Topic: Growth Stocks

REITMANS (CANADA) LTD. $6.31 – Toronto symbol RET.A

REITMANS (CANADA) LTD. $6.31 (Toronto symbol RET.A; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (514-384- 1140; www.reitmans.com; Shares outstanding: 64.6 million; Market cap: $398.9 million; Dividend yield: 3.2%) owns 810 women’s clothing stores across Canada.

The chain consists of 337 Reitmans stores, 138 Penningtons, 107 Addition Elle, 78 RW & Co., 68 Thyme Maternity and 82 Smart Set. It also has 21 Thyme Maternity boutiques in Canadian Babies “R” Us stores.

In the three months ended May 2, 2015, Reitmans’ sales fell 2.3%, to $201.7 million from $206.5 million a year earlier. Sales declined because the company closed 52 less profitable stores. Same-store sales gained 3.0%.

However, the store closures helped Reitmans cut its loss to $7.7 million, or $0.12 a share, from $13.4 million, or $0.21, a year ago. Earnings also benefited from cost-cutting measures, including layoffs at the company’s head office.

The retailer’s balance sheet remains strong: it holds cash of $126.6 million, or $1.95 a share, and its longterm debt is just $3.1 million. The stock yields 3.2%.

In mid-2014, Reitmans said it would close its 107 underperforming Smart Set stores. Under the company’s plan, it will close 31 locations and convert the other 76 to other banners. It aims to complete the shutdown by the end of this year.

The company’s willingness to close unprofitable stores and discontinue unpopular banners to boost its future profits bodes well for its long-term success. However, ever-increasing competition in the clothing market still leaves its near-term sales outlook uncertain.

Reitmans is a hold.

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