As we enter the third week of August, several major companies are set to report their quarterly earnings. Here's a breakdown of notable releases and what investors should look for:
Monday, August 19th
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) - ★★★★
Ranked #35 in Q3 2024 Large Cap Equity Rankings
Earnings per share (EPS) estimate: $1.41
Key Things to Watch: Billings growth, subscription revenue, and customer acquisition rates, Updates on AI integration in cybersecurity products and impact on margins
Tuesday, August 20th
Toll Brothers (TOL) - ★★★
Ranked #37 in Q3 2024 SMID Cap Equity Rankings
Earnings per share (EPS) estimate: $3.31
Key Things To Watch: New home orders, backlog, and cancellation rates, Commentary on luxury housing market and interest rate impacts
Wednesday, August 21st
Target (TGT) - ★★★★
Ranked #40 in Q3 2024 Large Cap Equity Rankings
Earnings per share (EPS) estimate: $1.95
Key Things To Watch: Comparable sales, gross margin, and inventory levels, Progress on cost-cutting initiatives and performance of owned brands
Macy's (M) - ★★★
Ranked #49 in Q3 2024 SMID Cap Equity Rankings
Earnings per share (EPS) estimate: $0.30
Key Things To Watch: Same-store sales, e-commerce growth, and gross margin, Updates on store closure plans and off-price segment performance
TJX Companies (TJX) - ★★★★
Ranked #25 in Q3 2024 Large Cap Equity Rankings
Earnings per share (EPS) estimate: $0.92
Key Things To Watch: Comparable store sales, inventory turnover, and international segment performance, Consumer spending trends in off-price retail
Snowflake (SNOW) - ★★
Ranked #85 in Q3 2024 Large Cap Equity Rankings
Earnings per share (EPS) estimate: $0.16
Key Things To Watch: Revenue growth rate, net revenue retention rate, and remaining performance obligations, Customer acquisition in new industries and progress on profitability goals
Urban Outfitters (URBN) - ★★★
Ranked #55 in Q3 2024 SMID Cap Equity Rankings
Earnings per share (EPS) estimate: $1.00
Key Things To Watch: Comparable retail segment net sales and gross profit margins, Performance across different brands (Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People)
Thursday, August 22nd
Intuit (INTU) - ★★★★
Ranked #11 in Q3 2024 Large Cap Equity Rankings
Earnings per share (EPS) estimate: $1.84
Key Things To Watch: Revenue growth across segments (small business, consumer, and Credit Karma), Adoption rates of AI-powered features and impact on customer retention
Peloton Interactive (PTON) - ★
Ranked #88 in Q3 2024 SMID Cap Equity Rankings
Earnings per share (EPS) estimate: $ - 0.17
Key Things To Watch: Revenue growth and upcoming guidance
Ross Stores (ROST) - ★★★★
Ranked #24 in Q3 2024 Large Cap Equity Rankings
Earnings per share (EPS) estimate: $1.49
Key Things To Watch: Comparable store sales, operating margin, and new store openings, Inventory management strategies and outlook for off-price retail
Cava Group (CAVA) - ★★★★
Ranked #13 in Q3 2024 SMID Cap Equity Rankings
Earnings per share (EPS) estimate: $0.13
Key Things To Watch: Same-store sales growth, restaurant-level profit margin, and new restaurant openings, Progress on expansion plans and performance of digital ordering channels
Workday (WDAY) - ★★★
Ranked #76 in Q3 2024 Large Cap Equity Rankings
Earnings per share (EPS) estimate: $1.65
Key Things To Watch: Subscription revenue growth, customer retention rates, and operating margins, Traction in financial management solutions and international expansion efforts
A Look Back
Can Chipotle's Success Story Brew New Life into Starbucks? Starbucks Surges on CEO News
Starbucks (SBUX) - ★★
Ranked #84 in Q3 2024 Large Cap Equity Rankings
Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) saw its stock price soar 21% in intraday trading following the announcement of Brian Niccol as its new Chief Executive Officer. Niccol, who previously led Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) to impressive growth, is set to take the helm of the world's largest coffee chain on September 9th.
This leadership change comes at a critical juncture for Starbucks, which has been grappling with various challenges. The Seattle-based company has recently faced slowing traffic in its cafes, leading to reduced sales and profits. In April, Starbucks was forced to lower its financial outlook for the second time this year.
Niccol's appointment represents a significant shift for Starbucks, marking its third CEO since 2022. The company hopes this move will bring stability to its executive suite and address ongoing operational issues. Starbucks has also been in negotiations with activist investor Elliott Investment Management regarding strategies to combat declining sales.
During his tenure at Chipotle from 2018, Niccol successfully led a turnaround effort in the wake of food safety concerns. Under his leadership, Chipotle's revenue and stock price saw remarkable growth, with shares climbing over 200%.
However, Niccol faces several challenges as he prepares to take on his new role at Starbucks:
International competition: Starbucks is encountering increased competition in China, a key growth market for the company.
Political controversy: The coffee chain is currently facing backlash and protests due to perceived support for Israel in its conflict with Palestinians.
Changing consumer behavior: There are indications that customers are visiting Starbucks cafes less frequently as they reduce discretionary spending.
Public perception: Niccol's reputation may be affected by recent social media criticism of Chipotle's portion sizes and pricing, with some of this sentiment carrying over to discussions about his move to Starbucks.
While the initial market reaction to Niccol's appointment has been overwhelmingly positive, it remains to be seen whether this leadership change will successfully address Starbucks' current challenges and lead to a sustainable turnaround.
As Starbucks navigates this transition, investors and industry observers will be closely watching to see how Niccol applies his experience from Chipotle to rejuvenate the iconic coffee brand in the face of multiple headwinds.
Walmart Surges to 52-Week High on Strong Q2 Performance
Walmart (WMT) - ★★★★
Ranked #27 in Q3 2024 Large Cap Equity Rankings
Retail giant Walmart (WMT) saw its stock soar to a intraday 52-week high of $74.43 on Thursday, closing at $73.18 after a remarkable 6% gain. The company's shares have been on a tear this year, up an impressive 39% year-to-date.
The surge comes on the heels of Walmart's strong second-quarter performance, which exceeded market expectations. The company's success can be attributed to its ability to attract shoppers with appealing deals and convenient services like online order pickup and delivery. These strategies have led to customer gains across various demographics, particularly among higher-income shoppers.
Walmart executives expressed confidence in the company's trajectory, raising both sales and profit targets for the remainder of the fiscal year. This optimism is rooted in the retailer's ability to capture market share despite ongoing inflationary pressures.
The company's performance suggests that while consumers remain cautious about inflation, they are still willing to spend, especially on premium services such as grocery delivery.
Notably, Walmart even witnessed a slight uptick in its general merchandise category, which includes discretionary items like electronics and home goods. This category had previously experienced 11 consecutive quarters of decline.
The retail behemoth reported strong sales across its superstores, Sam's Club warehouses, and e-commerce platforms. Global e-commerce sales surged by 21% in the July quarter, bolstered by online orders fulfilled through stores and growth in its third-party marketplace.
For the quarter ending in July, Walmart reported an 8.5% increase in operating income to $7.9 billion, with revenue rising 4.8% to $169.3 billion. However, net income saw a decline compared to the same period last year, which had benefited from significant investment gains.
As Walmart continues to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and economic conditions, its latest results demonstrate the company's resilience and ability to thrive in a challenging retail environment.
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