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Foot Locker, Inc. (FL - Free Report) is focused on boosting investor sentiment through several growth initiatives and shareholder-friendly moves. To this end, the company announced a 5% hike in its quarterly cash dividend to 40 cents per share ($1.60 annually). The new dividend is payable on May 1, 2020 to shareholders on record as of Apr 17. Notably, this marks the company’s 10th straight year of dividend increase.
We appreciate Foot Locker’s efforts to enhance long-term shareholder value. Markedly, dividend hikes not only boost shareholder returns but also raise market value of the stock. Through this strategy, companies try to win investors and persuade them to either buy or hold the scrip instead of selling it.
Foot Locker’s share repurchases are opportunistic and made when the company sees value. During third-quarter fiscal 2019, management recognized opportunity and bought back nearly 4.6 million shares worth $178 million. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2019, it repurchased 7.5 million shares for about $300 million. Encouragingly, the company returned $425 million via dividends and share buybacks in the first nine months of fiscal 2019.
Simultaneously, the company’s board of directors approved a $275-million capital expenditure plan for fiscal 2020, targeting to deliver organic growth across its business. Management informed that it spent roughly $187 million in fiscal 2019.
Planned investment for next fiscal signifies higher spending toward community-based power stores in markets worldwide, apart from investments to enhance core stores. Through this spending, the company will continue focusing on digital advancement and enhancement of its U.S. supply chain.
Foot Locker’s primary focus is developing digital competencies and supply chain. Its digital endeavors comprise improvement of mobile and web platforms, implementation of new point-of-sale software worldwide, and expansion of data analytics capabilities. Apart from these, the company plans to spend a major portion of the capital on its fleet of stores, including revamping and remodeling of the same. Further, it is exploring off-mall retail formats opportunities and executing shop-in-shop spaces in collaboration with vendors.
Wrapping Up
We note that this New York-based company’s shares have lost 3.9% against the industry’s 8.9% growth in the past three months.
The stock was hit by management’s soft view for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, issued during third-quarter earnings call. Management projected fourth-quarter comparable-store sales to be relatively flat, which indicates soft trends in its apparel business and the challenging comparison to year-ago quarter’s 9.7% increase. Moreover, fourth-quarter gross margin is likely to witness contraction of 10-30 basis points.
Nevertheless, we expect the aforementioned dividend-hike announcement to please investors and provide a cushion to this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock.
Stitch Fix, Inc. (SFIX - Free Report) has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 15% and a Zacks Rank of 1.
Zumiez (ZUMZ - Free Report) , also a Zacks Rank #1 stock, has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 12%.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
Image: Bigstock
Foot Locker (FL) Enhances Shareholder Returns, Hikes Dividend
Foot Locker, Inc. (FL - Free Report) is focused on boosting investor sentiment through several growth initiatives and shareholder-friendly moves. To this end, the company announced a 5% hike in its quarterly cash dividend to 40 cents per share ($1.60 annually). The new dividend is payable on May 1, 2020 to shareholders on record as of Apr 17. Notably, this marks the company’s 10th straight year of dividend increase.
We appreciate Foot Locker’s efforts to enhance long-term shareholder value. Markedly, dividend hikes not only boost shareholder returns but also raise market value of the stock. Through this strategy, companies try to win investors and persuade them to either buy or hold the scrip instead of selling it.
Foot Locker’s share repurchases are opportunistic and made when the company sees value. During third-quarter fiscal 2019, management recognized opportunity and bought back nearly 4.6 million shares worth $178 million. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2019, it repurchased 7.5 million shares for about $300 million. Encouragingly, the company returned $425 million via dividends and share buybacks in the first nine months of fiscal 2019.
Simultaneously, the company’s board of directors approved a $275-million capital expenditure plan for fiscal 2020, targeting to deliver organic growth across its business. Management informed that it spent roughly $187 million in fiscal 2019.
Planned investment for next fiscal signifies higher spending toward community-based power stores in markets worldwide, apart from investments to enhance core stores. Through this spending, the company will continue focusing on digital advancement and enhancement of its U.S. supply chain.
Foot Locker’s primary focus is developing digital competencies and supply chain. Its digital endeavors comprise improvement of mobile and web platforms, implementation of new point-of-sale software worldwide, and expansion of data analytics capabilities. Apart from these, the company plans to spend a major portion of the capital on its fleet of stores, including revamping and remodeling of the same. Further, it is exploring off-mall retail formats opportunities and executing shop-in-shop spaces in collaboration with vendors.
Wrapping Up
We note that this New York-based company’s shares have lost 3.9% against the industry’s 8.9% growth in the past three months.
The stock was hit by management’s soft view for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, issued during third-quarter earnings call. Management projected fourth-quarter comparable-store sales to be relatively flat, which indicates soft trends in its apparel business and the challenging comparison to year-ago quarter’s 9.7% increase. Moreover, fourth-quarter gross margin is likely to witness contraction of 10-30 basis points.
Nevertheless, we expect the aforementioned dividend-hike announcement to please investors and provide a cushion to this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock.
Key Stocks to Consider in Retail
Chico's FAS, Inc. has an impressive long-term earnings growth rate of 15% and currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Stitch Fix, Inc. (SFIX - Free Report) has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 15% and a Zacks Rank of 1.
Zumiez (ZUMZ - Free Report) , also a Zacks Rank #1 stock, has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 12%.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
See 8 breakthrough stocks now>>