The buying opportunity came after their Q1 report where they blamed bad weather for poor sales. Otherwise, the quarter was solid: over 6% same-store sales growth, gross margins increased and they're expanding in the U.S. gradually--about to open a store in Boston. Well-managed. They have a great online presence, so there's also growth here. (Analysts' price target: $15.06)
(Past Top Pick, January 25, 2018, Down 10%)They had a disappointing Q1. Roots blamed this on the bad winter weather, which is valid. He'd still buy it. (Also a top pick this day.)
It's a case on not buying stocks at an IPO. IPO expectations were too high, and Roots has struggled since then. There are forecasts that in 2020 it will earn 73-cents a share vs. 90 cents at the IPO. Managers overpromised at the IPO, so the stock got punished. It trades at 5.6x enterprise value to EBITDA, lower than its peers. But he fears that expectations are still wildly unrealistic. Doesn't see 49% earnings growth in a time when sales are moderating.
A plummet in shares last week. But it has a very good brand and he believes a positive catalyst of some sort will happen, like someone will buy it. This is a speculative buy. Expect more pressure because of tax-loss selling, but then it can only go up. (Analysts’ price target is $5.44)
If you're getting into clothing, brand really matters. His preference is LVMH, which is diversified, and their new line is direct to consumers. LVMH dividend continues to grow and they have brand power and staying power. Brand power leads to pricing power.
(A Top Pick Jun 27/18, Down 63%) A disappointing performer, but he still holds it. Same store sales plunged last year following the completion of Canada 150 sales. It is still profitable, although it always loses money in Q1. An iconic brand and is expanding slowly into the US. He would be a buyer if he wasn't already an owner.
It's struggled since some private equity guys bought and flipped it which left a bad taste with investors. The stock is now trading with an overhang. They've stumbled a bit but have done okay. There are better retail stocks to buy. Has dropped from $10-2, since it went public.
For tax-loss selling? It's disappointed the market. But it's time to look at it. They should take the company private; the share price is so low, so disastrous since its IPO. Existing owners could buy it all back. Overall, retailing is a difficult space now.
Interesting things happening. New CEO with marketing sophistication trying to transform a business that's struggled since the IPO. Pretty good entry point. Strong brand. If you have the appetite for a small company, more speculative, good name to own.
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The buying opportunity came after their Q1 report where they blamed bad weather for poor sales. Otherwise, the quarter was solid: over 6% same-store sales growth, gross margins increased and they're expanding in the U.S. gradually--about to open a store in Boston. Well-managed. They have a great online presence, so there's also growth here. (Analysts' price target: $15.06)