MARKET CURRENTS
real-time news and commentary for investors
MARKET CURRENTS
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Today - Thursday, May 23, 2013
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11:36 AM ING. U.S. (VOYA +1.3%) is reiterated a Buy with $31 price target at BTIG following earnings. Analyst Mark Palmer holds that retirement services and asset management - not life insurance - are VOYA's dominant businesses (they command a higher multiple) and he's impressed 76% (vs. his modeled 70%) of adjusted operating earnings came from those units. ROE was up 120 bps to 9.5%, ahead of a 110 bp management goal. Comment!
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10:25 AM Quality Systems (QSII -6%) slips after its FQ4 missed across the board earlier this morning. Total sales grew by 2% Y/Y, but net earnings took a hit from reorg charges and a goodwill impairment charge for the quarter due to an operational review of its hospital unit. Separately, the company says it's appointed Michael Aghajanian to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Aghajanian fills one of the two vacancies on the Board after recent resignations. Comment!
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10:10 AM Perry Ellis (PERY -3.3%) slides after the company misses on the top line in Q1. Management reaffirms its FY14 outlook for revenue growth of 3-5% and for adjusted EPS of $1.50-1.60, but cuts guidance slightly for GAAP earnings to $1.58-1.68 versus a previous range of $1.60-1.70. (PR) Comment!
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10:02 AM Children's Place (PLCE +6.7%) posts strong gains after beating on both the top and bottom line. From the report: CEO Jane Elfers says — in what is now a familiar refrain from retailers this quarter — that the company "had a difficult start [before] April sales improved significantly." Comps growth was negative (-5.5%) as was sales growth (-3.5%). $56.2M remains under the company's share repurchase program. PLCE also raises its EPS guidance for FY13 to $3.05-3.20 against consensus of $3. (PR) Comment!
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8:57 AM More on GameStop (GME): The retailer says comparable store sales fell 6.7% Y/Y during Q1 with new hardware sales down 30.6% and pre-owned sales slipping 7.5%. Looking for channels for future growth? During Q1, mobile sales grew 290% to $46.8M and digital sales rose 47.3%. FY13 EPS is pegged at $2.90-$3.15 vs. $2.75-$3.15 previous and the company's outlook for comparable store sales is improved slightly. GME +1.5% premarket. (PR) 1 Comment
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8:54 AM More on Stein Mart's (SMRT) Q1: Net income, revenue, and comps post 35.6%, 3.8%, and 1.2% gains respectively. Comps rose 8% in April as the retailer closed out the quarter on a positive note. Lower markdowns contributed to higher gross profit and SG&A as a percentage of sales fell. Inventories were higher by ~$16M Y/Y "to support higher sales." (PR) Comment!
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8:14 AM More on Ralph Lauren's (RL) Q1: An efficient quarter from the retailer but a tad light on revenue. The company says strong retail segment growth was offset in part by unfavorable currency swings and a dip in sales for its wholesale segment. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales were flat Y/Y and 50 bps lower M/M. Consolidated comparable store sales rose 3% during the period. The FY14 outlook includes a 4% to 7% forecast for revenue growth and capex spending of $350M-$450M. RL -3.8% premarket. (PR) Comment!
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7:47 AM More on Dollar Tree's (DLTR) Q1: Comparable store sales rose 2.1% during the period and operating margin improved by 70 bps. A net 92 stores were opened during Q1. For Q2, the retailer expects sales of $1.81B to $1.86B and EPS of $0.52-$0.57, higher than prior guidance but a bit short of Street estimates. DLTR +1.3% premarket. (PR) Comment!
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