Limited Brands a Penny Ahead - Analyst Blog
May 19 2011 - 9:38AM
Zacks
Limited Brands, Inc. (LTD), a specialty
retailer of women’s intimate and other apparel, beauty and personal
care products, recently posted first-quarter 2011 results. The
quarterly earnings of 40 cents a share came a penny ahead of the
Zacks Consensus Estimate, but rose 60% from 25 cents earned in the
prior-year quarter riding on improving sales environment.
The quarterly earnings also came ahead of the company’s guidance
range of 37 cents to 39 cents a share.
Let’s Dig Deep
Limited Brands, which competes with Gap Inc.
(GPS) and Hanesbrands Inc. (HBI), posted net sales
of $2,217 million that climbed 14.8% from the prior-year quarter,
but fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,219
million.
Comparable-store sales for the quarter jumped 15% compared with
10% registered in the year-earlier quarter. Comps rose 12% in
February, 14% in March and 20% in April.
The consumers, who cut back their discretionary spending during
the recession, are now gradually loosening their wallets.
Sales at Victoria’s Secret Stores & Victoria’s Secret Beauty
increased 19% to $987 million, whereas comps were also up by
19%. Victoria's Secret Direct sales jumped 5% to $369 million, and
comps also rose 5%. La Senza comps tumbled 4% during the
quarter.
Total Victoria Secret sales grew 14.2% to $1,443.8 million
driven by a 17% rise in comps. Bath & Body Works & The
White Barn Candle Co.’s total sales were up 11.5% to
$479.7 million with an 11% increase in comps.
Despite an 11.2% increase in cost of goods sold, buying and
occupancy, gross profit for the quarter surged 21.2% to $841.7
million, aided by an increase in the top-line, whereas gross margin
expanded 210 basis points to 38%. Operating income soared 44.2% to
$266.8 million, whereas operating margin expanded 240 basis points
to 12%.
Let’s Walk Through Guidance
Management now expects the second quarter earnings in the range
of 38 cents to 43 cents and fiscal 2011 earnings between $2.25 and
$2.45 per share. The current Zacks Consensus Estimates for the
second quarter is 43 cents and for fiscal 2011 is $2.43 per
share.
Earlier, Limited Brands has projected fiscal 2011 earnings
between $2.15 and $2.35 per share.
Limited Brands now expects comparable-store sales for the second
quarter and fiscal 2011 to be up in the low to mid-single-digit
range.
Other Financial Details
Limited Brands ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents
of $1,557.4 million, long-term debt of 3,509.5 million, reflecting
debt-to-capitalization ratio of 75.7%, and shareholders’ equity of
$1,127.4 million.
Capital expenditures for the quarter were $76.7 million.
Management anticipates capital expenditures between $400 million
and $425 million for fiscal 2011, and expects to generate free cash
flows of $650 million.
Our View
Limited Brands’ sustained focus on cost containment, inventory
management, and merchandise initiatives has kept it afloat in a
sluggish retail environment, as evident from its first-quarter 2011
results. The company’s Bath & Body Works segment is
gaining traction, driven by a rise in store transactions,
enhancement in the direct channel business and growth from new
stores.
Victoria’s Secret Stores has been performing well, and the
company is also in a constant process of revamping its La Senza
brand. Limited Brands is keen to enhance its retail footprint
across the globe by expanding aggressively in Canada, and other
international markets. However, stiff competition and erratic
consumer behavior remain matters of concern.
Currently, we have a long-term Neutral rating on Limited Brands,
which operates 2,956 stores. Moreover, the stock holds Zacks #2
Rank, which translates into a short-term Buy recommendation.
GAP INC (GPS): Free Stock Analysis Report
HANESBRANDS INC (HBI): Free Stock Analysis Report
LIMITED INC (LTD): Free Stock Analysis Report
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