The jewelry market is largely dominated by three companies: Tiffany & Co. (NYSE:TIF), Blue Nile Inc (NASDAQ:NILE) and Zale Corporation (NYSE:ZLC). Due to the global economic recession and resultant decline in consumer disposable income and confidence, these companies experienced declining sales and margins. However, one company that shown bright even during these times was Blue Nile Inc (NASDAQ:NILE), which posted 2% and 10% sales growth in FY09 and FY10, respectively.
What drove Blue Nile Inc (NASDAQ:NILE) during the recession was its business model. Blue Nile is the world’s larges
t online retailer of certified diamonds and fine jewelry. The company used the strategy of providing high-quality diamonds and jewelry at attractive prices as well as educating its customers with respect to in-depth product information, grading reports, and trusted guidance throughout the purchasing process.
The comparison between Blue Nile Inc (NASDAQ:NILE) and Zale is unusual given that each has a different operating model – Blue Nile is an online retailer while Zale is a typical bricks-and-mortar store. Despi
te this difference, Blue Nile trades at a whopping P/E of 55.39, higher than even Tiffany’s P/E of 21.11. Let us delve further –
Sales:
Although Zale Corporation (NYSE:ZLC) has high absolute sales value, the growth rate is much lower than that of Blue Nile. While Blue Nile Inc (NASDAQ:NILE) posted positive sales growth in 2009 and 2010, Zale posted negative sales growth in both the years.
Blue Nile’s sales have been consistent over the past 5 years with a CAGR of 6%.
Margins
Although Blue Nile Inc (NASDAQ:NILE) posted a gross profit margin of 20%, it has been able to post average 5% margins in the last 5 years. On the other hand Zale has a gross profit margin of 50%, but has positive margins in only 2 out of 5 years.
Given its lower profitability, Zale Corporation (NYSE:ZLC) has a negative Return on Equity of 5.6% vs. Blue Nile’s double digit positive return (34%).
Cash flows
Blue Niles cash flows have been stable and have mainly been used for share repurchases.
Zale Corporation (NYSE:ZLC) has posted negative operating cash flows in the last two years. Capital expenditure is higher vs. Blue Nile due to its bricks-and-mortar model. Further, post FY08, the company discontinued its share repurchase.
Balance Sheet:
Blue Nile Inc (NASDAQ:NILE) has been able to maintain a steady cash balance, averaging $85 million. Further, its balance sheet is debt-free.
Zale Corporation (NYSE:ZLC)’s cash balances have declined by 60%, from $61 million in FY08 to $24.6 million in FY12. It has a Debt/Equity ratio of 244.4. Its Debt/EBITDA ratio improved to 7.3x only due to its strong 2Q13 results vs. FY12 Debt/EBITDA ratio of 8.0x
Share Price:
As seen in the adjacent chart Zale Corporation (NYSE:ZLC)’s share price has been fairly volatile. Though in the last one year share price has increased 30%, it is still trading 50% below its 52-week high of $7.
Blue Nile on the other hand did experience a downtrend in the beginning of the year but its share price has moved in a fairly stable fashion, trading at mid level of its 52 week range of $22-$43.
Similarly, over 5 years, Zale Corp’s share price has declined almost 79% vs. 17% decline in Blue Nile’s share price.
Conclusion:
The convenience and savings of shopping online is undeniable and Forrester Research projects that U.S. e-commerce sales will increase from $202 billion in 2011 to $327 billion in 2016, an annual growth rate of 10.1%.
Zale Corporation (NYSE:ZLC) reported an astounding 2Q13 but whether it will be able to maintain this momentum only time will tell.
It is true that the company is trading at a premium of ~55 times its earnings with earnings growth not supporting the premium multiple. However, given Blue Nile Inc (NASDAQ:NILE)’s stable sales growth and margins supported by a strong and debt free balance sheet, I would recommend this company for the long haul.
The article Which Diamond Is forever? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Sujata Dutta.
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