Shares of
HSN Inc
. (
HSNI
) have been attaining new 52-week highs since it posted healthy
second quarter 2012 results on August 1 that included
year-over-year earnings per share growth of 15.1% and a positive
surprise of 1.7%.
Since its second quarter report last month, shares of this Zacks
#1 Rank (Strong Buy) company have escalated about 18% to hit
another 52-week high on September 20. Moreover, with an
impressive year-to-date return of 32% and strong results, this
stock offers an attractive investment opportunity.
The Rank Driver
The stock's uptrend can be attributed to differentiated
merchandise offerings, digital expansion, strategic brand
investments and acquisitions. The strength is further evident from
its second-quarter 2012 results, which included strong
year-over-year earnings per share growth. Looking at the earnings
surprise trend over the last 12 quarters, HSN has topped estimates
by an average of 20.2%.
HSN reported second quarter earnings of 61 cents per share, a
penny ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Earnings also
augmented from the year-ago figures of 53 cents due to top-line
growth.
Consolidated net sales of $767.2 million jumped 6% from the
year-ago quarter with digital sales rising 12%. HSN, the namesake
operating segment, witnessed sales growth of 4% to $501.9 million,
including an 8% increase in digital sales, whereas Cornerstone
segment sales climbed 11% to $265.3 million with digital sales
surging 17%.
Gross profit grew 7% to $293.4 million, whereas gross profit
margin expanded 20 basis points to 38.2%. Operating income rose 8%
to $65.3 million and operating margin increased 10 basis points to
8.5%.
Earnings Estimate Revisions
The company's estimates for fiscal 2012 and 2013 witnessed a
surge of 14 cents and 19 cents, respectively, in the last 60 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2012 added about 5.8% to
$2.55 per share in the past 2 months, reflecting a year-over-year
growth of 22.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2013 is up
6.6% to $3.09 per share over the same period, representing a 21.2%
year-over-year jump.
Valuation
HSN currently trades at a forward P/E of 19.01x, reflecting a
24.7% premium to the peer group average of 15.25x. Its
price-to-book ratio of 5.58 is at a substantial premium to the peer
group average of 1.43. Given the company's compelling fundamentals,
the premium valuation is justified and well supported by its
long-term estimated EPS growth rate of 20% versus 13.8% for the
peer group.
With respect to return on equity (ROE), the stock looks
attractive. It has a trailing 12-month ROE of 23.9%, which is
substantially above its peer group average of 11.9%. This implies
that the company reinvests its earnings more efficiently than its
peer group.
About the Company
Headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, HSN is an interactive
multi-channel retailer operating under two segments, the namesake
HSN and Cornerstone. The company provides jewelry collections,
fashion attire and accessories, beauty products, housewares,
electronics products, and other items through the HSN television
networks, HSN.com, mobile applications, and brick and mortar
stores. Cornerstone offers home related merchandises, apparel and
accessories under brands such as Ballard Designs, Chasing
Fireflies, Frontgate, Garnet Hill, Grandin Road, Improvements and
TravelSmith. HSN, which competes with
ValueVision Media Inc
. (
VVTV
)), currently has a market cap of $2.69 billion.
HSN INC (HSNI): Free Stock Analysis Report
VALUEVISION CLA (VVTV): Free Stock Analysis
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