The Gap Cleans Up With Q3 Earnings

The Gap reported better than expected fiscal third-quarter financial results after the markets closed on Thursday.

Published November 22, 2019, 12:15pm ET · 2 min read

A person, seen from the waist down, wearing blue jeans and light-colored high heels, holds two dark gray Gap shopping bags with the brand's logo in white. The bags are front and center, with shelves of neatly folded Gap t-shirts in various colors, including red, white, yellow, orange, blue, and black, visible in the background of the retail store.
A shopper holds two large Gap bags inside a retail store, reflecting the brand's continued market presence as the company announces a raised profit outlook and a significant stock increase. © Dimas Ardian / Getty Images

When Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) reported its fiscal third-quarter financial results after the markets closed on Thursday, the retailer said that it had $0.53 in earnings per share (EPS) and $4.0 billion in revenue. The consensus estimates had called for $0.51 in EPS and $3.97 billion in revenue, and it the same period of last year, Gap said it had $0.68 in EPS and $4.09 billion in revenue.

During the latest quarter, the company’s comparable sales were down 4%, versus flat last year. Comparable sales by global brand for the third quarter were as follows: Old Navy was negative 4%, Gap Global was negative 7%, and Banana Republic Global was negative 3%.

The company ended the third quarter with 3,938 store locations, of which 3,396 were company-operated.

Looking ahead to the fiscal full year, the company expects to see EPS in the range of $1.70 to $1.75 and net sales growth “to be down low-single digits.” Comparable sales are also expected to be down mid-single digits. Consensus estimates are calling for $1.74 in EPS and $16.17 billion in revenues for the year.

Robert J. Fisher, Gap interim president and CEO, commented:

We are not pleased with the third quarter results and are focused on aggressively addressing the operational issues that are hindering the performance of our brands. We continue to make progress against our separation plans, which will provide improved focus and a further catalyst for transformation.

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Shares of Gap traded up about 3% on Friday, at $16.69 in a 52-week range of $15.11 to $31.39. The consensus price target is $16.80.

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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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