What happened
A day after reporting its second-quarter earnings after market hours, retailer Bath & Body Works' (BBWI 0.47%) shares rose by 10.5% Thursday thanks to the estimates-crushing numbers the company posted.
So what
For the quarter, Bath & Body Works' revenue landed just shy of $3.32 billion, which was a powerful 43% higher year over year. On the bottom line, the retailer -- previously known as L Brands -- flipped dramatically into the black with a profit of nearly $374.2 million ($1.34 per share) against the year-ago loss of almost $50 million.
Image source: Getty Images.
Both headline figures were miles ahead of analyst estimates. On average, these prognosticators modeled that Bath & Body Works would earn merely $1.68 billion in revenue and a per-share net profit of $0.83.
As with other retailers, the company was operating from a low base; in the year-ago period many of its stores endured mandatory shutdowns. Regardless, its far-better-than-expected growth was admirable.
However, we should bear in mind that a formerly crucial business unit -- the storied Victoria's Secret (VSCO -0.66%) lingerie retailer -- has been spun off, and its results will no longer be consolidated into the onetime parent's business. In Q2, Victoria's Secret was responsible for almost half of Bath & Body Works' total sales.
Now what
Q3 might not end up being as much of a blowout as the just-reported quarter. Bath & Body Works is forecasting $0.55 to $0.60 per share for net income, a tally that doesn't include one-time costs associated with the Victoria's Secret spinoff. Collectively, analysts tracking the stock are expecting $0.58 per share. No revenue estimate was provided by the company.
