Join +750K new investors every month who copy stock picks from billionaire's portfoliosSign Up Free

Caleres Navigates Tough Market With Cost Savings And Debt Reduction: Analyst

Published 25/08/2023, 20:51
© Reuters.  Caleres Navigates Tough Market With Cost Savings And Debt Reduction: Analyst
CAL
-

Benzinga - by Nabaparna Bhattacharya, Benzinga Editor.

Telsey Advisory Group analyst Dana Telsey reiterated the Less Risk rating on Caleres, Inc. (NYSE: CAL) with a price target of $30.

While the macro environment remains uncertain, the analyst notes that CAL is proactively driving $20 million in cost savings this year (along with another $10 million in freight benefits) and remains focused on debt reduction in the near term.

CAL will report 2Q23 results on Thursday, August 31.

For the second quarter, the analyst looks for EPS of $0.90 vs. $1.38 last year, which compares to the consensus of $0.88 and guidance of $0.87-$0.92.

The analyst thinks CAL is managing well in a challenging environment, with a structurally sound business and elevated earnings potential

relative to the pre-pandemic model.

On the top line, Telsey forecasts a sales decline of 4.5% Y/Y to

$706 million, in line with the consensus estimate of $705 million and within the management's expectation for sales to be down 4%-5% Y/Y.

In addition, balance sheet deleverage supports further earnings potential over time while creating flexibility to continue to invest in growth opportunities and affording CAL the ability to return cash to shareholders.

Segmentally, the analyst expects Famous Footwear to decline 6.5% Y/Y, along with a 1.5% Y/Y contraction in the branded portfolio.

Going forward, the analyst adds that CAL plans to chase more lifestyle products at FF and lean hard into the back-to-school season.

From a real estate perspective, the analyst expects to hear more about the plans to open 20 more remodeled stores over the balance of the year.

For the quarter to be reported, Telsey projects gross margin to decline 50 bps Y/Y to 45.1% (vs. consensus of 45%) and 220 bps of operating deleverage to 38.6% (vs. consensus of 38.4%).

Taken together, the analyst forecasts a 280 bps operating margin contraction to 6.5%, in line with consensus and compared to last year's 9.3% margin.

Price Action: CAL shares are trading higher by 0.50% to $24.27 on the last check Friday.

Latest Ratings for CAL

DateFirmActionFromTo
Jun 2021CL KingUpgradesNeutralBuy
Jun 2020SusquehannaDowngradesNeutralNegative
Apr 2020SusquehannaMaintainsNeutral
View More Analyst Ratings for CAL

View the Latest Analyst Ratings

© 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Read the original article on Benzinga

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.