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.
Rent-A-Center, Zagg and Microsoft highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day
Read MoreHide Full Article
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – October 4, 2019 – Zacks Equity Research Rent-A-Center as the Bull of the Day, Zagg asthe Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) .
Rent-A-Center is a rent-to-own industry leader based in Plano, Texas that provides consumer electronics, appliances, computers, furniture, and accessories under flexible rental purchase agreements with no long-term obligation.
Solid Q2 Results
Back in August, Rent-A-Center reported earnings of 60 cents a share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate thanks to low operating expenses and reduced interest expenses during the quarter. Total revenue reached $655.9 million, while same-store sales grew 5.8%, marking the 10th straight quarter of comps improvement.
Revenues at RCII’s Core U.S. segment declined around 1% to $451.1 million, but the decrease was offset by the company’s strong comps performance. And thanks to its refranchising efforts (Rent-A-Center is selling off over 80 locations), Franchising revenues surged to $14.9 million.
As a result, management lifted its view for fiscal 2019, and now expects same-store sales growth in the mid-single digits and consolidated revenues to improve.
RCII on the Rise
Shares of Rent-A-Center have soared this year, gaining roughly 56% compared to the S&P 500’s return of roughly 15.3%. Earnings estimates have also been rising, and RCII is now a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
For the current fiscal year, seven analysts have revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has risen 19 cents from $2.08 to $2.27; earnings could see almost 115% year-over-year growth. 2020 looks pretty strong too, with earnings and revenue expected to continue positive year-over-year growth.
RCII currently trades around 11.4X its forward full-year earnings estimates, a discount compared to the broader Consumer Discretionary market. Investors may see further upside to shares if Rent-A-Center continues to improve its financial position and expand its digital growth initiatives.
Zagg is a company that designs protective clear coverings and accessories for consumer electronic and hand-held devices. Its flagship brand, the invisibleSHIELD, is a protective, high-tech patented film covering, designed for Apple iPhones, laptops, cell phones, digital cameras, PDAs, watch faces, GPS systems, gaming devices and other products.
Q2 Earnings Disappoint
Diluted operating loss of 9 cents per share matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while revenues of $106.8 million fell 10% year-over-year. This decrease in total sales was primarily due to a pull forward of product shipments into Q4 2018 to try and offset a potential tariff increase. Gross profit increased to $37.8 million, or 35% of net sales, while operating expenses grew 35% to $44 million.
In the earnings release, CEO Chris Ahern talked about the “pressure [Zagg is] experiencing in [its] core business as the result of a decline in consumer demand for smartphone devices the market has experienced this year.”
Analysts have turned bearish on Zagg, with two cutting estimates in the last 60 days for fiscal 2019. Earnings are expected to decline over 56% for the year, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has dropped 81 cents during that same time period from $1.44 to $0.63 per share. This sentiment has stretched into 2020. While earnings could see positive growth, our consensus estimate has dropped 51 cents in the past two months. ZAGG is now a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
Shares of the electronics stock have slumped nearly 36% since January compared to the S&P 500’s gain of about 15.3%.
Bottom Line
In order to improve profitability, Zagg is implementing a number of cost savings initiatives like headcount reductions, reducing the amount of operating expense categories, and speeding up “cost synergies” from its recent acquisitions into this year.
But, management did say that it is “exploring strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value” with the help of BofA Merrill Lynch, so until the company figures out its next moves, it’s probably best to stay away.
Big Surprise at Microsoft's 2019 Surface Event
Microsoft’s productivity-focused Surface hardware hasn’t been taking huge market share, so it isn’t the kind of thing that’s made a lot of headlines. The business has grown, however, and currently generates over $5 billion in revenue. So it does appear that management knows what they’re doing with this group.
In that context, the company’s two new products, to be launched in time for the 2020 holiday season, probably need to be taken seriously. As CEO Satya Nadella says, “The operating system is no longer the most important layer for us.” Instead, “what is most important for us is the app model and the experience. How people are going to write apps for Duo and Neo will have a lot more to do with each other than just writing a Windows app or an Android app, because it’s going to be about the Microsoft graph.”
These two new products supposedly comprise a new product category, not tablets, not laptops, not phones and not foldables. But they’ll have two screens, to facilitate multi-tasking (the company’s experience with the way people use its technology probably shows just how much multi-tasking people normally do).
And while the smaller one (Duo) will run Android, make and receive calls and fit in your pocket, the larger one (Neo), will run on Windows 10X, a dual-screen optimized version of its OS. The screens can fold all the way back to touch each other and you can also magnetically mount a keyboard onto the front or back if you want to use it. Or put it aside to just use one of the screens as a touchscreen.
The whole idea was to give as little detail as possible to the competition about the specs, camera, price, etc, which along with the long time before launch leads me to think that this is Microsoft’s way of sending out feelers to its customer base and developer community. The designs will likely be finalized after some chitchat with the groups involved, so the chances of their failure are minimized.
Microsoft has reason to be concerned about that because of the miserable failure of its attempts at a Windows Phone. So this time, it’s showcasing all the functions of a phone plus more, while calling the 5 by 8 something-inch device a “Surface.” Obviously, people will make the connection and call it a Surface phone. Even if Microsoft keeps harping on the “plus more” part that links it to its Surface lineup.
But Microsoft didn’t just announce things for next year. It also said that there’ll be some laptops and earbuds for this holiday season. So stay tuned.
Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss.This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Rent-A-Center, Zagg and Microsoft highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – October 4, 2019 – Zacks Equity Research Rent-A-Center as the Bull of the Day, Zagg asthe Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) .
Here is a synopsis of all three stocks:
Bull of the Day:
Rent-A-Center is a rent-to-own industry leader based in Plano, Texas that provides consumer electronics, appliances, computers, furniture, and accessories under flexible rental purchase agreements with no long-term obligation.
Solid Q2 Results
Back in August, Rent-A-Center reported earnings of 60 cents a share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate thanks to low operating expenses and reduced interest expenses during the quarter. Total revenue reached $655.9 million, while same-store sales grew 5.8%, marking the 10th straight quarter of comps improvement.
Revenues at RCII’s Core U.S. segment declined around 1% to $451.1 million, but the decrease was offset by the company’s strong comps performance. And thanks to its refranchising efforts (Rent-A-Center is selling off over 80 locations), Franchising revenues surged to $14.9 million.
As a result, management lifted its view for fiscal 2019, and now expects same-store sales growth in the mid-single digits and consolidated revenues to improve.
RCII on the Rise
Shares of Rent-A-Center have soared this year, gaining roughly 56% compared to the S&P 500’s return of roughly 15.3%. Earnings estimates have also been rising, and RCII is now a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
For the current fiscal year, seven analysts have revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has risen 19 cents from $2.08 to $2.27; earnings could see almost 115% year-over-year growth. 2020 looks pretty strong too, with earnings and revenue expected to continue positive year-over-year growth.
RCII currently trades around 11.4X its forward full-year earnings estimates, a discount compared to the broader Consumer Discretionary market. Investors may see further upside to shares if Rent-A-Center continues to improve its financial position and expand its digital growth initiatives.
Bear of the Day:
Zagg is a company that designs protective clear coverings and accessories for consumer electronic and hand-held devices. Its flagship brand, the invisibleSHIELD, is a protective, high-tech patented film covering, designed for Apple iPhones, laptops, cell phones, digital cameras, PDAs, watch faces, GPS systems, gaming devices and other products.
Q2 Earnings Disappoint
Diluted operating loss of 9 cents per share matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while revenues of $106.8 million fell 10% year-over-year. This decrease in total sales was primarily due to a pull forward of product shipments into Q4 2018 to try and offset a potential tariff increase. Gross profit increased to $37.8 million, or 35% of net sales, while operating expenses grew 35% to $44 million.
In the earnings release, CEO Chris Ahern talked about the “pressure [Zagg is] experiencing in [its] core business as the result of a decline in consumer demand for smartphone devices the market has experienced this year.”
Analysts have turned bearish on Zagg, with two cutting estimates in the last 60 days for fiscal 2019. Earnings are expected to decline over 56% for the year, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has dropped 81 cents during that same time period from $1.44 to $0.63 per share. This sentiment has stretched into 2020. While earnings could see positive growth, our consensus estimate has dropped 51 cents in the past two months.
ZAGG is now a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
Shares of the electronics stock have slumped nearly 36% since January compared to the S&P 500’s gain of about 15.3%.
Bottom Line
In order to improve profitability, Zagg is implementing a number of cost savings initiatives like headcount reductions, reducing the amount of operating expense categories, and speeding up “cost synergies” from its recent acquisitions into this year.
But, management did say that it is “exploring strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value” with the help of BofA Merrill Lynch, so until the company figures out its next moves, it’s probably best to stay away.
Big Surprise at Microsoft's 2019 Surface Event
Microsoft’s productivity-focused Surface hardware hasn’t been taking huge market share, so it isn’t the kind of thing that’s made a lot of headlines. The business has grown, however, and currently generates over $5 billion in revenue. So it does appear that management knows what they’re doing with this group.
In that context, the company’s two new products, to be launched in time for the 2020 holiday season, probably need to be taken seriously. As CEO Satya Nadella says, “The operating system is no longer the most important layer for us.” Instead, “what is most important for us is the app model and the experience. How people are going to write apps for Duo and Neo will have a lot more to do with each other than just writing a Windows app or an Android app, because it’s going to be about the Microsoft graph.”
These two new products supposedly comprise a new product category, not tablets, not laptops, not phones and not foldables. But they’ll have two screens, to facilitate multi-tasking (the company’s experience with the way people use its technology probably shows just how much multi-tasking people normally do).
And while the smaller one (Duo) will run Android, make and receive calls and fit in your pocket, the larger one (Neo), will run on Windows 10X, a dual-screen optimized version of its OS. The screens can fold all the way back to touch each other and you can also magnetically mount a keyboard onto the front or back if you want to use it. Or put it aside to just use one of the screens as a touchscreen.
The whole idea was to give as little detail as possible to the competition about the specs, camera, price, etc, which along with the long time before launch leads me to think that this is Microsoft’s way of sending out feelers to its customer base and developer community. The designs will likely be finalized after some chitchat with the groups involved, so the chances of their failure are minimized.
Microsoft has reason to be concerned about that because of the miserable failure of its attempts at a Windows Phone. So this time, it’s showcasing all the functions of a phone plus more, while calling the 5 by 8 something-inch device a “Surface.” Obviously, people will make the connection and call it a Surface phone. Even if Microsoft keeps harping on the “plus more” part that links it to its Surface lineup.
But Microsoft didn’t just announce things for next year. It also said that there’ll be some laptops and earbuds for this holiday season. So stay tuned.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
https://www.zacks.com
Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss.This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.