Shares of Vera Bradley, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRA) were down some 13% last week despite the fact that the company’s earnings managed to beat consensus. The news driving the pressure on the stock is the departure of CEO Michael Ray. However, this huge sell-off by the market could be just an overreaction and provide investors with a great buying opportunity.
Since its 2010 IPO, Vera Bradley, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRA) has operated amidst a troubled economy, but with consumer confidence being near six-year highs and steady progress being made in the jobs market, this could lead to a rebound in discretionary spending by consumers–a big positive for Vera and just what the company needs to see a turnaround in the stock.
The other big drag on the stock is the downward revision of 2013 earnings expectations, with EPS now expected to come in between $1.74 to $1.78, down from the previous guidance of $1.83 to $1.88. The big drop is just another step in Vera’s gross under-performance of the apparel market since 2011.
Part of these under-performance issues relate to the leadership changes. Not only is the CEO stepping down, but CFO Jeffrey Blade abruptly stepped down earlier this year. Blade’s exit is said to suggest problems amongst the executive and management teams. As well, the past few years have not been kind to companies that rely on discretionary dollars, thanks to high unemployment and a weak economy. However, the rebounding economy and higher consumer sentiment could spell good news for Vera and other higher-end retailers.
Specifically for Vera Bradley, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRA), the company is looking to expand its market share and grow sales via new store openings. The company opened some 20 stores last year and plans to open another 20-plus this year. This includes international expansion. Vera believes there lies a vast opportunity in Japan, where management believes Japanese consumers have similar customer characteristics as in the U.S. Vera’s deal to sell its products in Dillard’s, Inc. (NYSE:DDS)‘s stores also appears to be performing nicely.
Next to small-cap king Royce & Associates, the hedge fund managed by Chase Coleman, Tiger Global, is one of Vera Bradley, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRA)’s top hedge fund owners (check out Tiger Global’s new buys).
How are other high-end comps doing?
Coach, Inc. (NYSE:COH) is the major retailer of men and women accessories. I see Coach as one of Vera’s chief competitors given both of their catering to the high-end accessories business. Worth noting is that Coach is looking to embrace the men’s market, when Vera still focuses exclusively on women’s.
Coach, Inc. (NYSE:COH)’s fiscal 3Q EPS came in at $0.84, compared to $0.77 for the same quarter last year, on the back of 7% higher sales. Following the earnings, Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC) reiterated its outperform rating on the stock with a $63 price target on the high end, citing comp sales growth of 1% in the quarter and gross margins being up 35 basis points, both beating Wells’ expectations.
Much like Vera Bradley, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRA)’s growth plans, Coach, Inc. (NYSE:COH) hopes to support sales growth via store openings, with plans to increase its retail square footage by 10% in fiscal 2013. However, while Vera is targeting Japan, Coach is looking to China. Coach, Inc. (NYSE:COH) is also leaning on its men’s accessories to add to revenue, where the retailer hopes to reach $600 million in sales from men’s accessories in 2013, up from $400 million in 2012.
Going into the first quarter, there were a total of 37 hedge funds long the stock, a 19% increase from the previous quarter. Ariel Investments has the the most valuable position among major funds, with a $39 million position (see Ariel’s top stocks).
One of the underrated apparel companies is The Jones Group Inc. (NYSE:JNY), which is a leading designer of women’s apparel, with brands that include Jones New York, Nine West and Rachel Roy.
The company posted 1Q EPS of $0.15 versus $0.31 for the same period last year, missing consensus of $0.12. Now the company is looking to focus on sportswear as one of its big initiatives to better resonate with customers. Other initiatives include the closure of under-performing retail stores, which should help the company save upwards of $11 million in fiscal 2014.
The Jones Group Inc. (NYSE:JNY) saw EBIT margins of only 5% in 2012, compared to margins close to 30% for Coach, Inc. (NYSE:COH), which is in part due to its lower-margin accessory portfolio. Jones offers jeans-wear and footwear, in addition to accessories. Revenue growth also appears weak, expected to only grow 2% in 2013 year-over-year.
Fifth & Pacific Companies Inc (NYSE:FNP), formerly Liz Claiborne, is another major women’s apparel company. Earlier this year the company announced plans to explore the sale of its Lucky Brand and Juicy Couture brands, which would help allow it to focus on its key brand, Kate Spade. By shedding Lucky and Juicy, Fifth would more directly compete with the likes of Vera and Coach.
Although sales are expected to see impressive growth in 2013, up 16% year-over- year, the company should see expected margin pressure due to markdowns at Juicy Couture and investments in new retail locations. Fifth & Pacific Companies Inc (NYSE:FNP) hopes that global expansion of Kate Spade will help counter this margin compression. Other initiatives for its Kate Spade line includes the Jack Spade brand, it’s men’s line, and Saturday brand, which is handbags, accessories and lifestyle items for the home.
Michael Kors Holdings Ltd (NYSE:KORS) is a global accessories and apparel company. Kors has been on a tear over the past year and a half after its late 2011 IPO. The stock is up some 150% since its IPO. Kors is right there with the likes of Vera and Coach vying for the discretionary dollars. Kors is one of the top apparel stocks loved by hedge funds. Going into the second quarter there were a total of 49 hedge funds long the stock, a 17% increase from the previous quarter. Viking Global holds the most valuable position in Michael Kors Holdings Ltd (NYSE:KORS), with a $682 million position, comprising 4.1% of its 13F portfolio (check out Viking’s big buys).
Bottom line
The real driver for all of these stocks will be the rise in discretionary spending, and despite the recently lowered 2013 EPS guidance, Vera Bradley, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRA) now trades at a forward P/E that’s at 10.9 times, which is well below Coach’s 14 times, Michael Kors’ 18.7 times, Jones Group’s 12.7 times and Fifth & Pacific’s 58 times.
One of the big positives for Vera is its comp-sales growth, which is expected to increase more than 3% in 2013 thanks to new store openings. Vera is an international growth story that appears very attractive at current trading levels.
Marshall Hargrave has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Coach. The Motley Fool owns shares of Coach. Marshall is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
The article Great Opportunities Are Found in Overreactions originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Marshall Hargrave.
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