Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: $ANF) Poised for Earnings Surge Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: NYSE:ANF ) is setting the stage for a potentially significant breakout as it prepares to report its Q2 earnings. The company is at the forefront of a critical week for retail, with major players like Victoria's Secret, Kohl's, Foot Locker, and Five Below also releasing results. The retailer has been making waves in both the U.S. and international markets, and investors are keenly watching for updates on its financial health and strategic direction.
Stellar Earnings and Strategic Moves
Analysts are bullish on Abercrombie’s earnings, projecting a 101% surge to $2.22 per share, adjusted. If these expectations are met, it would mark six consecutive quarters of triple-digit earnings growth, with revenue forecasted to rise by 18% to $1.1 billion. Abercrombie's sales growth has accelerated over the last four quarters, with a 22% increase in Q1 alone, signaling strong momentum.
FactSet expects comparable sales to jump 16.4%, up from 13% last year. This robust growth trajectory has attracted the attention of major analysts, such as Citi, which opened a "positive catalyst watch" on Abercrombie stock, anticipating a strong earnings beat driven by "muscular sales and margins."
Abercrombie (NYSE: NYSE:ANF ) has also expanded its board of directors to 10 members with the addition of Andrew Clarke, Global President of Mars Snacking. This move underscores its focus on bringing in experienced leadership to navigate the complex retail environment.
Beyond earnings, Abercrombie (NYSE: NYSE:ANF ) is making a bold return to the Hong Kong market, eight years after shutting down its flagship store. The company plans to rent two large spaces in prime locations, betting on Hong Kong's stronger spending power compared to mainland China. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to capitalize on the city’s recovery from political turmoil and COVID-19-related disruptions.
Technical Outlook: Signs of a Potential Breakout
From a technical perspective, Abercrombie's stock (NYSE: NYSE:ANF ) is displaying encouraging signs. Shares have risen nearly 89% year-to-date, currently holding just above their 50-day moving average after a rebound on August 16th. The stock is working up the right side of a cup base, sitting 19% below a buy point of $196.99. A sharp jump off the 50-day moving average could offer an early entry for aggressive investors, while the August 20 high of $172.90 presents another possible buy point.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 56 suggests that NYSE:ANF is in a healthy position for further gains. The stock is trading above its 50, 100, and 200-day moving averages, further supporting a bullish outlook. After rebounding from a monthly low of $121 to $166, the stock might consolidate at the support pivot of $154 before setting a new course for growth.
Strategic Moves in Hong Kong: Reclaiming Market Share
Abercrombie’s return to Hong Kong signals a renewed focus on international growth. The company will lease two prime retail spaces in the bustling shopping districts of Causeway Bay and New Town Plaza, indicating a strong bet on the city's retail recovery. With plans to open a 7,000-square-foot store in Hysan Place and a 10,000-square-foot space in New Town Plaza, Abercrombie is positioning itself to capture the spending power of Hong Kong's affluent consumers.
The retailer’s strategy aligns with other global fashion brands, such as Mango and Prada, that are expanding in Hong Kong amid falling property prices. This move could strengthen Abercrombie's global footprint and support its long-term growth plans.
Looking Ahead: What to Watch for in the Earnings Report
As Abercrombie & Fitch prepares to release its Q2 earnings, investors will be watching several key metrics closely:
- Earnings per Share (EPS): Will Abercrombie achieve the forecasted 101% surge, marking its sixth consecutive quarter of triple-digit earnings growth?
- Revenue Growth: Can the company meet or exceed the expected 18% rise to $1.1 billion?
- Comparable Sales: Will the anticipated 16.4% jump in comparable sales come to fruition?
- Hong Kong Expansion: Any updates on its strategic return to the Hong Kong market will be closely monitored to gauge its potential impact on revenue and profitability.
Conclusion: A Strong Buy Opportunity on the Horizon?
Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: NYSE:ANF ) is showing strong fundamental and technical signals, suggesting a potential breakout opportunity. With a solid earnings outlook, strategic expansion plans, and positive analyst sentiment, the stock is well-positioned for further gains. However, investors should remain vigilant of potential consolidation around key support levels, as the broader retail landscape remains volatile.
The upcoming earnings report will be crucial in determining whether Abercrombie (NYSE: NYSE:ANF ) can sustain its impressive growth trajectory and capitalize on its strategic initiatives. For now, the stock remains an attractive prospect for those looking to ride the wave of a potential retail revival.
ANF
Abercrombie & Fitch Surge On Booming Sales and Higher GuidanceAbercrombie & Fitch ( NYSE:ANF ) shares rose 23.27% to an all-time high on Wednesday as the clothing retailer's first-quarter results exceeded estimates and raised its guidance. The company reported quarterly net income of $113.9 million, nearly seven times greater than a year ago, with earnings per share (EPS) of $2.14, up from $0.32 in 2023. Revenue jumped 22% year-over-year to $1.02 billion, a first-quarter record. Profit and revenue topped forecasts.
Sales of the Abercrombie brand climbed 31% to $571.5 million, while Hollister brand sales rose 12% to $449.2 million. They were up 23% to $820.1 million in the Americas, 19% to $164.8 million in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and 10% to $35.8 million in the Asia-Pacific region. CEO Fran Horowitz said the company "successfully navigated seasonal transitions with relevant assortments and compelling marketing, leveraging agile chase capabilities and inventory discipline."
Abercrombie ( NYSE:ANF ) now expects full-year sales to rise about 10% from $4.3 billion in fiscal 2023, up from its previous outlook of a 4% to 6% gain. It sees an operating margin of approximately 14% compared with the earlier prediction of about 12%. Shares of Abercrombie & Fitch ( NYSE:ANF ) soared more than 24% to $189.40 as of the time of writing after touching a record $182.86 earlier in the session. They have more than doubled this year.
Abercrombie & Fitch's ( NYSE:ANF ) "Always Forward Plan" playbook aims to drive global growth through a data-driven approach to store expansion, digital marketing, and social selling. The retailer's sales channels are varied, with the Abercrombie brands selling 40% in stores and 60% digital, while the Hollister brand sells 70% in stores and 30% digital. The company targets millennials who are "fashion-obsessed" and "digitally-led," while the Hollister brand is aimed at Generation Z shoppers who are "comfort obsessed" and "value versatility."
Technically, Abercrombie & Fitch's ( NYSE:ANF ) stock is currently overbought with a Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 86.64. The daily price chart depicts a long bullish Harami candle stick pattern which accentuate the bullish reversal of the ticker.
Abercrombie & Fitch Continues Winning Streak Amidst a tumultuous market environment, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: NYSE:ANF ) has emerged as a beacon of resilience and growth, with its latest forecast painting a rosy picture for the apparel giant. The company's confident projection of full-year revenue growth exceeding Wall Street estimates underscores its unwavering confidence in the strength of its brands and the buoyancy of consumer demand.
In a recent update, Abercrombie & Fitch ( NYSE:ANF ) revealed its anticipation of robust revenue expansion, buoyed by a surge in full-price demand for its apparel offerings. The optimism stems from a successful holiday shopping season and a promising start to spring in the United States, with consumers demonstrating a penchant for Abercrombie's fresh styles and meticulously curated collections.
The company's strategic initiatives, including inventory optimization and the introduction of compelling new designs, have paid dividends, catapulting Abercrombie ( NYSE:ANF ) alongside industry peers like Lululemon Athletica, which have similarly benefited from a proactive approach to inventory management.
Notably, Abercrombie's emphasis on enhancing customer experiences both online and in-store has resonated positively, driving engagement and fostering brand loyalty. By ramping up marketing efforts and investing in digital platforms, Abercrombie ( NYSE:ANF ) has positioned itself for sustained success throughout the fiscal year.
Abercrombie's ( NYSE:ANF ) forward-looking guidance paints a promising picture, with first-quarter net sales expected to soar in the low double digits, surpassing market expectations. The company's spring collection has already garnered favorable reviews, indicating strong momentum heading into the new season.
While Abercrombie ( NYSE:ANF ) basks in the glow of its recent accomplishments, challenges loom on the horizon, including potential disruptions in shipping and raw material costs stemming from geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea. However, the company remains agile and resilient, poised to navigate these headwinds while staying true to its growth trajectory.
Analysts echo Abercrombie's ( NYSE:ANF ) bullish sentiment, with Telsey Advisory Group's Dana Telsey highlighting the resilience of the A&F brand and its ability to drive margin expansion through digital growth. The company's fourth-quarter performance, which exceeded analysts' expectations both in terms of revenue and earnings per share, further underscores its strong position in the market.
Despite a marginal dip in early trading, Abercrombie's ( NYSE:ANF ) shares have enjoyed a remarkable rally, nearly quadrupling in value last year and continuing their ascent with a 60% increase year-to-date. Investors have taken notice of Abercrombie's ( NYSE:ANF ) impressive performance and its ability to navigate challenges with poise and confidence.
ANF Abercrombie & Fitch Options Ahead of EarningsIf you haven`t bought ANF here, when the calls went up 5X:
Then analyzing the options chain and the chart patterns of ANF Abercrombie & Fitch prior to the earnings report this week,
I would consider purchasing the 45usd strike price Calls with
an expiration date of 2024-1-19,
for a premium of approximately $5.70.
If these options prove to be profitable prior to the earnings release, I would sell at least half of them.
Looking forward to read your opinion about it.
ANF Abercrombie & Fitch Options Ahead of EarningsAnalyzing the options chain of ANF Abercrombie & Fitch prior to the earnings report this week,
I would consider purchasing the 23usd strike price Calls with
an expiration date of 2023-5-26,
for a premium of approximately $1.55
If these options prove to be profitable prior to the earnings release, I would sell at least half of them.
Looking forward to read your opinion about it.
ANF: Sell After a Retracement -INTRODUCTION-
Everyone’s favorite clothing company Abercrombie & Fitch is tanking. The stock gapped down to the $18.50 level after a bad earnings annoucement this week. Therefore, we will look for sell entries after a retracement.
-TRADING PLAN-
ANF is moving in a downtrend, making lower lows and lower highs. We currently have a gap at the $26.00 level. Current RSI is oversold so therefore, we expect a short-term retracement to the $26.00 level to fill the gap. Our area of interest to enter sell positions is $26.00 ~ $30.00 level. From this area, we will observe for a consolidation pattern. After a breakout from the pattern, we will then prepare our sell entries. We do expect at least one more retest of the recent low at $18.00 level.
We only trade with the trend and we don't enter trade to capture the retracement part, meaning we don't try to predict the bottom. If the price made a retracement back to our area of interest, then we will prepare our entries. If the price did not reach, then we will look for other opportunities :)
Check out our ongoing and previous stock trading ideas below :)
ANF Daily SetupNYSE:ANF setup:
MACD crossing up
Bullish bar today broke the trend line
20 EMA crossed above 50 EMA and they are both accelerating up together
3 bottoms since August
Enter above today's high at 39.87
Stop under today's low at 38.42
(More conservative stop is under local low at 36.82)
Take profit just under July high at 47.12
Risk/Reward ratio of 5.0
ANF - Bearish H&S - PT 30On the monthly, we can see a double bottom pattern breakout that has yet to back test the previous resistance which happens more often than not. The daily H&S pattern gives us an implied move to do exactly this before moving up again. I would be more of a buyer in that 29-30 range if it can should support here.
Should see an ABCDE Descending Triangle Wave Playout over the longterm and would follow this for my trading range.
ANF - Bearish H&S - PT 30ANF has a H&S pattern on the daily with an RSI trending under 50 and MACD under 0. If able to breakdown below the neckline, we should see an implied move towards 29-30 where 30.10 represents an old resistance area that should now have good support.
Daily timeframe Short Term: Bearish
$ANF showing excellent "Buy and Ride" signsWith the indices showing solid signs that they might continue their bullish run and ANF being at solid support I think right now might be one of the best prices to buy into this.
Of-course lower lows could come and the pattern could fail... we cannot decide which setup with be the winner and which the loser.
I didn't add an SL here as I bought the stock on revolut physically. This is a buy and hold for now.
THE WEEK AHEAD: ANF, BBY EARNINGS; XOP, EWZ, GDX, SMHIt's a short market week here, but this is what we've got ... .
EARNINGS:
HPE (43/33): Announces Monday after market close.
ANF (85/80): Announces Tuesday before market open.
BBY (70/42): Announces Tuesday before market open.
HPQ (50/36): Announces Tuesday after market close
DE (34/29): Announces Wednesday before market open.
Of these, ANF and BBY appear most appealing from a volatility contract standpoint.
The setup pictured here is an ANF 16 short straddle in the December 20th month, paying 2.87 (.72 at 25% max) versus 15.93 spot (18.0%), with the defined risk 11/16/16/21 iron fly paying 2.60 with a buying power effect of 2.40 (.65 at 25% max).
The BBY December 20th 65/80 short strangle is paying 1.75 (.88 at 50% max), with the correspondent 60/65/80/85 iron condor in the same cycle paying 1.60 (.80 at 50% max).
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS:
TLT (36/12)
SLV (29/20)
GLD (23/11)
USO (21/33)
XLE (19/20)
As with last week, short duration premium selling remains less than ideal here, so either hand sit, keeping powder dry, or look to deploy in longer duration setups. Here's what's on my list for longer duration setups in which at background implied volatility is higher:
XOP: January, where the at-the-money short straddle is paying 2.20 versus 21.05 spot (10.5%)
EWZ: March, where the at-the-money short straddle is paying 5.12 versus 43.16 spot (11.9%)
GDX: March, where the at-the-money short straddle is paying 3.14 versus 26.76 spot (11.7%)
SMH: May, where the at-the-money short straddle is paying 17.95 versus 130.92 spot (13.7%)
BROAD MARKET:
SPY 10/13
IWM (7/16)
QQQ (7/16)
As with the exchange-traded funds, you're looking at either hand sitting on shorter duration setups or going out farther in time to get paid, with the expiries in which the at-the-money short straddle is paying greater than 10% in September for SPY and June for both IWM and QQQ (ugh).
FUTURES:
/6B (67/12)
/NG (41/60)
/6C (30/5)
/SI (29/18)
/GC (23/11)
Cable I get, but what's with the Loonie?
VIX/VIX DERIVATIVES:
With the January, February, and March contracts trading at 16.68, 17.76, and 18.05 respectively as of Friday close, VIX term structure trades in those expiries remain viable. For all other short volatility trades, I'd wait for a VIX pop above 20 to consider starting to add short position, as well as consider taking off some risk if we see another drop back into the 2019 lows at 12. It finished Friday at 12.34 ... .
Abercrombie & Fitch ANF american Stock short opportunitiesAbercrombie & Fitch ANF american Stock short opportunity at weekly supply level. Abercrombie weekly supply level around $27 per share has taken control, the imbalance is very strong with lot of room for price to keep on dropping much lower to lower weekly demand level. There is a great daily supply level around $27 that also gained control. Nothing to stop price from falling at least until $21.50.
As supply and demand traders, we do not need to pay attention to the news, fundamentals or any earnings reports. Once a big timeframe imbalance has gained control, earnings do just the opposite and reacts strongly to those imbalances. Why is it that you see positive earnings and then the underlying stock drops like a rock, or a negative earnings announcement and the stock rallies like a rocket out of control? You are probably missing the fact that there are big imbalances gaining control.You can use these imbalances to plan your trades in lower timeframes. There are several ways of buying stocks. When trading stocks, you can buy shares of the underlying stock or use options strategies to go long or short at these specific supply and demand levels, long calls or long puts or spreads.
Gems in a bear market rally: A familiar pattern in ANF!As I try to let my bullish projections play out , I always find it better to trade single stocks as longs rather than simply trade the futures. If you do it right, you should get a higher bang for your buck. Conversely, in bear markets like these, when it's time to go short you need only to trade the indexes.
Highlighted in the chart is yet another inverse head and shoulders pattern -- this time in ANF. If the pattern plays to fruition, we should see it fill the gap at $25.60
Fundamentally, Abercrombie is in the midst of a 4 year turn around story as it tries to save its brand after falling out of style. It failed to rally over the past 10 years like every other stock on the planet, so we won't find it as levered to market price action as other stocks. Additionally, it recently reported its 5th consecutive quarter of same-store-sales growth. Furthermore, retail names have been rallying on the back of a solid holiday season.
I think we can buy ANF on a breakout of the neckline at $21.30 with a target of $25.50 and a stop at $19.
THE WEEK AHEAD: CRM, ANF, HPQ EARNINGS; XOP, NFLX, FCX, EEMEARNINGS WITH A RANK >70/IMPLIED >50:
CRM (81/52): Announces on Tuesday after market close. The pictured defined risk setup pays a greater than a one-third of the wing width 1.89 with break evens between the expected and one standard deevy.
ANF (68/86): Announces Thursday before market open. The Dec 21st 16 short straddle was paying 3.04 as of Friday close; the 25 delta 14/19 short strangle, 1.19.
HPQ (85/41): Announces Thursday after market close. The Dec 21st 22/23 skinny short strangle is paying 1.45, which makes for a near nominal trade at 25% max (.36 profit). Look for background implied to ramp up to 50 plus; otherwise, pass on a play.
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS WITH A RANK >50/IMPLIED >35:
USO (100/66): I tend to use this more as of oil volatility indicator than anything (although you can naturally look at that more directly with OVX). Here, it's saying "Sell premium in petro underlyings," which for me means XOP, XLE, or OIH.
UNG (96/104): With UNG, I'm waiting for a seasonality short, but think putting on something in December is likely to be too early. January, however, is coming into range (currently 54 DTE).
XOP (85/45): A smidge early to go out to January, but the 29/36 is paying a 1.52 in that expiry; the 32/33 "skinny," 3.58.
SINGLE NAME WITH A RANK OF >70/IMPLIED >50/EARNINGS IN REAR VIEW:
NFLX (78/59): It's still got juice ... . The Jan 18th 25-delta 220/225/300/305 iron condor's paying 2.13 at the mid (but the platform's showing wide markets, so that may not be as hot at NY open).
FCX (71/55): The Jan 18th 11 short straddle is paying 1.73.
BROAD MARKET:
EEM (71/27)
QQQ (66/28)
IWM (62/24)
SPY (39/21)
EFA (13/20)
THE WEEK AHEAD: TGT, ANF, COST, XOP, OIH, FXIA trio of retail names, TGT, ANF, and COST announce next week ... .
TGT announces on 3/6 before market open. Preliminarily, the March 16th, 11-day, 20-delta 69.5/81 short strangle pays 1.54 at the mid, with its defined risk counterpart, the 66.5/69/81/84 iron condor paying under 1/3rd the width of the wings at .83/contract, slightly shy of the credit I like to receive on those to pull the trigger.
For those into the short put/acquire/cover cycle type trade (I'm going to refer to these as "spack" trades for short):* the 30 delta, March 16th 71.5 short put is paying 1.37 at the mid, which would yield a cost basis of 70.13 of any assigned shares, a discount of 6.7% over where the underlying is currently trading.
ANF announces on 3/7 before market open. Given the size of the underlying, I'd probably go short straddle, with the March 16th 21 paying 3.22 at the door and its defined risk iron fly variation -- the 17/21/21/25 paying 2.56, slightly greater than 1/4 the width of the long strangle component of the setup, which is what I want to see at the least out of an iron fly.
The "spack" trade: the March 16th, 30 delta 19 short put is paying .91/contract, yielding a cost basis of 18.09 in any assigned shares versus 20.68 market, a 12.5% discount.
Lastly, COST announces on the 7th, after market close. The March 16th 177.5/200 short strangle is paying 2.40, with the defined risk 172.5/177.5/200/205 paying 1.21, somewhat short of 1/3rd the width of the wings.
The spack trade is to sell the March 16th 182.5 for 2.31/contract which would result in a cost basis of 180.19 in assigned shares -- a 4.8% discount over where shares are currently trading.
Sector-wise, the volatility remains in a familiar place, with XOP/OIH having the highest (34%). FXI (29%), XRT (27%), and XHB (26%) follow in descending order, with background implied a bit on the light side (I like >35% to bother).
Depending on your thoughts about where petro is heading: The XOP April 20th 31/37 short strangle is paying 1.01 at the mid (neutral assumption); the April 20th 32 short put (bullish assumption) is paying .74 with a resulting cost basis of 31.26 (an 8.4% discount over current share price); and the Plain Jane slightly monied April 20th 34 covered call (buy shares at 34.14, sell the April 20th 34 short call) costs 32.50 to put on (a 4.8% discount over current price) (selling the April 20th 34 short put for 1.47 yields basically the same metrics).
The FXI April 20th 44/51 short strangle is paying 1.41 at the mid, with the spack trade being to sell the April 20th 45 put for a .94 credit, resulting in a cost basis of 44.06 per share, a 6.8% discount over where the underlying is currently trading.
* -- Generally speaking, the cycle is to: (a) Sell puts. At expiry, if price is above your strike, you keep the premium. (b) If at expiry, price is below your strike, either allow yourself to be assigned, or roll the short put out "as is" for credit and therefore further cost basis reduction. (c) On assignment, proceed to cover your shares by selling calls against at or above your cost basis in the shares, looking to exit the trade profitably.