Supercuts, Jean Louis David, Vidal Sassoon, Regis Salons, MasterCuts, Trade Secret, SmartStyle, and Cost Cutters all share a common parent: Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendation Regis (NYSE:RGS). With 10,262 hair salons and beauty schools, the company is the giant of shearing and styling.
Is a company that segments its business so there is even a brand (SmartStyle) for Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) running out of opportunities? Hardly! Regis plans to build more than 550 new salons and purchase 400 to 500 salons and beauty schools in the coming fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2005.
Revenue for the latest quarter increased 10%, same-store revenue rose 0.9%, and net income moved ahead 2% -- modest performance for this stylish company. But wind sheer (as in hurricanes) stopped the shearing at nearly 650 salons for at least one day, and there was a total loss of 3,276 "salon days" (meaning business days) during the quarter. That is a lot of disruption even for a company as diversified as Regis. While Mother Nature was having her way, Regis showed its social consciousness by compensating company employees for their lost time.
The company's guidance for fiscal 2005 is as refreshing as a soothing shampoo and rinse. Revenue is expected to rise to 12%, and earnings will expand 8% to 13%. That kind of performance is expected to continue in the future.
With return on equity a strong 19%, the company's plans to expand total debt by 20% seem very reasonable.
This solid company comes at a modest price -- 17 times estimated fiscal 2005 earnings -- with a modest 0.4% dividend yield. Diversified, growing, and with plenty of international expansion opportunities available, Regis is the real deal (as in a real money maker) in the hair salon business.
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Fool contributor W.D. Crotty does not own stock in the companies mentioned.
