With two successive quarters of lower-than-expected bottom-line
results, it seems that
Tiffany & Company
(
TIF
) is gradually losing its sheen. Dimming it further was the
company's decision to trim its fiscal 2012 guidance. However, the
long-term target of a 10% to 12% sales increase and at least 15%
earnings growth annually that the company kept intact, keep some
hope alive.
We are taking the issue step by step, as we try to give a
concrete picture of all that is going on at Tiffany, starting from
soft sales growth, the bottom-line miss, lowered outlook, revision
in the Zacks Estimates and the last but not the least, the
initiatives undertaken.
Analyzing Sales Trend
Tiffany hinted that global net sales for the first quarter of
2012 rose 8%, following a similar percentage increase in the fourth
quarter of 2011. From this perspective, it appears that nothing is
wrong with the company, as the sales growth rate remains
equivalent. But, if we look back at the sales growth in the first
three quarters of 2011, the story would be clearer.
We observed that total sales in the third, second and first
quarters of 2011 enjoyed double-digit growth, increasing 21%, 30%
and 20%, respectively, before the growth fell to a high single
digit.
Coming to the Bottom Line
Tiffany continues to disappoint with its bottom line results.
The company's first-quarter 2012 bottom-line performance mirrored
the fourth quarter of 2011. First-quarter earnings of 64 cents a
share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 69 cents, and dropped
from 67 cents earned in the prior-year quarter. The soft bottom
line reflected dismal performance in the Americas region due to
weak demand for jewelry.
As regards fourth-quarter 2011 performance, earnings of $1.39
per share fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.42, and
dropped from $1.44 earned in the prior-year quarter.
The earnings lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.3% in the
first quarter of 2012 and 2.1% in the fourth quarter of 2011.
However, in the third and second quarters of 2011, the company beat
the Zacks Consensus Estimates by 16.7% and 22.9%, respectively.
Truncated Guidance
Tiffany, a high-end jewelry designer, manufacturer and retailer,
lowered its fiscal 2012 guidance. The company now projects earnings
in the range of $3.70 to $3.80 per share, down from $3.95 to $4.05
forecasted earlier, reflecting an increase of 3% to 6%. Earlier,
the company had projected earnings growth of 10% to 13%.
If we closely scrutinize the earnings growth forecast, we
observe that it stands nowhere when compared with the company's
long-term objective of at least 15% growth, and represents a much
lower growth rate when compared with an increase of 23%, registered
in fiscal 2011.
On the other hand, Tiffany now anticipates 7% to 8% growth in
total net sales for fiscal 2012, down from 10% predicted
previously, reflecting a soft macroeconomic environment and tough
year-over-year comparison in the second and third quarters of 2012.
The guidance shows slight proximity with the company's long-term
sales growth goal of 10% to 12%.
Downward Estimate Revision
Following Tiffany's first-quarter 2012 results, the Zacks
Consensus Estimates have been portraying a downward trend.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second quarter of 2012
dropped by 7 cents to 79 cents a share in the last 30 days. For the
third quarter, the Estimate fell 7 cents to 69 cents a share. For
fiscal 2012 and 2013, the Zacks Consensus Estimates also fell 24
cents and 26 cents to $3.75 and $4.33, respectively, in the last 30
days.
Catalysts
Tiffany holds a significant position in the world jewelry market
and is poised to benefit from its increased geographic reach. The
company generates nearly half of its total sales internationally.
We believe once the predicament in the economy bottoms out, Tiffany
will perk up and recommence its healthy sales and earnings
growth.
The company is focused on opening smaller stores that offer
select collections of lower-priced, higher-margin products, which
in turn boost store productivity. Tiffany concentrates on improving
sales per square foot through higher customer traffic and
converting them into potential buyers by targeted advertising,
ongoing sales training and customer-oriented initiatives.
The company intends to expand its distribution network by adding
stores in both new and existing markets. On the international side,
the company is now concentrating on expanding business in Middle
East, Russia, Brazil and India. Tiffany now plans to add 24 stores
in fiscal 2012 with 9 in the Americas, 8 in Asia-Pacific, 2 in
Europe and 5 in the United Arab Emirates (marking the commencement
of operations in the region).
Closing Commentary
We will have to wait and watch as to how the story unfolds, as
the year progresses. Currently, we maintain our long-term "Neutral"
recommendation on the stock. Moreover, Tiffany, which faces stiff
competition from
Signet Jewelers Limited
(
SIG
) and
Zale Corporation
(
ZLC
), holds a Zacks #3 Rank that translates into a short-term "Hold"
rating.
SIGNET GRP PLC (SIG): Free Stock Analysis
Report
TIFFANY & CO (TIF): Free Stock Analysis
Report
ZALE CORP NEW (ZLC): Free Stock Analysis Report
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