From @Jimmy’s DJ Australian Equities Roundup - Market Talk 22 Jul 2024 15:12:47

Universal Store keeps its bull at UBS after the Australian fashion retailer's earnings outlook beat analyst Jarrod Chisholm's expectations. Stronger margins mean that FY 2024 underlying earnings will be about 7% higher than where Chisholm, and the broader market, had thought. Chisholm also notes that sales growth of 9.5% compares very favorably with rival Accent Group's 4.1%. He sees Universal's closure of underperforming Glue stores as a slight positive and keeps a buy rating on the stock despite a 35% rise in value so far this year. Its target price rises 8.3% to A$6.50. Shares are up 0.5% at A$5.78. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

Held IRL (1.9%)

Universal Stores just reported another year of growth with underlying EBIT up 15%. I think it’s one of the better retailers to own in the current economic climate. Similar to Lovisa, its customers are a younger fashion conscious demographic.

FY24 Highlights (Unaudited):

• Strong trading performance exiting FY24, with momentum continuing into July 2024

• Group sales are expected to be $288.5 million, up +9.7% on FY23 (FY23: $263.1 million)

- Universal Store LFL sales growth -0.3% in FY24 (H2 +6.6%)

- Perfect Stranger LFL sales growth +7.3% in FY24 (H2 +11.5%)

- Cheap Thrills Cycle (CTC) retail and online LFL sales growth +4.6% in FY24 (H2 +5.6%)

- CTC wholesale sales growth of +5.4% in FY24 (on a proforma basis, excluding intercompany eliminations)

• Underlying EBIT is expected to finalise in the range of $46.0 million to $47.0 million (FY23:$40.4 million)

• FY24 period end net cash of approximately $14.3 million (excludes lease liabilities), and inventory is well balanced and clean; and

• 102 physical store locations as at 30 June 2024, comprising 80 Universal Store sites, 14 Perfect Stranger sites, and 8 THRILLS stores

The strength of sales achieved in H2, particularly in Q4 of FY24, has been pleasing and was driven by enhanced execution rather than favourable macro-economic factors, which continue to pose challenges.

The Group has delivered successive Quarter on Quarter (QoQ) improvements in sales growth as the financial year has progressed, culminating in the strongest quarter, measured in % sales growth vs pcp, in Q4 of FY24.

In the first two weeks of FY25, the Company has seen these positive sales trends continue, with total sales growth in this initial period of FY25 being over +15% (vs. pcp) excluding CTC wholesale channel.

Commenting on the expected FY24 result, Group CEO, Alice Barbery said:

“We’re really pleased to have delivered significant growth in underlying EBIT versus last year, amidst a backdrop of a ‘cost of living crisis’, inflationary pressures and evolving market dynamics. Our team have showcased our resilience and strategic acumen in navigating fluctuating market conditions. These results underscore our commitment to customer led outcomes and operational excellence. We’ve maintained a steadfast focus on managing margins, optimising inventory and controlling costs.”

Held IRL (1.9%)

Universal Stores (UNI) reported a strong 1H24 result today sending the share price up 15%. Sales were up, gross profit margins up, NPAT up 16.7% pcp, net cash of $27 million, 6 new stores opened (3 Perfect Stranger which are doing exceptionally well). Nice fully franked dividend declared yielding 3.5% (5% including franking credits) for this half only! :) They generally plough back c.30% of their earnings back into growth and that’s likely to be on a ROE upwards of 20%.

I tuned into the end of the webinar during question time (following the Lovisa call) and I was blown away by the enthusiasm of these two young women leading the Universal team. They really have their heads around the business, their passion and smiles were infectious, and the business culture at Universal seems to be really positive. I am pleased I invested when the market was negative on their prospects.

CEO Alice Barberry, and CFO Renee Jones at the results webinar this morning (22/02/2024)

Commenting on the results, Alice said:

“The results in the half demonstrate our resilience and ability to manage our business as macro-economic conditions fluctuate. Our team has successfully managed margins, inventory, and operating costs to deliver earnings growth in a difficult and subdued consumer spending environment. Our growth ambitions for Universal Store remain unchanged, as does our long-term strategy.

I am also pleased with the progress we continue to make in developing our emerging retail concepts – Perfect Stranger and THRILLS. These brands and retail formats are continuously improving their offerings and adding the capabilities necessary to successfully scale and deliver attractive financial performance over the years ahead."

Here are the highlights from the Announcement:

• Group sales of $158.0 million, +8.5% versus prior corresponding period (“pcp”), primarily reflecting added CTC contribution

- Universal Store (US) sales of $133.2m (-1.4% vs pcp), LFL sales -5.4%2

- Perfect Stranger sales of $6.6 million (+59.7% vs pcp)

- CTC sales of $25.3m (+4.2% proforma vs pcp)

• Gross profit margins +80 basis points versus pcp, to 59.7%

• Underlying EBIT of $30.8 million, +8.1% versus pcp4

• Statutory net profit after tax (“NPAT”) of $20.7 million (+16.7% versus pcp)

• Adjusted earnings per share (“EPS”) of 26.6 cents per share (“cps”)

• Net cash of $27.4 million as at 31 December 2023

• 6 new stores opened during H1 FY24; 3 Perfect Stranger (“PS”), 2 Universal Stores (“US”) & 1 THRILLS store, bringing total Group stores to 100 (excl. webstores)

• Interim FY24 dividend of 16.5cps declared (up from 14.0cps in prior year).

-ENDS-

More later with another crack at the valuation.

Disc: Held IRL (1.2%)

Full ASX announcement  MACQUARIE CONFERENCE & TRADING UPDATE

Going straight to the guidance:

• We anticipate FY22 sales to be between $205m and $207m ($210.8m in FY21) and underlying EBIT to be between $30m and $31m ($44.0m in FY21)

• We expect to finish FY22 with inventory in line with plan with aged inventory at historical levels

• We expect ‘net cash’ in excess of $20M

Disc: not held.

Interested to see how retailers are faring in general given the turbulent H2. Looks like EBIT for UNI will be down over 30% on FY21.