Retail

The Tale of 2 Jewelers

Both Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) and Signet Jewelers Ltd. (NYSE: SIG) reported earnings before the markets opened on Thursday. Afterward, there was one clear winner and one clear loser in this story.

Luxury goods company Tiffany reported adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.86 on revenues of $991 million. In the same period a year ago, Tiffany reported EPS of $0.96 and revenue of $992.9 million. Second-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $0.91 and $1 billion in revenue.

On a constant currency basis, net sales and same-store sales rose 7%. U.S. second-quarter net and same-store sales in 2014 were both flat compared with the prior year.

Tiffany’s full-year EPS guidance disappointed investors and analysts Thursday. The company said adjusted EPS growth would be “2% to 5% below” last year’s total of $4.20 per diluted share. The consensus estimate called for EPS of $4.26 for the current year.

So far in 2015 Tiffany has underperformed the market, as shares are down 19.7% year to date, but only down 14.2% over the past 52 weeks.

Tiffany shares were down 1.7% to $83.65 Thursday afternoon, in its 52-week trading range of $76.00 to $110.60. The stock has a consensus analyst price target of $103.00.

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Signet released its second-quarter financial results as $1.28 in EPS on $1.41 billion in revenue. That compared to the consensus estimates of $1.15 in EPS and revenue of $1.38 billion. The same period from the previous year had EPS of $1.07 and $1.24 billion in revenue.

Same-store sales increased 4.2%, compared to an increase of 4.8% in the fiscal second quarter from last year. This was driven by positive sales performance across all national store brands.

Looking ahead to the fiscal third quarter, Signet issued guidance that investors viewed very favorably. The company expects to have same-store sales growth between 3% and 4%, while EPS is expected to be in the range of $0.36 to $0.40. The consensus estimate calls for $0.37 in EPS.

So far in 2015, Signet has underperformed the market (as of Wednesday’s close at $121.29), as shares were down 7.4% year to date. However the stock is up 12.6% over the past 52 weeks.

Shares of Signet were up 14.3% at $138.70 Thursday afternoon. The consensus price target is $151.93 and the 52-week range is $102.06 to $140.98.

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