Investors must be thrilled with the impressive recent results delivered by 1-800-Flowers.com (NASDAQ:FLWS). The company's ability to seamlessly integrate its acquisitions has enabled it to improve nearly all of its business segments (with the thorny exception of its home & children's gifts category). Although revenue lagged estimates, its improved efficiencies and product mix sent profits soaring in the quarter.
In the fiscal fourth quarter, profits rose 545% to $6.6 million, or $0.10 per share. In addition to the items mentioned above, a 270-basis-point improvement in gross margins contributed to the profit gain. Meanwhile, total sales at 1-800-Flowers increased 9.8% to $231.8 million. Its most fertile growth came from its BloomNet Wire Service business, where sales jumped 55%.
Those concerned about the company's ability to generate strong organic growth -- myself included -- were likely pleased by 1-800-Flowers' recent performance. Excluding sales from the acquired Fanny May candy business, annual sales still climbed 18% in the company's gourmet food & gift basket category. For all of fiscal 2008, 1-800-Flowers expects overall organic growth of 7% to 9%.
As 1-800-Flowers continues to branch out into its other business areas, it expects to continue to improve its product mix and business processes. The company anticipates that these efforts will result in further margin expansion and 30% to 35% earnings-per-share growth in fiscal 2008. Despite the nearly 5% surge in the company's stock price after yesterday's news, its forward P/E of about 28 doesn't seem too unreasonable. If 1-800-Flowers can extend its recent growth, investors may want to stop and smell the flowers.
To see just how much 1-800-Flowers has blossomed, read:
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Fool contributor Mike Cianciolo welcomes feedback and doesn't shares of 1-800-Flowers.com.
