Don’t Get Caught With This Retailer In Your Portfolio

DSW Inc. (DSW) Consumer Discretionary – Specialty Retail | Reports May 24, Before Market Opens

This quarter retailers have taken a beating. Despite some wins in the past few days, the overall trend has been bleak. This should continue into the following weeks when the remaining companies report. This week we get results from discount shoe retailer, DSW which are expected to come in mixed. DSW capped off 2015 with a beat on both the top and bottom line. That said, earnings declined 60% while sales only grew by 5%. The stock, as a result, has reacted negatively and is down over 40% in the past 12 months. Similar results are expected for this quarter.

The Estimize consensus is calling for earnings of 47 cents per share on $698.75 million in revenue, 1 cent higher than Wall Street on the bottom line and right in line on the top. Compared to a year earlier earnings are predicted to decline 12% but sales could increase by 6%. On average, the company consistently beats expectations, trumping the Estimize consensus 75% of the time and Wall Street 81% of reported quarters.

Despite waning share prices, DSW fundamentals have been strong. Fourth quarter results featured a 5% increase in sales and nearly 1% gains in same store sales. The company also achieved several milestones in 2015 including opening 40 new domestic stores, 22% increase in online sales and the acquisition of online shoe retailer Ebuys. The acquisition is expected to bolster its position in ecommerce and off-price retail, two high growth areas in the retail sector. Early outlooks for fiscal 2016 predict that sales growth will continue to grow while pressure remains on margins and profits

Like most companies, DSW faces risks from Amazon’s growing position in the retail space. Besides Amazon, DSW competes with other big names like Finish Line, Foot Locker, JCPenney and Macy’s. Meanwhile, direct to consumer initiatives from Nike draw traffic away from shoe stores, shifting them directly to the vendor’s website.