Abercrombie & Fitch Co. ANF began fiscal 2015 on a dismal note as both its first-quarter top and bottom lines failed to meet estimates and deteriorated year over year.
The company’s adjusted loss of 53 cents per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 was wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 34 cents. Moreover, the loss widened significantly from the year-ago loss of 17 cents.
Including certain one-time items, Abercrombie posted a loss of 91 cents per share, which compared unfavorably with a loss of 32 cents recorded in the same period a year ago.
The company is implementing several steps to enhance its business, including improving its leadership team and organizational structure; optimizing store fleet by introducing stores in high-performing markets, while closing the underperforming ones; developing omni-channel capacities and focusing on key merchandise and design processes. Management stated that the first quarter was a tough one as the company is in the early stages of these undertakings. Also, foreign currency headwinds hurt results.
Quarter in Detail
Battered by adverse currency headwinds and an 8% decline in comparable store sales (comps), net sales of this Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) company slumped about 14% year over year to $709.4 million. Moreover, quarterly revenues fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $734 million.
The fall in net sales reflects an 11% drop in domestic sales and an 18% slump in international sales, to $448.9 million and $260.5 million, respectively.
Further, net sales of the company received 23% contribution from its direct-to-consumer and omni-channel businesses.
In the first quarter, the company realigned its segments, following which it reports under two segments: Abercrombie (including Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids brands), and Hollister.
Brand-wise, Abercrombie’s and Hollister’s comparable sales descended 9% and 6%, respectively. The company’s Abercrombie and Hollister brands generated revenues of $340 million and $369 million, respectively.
Adjusted gross margin improved 70 basis points (bps) to 61.8%, mainly backed by lower average unit costs. Adjusted marketing, general and administrative expenses fell 7.5% to $105.8 million on account of the company’s cost-containment initiatives.
Financials
Abercrombie ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $383.2 million, gross borrowings of $298.5 million and shareholders’ equity of $1,307.3 million. As of May 2, 2015, inventories were approximately $441 million, down nearly 9% from the prior-year quarter.
On May 21, management declared a quarterly cash dividend of 20 cents a share, payable on Jun 10 to shareholders on record as of Jun 2, 2015.
Store Update
The company ended the quarter with a total of 962 stores, including 789 stores in the U.S. and 173 internationally. During the reported quarter, the company opened three stores each, in the U.S. and globally. Additionally, it closed 13 domestic stores.
During fiscal 2015, Abercrombie intends to open about 17 full-price international outlets and 5 North American full-price outlets. Also, the company plans to open about nine U.S. outlet stores during the fiscal. Store closures in the U.S., due to lease expirations, are expected to total about 60, during fiscal 2015.
Outlook
Following a disappointing first quarter, Abercrombie provided its outlook for fiscal 2015, during which it expects to be adversely impacted by foreign currency headwinds.
Management expects comps to display a sequential improvement in both the second quarter and the second half of fiscal 2015. Gross margin in the fiscal is anticipated to remain flat or rise marginally, while operating expenses are expected to decline by about $140 million year over year.
Also, for fiscal 2015, the company anticipates capital expenditure of nearly $150 million, directed toward store openings, direct-to-consumer and technological initiatives.
Stocks to Consider
Better-ranked stocks in the same industry include American Eagle Outfitters Inc. AEO, with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Bebe Stores, Inc. BEBE and Citi Trends Inc. CTRN, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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