As it unveils its first quarterly report since the arrival of its new CEO, all eyes are on Gap
Tightening the belt
Gap reported a 19% increase in net income to $152 million, or $0.19 per share. However, sales dropped 1% to $3.69 billion, and same-store sales decreased by 5%, atop a 5% decrease in the year-ago-period. Heartening news included a 130-basis-point increase in gross margin, to 34.3%, as the company lured consumers to pay more for merchandise. (Check out my Foolish colleague Rich Smith's Foolish Forecast to see how Gap stacked up to Wall Street's expectations.)
Obviously, the retailer has been cutting costs, most notably deciding not to proceed with its nascent Forth & Towne concept. In the conference call, Gap described additional cost-cutting initiatives, including headcount reductions, decreased marketing expenses, and reducing corporate office space by 16%.
Gap did increase its 2007 guidance to between $0.83 and $0.88 per share. (Last we'd heard, it expected $0.76 to $0.86 per share.) Although that improves upon reduced guidance from earlier this year, it's also not too far from Gap's original January 2007 guidance, which called for earnings of $0.83 to $0.87 per share. And it's a far cry from February's revised guidance of $0.89 to $0.91 per share. Gap seems to be treading water, and its back-and-forth moves on guidance seem to echo the uncertainty surrounding the company.
Furthermore, while it's certainly good that Gap's tightening its belt and aiming to become a more "nimble" company, you can only cut so many costs to boost profits. It's far more urgent for Gap to reverse its slumping sales trends. Amid an uncertain macroeconomic environment and tough competition, the company could face a rocky road ahead, however heartening its current progress.
Cashing in, cashing out
Gap's known for its impressive balance sheet, and many of its shareholders have been willing to forgive the company's growth shortcomings in light of its cash hoard. Gap currently has $2.7 billion in cash and investments -- roughly flat year over year. The company's free cash flow has been declining for years; Gap aims to generate at least $500 million in free cash flow this year, but even that figure's been whittled down from January's estimate of $650 million.
Right now, Gap is touting its $1.5 billion share repurchase plan, but it, too, carries some interesting caveats. The company's lowering its cash target from $1.5 billion to $1.2 billion, and it seems that part of the buyback will let some members of the founding Fisher family cash out. In the conference call, management revealed that it's buying shares from Fisher family members who own approximately 17% of Gap. The family and related entities currently own a total of 34% of Gap's shares.
Last month, I thought it was odd that the Fishers were handing over the chairman role to new CEO Glenn Murphy. Now, it also strikes me as a bit odd that the founding family appears to be cutting its stake in half. Are they getting the heck out of Dodge?
Is this brand-new outfit still out of fashion?
Glenn Murphy may not be a magic bullet, given his lack of experience in apparel retail. I think many Gap shareholders and observers hoped for a merchant CEO like former Gap head Millard "Mickey" Drexler, who now heads up J. Crew
A few promising retailers have suffered recent and likely temporary damage to their share prices, including American Eagle Outfitters
Gap, alas, had a strong brand, but I think those days are gone. Fools shouldn't underestimate the difficulty of rejuvenating battered brands, especially those suffering from years of bland, uninspiring merchandise.
Gap shares have never really looked cheap to me, despite the company's ongoing problems. Last time I checked, the stock was up more than 5% -- a decidedly uncautious sort of optimism. Given the company's continued uncertainty, some Gap shareholders might consider this a good time to take their money and run.
For related Foolishness, see the following articles:
- Hope springs eternal at Gap.
- Last month, we wondered whether Glenn Murphy was the prescription for success at Gap.
- Last quarter's numbers sounded like the same story, different day at Gap.
- Check out a review of Gap's performance in 2006.
Gap, American Eagle Outfitters, and bebe are Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendations. Gap has also been recommended by Motley Fool Inside Value.
Alyce Lomax does not own shares of any of the companies mentioned. The Fool's disclosure policy is always in fashion.