Gap Reports Vastly Improved Q3 Sales And Earnings ResultsThe Gap’s new president, Richard Dickson, 52, has many challenges to overcome. His first meeting with analysts and investors after reporting 3rd quarter 2023 results shows that he has a clear understanding of the Gap’s problems and opportunities. In the three months that he has been on the job, he has closed many unprofitable Gap stores, invigorated Old Navy, and started to reposition Banana Republic and Athleta.
In the third quarter, his efforts have already made an impact on a few key metrics. The company improved both gross margin and operating margins and, most importantly, he is reviving the spirit of the associates and creating a culture of success.
Key Highlights
Net sales were $3.8 billion, a decrease of 7% from last year’s 3rd quarter. The company indicated that those sales results included about 2 percentage points of negative impact from the sale of Gap China.
Diving more deeply into this, comparable sales were down 2%. Store sales decreased 6% compared to last year. The company ended with 3,533 stores at the end of the quarter compared to last year’s third quarter of 3352 stores. The stores are in 40 countries; 2,598 of them (compared to 2,685 last year) are company operated.
Online sales decreased 8% compared to last year and represented 38% of total net sales.
A gross margin of 41.3% showed an increase of 390 basis points versus last year’s gross margin and increased 260 basis points versus last year’s adjusted gross margin. Last year’s adjusted gross margin excluded $53 million in impairment charges related to the decision to discontinue the Yeezy business.
1. The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1.4 billion, an increase of 99% from the prior year.
2. Year to date, net cash from operating activities was $832 million.
3. Ending inventory was $2.3 billion, down 22% compared to last year.
4. Year to date, capital expenditures were $288 million.
5. The Gap paid a third quarter dividend of $0.15 per share, totaling $55 million.
6. The effective tax rate was 15% and includes the benefit of foreign operations.
7. Reported net income was $218 million while reported diluted earnings per share were $0.58.
8. Adjusted net income was $221 million. Excluding restructuring costs, diluted earnings per share were $0.59.
9. The board of directors approved another $0.15 per share dividend for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Technical Analysist
Price Momentum
GPS is trading near the top of its 52-week range and above its 200-day simple moving average.
What does this mean?
Investors have been pushing the share price higher, and the stock still appears to have upward momentum. This is a positive sign for the stock's future value.
Thegap
Why Is Gap (NYSE: GPS) Stock Up Today?The Gap (NYSE:GPS) jumped 14.9% in the morning session after the company reported third quarter results that blew past analysts' revenue and EPS expectations, although its revenue declined in absolute terms. These beats were driven by better-than-expected same-store sales performance (analysts forecasted a 7% decline, and Gap posted a 2% decline). In the earnings release, management called out market share gains in the competitive casual apparel space.
We were also excited its gross margin and free cash flow outperformed Wall Street's estimates - many were expecting Gap to post negative free cash flow. Management noted that rigor around expenses "has put the company on stronger financial footing and is enabling us to focus on reinvigorating our portfolio of brands, strengthening our operating platform, and reviving our culture for success." As a reminder, as a new CEO at the helm.
Richard Dickson assumed the role in August 2023, and this is a good start for the new leadership of a company that has had its fair share of troubles in the last few years. Zooming out, we think this was an solid quarter amid low expectations that should please shareholders.
Price Momentum
GPS is trading near the top of its 52-week range and above its 200-day simple moving average.
What does this mean?
Investors have been pushing the share price higher, and the stock still appears to have upward momentum. This is a positive sign for the stock's future value.
If Love The Gap. You will love it under a $1Let's look at some household retail names
starting off with The GAP #GPS
It's ATH was over Twenty years ago
Is this Head and Shoulders signalling a Bankruptcy event during the next recession?
GPS The Gap Options Ahead of EarningsAnalyzing the options chain and the chart patterns of GPS The Gap prior to the earnings report this week,
I would consider purchasing the 9usd strike price Puts with
an expiration date of 2023-12-15,
for a premium of approximately $0.73.
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.
GPS Bulls Vs BearsOn the chart there are distinct observable bear and bull phases (which I have labelled)
The currently displayed two bull and bear phases are roughly the same lengths in time
Currently, we are moving into another bull phase for GPS, as it climbs out of the 1.618 fib
The Gap (NASDAQ: $GPS) Ready For Reversal On Earnings Beat! 💰The Gap, Inc. operates as an apparel retail company. The company offers apparel, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta, Intermix, and Janie and Jack brands. Its products include denim, tees, fleece, and khakis; eyewear, jewelry, shoes, handbags, and fragrances; and fitness and lifestyle products for use in yoga, training, sports, travel, and everyday activities for women and girls. The company offers its products through company-operated stores, franchise stores, Websites, third-party arrangements, and catalogs. It has franchise agreements with unaffiliated franchisees to operate Old Navy, Gap, Athleta, and Banana Republic stores and websites in Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. As of March 04, 2021, the company had 3,100 company-operated stores and 615 franchise stores. It also provides its products through e-commerce sites. The Gap, Inc. was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
The Gap (NYSE: $GPS) Recently Poked Thru The Golden Pocket 🔔The Gap, Inc. operates as an apparel retail company. The company offers apparel, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta, Intermix, and Janie and Jack brands. Its products include denim, tees, fleece, and khakis; eyewear, jewelry, shoes, handbags, and fragrances; and fitness and lifestyle products for use in yoga, training, sports, travel, and everyday activities for women and girls. The company offers its products through company-operated stores, franchise stores, Websites, third-party arrangements, and catalogs. It has franchise agreements with unaffiliated franchisees to operate Old Navy, Gap, Athleta, and Banana Republic stores and websites in Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. As of March 04, 2021, the company had 3,100 company-operated stores and 615 franchise stores. It also provides its products through e-commerce sites. The Gap, Inc. was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
GPS before EarningsGreat entry point at current price before earnings report tomorrow AMC. Incredible technicals throughout for this stock, could quickly see 19-19.50 with highs of 21 post-earnings day. GPS is bullish as long as it doesn't go below 16.07 and closes today and tomorrow above 16.26.
The Gap (GPS)(NYSE) Buy $26.24 >>> Target $26.52Clothes - The Gap, Inc.
Stock - NYSE (USA)
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Buy - $26.24
Take Profit - $26.52
Stop Loss - $25.61
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Take Profit = +1.07%
Stop Loss = -2.40%