Gordmans Stores Inc.
(
GMAN
) posted earnings per share of 41 cents in the first quarter of
fiscal 2012, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate and above 38
cents earned in the year-ago quarter.
Behind the Headline Numbers
Net sales for Gordmans Stores grew 13.8% year over year in the
first quarter to $133.9 million.
Quarterly comparable store sales (comps) increased 4.7% year
over year. Apparel stole the show in the quarter, clocking a high
single-digit comps increase. Within apparel, children and women's
ware were the star performers. This was followed by Home Fashions
business, which generated a low single-digit comps increase.
During the quarter, Gordmans Stores' gross margin fell 10 basis
points (bps) to 47.4% due to higher-than-planned markdowns to
facilitate disciplined inventory management. Selling, general and
administrative costs as a percentage of total revenue were up 20
bps year over year due to higher advertising and pre-opening
expenses due to the opening of four new stores in the first quarter
of 2012 versus two new stores in the first quarter of 2011 and
higher depreciation expense.
Financials
At quarter end, Gordmans Stores had cash and cash equivalents of
$41.7 million and total non-current liabilities of $22.7
million.
Guidance
For the second quarter of 2012, management expects net sales in
the range of $130-$131 million and earnings per share in the range
of 17-18 cents.
For full fiscal 2012, Gordmans Stores has retained its top-line
expectation of $629 million to $634 million, reflecting a low
single-digit uptick in comparable store sales and the opening of
nine new stores. Guidance for earnings per share was also
reiterated at $1.46-$1.51.
Our Take
Gordmans Stores houses a large pool of the latest brands and
fashion, and operates around 78 stores in 18 states in the U.S. The
company is in an expansion mode in new as well as existing markets.
It now plans to widen its store base by 50% year over year.
Additionally, fiscal 2012 includes an additional week. Management
projects $7.5 million to $8 million in sales in the 53rd week of
2012 that will likely translate into an incremental 1.3% comps in
fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011.
Gordmans Stores, which competes with
Dollar Tree Inc.
(
DLTR
), currently retains a Zacks #2 Rank, which translates into a
short-term 'Buy' rating. We are also maintaining our long-term
"Neutral" recommendation on the stock.
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