On Friday, CFRA raised its price target on Skechers USA (NYSE:SKX) to $64.00, up from the previous $56.00, while maintaining a Hold rating on the stock. The adjustment follows the footwear company's reported earnings for the first quarter, which surpassed consensus estimates.
The firm's analyst cited the rationale behind the price target increase, attributing it to a valuation based on 16.0 times the firm's 2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimate. This valuation falls between Skechers' three- and five-year average forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiples. The 2024 EPS estimate was also raised by $0.25 to $4.00, while the 2025 EPS estimate remains unchanged at $4.00.
Skechers reported a normalized first-quarter EPS of $1.33, significantly higher than the $1.02 reported in the same quarter last year and $0.17 above consensus estimates. The company's revenues reached $2.25 billion, exceeding the expected $2.00 billion by $51 million. Growth was observed across different sales channels, with wholesale revenues increasing by 9.8% year-over-year and direct-to-consumer revenues growing by an impressive 17.3%.
The company's gross margin for the quarter saw a notable increase of 360 basis points year-over-year, reaching 52.5%. This improvement was attributed to reduced freight costs and higher average selling prices. Meanwhile, Skechers' inventory levels decreased by 10.8% year-over-year to $1.36 billion.
During the quarter, Skechers expanded its retail presence by opening 147 stores and closing 112, with the international segment posting the largest net increase. Sales growth was strong across various regions: the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region saw a 17% increase, Asia's sales grew by 16%, and the Americas experienced an 8% rise. Notably, international sales now account for 65% of Skechers' total sales.
CFRA's neutral stance on Skechers' shares is due to concerns about the company's reliance on licensing and franchise stores, which the analyst believes could be an overreliance.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of CFRA's updated price target for Skechers USA (NYSE:SKX), examining the company's financial metrics provides a broader perspective on its investment potential. According to InvestingPro data, Skechers is trading at a P/E ratio of 17.27, which adjusts to a more favorable 15.48 when considering the last twelve months as of Q1 2024. This aligns with the analyst's valuation approach and suggests that the stock is trading at a low P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth, an InvestingPro Tip worth noting for value-oriented investors.
Moreover, the company's revenue growth is solid, with an 8.17% increase over the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, and a more pronounced quarterly growth of 12.47% in Q1 2024. Skechers' gross profit margin is also robust at 52.79%, reflecting the efficiency of its operations. These figures underscore the company's strong financial health and its ability to generate profit from its sales.
For investors seeking comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips on Skechers, including insights on the company's liquidity and debt levels, as well as its performance trends. For instance, Skechers' liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, and it operates with a moderate level of debt, which are key factors in assessing the company's financial stability. There are six more InvestingPro Tips available for Skechers, providing a deeper dive into the company's financial nuances. To explore these insights and make informed investment decisions, interested readers can use coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription at https://www.investing.com/pro/SKX.
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