advancements and merchandising strategy are encouraging. As part of its store-expansion strategy, it opened two stores in the second quarter and simultaneously shuttered two outlets, including one relocation. It expects to open nearly five stores and close three in 2018.
Additionally, the company’s exclusive merchandise strategy helped it retain a solid inventory position. Inventories improved 10.1% at the end of second-quarter 2018 from Dec 31, 2017.
Despite these positives, the company will surely take time to address the above headwinds and return to growth trajectory.
Want Better-Ranked Retail Stocks? Check These
Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN - Free Report) has outpaced earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters by an average of 17.7%. Moreover, the company currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Five Below, Inc. (FIVE - Free Report) has an impressive long-term earnings growth rate of 28% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
Tractor Supply Company (TSCO - Free Report) , also a Zacks Rank #2 stock, has delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 3.4% in the trailing four quarters. It has a long-term earnings growth rate of 12.8%.
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 >>