Estee Lauder (NYSE:EL) shares tumbled more than 12% in pre-open Wednesday after the company lowered its full-year outlook.
In the first quarter, Estee Lauder reported adjusted earnings per share of 11 cents, marking a substantial decrease compared to the previous year's $1.37. Analysts were looking for a loss per share of 21 cents.
Adjusted net sales for the first quarter amounted to $3.52 billion, which represents an 11% decrease year-over-year and in line with the consensus.
Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer said, “In the context of a quarter which we anticipated to be challenging, we delivered our organic sales outlook and exceeded expectations for profitability. Momentum continued in many developed and emerging markets around the world, where our organic sales grew strongly and we realized prestige beauty share gains.”
However, the company still lowered its full-year outlook, citing “incremental external headwinds, namely from the slower growth in overall prestige beauty in Asia travel retail and in mainland China.”
In the second quarter, Estee Lauder expects adjusted EPS to be in the range of 48 cents to 58 cents, significantly below the consensus of $1.25. The company also forecasts a decline in net sales, with a range of -9% to -11%.
Looking ahead to the full year 2024, Estee Lauder projects adjusted EPS in the range of $2.17 to $2.42, which is much lower than the estimated $3.62. The company also anticipates net sales for the year to be in a range of -2% to +1%.
“We are accelerating and expanding our profit recovery plan, to benefit fiscal years 2025 and 2026, to realize our ambitions to rebuild profitability despite the external headwinds’ increased pressure on the business in fiscal 2024,” Freda added.