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lululemon (LULU) Tops Q2 Earnings & Sales Estimates, Stock Up
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lululemon athletica inc. (LULU - Free Report) retained its positive streak in second-quarter fiscal 2019, with sales and earnings surpassing estimates and improving year over year. This marked its 10th consecutive earnings beat while sales topped estimates for the 15th straight quarter. As usual, results were bolstered by positive response to merchandise assortments along with continued investments to drive business growth.
lululemon is likely to witness strong momentum across the business while executing growth strategies. Consequently, management provided a solid view for the third quarter and raised fiscal 2019 guidance despite the anticipated impacts of tariff increases and airfreight costs.
Backed by the strong results and robust forward view, shares of lululemon rose nearly 4% in the after-hours trading session yesterday. Further, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has rallied 55% year to date, surpassing the industry’s 5.9% growth.
Q2 Numbers
lululemon posted adjusted earnings of 96 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 89 cents and up 35.2% from 71 cents in the year-ago quarter. Earnings gained from solid top-line growth along with gross margin gains and SG&A leverage.
lululemon athletica inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
The Vancouver, Canada-based company’s quarterly revenues advanced about 22% to $883.4 million and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $844.3 million. On a constant-dollar basis, revenues rose 23%, backed by strong execution across all parts of the business. The improvement can also be attributed to robust total comparable sales (comps) performance and addition of stores. However, currency headwinds impacted revenues by $8.4 million. Notably, e-commerce contributed $218 million to sales, representing about 24.6% of total sales.
Total comps, including comparable store sales and direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales, grew 15% and were up 17% in constant dollars. Comps growth was driven by rise in traffic and conversion rates across stores and online. Comparable store sales improved 10% (or an increase of 11% in constant dollars) while DTC sales grew 30% (or an increase of 31% in constant dollars).
Margins
Gross profit rose 23% to $485.8 million in second-quarter fiscal 2019. Moreover, gross margin expanded 20 basis points (bps) to 55% on a 90-bps improvement in the product margin partly offset by 20-bps deleverage of occupancy and depreciation expenses, and 30-bps increase in product and supply-chain costs. Additionally, gross margin included a negative currency impact of 20 bps. The product margin expansion was backed by reduced product costs, favorable product mix and lower markdowns, partly negated by incremental air freight costs incurred to evade the anticipated port congestions due to China tariffs. Further, higher product and supply-chain costs stemmed from the ongoing investments in supply chain and product development, including a new distribution center in Toronto.
SG&A expenses rose 21.3% to $317.8 million but declined 20 bps to 36%, as a percentage of sales. The SG&A leverage mainly resulted from a 90-bps decline in store costs and foreign exchange. Partly negated by 70 bps deleverage due to continued investments to strengthen business — including brand awareness, and initiatives to boost current and long-term growth.
Driven by gross margin growth and the SG&A leverage, operating income grew nearly 25% to $168 million while operating margin expanded 50 bps to 19%.
Store Updates
During the fiscal second quarter, the company opened five stores. Further, it completed eight store optimizations, including the inauguration of its experiential store in Lincoln Park. As of Aug 3, 2019, it operated 460 stores.
The company anticipates opening nearly 40-50 company-operated stores in fiscal 2019, including 30 in the international markets. Of the total store openings planned for the year, it expects about 15-20 stores in North America. Meanwhile, international openings will include about 10-15 stores in China and 5-10 stores across Europe.
Moreover, the company expects to open 22 stores in the fiscal third quarter.
Financials
lululemon exited the fiscal second quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $923.7 million, and stockholders' equity of $1,507.4 million. Inventories were up nearly 26% to $494.3 million.
As of Aug 4, 2019, cash from operating activities was $50 million. Further, it spent nearly $67 million toward capital expenditure in second-quarter fiscal 2019 mainly related to IT and supply-chain investments, and store capital for new locations, relocations and renovations.
During the fiscal second quarter, the company bought back 9,600 shares for $1.6 million, at an average price of $164.05 per share. As of Aug 3, 2019, it had nearly $336 million outstanding under its new $500-million share repurchase plan announced at the beginning of fiscal 2019.
Q3 Forecasts
For third-quarter fiscal 2019, lululemon anticipates revenues of $880-$890 million, with constant-dollar total comps expected to increase in the low-teens.
The company expects gross margin to be flat to increase marginally in the fiscal third quarter compared with the year-ago quarter. The soft gross margin will partly reflect impacts of the newly imposed China tariffs and additional costs to airfreight products.
Providing details on the estimated impacts of tariff and related air freight charges, the company stated that it expects these headwinds to have a negative impact of 4-5 cents on fiscal 2019 earnings within gross margin. Notably, the company incurred nearly 1 cent of these costs in the fiscal second quarter and expects the remaining 3-4 cent impact to be evenly spread in the third and fourth quarters. Despite these headwinds, the company is optimistic about opportunities to deliver further growth in product margins in the long run. It anticipates gains from the execution of strategies to aid supply chain and efficiencies of its distribution network along with benefits of scale to result in modest gross margin expansion annually through 2023.
Coming back to the fiscal third-quarter view, management anticipates SG&A expense rate to decline marginally, as it establishes a balance between investments for future growth and efficient cost management. lululemon envisions earnings of 90-92 cents per share for the fiscal third quarter compared with 71 cents recorded in the year-ago quarter. Effective tax rate is expected to be nearly 28%.
FY19 View
For fiscal 2019, the company now expects revenues of $3.8-$3.84 billion, up from $3.73-$3.77 billion mentioned earlier. It projects comps growth in the low-teens, on a constant-dollar basis. It expects modest gross margin expansion, driven by anticipated gains in product margins. Further, the company envisions modest SG&A expense leverage in fiscal 2019.
Earnings for the fiscal year are projected to be $4.63-$4.70 per share, up from $4.51-$4.58 stated earlier. As previously stated, earnings per share include about 4-5 cents of additional costs within gross margin related to tariffs and airfreight. Adjusted effective tax rate is expected to be 27.5% in fiscal 2019.
Capital expenditure for fiscal 2019 is estimated to be $275-$285 million. Capital spending will be directed to the ramp-up of store renovation and relocation programs, store openings, and investments in technology and other general infrastructure projects.
Guess Inc. (GES - Free Report) has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 17.5%. Moreover, it currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.
Delta Apparel, Inc. (DLA - Free Report) , also a Zacks Rank #1 stock, has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 15%.
Wall Street’s Next Amazon
Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius.
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lululemon (LULU) Tops Q2 Earnings & Sales Estimates, Stock Up
lululemon athletica inc. (LULU - Free Report) retained its positive streak in second-quarter fiscal 2019, with sales and earnings surpassing estimates and improving year over year. This marked its 10th consecutive earnings beat while sales topped estimates for the 15th straight quarter. As usual, results were bolstered by positive response to merchandise assortments along with continued investments to drive business growth.
lululemon is likely to witness strong momentum across the business while executing growth strategies. Consequently, management provided a solid view for the third quarter and raised fiscal 2019 guidance despite the anticipated impacts of tariff increases and airfreight costs.
Backed by the strong results and robust forward view, shares of lululemon rose nearly 4% in the after-hours trading session yesterday. Further, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has rallied 55% year to date, surpassing the industry’s 5.9% growth.
Q2 Numbers
lululemon posted adjusted earnings of 96 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 89 cents and up 35.2% from 71 cents in the year-ago quarter. Earnings gained from solid top-line growth along with gross margin gains and SG&A leverage.
lululemon athletica inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
lululemon athletica inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | lululemon athletica inc. Quote
The Vancouver, Canada-based company’s quarterly revenues advanced about 22% to $883.4 million and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $844.3 million. On a constant-dollar basis, revenues rose 23%, backed by strong execution across all parts of the business. The improvement can also be attributed to robust total comparable sales (comps) performance and addition of stores. However, currency headwinds impacted revenues by $8.4 million. Notably, e-commerce contributed $218 million to sales, representing about 24.6% of total sales.
Total comps, including comparable store sales and direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales, grew 15% and were up 17% in constant dollars. Comps growth was driven by rise in traffic and conversion rates across stores and online. Comparable store sales improved 10% (or an increase of 11% in constant dollars) while DTC sales grew 30% (or an increase of 31% in constant dollars).
Margins
Gross profit rose 23% to $485.8 million in second-quarter fiscal 2019. Moreover, gross margin expanded 20 basis points (bps) to 55% on a 90-bps improvement in the product margin partly offset by 20-bps deleverage of occupancy and depreciation expenses, and 30-bps increase in product and supply-chain costs. Additionally, gross margin included a negative currency impact of 20 bps. The product margin expansion was backed by reduced product costs, favorable product mix and lower markdowns, partly negated by incremental air freight costs incurred to evade the anticipated port congestions due to China tariffs. Further, higher product and supply-chain costs stemmed from the ongoing investments in supply chain and product development, including a new distribution center in Toronto.
SG&A expenses rose 21.3% to $317.8 million but declined 20 bps to 36%, as a percentage of sales. The SG&A leverage mainly resulted from a 90-bps decline in store costs and foreign exchange. Partly negated by 70 bps deleverage due to continued investments to strengthen business — including brand awareness, and initiatives to boost current and long-term growth.
Driven by gross margin growth and the SG&A leverage, operating income grew nearly 25% to $168 million while operating margin expanded 50 bps to 19%.
Store Updates
During the fiscal second quarter, the company opened five stores. Further, it completed eight store optimizations, including the inauguration of its experiential store in Lincoln Park. As of Aug 3, 2019, it operated 460 stores.
The company anticipates opening nearly 40-50 company-operated stores in fiscal 2019, including 30 in the international markets. Of the total store openings planned for the year, it expects about 15-20 stores in North America. Meanwhile, international openings will include about 10-15 stores in China and 5-10 stores across Europe.
Moreover, the company expects to open 22 stores in the fiscal third quarter.
Financials
lululemon exited the fiscal second quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $923.7 million, and stockholders' equity of $1,507.4 million. Inventories were up nearly 26% to $494.3 million.
As of Aug 4, 2019, cash from operating activities was $50 million. Further, it spent nearly $67 million toward capital expenditure in second-quarter fiscal 2019 mainly related to IT and supply-chain investments, and store capital for new locations, relocations and renovations.
During the fiscal second quarter, the company bought back 9,600 shares for $1.6 million, at an average price of $164.05 per share. As of Aug 3, 2019, it had nearly $336 million outstanding under its new $500-million share repurchase plan announced at the beginning of fiscal 2019.
Q3 Forecasts
For third-quarter fiscal 2019, lululemon anticipates revenues of $880-$890 million, with constant-dollar total comps expected to increase in the low-teens.
The company expects gross margin to be flat to increase marginally in the fiscal third quarter compared with the year-ago quarter. The soft gross margin will partly reflect impacts of the newly imposed China tariffs and additional costs to airfreight products.
Providing details on the estimated impacts of tariff and related air freight charges, the company stated that it expects these headwinds to have a negative impact of 4-5 cents on fiscal 2019 earnings within gross margin. Notably, the company incurred nearly 1 cent of these costs in the fiscal second quarter and expects the remaining 3-4 cent impact to be evenly spread in the third and fourth quarters. Despite these headwinds, the company is optimistic about opportunities to deliver further growth in product margins in the long run. It anticipates gains from the execution of strategies to aid supply chain and efficiencies of its distribution network along with benefits of scale to result in modest gross margin expansion annually through 2023.
Coming back to the fiscal third-quarter view, management anticipates SG&A expense rate to decline marginally, as it establishes a balance between investments for future growth and efficient cost management. lululemon envisions earnings of 90-92 cents per share for the fiscal third quarter compared with 71 cents recorded in the year-ago quarter. Effective tax rate is expected to be nearly 28%.
FY19 View
For fiscal 2019, the company now expects revenues of $3.8-$3.84 billion, up from $3.73-$3.77 billion mentioned earlier. It projects comps growth in the low-teens, on a constant-dollar basis. It expects modest gross margin expansion, driven by anticipated gains in product margins. Further, the company envisions modest SG&A expense leverage in fiscal 2019.
Earnings for the fiscal year are projected to be $4.63-$4.70 per share, up from $4.51-$4.58 stated earlier. As previously stated, earnings per share include about 4-5 cents of additional costs within gross margin related to tariffs and airfreight. Adjusted effective tax rate is expected to be 27.5% in fiscal 2019.
Capital expenditure for fiscal 2019 is estimated to be $275-$285 million. Capital spending will be directed to the ramp-up of store renovation and relocation programs, store openings, and investments in technology and other general infrastructure projects.
Looking for Better-Ranked Stocks? Look at These
Crocs Inc. (CROX - Free Report) has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 15%. It flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Guess Inc. (GES - Free Report) has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 17.5%. Moreover, it currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.
Delta Apparel, Inc. (DLA - Free Report) , also a Zacks Rank #1 stock, has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 15%.
Wall Street’s Next Amazon
Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius.
Click for details >>