Guess shares target cut by Jefferies with Hold rating

Published 29/08/2024, 12:10
Guess shares target cut by Jefferies with Hold rating

Jefferies has adjusted its outlook on shares of Guess (NYSE: NYSE:GES), reducing the price target to $19.00 from the previous $25.00 while keeping a Hold rating on the stock.

The revision follows the company's second-quarter financial performance, which saw revenue growth of 13% year-over-year in constant currency, aligning with street estimates. Despite this, Guess's bottom-line results did not meet expectations.

The fashion retailer's operating margin (OM) fell to 5.2%, which was under its earlier guidance. This decline was attributed to ongoing investments in the growth of its rag & bone brand, along with increased marketing expenditures.

Consequently, Guess reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.42, marginally missing the street estimates.

The analyst from Jefferies highlighted that as Guess continues to navigate softer consumer trends, their stance remains cautious. The updated price target reflects these concerns and the company's recent performance metrics.

The decision to reiterate the Hold rating and adjust the price target is a response to the combination of investment strategy and market conditions affecting Guess's financial outcomes.

Despite the revenue growth, the company's challenges in maintaining profitability and the cautious consumer environment are key factors influencing the analyst's perspective.

The lowered price target to $19 from $25 indicates a reassessment of the stock's future performance potential in light of these factors.

In other recent news, Guess reported lower-than-expected earnings for the second quarter, with adjusted earnings per share of $0.42, falling short of analyst expectations of $0.44. Despite this, the company's revenue came in slightly above the consensus estimate of $731.01 million at $732.6 million, marking a 10% growth year-over-year.

However, Guess has lowered its full-year outlook, now expecting fiscal 2025 revenue to be between $2.42 billion and $2.7 billion, a range that falls below Wall Street's forecast of $2.79 billion. The company's CEO, Carlos Alberini, attributed this adjustment to a softer consumer environment.

Guess?'s second quarter operating margin also declined to 6.5% from 9.7% in the same period last year, with the adjusted operating margin falling to 5.2% from 9.8%. The company cited higher expenses, the impact of newly acquired businesses, and increased promotions as factors pressuring margins, though it noted that initial markups and higher revenues provided some offset.

For the upcoming third quarter, Guess? projects revenue growth between 14.5% and 16.5% and adjusted earnings per share between $0.33 and $0.45.

InvestingPro Insights

Following Jefferies' recent adjustment of Guess's (NYSE:GES) stock outlook, an examination of the InvestingPro data and tips provides additional context for investors. With a market capitalization of $1.08 billion and a notably low price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 4.89, Guess is positioned as a potentially undervalued player in the retail sector. The adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q1 2025 further emphasizes this point, standing at 4.56. The company's dividend yield as of 2024 was 5.93%, reflecting a substantial return to shareholders, which is supported by a commendable dividend growth of 33.33% over the last twelve months.

InvestingPro Tips highlight that Guess has raised its dividend for four consecutive years and has maintained dividend payments for 18 consecutive years, signaling a commitment to returning value to shareholders. Additionally, the company's valuation implies a strong free cash flow yield, which could be an attractive point for investors looking for cash-generating investments. It's worth noting that analysts predict the company will be profitable this year, and it has been profitable over the last twelve months, which may provide some reassurance amidst the cautious consumer environment.

Investors seeking more detailed analysis can find additional InvestingPro Tips for Guess to further inform their investment decisions. The platform currently lists a total of 9 tips, which can be accessed through the dedicated InvestingPro page for Guess at https://www.investing.com/pro/GES.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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