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Michaels (MIK) Stock Up on Q2 Earnings Beat, Upbeat FY19 View
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The Michaels Companies, Inc. reported solid second-quarter fiscal 2019 results. Notably, the bottom line reverted to a positive surprise trend after registering in-line earnings in the previous quarter and also improved year over year. The top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, delivering third beat in the last four quarters.
Further, management raised earnings view for fiscal 2019 but lowered the sales forecast. Following the quarterly results and upbeat earnings outlook, shares of this Texas-based company jumped 11.8% on Aug 4. Adjusted earnings per share for fiscal 2019 are now envisioned to be $2.31-$2.42, up from $2.29-$2.41 anticipated earlier.
Meanwhile, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company remains focused on executing against its priorities to build momentum in the second half of fiscal 2019 and long term.
Q2 Numbers
Michaels’ adjusted earnings of 19 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 14 cents and improved 26.7% from the prior-year quarter. This upside can be mainly attributed to higher margins and lower operating expenses.
The Michaels Companies, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Net sales of this arts and crafts specialty retailer dipped 1.9% year over year to $1,033.7 million but outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,014 million. Sales declined year over year owing to impacts of the Pat Catan’s store closures in fiscal 2018, somewhat mitigated by a 0.3% rise in comparable store sales (comps) and sales from the operation of 11 net additional flagship stores in the fiscal second quarter.
Comps growth was backed by rise in average ticket, partly offset by decline in customer transactions. Moreover, the company delivered strong e-commerce sales again in the reported quarter fueled by higher traffic and conversion rates.
Gross profit slipped 1.7% year over year to $367 million, while gross margin increased 10 basis points (bps) to 35.5%. Higher gross margin was driven by gains from the pricing and sourcing efforts coupled with occupancy expense leverage. However, this uptick was offset by adverse impact of tariffs on inventory purchased from China as well as rise in promotional activity and a change in sales mix.
SG&A expenses, including pre-opening costs and restructure charges, decreased 1.1% to $295.7 million on lower expenses associated with the closure of Pat Catan’s. As a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses, including pre-opening costs, increased 20 bps to 28.6%.
Adjusted operating income grew nearly 5.8% to $75.2 million backed by higher gross profit and lower SG&A expense.
Store Update
During the fiscal second quarter, the company inaugurated four Michaels stores alongside closing two and relocating one. As of Aug 3, 2019, it operated 1,262 Michaels stores.
For fiscal 2019, the company intends to open 16 net flagship outlets, which include nearly 12 Pat Catan’s stores, which it plans to rebrand. Also, it expects to relocate 13 Michaels stores. In the fiscal third quarter, Michaels plans to open 13 flagship stores, of which 11 were Pat Catan’s. Simultaneously, it expects to shut down one and relocate five Michaels stores.
Financial Position
Michaels had cash and equivalents of $131 million, long-term debt of $2,655.4 million and total stockholders’ deficit of $1,587.6 million as of Aug 3, 2019. Total merchandise inventory fell 1.8% to $1,256.5 million at the end of the fiscal second quarter. However, average inventory per Michaels store inclusive of distribution centers, inventory in-transit and inventory for its e-commerce site grew 2.5%. This included a 170-bps negative impact of duties with respect to List 3 tariffs and higher inventory in-transit during fiscal 2019.
Management incurred capital expenditure of $32 million in second-quarter fiscal 2019 mainly due to investments in technology projects including investments for e-commerce and digital platforms as well as store-growth efforts. For fiscal 2019, Michaels expects to incur capital expenditure of about $135 million.
In the fiscal second quarter, the company bought back 3 million shares worth nearly $25.1 million under its share repurchase authorization. Following this, Michaels had an outstanding repurchase authorization of roughly $373 million.
Guidance
Management updated fiscal 2019 view, which reflects anticipation of lower sales in the back half of the fiscal year. For fiscal 2019, net sales are now projected to be $5.16-$5.19 billion, down from the prior estimate of $5.19-$5.24 billion and $5.27 billion generated in fiscal 2018. Comps are now anticipated to remain flat compared with the earlier projection of flat to up 1%.
Further, the company anticipates an uncertain tariff environment. It expects to incur applicable direct import product costs of $400-$500 million, when the List 4 China tariffs are totally implemented. However, any significant impact from the List 4 tariffs, based on the pace of turning the inventory, is not to be recognized till 2020. Moreover, management is relentlessly working to lower impacts of tariffs through sourcing actions, vendor negotiation, product reengineering and selective price increases.
Adjusted operating income is now estimated to be $625-$645 million for fiscal 2019 compared with $625-$650 million guided earlier. Due to transportation headwinds, adverse impact of tariffs and occupancy costs deleverages, the company expects gross margin for fiscal 2019 to be slightly below the fiscal 2018 levels.
However, gross margin is likely to somewhat gain from ongoing sourcing initiatives and improved management of promotions. Further, the company expects SG&A expense leverage in fiscal 2019 compared with fiscal 2018. This is mainly due to the absence of restructuring charges and investment spending of $16 million in the last fiscal coupled with higher cost savings realized in the previous quarter.
Interest expenses are expected to be about $153 million due to expectations of no additional tax increases this year. The effective tax rate for the fiscal year is expected between 23% and 24%.
For the fiscal third quarter, comps are projected to be flat to up 1%. Adjusted operating income is estimated to be $133-$142 million driven by expectations of flat rates for both gross margin and SG&A, as a percentage of sales, compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Gross margin is likely to reflect occupancy deleverage and the impact of tariffs compensated with sourcing benefits and discount management. Further, adjusted earnings per share are envisioned to be 46-51 cents.
Regis Corporation (RGS - Free Report) has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 7.5% and a Zacks Rank #1 at present.
Office Depot, Inc. (ODP - Free Report) , which presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 11.1%.
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Zacks special report revealing how investors can profit from this new opportunity. As more states legalize this activity, the industry could expand by as much as 15X. Zacks’ has just released a Special Report revealing 5 top stocks to watch in this space.
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Michaels (MIK) Stock Up on Q2 Earnings Beat, Upbeat FY19 View
The Michaels Companies, Inc. reported solid second-quarter fiscal 2019 results. Notably, the bottom line reverted to a positive surprise trend after registering in-line earnings in the previous quarter and also improved year over year. The top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, delivering third beat in the last four quarters.
Further, management raised earnings view for fiscal 2019 but lowered the sales forecast. Following the quarterly results and upbeat earnings outlook, shares of this Texas-based company jumped 11.8% on Aug 4. Adjusted earnings per share for fiscal 2019 are now envisioned to be $2.31-$2.42, up from $2.29-$2.41 anticipated earlier.
Meanwhile, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company remains focused on executing against its priorities to build momentum in the second half of fiscal 2019 and long term.
Q2 Numbers
Michaels’ adjusted earnings of 19 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 14 cents and improved 26.7% from the prior-year quarter. This upside can be mainly attributed to higher margins and lower operating expenses.
The Michaels Companies, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
The Michaels Companies, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | The Michaels Companies, Inc. Quote
Net sales of this arts and crafts specialty retailer dipped 1.9% year over year to $1,033.7 million but outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,014 million. Sales declined year over year owing to impacts of the Pat Catan’s store closures in fiscal 2018, somewhat mitigated by a 0.3% rise in comparable store sales (comps) and sales from the operation of 11 net additional flagship stores in the fiscal second quarter.
Comps growth was backed by rise in average ticket, partly offset by decline in customer transactions. Moreover, the company delivered strong e-commerce sales again in the reported quarter fueled by higher traffic and conversion rates.
Gross profit slipped 1.7% year over year to $367 million, while gross margin increased 10 basis points (bps) to 35.5%. Higher gross margin was driven by gains from the pricing and sourcing efforts coupled with occupancy expense leverage. However, this uptick was offset by adverse impact of tariffs on inventory purchased from China as well as rise in promotional activity and a change in sales mix.
SG&A expenses, including pre-opening costs and restructure charges, decreased 1.1% to $295.7 million on lower expenses associated with the closure of Pat Catan’s. As a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses, including pre-opening costs, increased 20 bps to 28.6%.
Adjusted operating income grew nearly 5.8% to $75.2 million backed by higher gross profit and lower SG&A expense.
Store Update
During the fiscal second quarter, the company inaugurated four Michaels stores alongside closing two and relocating one. As of Aug 3, 2019, it operated 1,262 Michaels stores.
For fiscal 2019, the company intends to open 16 net flagship outlets, which include nearly 12 Pat Catan’s stores, which it plans to rebrand. Also, it expects to relocate 13 Michaels stores. In the fiscal third quarter, Michaels plans to open 13 flagship stores, of which 11 were Pat Catan’s. Simultaneously, it expects to shut down one and relocate five Michaels stores.
Financial Position
Michaels had cash and equivalents of $131 million, long-term debt of $2,655.4 million and total stockholders’ deficit of $1,587.6 million as of Aug 3, 2019. Total merchandise inventory fell 1.8% to $1,256.5 million at the end of the fiscal second quarter. However, average inventory per Michaels store inclusive of distribution centers, inventory in-transit and inventory for its e-commerce site grew 2.5%. This included a 170-bps negative impact of duties with respect to List 3 tariffs and higher inventory in-transit during fiscal 2019.
Management incurred capital expenditure of $32 million in second-quarter fiscal 2019 mainly due to investments in technology projects including investments for e-commerce and digital platforms as well as store-growth efforts. For fiscal 2019, Michaels expects to incur capital expenditure of about $135 million.
In the fiscal second quarter, the company bought back 3 million shares worth nearly $25.1 million under its share repurchase authorization. Following this, Michaels had an outstanding repurchase authorization of roughly $373 million.
Guidance
Management updated fiscal 2019 view, which reflects anticipation of lower sales in the back half of the fiscal year. For fiscal 2019, net sales are now projected to be $5.16-$5.19 billion, down from the prior estimate of $5.19-$5.24 billion and $5.27 billion generated in fiscal 2018. Comps are now anticipated to remain flat compared with the earlier projection of flat to up 1%.
Further, the company anticipates an uncertain tariff environment. It expects to incur applicable direct import product costs of $400-$500 million, when the List 4 China tariffs are totally implemented. However, any significant impact from the List 4 tariffs, based on the pace of turning the inventory, is not to be recognized till 2020. Moreover, management is relentlessly working to lower impacts of tariffs through sourcing actions, vendor negotiation, product reengineering and selective price increases.
Adjusted operating income is now estimated to be $625-$645 million for fiscal 2019 compared with $625-$650 million guided earlier. Due to transportation headwinds, adverse impact of tariffs and occupancy costs deleverages, the company expects gross margin for fiscal 2019 to be slightly below the fiscal 2018 levels.
However, gross margin is likely to somewhat gain from ongoing sourcing initiatives and improved management of promotions. Further, the company expects SG&A expense leverage in fiscal 2019 compared with fiscal 2018. This is mainly due to the absence of restructuring charges and investment spending of $16 million in the last fiscal coupled with higher cost savings realized in the previous quarter.
Interest expenses are expected to be about $153 million due to expectations of no additional tax increases this year. The effective tax rate for the fiscal year is expected between 23% and 24%.
For the fiscal third quarter, comps are projected to be flat to up 1%. Adjusted operating income is estimated to be $133-$142 million driven by expectations of flat rates for both gross margin and SG&A, as a percentage of sales, compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Gross margin is likely to reflect occupancy deleverage and the impact of tariffs compensated with sourcing benefits and discount management. Further, adjusted earnings per share are envisioned to be 46-51 cents.
3 Better-Ranked Stocks in the Same Space
Hibbett Sports Inc. (HIBB - Free Report) has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 10.9%. The company currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Regis Corporation (RGS - Free Report) has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 7.5% and a Zacks Rank #1 at present.
Office Depot, Inc. (ODP - Free Report) , which presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 11.1%.
It’s Illegal in 42 States, But Investors Will Make Billions Legally
In addition to the companies you read about above, today you get details on the newly-legalized industry that’s tapping into a “habit” that Americans spend an estimated $150 billion on every year.
That’s twice as much as they spend on marijuana, legally or otherwise.
Zacks special report revealing how investors can profit from this new opportunity. As more states legalize this activity, the industry could expand by as much as 15X. Zacks’ has just released a Special Report revealing 5 top stocks to watch in this space.
See these 5 “sin stocks” now>>