I can talk about it now.
I'm far enough removed from my mistake of an investment in Crocs
Last night's sorry earnings report only hammers home what I thankfully realized several quarters ago: Those bright Crocs colors keep fading.
Revenue fell by 32% to $134.9 million in the first quarter. Losses widened to $0.27 a share, or $0.23 a share if you back out a hit from foreign currency exchange rates. The upside is that analysts were braced for a loss of $0.27 a share on just $114.4 million in revenue. The company is also making inroads into tackling its bloated inventory levels and accounts receivable -- areas that helped fellow Fool Alyce Lomax rightfully flag this stock as dangerous.
So how are the prospects for the company behind the bright and light shoes that are made of a proprietary odor-shaking resin called croslite? Well, the company's not looking too good unless you see the potential in the Web-tethered Asian market. Asia is the only region that hasn't tired of the company's shoes. Sales there were up 7%, whereas they fell by 37% and 49% in the Americas and Europe, respectively.
My excitement for Crocs was triggered when the company expanded into apparel two years ago. I was betting that the company would become the next crossover hit, the way Nike
Unfortunately, Crocs has proved to be more of a one-hit footwear wonder, like Heelys
Crocs is going to have to earn its gains from here. Unless Asia takes to Crocs like France took to Jerry Lewis, I'm not going anywhere near that brightly colored punchbowl again.
For more Foolishness:
- Just before it fell off a cliff, Fool Alyce Lomax warned us about Crocs.
- Then she warned us again, and we refused to listen.
- Tired of Crocs-talk? Maybe it's time to sell the rally.