Street Calls of the Week
Investing.com - TD Cowen analyst Oliver Chen has identified five potential retail turnaround stories to monitor amid shifting consumer behavior and inflation pressures, according to a recent research note. Among these companies, InvestingPro data reveals varying financial health scores and market positions, with detailed metrics available for informed investment decisions.
The analyst notes that consumers are currently "anxious" and "looking to save on needs" while feeling inflation effects. The retail sector has experienced approximately 1% inflation, with weakness in big-ticket and weather-sensitive seasonal goods partially offset by strength in apparel (particularly denim) and beauty categories. This market environment has created opportunities for value investors, with many retail stocks showing potential based on InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis.
TD Cowen specifically highlights five hold-rated companies to watch for turnaround progress: NYSE:ULTA, NYSE:EL, NYSE:ZGN, NASDAQ:GO, and EPA:KER. For Ulta Beauty, the firm points to improving comp sales momentum at +7% in Q2. Estée Lauder shows potential for sustainable improvements in brand building, while Zegna demonstrates strong performance in its namesake brand with 1H25 organic growth of +3%.
Grocery Outlet’s turnaround potential stems from a new management team with grocery turnaround experience implementing a simplified strategy, though the company continues working through technology upgrade disruptions affecting margins. For Kering, TD Cowen sees potential in Gucci’s new creative director Demna Gvasalia, whose first collection will debut in September. According to InvestingPro data, Kering maintains a solid financial position with a market cap of $33.6 billion and a dividend yield of 2.51%, though facing revenue challenges with a 14.56% decline in the last twelve months. The company’s next earnings report is scheduled for October 23, 2025, which could be a crucial catalyst for the stock’s performance.
The research also reveals a broader market trend where stocks with high short interest (averaging 16%) saw the greatest upward price movements post-earnings reports, with an average +20% move, while stocks with lower short interest levels (averaging 4%) experienced downward pressure with an average -4% move post-earnings.
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