Kohl’s Corporation (KSS – Free Report) delivered third-quarter fiscal 2018 results, with the top and the bottom line improving year over year and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. While this marked the sixth straight quarter of revenue beat, earnings surpassed the consensus mark for the fourth time in a row. Better-than-expected results prompted management to raise fiscal 2018 earnings view.
Certainly, the positive surprise streak propelled the shares of this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company. The stock surged roughly 70% in a year compared with the industry’s surge of about 54.9%.
Coming back to results, quarterly earnings of 98 cents per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 96 cents and soared 40% on a year-over-year basis. The uptick came on the back of higher sales, improved comparable sales (comps) and enhanced gross margin.
Management highlighted that store and digital channels showcased strength in the quarter. Moreover, the company posted growth in the apparel business as well as benefited from inventory management and focus on speed to market efforts.
Sales and Margins
Total revenues came in at $4,628 million, up 1.3% from the prior-year quarter’s tally and ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4,619 million. Net sales also improved 1.3% to $4,369 million, while other revenues increased to $259 million from $255 million in the year-ago quarter.
Further, comps rose 2.5% from a rise of 0.1% recorded in the year-ago quarter. Well, comps have been positive since the past five quarters.
Moving on, gross margin expanded 25 basis points (bps) to 37% in the reported quarter. Further, operating income came in at $258 million, up roughly 0.4% from the prior-year quarter’s level.
Kohl’s Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Kohl’s Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Kohl’s Corporation Quote
Other Financial Details
Kohl’s ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1,047 million, long-term debt of $2,272 million and shareholders’ equity of $5,453 million. The company generated net cash flow of $1,423 million from operating activities during the first nine months of fiscal 2018.
