Why Lululemon Earnings Are Zen

Shares of Lululemon Athletica jumped after it reported its most recent quarterly results late on Wednesday.

Published December 7, 2017, 8:50am ET · 2 min read

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When Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ: LULU) reported its most recent quarterly results after the markets closed on Wednesday, the company said that it had $0.56 in earnings per share (EPS) and $619 million in revenue. That compared with consensus estimates of $0.52 in EPS and revenue of $611.5 million. The fiscal third quarter of last year reportedly had EPS of $0.50 and $544.4 million in revenue.

During the quarter, total comparable sales increased 8%, or increased 7% on a constant dollar basis. This was comprised of comparable store sales increasing 2% and direct to consumer net revenue increasing 26%.

At the same time, gross margin was 52.2%, increasing from 51.1% in the fiscal third quarter.

In terms of the fourth quarter outlook, the company expects to see EPS in the range of $1.19 to $1.22 and net revenues between $870 million and $885 million. The consensus estimates call for $1.18 in EPS and $866.82 million in revenue.

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On the books, Lululemon cash and cash equivalents totaled $650.1 million at the end of the quarter, down from $734.8 million at the end of the previous fiscal year.

Lululemon CEO Laurent Potdevin commented:

Our teams powerfully delivered robust results across both store and digital channels this quarter, driving a further acceleration in our business. The strength of our Q3 earnings supports our unique position as the global brand defining an active, mindful lifestyle.

Also:

As we start the holiday season, I’m energized by our momentum and we are increasing guidance to reflect this performance. I’m grateful for the enthusiasm I see every day across our collective as we remain on our path to delivering $4 billion in revenue in 2020.

Shares of Lululemon closed Wednesday at $67.66, with a consensus analyst price target of $66.50 and a 52-week trading range of $47.26 to $72.70. Following the announcement, the stock was up about 9% at $73.90 in early trading indications Thursday.

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Chris Lange

Chris Lange is a financial and geopolitical writer with more than a decade of experience covering a myriad of topics. He has published thousands of articles for 24/7 Wall St., with past coverage focused heavily on stocks, IPOs, healthcare, defense, global affairs, and technology.

His work has been quoted, or referenced by a number of outlets including Business Insider, USA Today, Yahoo Finance, MSN, The Motley Fool, and many other publications. A graduate of Southwestern University, he studied business with a focus on investments and has previous experience in banking and startups.

When not reading or writing the news, he is following his passion for Lacrosse, playing chess, or building solar projects with his dad.

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