Companies and Brands

Is the Strong Dollar Killing the Turnaround at Avon?

Avon lipstick
courtesy of Avon Products Inc.
Avon Products Inc. (NYSE: AVP) reported first-quarter 2015 results before markets opened Thursday morning. The beauty products maker posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.04 on revenues of $1.8 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported EPS of $0.12 on revenues of $2.18 billion. First-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $0.07 and $1.83 billion in revenues.

On a GAAP basis the company posted a net loss of $0.33 per share. Foreign exchange rates related to Venezuelan operations and a write-down of Venezuelan assets had a negative impact of $196 million on operating profit; restructuring costs weighed by $33 million; and Avon took a non-cash $31 million tax charge.

Avon said it continues to expect constant-dollar revenues to be up “modestly” compared with 2014 revenues. However the negative impact on revenues from currency exchange rates has been raised from a prior estimate of 12% to a new forecast of 17%. Constant-dollar adjusted operating margin is now forecast at 50 basis points lower than in 2014. Avon now expects adjusted operating margin in reported dollars to be down approximately 200 basis points as compared with 2014, due to the expected impact from foreign currency translation and a new tax on cosmetics in Brazil.

About the only good news from Avon this morning is that it plans to continue paying its quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share (a dividend yield of 2.7%).

ALSO READ: Consumer Stocks Being Reshaped by Changing Tastes of Millennials

CEO Sheri McCoy, who took over in April 2012, said:

Overall, the first quarter was in line with our expectations despite currency pressures that were greater than anticipated. … Despite continued foreign exchange pressure, I’m really impressed with how well our teams in market are managing in this volatile environment. This is a payoff for the work we’ve done over the past two years on strengthening our talent and improving core processes.

Revenue in North America was down 17% in constant dollars, but the damage came in Latin America, where Brazilian revenues fell 17%. On a constant dollar basis, Avon’s sales rose 1% year over year in the quarter. If that’s a turnaround, it is moving in super-slow motion.

Avon’s shares traded down about 0.6% in Thursday’s premarket to $8.62, in the stock’s 52-week range of $7.10 to $15.46. The consensus target price for the shares was around $9.60 before the report.

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

 

Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!

By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.

By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.