Market Update

Affirm Quarterly Loss Widens, Annual Guidance Disappoints

Scott Peters
26 Aug, 2022
New York City

Affirm Holdings Inc plunged 21.4% to $24.55 after the installment plan lending services provider's annual outlook disappointed investors. 

The company said revenues in the fiscal fourth quarter ending in June soared 39% to $364.1 million. 

Net loss in the quarter widened to $186.4 million from $123.4 million a year ago or diluted loss per share surged to 85 cents from 46 cents a year ago.  

The company said gross merchandise value rose to $4.4 billion from $2.5 billion a year ago in the quarter. 

The stock plunged after the company estimated fiscal year 2023 and fiscal first quarter revenues shy of investor's expectations. 

The company forecasted gross merchandise value between $4.2 billion and $4.4 billion in the fiscal first quarter 2023 ending in September 2022. 

The company estimated revenues in the fiscal year first quarter 2023 to range between $345 million and $365 million and in the full-year 2023 between $1.625 billion and $1.725 billion. 

Movers: Affirm, Electronic Arts, Farfetch, Gap Inc, Micro Focus, Ulta Beauty, Workday

Barry Adams
26 Aug, 2022
New York City

Stocks on Wall Street traded lower after Fed Chairman Powell reiterated the central bank's commitment in bringing down inflation sooner than later.

In an eight minute short speech, Chairman Powell delivered a forceful reminder of the need to fight inflation now despite the pain it is likely to inflict on the economy.

Chairman Powell forcefully reiterated the central bank's commitment in aggressively fighting the four-decade high inflation before it entrenched and spread to a wider economy.

Stock markets turned sharply lower after Powell's comments and bond yields jumped above 3%.

The S&P 500 index declined 1.5% to 4,137.15 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.7% to 12,414.95.

Futures of crude oil decreased 12 cents to $92.40 a barrel but natural gas rose 12 cents to $9.46 a thermal unit.

The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes rose to 3.056% and on 2-year notes gained to 3.415%.

Affirm Holdings Inc plunged 21.4% to $24.55 after the installment plan lending services provider said revenues in fiscal fourth quarter ending in June soared 39% to $364.1 million. 

Net loss in the quarter widened to $186.4 million from $123.4 million a year ago or diluted loss per share surged to 85 cents from 46 cents a year ago.  

The company said gross merchandise value rose to $4.4 billion from $2.5 billion a year ago in the quarter and estimated between $4.2 billion and $4.4 billion in the fiscal first quarter 2023.   

The stock plunged after the company estimated fiscal first quarter revenues shy of investor's expectations. 

Revenues in fiscal year first quarter 2023 to range between $345 million and $365 million and in the full-year 2023 between $1.625 billion and $1.725 billion. 

Electronic Arts Inc jumped 6.1% to $135.11 after a report in Swedish media suggested that Amazon.com is likely to make an offer to acquire the game publisher as early as today.

Amazon.com and Electronic Arts spokespersons declined to comment. 

Farfetch Ltd soared 25.1% to $11.94 after the online luxury fashion retailer reported stronger-than-anticipated quarterly results and smaller loss.

The luxury fashion platform operator said revenues in the second quarter increased to $499.4 million from $439.4 million a year ago. 

Gross profit margin increased to 46.2% from 44% a year ago. 

Operating loss increased to $167.6 million from $150.3 million a year ago and diluted loss per share rose to 50 cents from 31 cents a year ago. 

Gross merchandise value increased 1.3% in the second quarter to $1.20 billion from $1.01 billion a year ago. 

Gap Inc, after rising as much as 6%, declined 1.20% to 9.84 after the apparel retailer reported rising sales at its Banana Republic chain. 

Second quarter revenues fell 8% to $3.86 billion and comparable sales across all divisions declined 10%. 

Merchandise margin declined 850 basis points on inventories impairment charges and incremental air freight costs. 

Gap Inc swung to a net loss of $49 million from a profit of $258 million and swung to a diluted loss per share of 13 cents from a diluted profit of 67 cents a year ago.  

Gap also withdrew its 2022 outlook citing macroeconomic challenges, company management changed and CEO transition. 

The retailer also added that growth in inventories in the third quarter "to moderate substantially" and the company is targeting negative inventories by the end of last year "as a result of its inventory actions, reduction of receipts, and anniversary of higher in-transit levels last year."

Micro Focus International soared 93% to 519.0 pence in London trading after the Canada-based OpenText agreed to acquire the enterprise software maker for $6 billion including debt.

OpenText declined 12.7% to $32.73. 

Ulta Beauty Inc fell 1.3% to $413.88 after the company's latest quarterly results exceeded expectations and also issued a positive outlook for the year.

Fiscal year second quarter revenues increased to $2.3 billion from $1.97 billion a year ago. 

Same store sales growth plunged to 14.4% from 56.3% a year ago as stimulus and pandemic relief payment lapped. 

Gross profit as a percentage of sales was 40.4% compared to 40.6% a year ago. 

Net income increased 17.8% to $295.7 million compared to $250.9 million and diluted earnings rose to $5.70 from $4.56 a year ago. 

The cosmetic retailer and beauty salon lifted annual sales outlook to between $9.65 billion and $9.75 billion from the previous estimate between $9.35 billion and $9.55 billion.  

Workday Inc increased 2.7% to $166.83 after the human resource software company said fiscal year second quarter total revenues increased 21.9% to $1.54 billion. 

The company swung to a net loss of $64.2 million from a profit of $105.7 million a year ago. 

Diluted loss per share in the quarter was 25 cents compared to a profit of 43 cents a year ago.

In the second quarter, operating cash flow fell sharply to $114.4 million from $198.5 million a year ago. 

The PCE Price Index Eases in July

Brian Turner
26 Aug, 2022
New York City

A closely watched measure of inflation fell slightly in July and personal income and outlays increased at a slower pace. 

Personal income and disposable personal income rose 0.2% in July, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis report Friday. 

Personal consumption expenditures price index increased at a slower pace of 6.3% in July after rising at 6.8% in June. 

On a monthly basis, the index declined 0.1% from June.  

Core PCE index, which excludes food and energy prices, rose 4.6% on an annual basis and increased 0.1% on a monthly basis. 

Two weeks ago the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that consumer price index in July rose at a slower pace of 8.5% from a year ago and was unchanged from June. 

"Inflation is running well above 2%, and high inflation has continued to spread through the economy. 

While the lower inflation readings for July are welcome, a single month's improvement falls far short of what the Committee will need to see before we are confident that inflation is moving down." commented Chairman Powell during his prepared speech delivered at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium Friday. 

the PCE price index, the preferred measure, generally understates inflation pressures in the economy and assumes the product substitutions made by consumers to combat higher prices. 

This alternative measure of inflation understates the broader inflation forces in the U.S. economy and accounts for lower living standards that inflation forces on consumers as the benchmark. 

Fed Chairman Powell Reiterates Aggressive Stance On Inflation

Brian Turner
26 Aug, 2022
New York City

In an eight minute short speech, Chairman Powell delivered a forceful reminder of the need to fight inflation now despite the pain it is likely to inflict on the economy. 

Chairman Powell forcefully reiterated the central bank's commitment in aggressively fighting the four-decade high inflation before it entrenched and spread to a wider economy. 

Powell delivered his comments at  the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, a gathering of central bankers, and said that reducing inflation will take time and will soften the labor market.  

The comments were widely viewed and anticipated but the forceful reiteration only highlighted the long road ahead for the policy makers and the near-term pain for households and businesses. 

"While higher interest rates, slower growth, and softer labor market conditions will bring down inflation, they will also bring some pain to households and businesses. 

These are the unfortunate costs of reducing inflation. But a failure to restore price stability would mean far greater pain," Powell added in his prepared remarks. 

Stock markets turned sharply lower after Powell's comments and bond yields jumped above 3%. 

The S&P 500 index declined 1.5% to 4,137.15 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.7% to 12,414.95. 

Futures of crude oil decreased 12 cents to $92.40 a barrel but natural gas rose 12 cents to $9.46 a thermal unit. 

The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes rose to 3.056% and on 2-year notes gained to 3.415%. 

S&P 500, Nasdaq Down 2% After Powell's Inflation Remarks

Barry Adams
26 Aug, 2022
New York City

Stocks on Wall Street traded lower after Fed Chairman Powell reiterated the central bank's commitment in bringing down inflation sooner than later. 

In an eight minute short speech, Chairman Powell delivered a forceful reminder of the need to fight inflation now despite the pain it is likely to inflict on the economy. 

Chairman Powell forcefully reiterated the central bank's commitment in aggressively fighting the four-decade high inflation before it entrenched and spread to a wider economy. 

Powell delivered his comments at  the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, a gathering of central bankers, and said that reducing inflation will take time and will soften the labor market.  

The comments were widely viewed and anticipated but the forceful reiteration only highlighted the long road ahead for the policy makers and the near-term pain for households and businesses. 

"While higher interest rates, slower growth, and softer labor market conditions will bring down inflation, they will also bring some pain to households and businesses. 

These are the unfortunate costs of reducing inflation. But a failure to restore price stability would mean far greater pain," Powell added in his prepared remarks. 

Stock markets turned sharply lower after Powell's comments and bond yields jumped above 3%. 

The S&P 500 index declined 1.5% to 4,137.15 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.7% to 12,414.95. 

Futures of crude oil decreased 12 cents to $92.40 a barrel but natural gas rose 12 cents to $9.46 a thermal unit. 

The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes rose to 3.056% and on 2-year notes gained to 3.415%. 

Electronic Arts Inc jumped 6.1% to $135.11 after a report in Swedish media suggested that Amazon.com is likely to make an offer to acquire the game publisher as early as today. 

Farfetch Ltd soared 25.1% to $11.94 after the online luxury fashion retailer reported stronger-than-anticipated quarterly results and smaller loss. 

Ulta Beauty Salon edged up a fraction to $419.08 after the company's latest quarterly results exceeded expectations and also issued a positive outlook for the year. 

Gap Inc, after rising as much as 6%, declined 1.20% to 9.84 after the apparel retailer reported an unexpected quarterly profit on the sales strength at its Banana Republic chain. 

European markets traded sideways but accelerated the decline after the comments from Fed Chairman Powell.

Moreover, weakening in consumer confidence in the euro zone's largest economy also unnerved the market. 

 Germany's forward looking consumer confidence index declined further in September to -36.5 from -30.9 in August, according to the survey released by the market research group Gfk on Friday. 

Micro Focus International soared 93% to 519.0 pence in London trading after the Canada-based OpenText agreed to acquire the enterprise software maker for $6 billion including debt. 

OpenText declined 12.7% to $32.73. 

Retailers Report Luxury Booms, Middle Class Struggles, U.S. Stocks Inch Higher

Barry Adams
25 Aug, 2022
New York City

Stocks extended gains for the second day in a row but the popular indexes are set to decline for the week. 

Investors are keenly awaiting Fed Chairman comments on Friday hoping to find more clues on the future interest rate path. 

The latest batch of earnings posted a weakening and diverging consumer demand after Dollar Tree and Abercrombie & Fitch lowered annual outlook but Autodesk and Dollar General provided positive updates. 

The diverging customer behaviors were in sharp contrast after Nordstrom reported its high-end customers are looking for more upscale goods but the retailer it is struggling to attract customers at its discount chain Nordstrom Rack. 

Moreover, Toll Brothers sold homes at the highest average price of $920,000 in its latest quarter. 

In addition, Advance Auto Parts said the do-it-yourself business is struggling but its enterprise business is steady. 

Brinker's International, the parent of Chili's and Maggiano's, offered another confirmation to the diverging consumption trends. 

Same store sales are struggling at its lower priced Chili's chain but sales are still rising above 30% for its higher priced chain Maggiano's, 

On the economic front, the government offered a mixed picture on the broader economy and labor market. 

U.S. GDP growth in the second quarter was revised to a smaller decline than initially estimated, according to a report released by the BEA on Thursday. 

Second quarter GDP contraction was revised to a slower 0.6% from the previous estimate of 0.9% released last month by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. 

However, the smaller contraction data was also accompanied by higher inflation in the quarter. The price index for gross domestic purchase increased to 8.4% from the previous estimate of 8.2%. 

In a separate report, jobless claims held nearly steady near multi-decade low.  

Initial claims of jobless benefits were 243,000 for the week ended Aug 20, a decline of 2,000 from the previous, the Labor Department reported Thursday. 

U.S. labor market may have been stronger than previously estimated, the Department of Labor's statistics agency said today. 

The U.S. economy added 462,000 more jobs in the 12 months to March than previously estimated, according to the preliminary data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Wednesday. 

The bureau conducts a periodic review of monthly payroll data with the broader set of data provided by the unemployment insurance tax records. 

The government agency will offer its final assessment of the labor market in February when it releases its employment situation report for January.  

The S&P 500 index increased 1,4% to 4,199.12 and the Nasdaq Composite index added 1.7% to 12,639.27.  

Futures of crude oil decreased $1.92 to $92.97 a barrel and natural gas increased 4 cents to $9.37 a thermal unit. 

The yield on 10-year Treasury notes held stable at 3.02% and 2-year notes were nearly unchanged at 3.32%. 

Peloton Interactive plunged 18.3% to $11.01 after the fitness equipment maker reported a larger-than-expected quarterly loss and said business is likely to remain challenging in 2023. 

The newly appointed CEO Barry McCarthy is fighting on several fronts including cash outflow stemming, repositioning the company as a fitness service provider and expanding the user base through its digital app. 

Dollar General Corp fell 0.5% to $246.08 after the deep discount retailer reported stronger quarterly results and said it will continue expanding its store count and reach more inflation-challenged customers in more locations. 

Revenues in the second quarter fiscal year 2022 ending in July increased 9.0% to $9.4 billion on a comparable same store sales rise of 4.6%. 

Net income in the second quarter increased 6.4% to $678 million from $637 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share rose to $2.98 from $2.69 a year ago. 

Total merchandise inventories rose 25.1% to $6.9 billion compared to $5.3 billion as of July 30, 2021.

Abercrombie & Fitch declined 6.3% to $17.44 after the apparel retailer posted an unexpected quarterly loss. 

The apparel retailer said second quarter revenues declined 7% to $805 million and gross margin rate declined 730 basis points to 57.9%, driven by higher product costs and commodity inflation partially offset by higher average unit retail at Abercrombie.

In the second quarter, the retailer swung to a loss of $14.7 million or 33 cents a diluted earnings per share from a profit of $110.5 million or $1.33 a share a year ago. 

Abercrombie & Fitch lowered its net sales outlook to be down mid-single-digits from $3.7 billion in 2021 compared to previous outlook of flat to up 2%. 

Victoria's Secret & Company increased 1.9% to $37.62 after the intimate apparel retailer said second quarter sales declined 5.7% to $1.5 billion from $1.61 billion a year ago.  

Second quarter net income declined to $70 million or $0.83 a diluted share compared to $151 million or $1.71 a share a year ago.  

Same store sales in the second quarter declined 7% compared to an increase of 16% in the quarter a year ago.  

European Markets Advance On German GDP Data, Novartis to Spinoff Sandoz

Bridgette Randall
25 Aug, 2022
Frankfurt

Stock markets in Europe closed higher after Germany reported better-than-expected economic growth. 

Germany's second quarter GDP increased 0.1% from the previous quarter and rose 1.8% from a year ago, lifted by household and government spending. 

Household spending rose 0.8% and government expenditures rose 2.3% in the quarter. 

The quarterly growth slowed considerably when compared to the performance in the first quarter, the Federal Statistics Office said Thursday. 

On a quarterly basis, the economy expanded at 0.8% and on an annual basis increased 3.9% in the first quarter. 

The latest data clearly showed weakening economic activities but still the economy is humming along despite the supply chain issues, loss of markets in Russia and elevated costs of inputs. 

A separate survey conducted by the Ifo institute showed weakening business sentiment in Germany. 

The business climate index declined to 88.5 points in August from 88.7 points in July.

Investors also overlooked the weak confidence among French manufacturers in August, matching the expectations. 

The DAX index added 0.4% to 13,217.96, the CAC-40 index fell 0.08% to 6,381.56, and the FTSE 100 index increased 0.1% to 7,479.74. 

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield rose 3.9% to 53.91 euros after the property developer announced the sale of Westfield Santa Anita in Arcadia, California for $537.5 million. 

Novartis AG declined 0.8% to 80.20 Swiss francs after the drug maker said it plans to spinoff its biosimilar and generic business Sandoz next year as a standalone and publicly listed company. 

Sandoz will be the largest generic company in Europe, the Swiss drug maker said Thursday.   

The spinoff was widely anticipated after the company initiated business review last October and CEO Vas Narasimhan wants to sharpen focus on innovative new drugs. 

Over the past few months Sandoz has attracted interest from several generic makers and buyout firms but Novartis has not received any binding offer, Narasimhan added in a call with reporters. 

Delivery Hero SE declined 4.4% to 45.73 euros after the German food delivery company forecasted wider loss in the full-year 2022. 

Gross merchandise volume on the online platform increased 18% to 9.9 billion euros and total segment revenues jumped 38% to 2.1 billion euros in the second quarter.  

The food delivery company also guided third quarter gross merchandise volume to increase 7% on a quarterly basis to 10.6 billion euros and to 11.5 billion euros including the recent acquisition of Glovo. 

The delivery company revised its full-year 2022 adjusted EBITDA loss to range between 1.5% and 1.6% of gross merchandise volume from the previous estimated range between 0.9% and 1.0%.

The revised guidance includes losses of up to 300 million euros in its recently acquired Glovo business. 

   

Dollar Tree Offers Cautious Outlook After Reporting Strong Quarter

Scott Peters
25 Aug, 2022
New York City

Dollar Tree, Inc plunged 10.9% to $148.02 after the deep discount retailer posted second quarter total sales increased 6.7% to $6.77 billion. 

Same store sales increased 4.9% driven by 7.5% increase at Dollar Tree banner stores and 2.0% rise at Family Dollar stores. 

Net income increased 27.4% to $359.9 million from $282.4 million a year ago and diluted earnings per share for the quarter rose 30.1% to a second quarter company record $1.60, compared to $1.23 a year ago. 

The company tightened its full-year sales outlook between $27.85 billion and $28.10 billion from the previous range between $27.76 and $28.14 billion. 

Full-year diluted earnings per share are also revised lower to fall between $7.10 and $7.40 from the earlier guidance between $7.80 and $8.20.  

The company estimates consolidated net sales for the third quarter of 2022 between $6.75 billion and $6.87 billion, based on a mid-single-digit increase in overall same store sales. 

Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter are estimated to be in the range of $1.05 to $1.20. 

The company repurchased 1,754,496 shares in the first six months of fiscal 2022 for $250 million and $2.25 billion are still remaining under its share repurchase authorization at the end of the second quarter. 

Peloton Reports $1.2 Billion Quarterly Loss, Subscription Revenues Rise 36%

Scott Peters
25 Aug, 2022
New York City

Peloton Interactive plunged 20.2% to $10.76 after the fitness equipment maker reported a larger-than-expected quarterly loss and said business is likely to remain challenging in 2023. 

Total revenues declined 28% to $678.7 million after fitness equipment sales plunged 55% to $297 million and subscription revenues rose 36% to $383 million. 

Net loss in the quarter soared four-fold to $1.24 billion and free cash outflow improved to $412 million from $678 million a year ago. 

Dollar General Same Store Sales Up 4.6%, Adds 227 New Stores

Scott Peters
25 Aug, 2022
New York City

Dollar General Corp was nearly unchanged at $247.09 after the deep discount retailer reported stronger quarterly results. 

Revenues in fiscal second quarter 2022 ending in July increased 9.0% to $9.4 billion on a comparable same store sales rise of 4.6%. 

Same-store sales increase was driven primarily by an increase in average transaction amount, as well as a slight increase in customer traffic.

higher fuel costs and prices forced many customers to stick to basic items. 

Same-store sales in the second quarter included growth in the consumables category, partially offset by declines in each of the apparel, seasonal, and home products categories.

Net income in the second quarter increased 6.4% to $678 million from $637 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share rose to $2.98 from $2.69 a year ago. 

Total merchandise inventories rose 25.1% to $6.9 billion compared to $5.3 billion as of July 30, 2021.

During the second quarter of 2022, the company opened 227 new stores, remodeled 533 stores, and relocated 30 stores at a total cot of $659 million. 

 

Share Repurchase and Dividend 

In the second quarter of 2022, the company repurchased 1.5 million of its own shares for $349 million  at an average price of $233.36 a share, under its share repurchase program. 

The total remaining authorization for future repurchases was $1.0 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2022. 

On August 24, 2022, the company

Autodesk Revenues Surge On Rising Digital Collaboration

Scott Peters
25 Aug, 2022
New York City

Autodesk Inc increased 1.5% to $217.64 after the design software developer reported higher sales and earnings and offered positive outlook. 

The company is benefitting as organizations accelerate digitizing processes and collaborate between departments by placing more data in the cloud. 

Second quarter revenues increased 17% to $1.2 billion. 

Net income in the second quarter increased to $186 million from $115 million a year ago and diluted earnings per share rose to 86 cents from 52 cents a year ago. 

The company said as it moves from products to platforms and capabilities the demand for its products remains "robust."

Deferred revenue increased 12% to $3.70 billion and unbilled deferred revenue was $984 million, an increase of $141 million compared to a year ago. 

Remaining performance obligations (RPO) increased 13% to $4.69 billion and current RPO increased 10% to $3.14 billion.

Cash flow from operating activities increased $55 million to $257 million and free cash flow rose $60 million to $246 million from a year ago.

Revenues for the fiscal full-year 2023 are estimated between $4.985 and $5.035, an increase between 14% and 15% from a year ago. 

Abercrombie & Fitch Sales Fall On Hollister Brand Weakness

Scott Peters
25 Aug, 2022
New York City

Abercrombie & Fitch declined 4.1% to $17.87 after the apparel retailer posted an unexpected quarterly loss. 

The apparel retailer said second quarter revenues declined 7% to $805 million after gross margin rate declined 730 basis points to 57.9%, driven by higher product costs and commodity inflation partially offset by higher average unit retail at Abercrombie.

Sustained lockdown conditions in several parts of China negatively impacted sales and elevated inflation also affected demand in Europe and the Middle East and in the U.S.  

Sales in the U.S. declined 4% and overall international sales dropped 14% driven by a 33% sales plunge in Asia Pacific and 13% in Europe and the Middle East. 

In the quarter, Hollister banner store sales declined 15% to $437 million and Abercrombie store sales rose 5% to $368 million.  

In the second quarter, the retailer swung to a loss of $14.7 million or 33 cents a diluted earnings per share from a profit of $110.5 million or $1.33 a share a year ago. 

Abercrombie & Fitch lowered its net sales outlook to be down mid-single-digits from $3.7 billion in 2021 compared to previous outlook of flat to up 2%. 

The parent of Hollister and Abercrombie estimated net sales in the third quarter to fall in high-single-digits from the third quarter level of 2021 level of $905 million.  

Inventories in the quarter shot up 70% to $708 million from a year ago as the company ordered items in advance to mitigate supply chain disruptions. 

In the quarter, the company returned approximately $18 million to shareholders through the repurchase of approximately one million shares.

In the fiscal-half ending in July 2022, the retailer purchased 4.3 million shares and returned $118 million to shareholders through share repurchases. 

The company has $240 million remaining on the share repurchase authorization established in November 2021.

 

Movers: Abercrombie & Fitch, Autodesk, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Peloton, Victoria's Secret

Barry Adams
25 Aug, 2022
New York City

Stocks on Wall Street opened higher and the GDP contraction in the second quarter was revised to a smaller decline than previously estimated. 

The S&P 500 index increased .06% to 4,165.63 and the Nasdaq Composite index added 0.9% to 12,532.07.  

Futures of crude oil decreased 22 cents to $94.67 a barrel and natural gas decreased 9 cents to $9.24 a thermal unit. 

The yield on 10-year Treasury notes held stable at 3.10% and 2-year notes were nearly unchanged at 3.38%. 

Abercrombie & Fitch declined 4.1% to $17.87 after the apparel retailer posted an unexpected quarterly loss. 

The apparel retailer said second quarter revenues declined 7% to $805 million and gross margin rate declined 730 basis points to 57.9%, driven by higher product costs and commodity inflation partially offset by higher average unit retail at Abercrombie.

In the second quarter, the retailer swung to a loss of $14.7 million or 33 cents a diluted earnings per share from a profit of $110.5 million or $1.33 a share a year ago. 

Abercrombie & Fitch lowered its net sales outlook to be down mid-single-digits from $3.7 billion in 2021 compared to previous outlook of flat to up 2%. 

Autodesk Inc increased 1.5% to $217.64 after the design software developer said second quarter revenues increased 17% to $1.2 billion. 

Net income in the second quarter increased to $186 million from $115 million a year ago and diluted earnings per share rose to 86 cents from 52 cents a year ago. 

The company said as it moves from products to platforms and capabilities the demand for its products remains "robust."

Revenues for the fiscal full-year 2023 are estimated between $4.985 and $5.035, an increase between 14% and 15% from a year ago. 

Dollar General Corp was nearly unchanged at $247.09 after the deep discount retailer reported stronger quarterly results. 

Revenues in the second quarter fiscal year 2022 ending in July increased 9.0% to $9.4 billion on a comparable same store sales rise of 4.6%. 

Net income in the second quarter increased 6.4% to $678 million from $637 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share rose to $2.98 from $2.69 a year ago. 

Total merchandise inventories rose 25.1% to $6.9 billion compared to $5.3 billion as of July 30, 2021.

Dollar Tree, Inc plunged 10.9% to $148.02 after the deep discount retailer posted second quarter total sales increased 6.7% to $6.77 billion. 

Same store sales increased 4.9% driven by 7.5% increase at Dollar Tree banner stores and 2.0% rise at Family Dollar stores. 

Net income increased 27.4% to $359.9 million and diluted earnings per share for the quarter rose 30.1% to a second quarter company record $1.60, compared to $1.23 a year ago. 

The company tightened its full-year sales outlook between $27.85 billion and $28.10 billion from the previous range between $27.76 and $28.14 billion. 

Full-year diluted earnings per share are also revised lower to fall between $7.10 and $7.40 from the earlier guidance between $7.80 and $8.20.  

Peloton Interactive plunged 20.2% to $10.76 after the fitness equipment maker reported a larger-than-expected quarterly loss and said business is likely to remain challenging in 2023. 

Total revenues declined 28% to $678.7 million after fitness equipment sales plunged 55% to $297 million and subscription revenues rose 36% to $383 million. 

Net loss in the quarter soared four-fold to $1.24 billion and free cash outflow improved to $412 million from $678 million a year ago. 

Victoria's Secret & Company increased 2.6% to $39.32 after the intimate apparel retailer said second quarter sales declined 5.7% to $1.5 billion from $1.61 billion a year ago.  

Second quarter net income declined to $70 million or $0.83 a diluted share compared to $151 million or $1.71 a share a year ago.  

Same store sales in the second quarter declined 7% compared to an increase of 16% in the quarter a year ago.  

Online health services providers rose on news that Amazon.com is planning to shut its internal online health services for its employees. 

Teladoc Health increased 2.5%, Amwell gained 5.5% and Hims and Hers Health added 2.6%.   

 

U.S. Stocks Advance, Smaller Q2 GDP Contraction

Barry Adams
25 Aug, 2022
New York City

Stocks on Wall Street opened higher and the GDP contraction in the second quarter was revised. 

U.S. economic growth in the second quarter was revised to a smaller decline than initially estimated, according to a report released by the BEA on Thursday. 

GDP contracted at 0.6% in the second quarter compared to the previous estimate of a decline of 0.9% released last month by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. 

However, the smaller contraction data was also accompanied by higher inflation in the quarter. The price index for gross domestic purchase increased to 8.4% from the previous estimate of 8.2%. 

In a separate report, jobless claims held nearly steady near multi-decade low.  

Initial claims of jobless benefits were 243,000 for the week ended Aug 20, a decline of 2,000 from the previous, the Labor Department reported Thursday. 

The S&P 500 index increased .06% to 4,165.63 and the Nasdaq Composite index added 0.9% to 12,532.07.  

Futures of crude oil decreased 22 cents to $94.67 a barrel and natural gas decreased 9 cents to $9.24 a thermal unit. 

The yield on 10-year Treasury notes held stable at 3.10% and 2-year notes were nearly unchanged at 3.38%. 

Peloton Interactive plunged 20.2% to $10.76 after the fitness equipment maker reported a larger-than-expected quarterly loss and said business is likely to remain challenging in 2023. 

Dollar General Corp was nearly unchanged at $247.09 after the deep discount retailer reported stronger quarterly results. 

Revenues in the second quarter fiscal year 2022 ending in July increased 9.0% to $9.4 billion on a comparable same store sales rise of 4.6%. 

Net income in the second quarter increased 6.4% to $678 million from $637 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share rose to $2.98 from $2.69 a year ago. 

Total merchandise inventories rose 25.1% to $6.9 billion compared to $5.3 billion as of July 30, 2021.

Abercrombie & Fitch declined 4.1% to $17.87 after the apparel retailer posted an unexpected quarterly loss. 

The apparel retailer said second quarter revenues declined 7% to $805 million and gross margin rate declined 730 basis points to 57.9%, driven by higher product costs and commodity inflation partially offset by higher average unit retail at Abercrombie.

In the second quarter, the retailer swung to a loss of $14.7 million or 33 cents a diluted earnings per share from a profit of $110.5 million or $1.33 a share a year ago. 

Abercrombie & Fitch lowered its net sales outlook to be down mid-single-digits from $3.7 billion in 2021 compared to previous outlook of flat to up 2%. 

Victoria's Secret & Company increased 2.6% to $39.32 after the intimate apparel retailer said second quarter sales declined 5.7% to $1.5 billion from $1.61 billion a year ago.  

Second quarter net income declined to $70 million or $0.83 a diluted share compared to $151 million or $1.71 a share a year ago.  

Same store sales in the second quarter declined 7% compared to an increase of 16% in the quarter a year ago.  

Nordstrom Second Quarter Sales Rise 12%, Plans to Cut Inventories and Costs

Scott Peters
24 Aug, 2022
New York City

Nordstrom, Inc plunged 18.7% to $18.86 after the retailer issued a cautious outlook. 

Second quarter sales increased 12% to $4.1 billion from $3.7 billion a year ago. 

Net income rose to $126 million or 77 cents from $89 million or 49 cents a share. 

During the quarter, Nordstrom branded store net sales increased 14.7%, Nordstrom Rack increased 6.3% and digital sales increased 6.3% from a year ago. 

Digital sales account 38% of total sales in the quarter. 

The timing shift of the Anniversary Sale had a positive impact on Nordstrom store and Nordstrom Rack net sales of approximately 400 basis points. 

"In the second quarter, men