H&M turns in better than expected Q4 earnings
STOCKHOLM: Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) provided some much-needed good news for Europe’s struggling clothing retail market, reporting profit that topped estimates and setting a new annual growth target.
After missing estimates for five of the previous six quarters, H&M said fourth-quarter pretax earnings rose to 7.41 billion kronor ($839 million), exceeding the 7.04 billion-kronor average estimate. A previous target of increasing store numbers by 10% to 15% a year will instead become a sales target that includes both stores and online revenue.
The results provide a lift for Europe’s apparel retailers after a year when unseasonable weather patterns, changing consumer priorities and the strength of the dollar all provided challenges.
H&M shares rose as much as 6.2% in early Stockholm trading, almost erasing their decline this year. Rival Inditex SA and UK clothing retailers Next Plc and Marks & Spencer Group Plc also gained.
H&M’s better-than-expected profit shows that pressure caused by the dollar’s strength and promotional activity is starting to ease, according to Berenberg analysts.
Fourth-quarter gross margins of 57% were down on last year’s 57.5%, though above the average estimate of 56.6%.
Looking ahead, the retailer said it expects a slightly negative effect on purchasing costs due to inflation and currencies in the first quarter. Profit this year is set to be helped by a gradual reduction in the pace of investment on new brands and online shopping.
H&M said it plans to add 430 stores this year, of which about 70 or 80 will be other brands than H&M, such as the COS, Monki and Weekday banners. The retailer will review its existing locations and plans to close some shops. H&M also said it plans to add one or two new brands this year.
H&M said it expects “continued high profitability” along with its sales growth target, which excludes currency swings.
The retailer also said it will add new online options such as next-day shipments that’s currently offered in five markets and time-slot deliveries available in Japan.
The move is an attempt to get products to customers faster, an area where H&M faces stiff competition from rivals like Zara, owned by Inditex. – Bloomberg