Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.
What: Shares of Conn's (CONN -4.97%) were looking solid today, climbing as much as 16%, after reporting fourth-quarter earnings this morning.
So what: The home-appliance retailer's results were actually below the analysts' mark as it posted earnings of $0.74 a share on expectations of $0.78, and revenue increased 44.3% to $361.1 million, missing estimates of $362.8 million. However, investors seemed to react positively to the company's outlook and falling delinquency rate as Conn's provides in-house credit options to customers. Shares had tumbled 43% in February when the company warned about rising delinquency rates and cut its guidance, but management said the rate had actually fallen from 8.8% at the end of January, in part because of modifications in underwriting standards.
Now what: Conn's had been on a tear in 2013, with same-store sales jumping 27%. CEO Theodore Wright said that the clip would slow to 5-10% as "comparisons become more difficult," but that rate is still much better than the average retailer. Conn's also maintained its earnings guidance for the current fiscal year at $3.40-$3.70, in line with estimates of $3.51. Considering that gives the company a P/E of just 11, I'd expect shares to move higher as long as the company meets its mark.
