On Friday, Telsey Advisory Group maintained its Outperform rating on Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM) with a steady price target of $165.00. The firm's preview for the third quarter of 2024 anticipates results echoing the trends observed in the second quarter.
Williams-Sonoma is expected to report a 3.3% decline in comparable sales, which is slightly better than the FactSet consensus of a 3.5% decrease and shows an improvement over the 14.6% drop from the same period last year.
The home furnishings sector has seen subdued consumer interest, with factors such as adverse weather conditions and cautious spending before the election impacting sales.
However, Williams-Sonoma's diverse product range, including seasonal decor, collaborations, and offerings in the baby, teen, and kitchen categories, is believed to have been well-received by customers. This could help offset the continued decline in furniture sales.
Among the company's brands, Pottery Barn Kids/Teen is projected to perform the best with a 1.0% increase in sales, while the core Williams-Sonoma brand is expected to hold steady at 0%. In contrast, Pottery Barn and West Elm may face more significant challenges, with forecasted decreases in sales of 6% and 4.5%, respectively.
Telsey's analysis suggests that Williams-Sonoma's operating margin will remain unchanged year-over-year at 17.0%, which is slightly more optimistic than the FactSet consensus of 16.8%. Gross margin is expected to see an approximate 140 basis point improvement, reaching 45.8%, due to supply chain efficiencies.
This is marginally below the FactSet projection of 45.9%. Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses are anticipated to increase by approximately 140 basis points to 28.8%, driven by higher marketing expenditures, compared to a FactSet estimate of 29.1%.
The earnings per share (EPS) for the third quarter are estimated by Telsey to be $1.79, which is modestly higher than the FactSet consensus of $1.77. This estimate reflects the analyst's expectations for Williams-Sonoma's performance in the face of industry headwinds and ongoing market challenges.
In other recent news, Williams-Sonoma experienced a major development with its Q3 earnings report. Analysts from Wedbush downgraded the company's stock from an Outperform rating to a Neutral stance and reduced the price target to $135 from the previous $150. The firm expressed concern over the company's performance trends, despite easier year-over-year comparisons.
In addition, Jefferies upgraded Williams-Sonoma's stock from a Hold to a Buy rating, indicating over 15% upside potential. TD Cowen also adjusted its price target for the company, increasing it from $150 to $160, maintaining a Buy rating. However, KeyBanc Capital Markets maintained a Sector Weight rating on the company's stock, citing persistent industry challenges.
These recent developments highlight the mixed views of analysts regarding the company's financial health. Williams-Sonoma's commitment to its full pricing business model and the potential for increased market share was noted by TD Cowen, while Jefferies highlighted potential growth avenues such as West Elm Kids and the Business-to-Business sector.
Williams-Sonoma's business-to-business segment reported an 11.5% increase, and new store openings are planned under its Pottery Barn and West Elm brands. The company also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.57 per share, demonstrating a continued commitment to providing returns to investors.
Despite challenging market conditions, the company revised its annual outlook, reducing top-line expectations but raising bottom-line projections.
InvestingPro Insights
Williams-Sonoma's financial health and market performance offer additional context to Telsey Advisory Group's analysis. According to InvestingPro data, the company's P/E ratio stands at 15.4, suggesting a reasonable valuation relative to its earnings. This aligns with Telsey's Outperform rating and could indicate potential upside for investors.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Williams-Sonoma has raised its dividend for 19 consecutive years, demonstrating a strong commitment to shareholder returns. This consistent dividend growth, coupled with a current dividend yield of 1.74%, may appeal to income-focused investors, especially in the context of the company's ability to maintain profitability as noted in Telsey's margin projections.
The company's revenue for the last twelve months was $7,581.24 million, with a gross profit margin of 46.16%. This robust margin aligns closely with Telsey's forecast of a 45.8% gross margin for the upcoming quarter, indicating Williams-Sonoma's continued ability to maintain pricing power despite industry challenges.
For investors seeking more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips for Williams-Sonoma, providing deeper insights into the company's financial position and market performance.
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