Bath & Body Works(BBWI)
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Bath & Body Works(BBWI) - 2025 Q4 - Annual Report
2025-03-14 20:19
Part I [Business](index=3&type=section&id=Item%201.%20Business) Bath & Body Works is a global leader in personal care and home fragrance, focusing on growth, efficiency, and financial strength - The company's strategic priorities are focused on accelerating top-line growth through product innovation and international expansion, enhancing operational excellence via cost management, and strengthening its financial position through strong cash flow and disciplined capital allocation[16](index=16&type=chunk)[19](index=19&type=chunk) - The company's loyalty program is a significant driver of sales, with approximately **39 million active members** who accounted for nearly **80% of U.S. sales** in fiscal 2024[25](index=25&type=chunk) - A key real estate strategy is the transition to off-mall locations, which comprised **57% of the North American store fleet** as of February 1, 2025, with a long-term target of **75%**[32](index=32&type=chunk) - The business is highly seasonal, with the fourth quarter, including the holiday season, typically accounting for about **40% of annual Net Sales**[42](index=42&type=chunk) Company-operated Store Count (as of Feb 1, 2025) | Region | Company-operated Stores | Partner-operated Stores | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | U.S. & Canada | 1,895 | N/A | | International | N/A | 529 | Workforce Demographics (as of Feb 1, 2025) | Work Status | Number of Associates | | :--- | :--- | | Full-time | 8,975 | | Part-time | 50,235 | | **Total** | **59,210** | [Risk Factors](index=10&type=section&id=Item%201A.%20Risk%20Factors) The company faces numerous business, operational, technological, financial, and legal risks that could materially affect its performance - **Business Risks:** The company's performance is sensitive to general economic conditions, inflation, and consumer spending patterns, with high seasonality in the fourth quarter[67](index=67&type=chunk)[68](index=68&type=chunk) - **Operational Risks:** The business depends on store traffic, international expansion, its direct-to-consumer channel, and a limited number of key vendors and concentrated facilities[75](index=75&type=chunk)[80](index=80&type=chunk)[83](index=83&type=chunk)[101](index=101&type=chunk)[102](index=102&type=chunk) - **Technology & Security Risks:** A multi-year IT Transformation Project carries implementation risks, and the company faces significant threats from cybersecurity incidents[114](index=114&type=chunk)[118](index=118&type=chunk) - **Financial Risks:** The stock price may be volatile, dividend payments are not guaranteed, and the company must comply with restrictive debt covenants[123](index=123&type=chunk)[125](index=125&type=chunk)[128](index=128&type=chunk) - **Legal & Regulatory Risks:** The company is subject to a complex and evolving landscape of laws, particularly regarding data privacy and cybersecurity like CCPA and GDPR[130](index=130&type=chunk)[131](index=131&type=chunk)[135](index=135&type=chunk)[137](index=137&type=chunk) [Unresolved Staff Comments](index=24&type=section&id=Item%201B.%20Unresolved%20Staff%20Comments) The company reports no unresolved staff comments from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission - There are no unresolved staff comments[146](index=146&type=chunk) [Cybersecurity](index=24&type=section&id=Item%201C.%20Cybersecurity) The company maintains an information security program integrated into its enterprise risk management, overseen by the Audit Committee - The company's cybersecurity program includes risk assessments, endpoint threat detection, identity and access management, multi-factor authentication, and vulnerability management[147](index=147&type=chunk)[148](index=148&type=chunk) - Governance is managed by the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), with oversight from the Audit Committee of the Board, which receives reports at least three times per year[155](index=155&type=chunk) - The company has not identified any cybersecurity threats or incidents to date that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect its business[154](index=154&type=chunk) [Properties](index=26&type=section&id=Item%202.%20Properties) The company owns and leases significant office, distribution, and retail facilities, primarily concentrated in the Columbus, Ohio area - As of February 1, 2025, the company operated 1,782 stores in the U.S. and 113 in Canada, all in leased facilities with typical initial terms of five to ten years[160](index=160&type=chunk) Company-operated Facilities (as of Feb 1, 2025) | Location | Use | Approx. Square Footage (thousands) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Columbus, Ohio area | Office, distribution, fulfillment | 5,000 | | Other North America | Office, product development | 70 | [Legal Proceedings](index=26&type=section&id=Item%203.%20Legal%20Proceedings) The company is involved in various routine lawsuits but does not expect them to have a material adverse effect on its financials - The company is involved in various lawsuits from the ordinary course of business but does not believe the outcome will have a material adverse effect on its financials[164](index=164&type=chunk) [Mine Safety Disclosures](index=26&type=section&id=Item%204.%20Mine%20Safety%20Disclosures) This item is not applicable to the company - Not applicable[165](index=165&type=chunk) Part II [Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities](index=27&type=section&id=Item%205.%20Market%20for%20Registrant's%20Common%20Equity,%20Related%20Stockholder%20Matters%20and%20Issuer%20Purchases%20of%20Equity%20Securities) The company's common stock trades on the NYSE under "BBWI," with quarterly dividends paid and shares repurchased in fiscal 2024 - The company's common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol "BBWI"[167](index=167&type=chunk) - A quarterly dividend of **$0.20 per share** was paid in each quarter of 2024[168](index=168&type=chunk) Common Stock Repurchases (Q4 2024) | Fiscal Period | Total Shares Purchased (thousands) | Average Price Paid per Share | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | November 2024 | 516 | $32.02 | | December 2024 | 552 | $38.26 | | January 2025 | 412 | $37.12 | | **Total** | **1,480** | | [[Reserved]](index=28&type=section&id=Item%206.%20%5BReserved%5D) This item is reserved [Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations](index=28&type=section&id=Item%207.%20Management's%20Discussion%20and%20Analysis%20of%20Financial%20Condition%20and%20Results%20of%20Operations) Fiscal 2024 saw a slight decrease in Net Sales and Operating Income, offset by significant cost savings and strong cash flow - The company delivered approximately **$155 million of cost reductions** in 2024, bringing the two-year total to over **$300 million**[177](index=177&type=chunk) - Free cash flow remained stable at **$660 million** in 2024 compared to $656 million in 2023[212](index=212&type=chunk) - In 2024, the company repurchased **10.425 million shares for $400 million** and paid **$177 million in dividends**[207](index=207&type=chunk)[219](index=219&type=chunk) Fiscal 2024 Financial Highlights vs. 2023 | Metric | 2024 | 2023 | % Change | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Net Sales | $7.307 billion | $7.429 billion | (1.6%) | | Operating Income | $1.266 billion | $1.285 billion | (1.0%) | | Operating Income Rate | 17.3% | 17.3% | 0.0% | Adjusted vs. Reported Net Income Per Diluted Share | Metric | 2024 | 2023 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Reported Net Income Per Diluted Share | $3.61 | $3.84 | | Adjusted Net Income Per Diluted Share | $3.29 | $3.27 | Key Financial Ratios | Metric | Feb 1, 2025 | Feb 3, 2024 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Debt Leverage Ratio | 2.5 | 2.8 | [Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk](index=42&type=section&id=Item%207A.%20Quantitative%20and%20Qualitative%20Disclosures%20About%20Market%20Risk) The company is exposed to market risks from foreign currency exchange rates, while interest rate risk is considered low - The company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk from its Canadian operations and international royalty arrangements[272](index=272&type=chunk)[273](index=273&type=chunk) - Interest rate risk is considered low, as all long-term debt carries fixed interest rates and the investment portfolio is composed of short-term, high-quality instruments[274](index=274&type=chunk)[275](index=275&type=chunk) [Financial Statements and Supplementary Data](index=44&type=section&id=Item%208.%20Financial%20Statements%20and%20Supplementary%20Data) This section presents the consolidated financial statements, which received an unqualified opinion from the independent auditor - The independent auditor, Ernst & Young LLP, issued an **unqualified opinion** on the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal controls[290](index=290&type=chunk)[300](index=300&type=chunk)[301](index=301&type=chunk) Consolidated Statements of Income (in millions) | Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Net Sales | $7,307 | $7,429 | $7,560 | | Gross Profit | $3,234 | $3,236 | $3,255 | | Operating Income | $1,266 | $1,285 | $1,376 | | Net Income | $798 | $878 | $800 | Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions) | Metric | Feb 1, 2025 | Feb 3, 2024 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Total Current Assets | $1,823 | $2,115 | | Total Assets | $4,872 | $5,463 | | Total Current Liabilities | $1,231 | $1,289 | | Long-term Debt | $3,884 | $4,388 | | Total Equity (Deficit) | $(1,383) | $(1,626) | Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in millions) | Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities | $886 | $954 | $1,144 | | Net Cash Used for Investing Activities | $(162) | $(286) | $(328) | | Net Cash Used for Financing Activities | $(1,132) | $(815) | $(1,562) | | Net Decrease in Cash | $(410) | $(148) | $(747) | [Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure](index=69&type=section&id=Item%209.%20Changes%20in%20and%20Disagreements%20with%20Accountants%20on%20Accounting%20and%20Financial%20Disclosure) The company reports no changes in or disagreements with its accountants - None reported[426](index=426&type=chunk) [Controls and Procedures](index=69&type=section&id=Item%209A.%20Controls%20and%20Procedures) Management concluded that the company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the fiscal year - The CEO and CFO concluded that disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the fiscal year[427](index=427&type=chunk) - No material changes in internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fourth quarter of 2024[429](index=429&type=chunk) [Other Information](index=69&type=section&id=Item%209B.%20Other%20Information) No directors or executive officers adopted or terminated Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements during the fourth quarter of 2024 - No directors or executive officers adopted or terminated Rule 10b5-1 trading plans during the fourth quarter of 2024[430](index=430&type=chunk) [Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions That Prevent Inspections](index=69&type=section&id=Item%209C.%20Disclosure%20Regarding%20Foreign%20Jurisdictions%20That%20Prevent%20Inspections) This item is not applicable to the company - None[431](index=431&type=chunk) Part III [Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance](index=70&type=section&id=Item%2010.%20Directors,%20Executive%20Officers%20and%20Corporate%20Governance) Information regarding directors, officers, and corporate governance is incorporated by reference from the 2025 Proxy Statement - Required information is incorporated by reference from the 2025 Proxy Statement[434](index=434&type=chunk) [Executive Compensation](index=70&type=section&id=Item%2011.%20Executive%20Compensation) Information regarding executive compensation is incorporated by reference from the 2025 Proxy Statement - Required information is incorporated by reference from the 2025 Proxy Statement[437](index=437&type=chunk) [Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters](index=70&type=section&id=Item%2012.%20Security%20Ownership%20of%20Certain%20Beneficial%20Owners%20and%20Management%20and%20Related%20Stockholder%20Matters) Information regarding security ownership is incorporated by reference from the 2025 Proxy Statement - Required information is incorporated by reference from the 2025 Proxy Statement[438](index=438&type=chunk) [Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence](index=70&type=section&id=Item%2013.%20Certain%20Relationships%20and%20Related%20Transactions,%20and%20Director%20Independence) Information regarding related transactions and director independence is incorporated by reference from the 2025 Proxy Statement - Required information is incorporated by reference from the 2025 Proxy Statement[440](index=440&type=chunk) [Principal Accountant Fees and Services](index=70&type=section&id=Item%2014.%20Principal%20Accountant%20Fees%20and%20Services) Information regarding accountant fees and services is incorporated by reference from the 2025 Proxy Statement - Required information is incorporated by reference from the 2025 Proxy Statement[441](index=441&type=chunk) Part IV [Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules](index=71&type=section&id=Item%2015.%20Exhibits%20and%20Financial%20Statement%20Schedules) This section lists the consolidated financial statements and all exhibits filed as part of the report - This section contains a list of all financial statements, schedules, and exhibits filed with the Form 10-K[443](index=443&type=chunk)[444](index=444&type=chunk) [Form 10-K Summary](index=76&type=section&id=Item%2016.%20Form%2010-K%20Summary) The company provides no summary under this item - None[453](index=453&type=chunk)
3 Companies Buying Back Stock—Why It Matters
MarketBeat· 2025-03-12 11:16
Retail investors focus on who is buying certain stocks every quarter, as institutional holdings and investors are reported in that same cadence. However, there is a different way to look at buying activity, one that is much more powerful if it meets all the right criteria. This is through insider buying or corporate or management stock buyback programs. Understanding the importance of stock buybacks, when done right, can lead investors to align with the companies that pose some of the best risk-to-reward se ...
Bath & Body Works: Undervalued Despite Materializing Tariff Headwind
Seeking Alpha· 2025-03-04 17:30
I am an avid investor with a major focus on small cap companies with experience in investing in US, Canadian, and European markets. My investment philosophy to generating great returns on the stock market revolves around identifying mispriced securities by understanding the drivers behind a company's financials, and ultimately, most often revealed by a DCF model valuation. This methodology doesn't limit an investor into rigid traditional value, dividend, or growth investing, but rather accounts for all of a ...
Bath & Body Works Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, Gross Margin Rises Y/Y
ZACKS· 2025-02-28 18:55
Core Insights - Bath & Body Works (BBWI) reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 results with revenues and earnings surpassing Zacks Consensus Estimates, although revenues declined year over year [1][2][3] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share for the fourth quarter were $2.09, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.04, and increased by 1.5% from $2.06 in the same quarter last year [3] - Revenues decreased by 4.3% year over year to $2,788 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,772 million, impacted by a shifted fiscal calendar [4] - U.S. and Canada store revenues fell by 2.4% to $2.11 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $2.07 billion, while direct revenues tumbled 9.4% to $595 million, missing the estimate [5] Operational Metrics - Gross profit decreased by 2.7% year over year to $1.30 billion, but gross margin expanded by 80 basis points to 46.7% due to cost savings and distribution productivity [7] - Operating income was reported at $678 million, down 2.6% from the previous year, with an operating margin increase of 40 basis points to 24.3% [8] Store and Market Presence - The company ended the quarter with 1,895 stores, including 1,782 in the U.S. and 113 in Canada, having opened 106 stores and closed 61 during fiscal 2024 [9] Financial Health - Cash and cash equivalents stood at $674 million, with long-term debt of $3.88 billion and long-term operating lease liabilities of $883 million [12] Fiscal 2025 Outlook - For fiscal 2025, net sales growth is projected between 1% and 3%, with North American square footage expanding by 2-3% and international net sales expected to return to growth [13] - The gross margin is anticipated at 44%, with SG&A expenses expected to be 27% [14] - Full-year earnings per share are projected to be between $3.25 and $3.60, with adjusted earnings expected at $3.29 [15] - Free cash flow is projected between $750 million and $850 million, with an annual dividend of 80 cents per share and $300 million planned for share repurchases [16] Q1 Guidance - For the first quarter of fiscal 2025, net sales growth is expected between 1% and 3%, with international retail sales increasing in the high-single digits [17] - Earnings per share for the first quarter are anticipated to be between 36 and 43 cents, compared to 38 cents in the same quarter of fiscal 2024 [18]
Bath & Body Works Stock Sinks on Warning China Tariffs Would Impact Results
Investopedia· 2025-02-27 16:55
Key TakeawaysBath & Body Works warned that tariffs on Chinese goods would negatively affect its full-year results.CEO Gina Boswell also noted that the retail industry faced "complex challenges."The company's guidance offset better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit and sales. Bath & Body Works (BBWI) shares tumbled 10% Thursday as the personal care and home fragrance retailer warned that new tariffs and soft consumer spending would hurt future results. The company sees full-year earnings per share (EPS) be ...
Bath & Body Works(BBWI) - 2024 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-02-27 16:46
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2024, the company reported net sales of $2.8 billion, a decrease of 4% compared to the prior year, but exceeded guidance [41][12] - Earnings per diluted share were $2.09, surpassing the guidance range of $1.94 to $2.07 [40] - The gross profit rate for Q4 was 46.7%, an increase of 80 basis points year-over-year [43] - Operating income for Q4 was $678 million, representing 24.3% of net sales [45] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Body care grew low-single digits year-over-year, driven by successful seasonal fragrance launches [17] - Home fragrance performance was slightly down year-over-year, but improved in the second half of 2024 [21][22] - Soaps and sanitizers grew mid-single digits, driven by demand during the quad-demic [23] - Adjacent categories, including men's, hair, lip, and laundry, represented approximately 10% of total business, with significant growth potential [30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - International net sales were $84 million, down 10% from the prior year, but expected to return to growth in 2025 [33][49] - System-wide retail sales were up nearly 10% in Q4 on a calendar-adjusted basis, with 20% growth in unaffected areas [33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on three priority areas: accelerating top-line growth, enhancing operational excellence, and deploying strong cash flow for growth and shareholder returns [15][48] - The strategy includes product innovation, marketing, and technology, along with expanding into adjacent categories and international markets [34][29] - The company plans to increase its off-mall store locations to 75% over time, reflecting consumer preferences [27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the innovation pipeline and the ability to sustain growth momentum into 2025 [69][68] - The company anticipates net sales growth of 1% to 3% for 2025, with diluted earnings per share expected between $3.25 and $3.60 [38][49] - Management acknowledged the competitive environment and value-seeking customer behavior but remains optimistic about future performance [12][10] Other Important Information - The company achieved approximately $155 million in incremental cost savings through its Fuel for Growth program in 2024, totaling over $300 million in two years [35][36] - The loyalty program grew by 6% year-over-year, with approximately 39 million active members [28][129] - The company plans to invest between $250 million and $270 million in capital expenditures in 2025, focusing on real estate and technology [60] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the key areas of excitement for 2025? - Management highlighted the innovation pipeline and the positive customer response to collaborations, particularly with Disney [66][69] Question: Can you elaborate on the drivers of revenue growth and traffic acceleration? - Management noted that compelling product offerings and effective marketing strategies have driven traffic and revenue growth [74][78] Question: What assumptions underlie the full-year sales guidance? - Management indicated that the guidance assumes consistent trends with Q4 performance and does not factor in significant macroeconomic improvements [86][87] Question: How do you view the impact of international sales on margins? - Management expects international sales to return to growth, with Q1 having a significant impact on both top line and margin due to timing [110] Question: What is the expected growth for adjacent categories in 2025? - Management anticipates that adjacent categories will become a larger percentage of total sales, with a focus on men's products [117] Question: How does the company plan to manage cost savings going forward? - Management plans to continue seeking efficiencies and cost savings while maintaining customer experience [133]
Bath & Body Works (BBWI) Q4 Earnings: Taking a Look at Key Metrics Versus Estimates
ZACKS· 2025-02-27 15:36
Core Insights - Bath & Body Works (BBWI) reported revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter ended January 2025, a year-over-year decline of 4.3% [1] - The company's EPS for the same period was $2.09, slightly up from $2.06 a year ago, with an EPS surprise of +2.45% compared to the consensus estimate of $2.04 [1] Financial Performance - The reported revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.77 billion, resulting in a surprise of +0.57% [1] - Year-over-year changes in key metrics provide better insights into the company's underlying performance, which is crucial for projecting stock price performance [2] Stock Performance - Bath & Body Works shares have returned +9.3% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite, which declined by -2.2% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating potential for near-term outperformance against the broader market [3] Store Metrics - Total company-operated stores reached 1,895, slightly above the five-analyst average estimate of 1,893 [4] - Geographic net sales in the U.S. and Canada were $2.11 billion, exceeding the average estimate of $2.07 billion, but reflecting a -2.5% change year-over-year [4] - International geographic net sales were reported at $84 million, below the average estimate of $87.21 million, marking a -10.6% change year-over-year [4]
Bath & Body Works (BBWI) Q4 Earnings and Revenues Top Estimates
ZACKS· 2025-02-27 13:35
Core Insights - Bath & Body Works (BBWI) reported quarterly earnings of $2.09 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.04 per share, and showing a slight decrease from $2.06 per share a year ago [1] - The company achieved revenues of $2.79 billion for the quarter ended January 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.57%, but down from $2.91 billion year-over-year [3] - The stock has gained approximately 6% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 1.3% [4] Earnings Performance - The earnings surprise for the recent quarter was 2.45%, following a previous surprise of 6.52% when earnings were $0.49 per share against an expectation of $0.46 [2] - Over the last four quarters, Bath & Body Works has consistently surpassed consensus EPS estimates [2] Future Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.44 on revenues of $1.42 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $3.66 on revenues of $7.5 billion [8] - The estimate revisions trend for Bath & Body Works is favorable, leading to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating expected outperformance in the near future [7] Industry Context - Bath & Body Works operates within the Zacks Retail - Miscellaneous industry, which is currently ranked in the top 12% of over 250 Zacks industries [9] - The performance of Bath & Body Works may be influenced by the overall industry outlook, as top-ranked industries tend to outperform lower-ranked ones significantly [9]
Bath & Body Works(BBWI) - 2025 Q4 - Annual Results
2025-02-27 12:10
Financial Performance - Fourth quarter 2024 net sales were $2,788 million, a decrease of 4.3% from $2,912 million in the fourth quarter of 2023[3] - Fourth quarter 2024 earnings per diluted share were $2.09, down from $2.55 in the same quarter last year[4] - Full-year 2024 net sales decreased 1.6% to $7,307 million compared to $7,429 million in 2023[6] - Full-year 2024 earnings per diluted share were $3.61, compared to $3.84 in 2023[7] - Net income for the full year 2024 was $798 million, down from $878 million in 2023, representing a decrease of 9.1%[25] - The company reported a net cash provided by operating activities of $886 million for 2024, down from $954 million in 2023, a decline of 7.1%[25] Future Projections - The company expects 2025 net sales growth of 1% to 3% compared to $7,307 million in 2024[12] - Full-year 2025 earnings per diluted share is projected to be between $3.25 and $3.60[12] - First quarter 2025 net sales are expected to grow between 1% to 3% compared to $1,384 million in the first quarter of 2024[13] - The company anticipates generating free cash flow of $750 to $850 million in fiscal 2025[12] - Forecasted free cash flow for 2025 is estimated to be between $750 million and $850 million[29] Share Repurchase and Equity - The company repurchased 10.4 million shares for $400 million in fiscal 2024[7] - A new $500 million share repurchase program has been authorized by the Board of Directors[8] - The company repurchased $401 million of common stock in 2024, compared to $148 million in 2023, an increase of 170.3%[25] - Total equity (deficit) improved from $(1,626) million in 2024 to $(1,383) million in 2025, a positive change of approximately 15%[23] Operational Metrics - Total assets decreased from $5,463 million in 2024 to $4,872 million in 2025, a decline of approximately 10.8%[23] - The total number of company-operated stores increased from 1,850 in 2024 to 1,895 in 2025, reflecting a net increase of 45 stores[39] - The debt leverage ratio improved from 2.8 in 2023 to 2.5 in 2024, indicating a stronger capital structure[27] - Direct sales in the U.S. and Canada decreased by 9.4% in the fourth quarter of 2024, totaling $595 million compared to $656 million in the same quarter of 2023[37]
Bath & Body Works Reports 2024 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results and Provides 2025 Guidance
Globenewswire· 2025-02-27 11:25
Core Insights - Bath & Body Works, Inc. reported strong performance in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, exceeding expectations on both revenue and earnings, driven by product innovation and enhanced customer experience [2][11] - The company experienced a decrease in net sales and earnings per diluted share compared to the previous year, attributed to a shift in the fiscal calendar [3][4][6] Fourth Quarter 2024 Results - Net sales for the fourth quarter were $2,788 million, a decrease of 4.3% from $2,912 million in the previous year [3][44] - Earnings per diluted share were $2.09, down from $2.55 in the prior year [4][32] - Operating income was reported at $678 million, compared to $696 million last year [4][22] - Net income decreased to $453 million from $579 million in the previous year [4][22] Full-Year 2024 Results - Full-year net sales decreased by 1.6% to $7,307 million from $7,429 million [6][44] - Earnings per diluted share for the year were $3.61, down from $3.84 in 2023 [7][32] - Full-year operating income was $1,266 million, compared to $1,285 million last year [7][22] - The company repurchased 10.4 million shares for $400 million and reduced long-term debt by $514 million [7] Guidance for 2025 - The company forecasts net sales growth of 1% to 3% for fiscal 2025, with expected earnings per diluted share between $3.25 and $3.60 [13][14] - Anticipated free cash flow for fiscal 2025 is projected to be between $750 million and $850 million [13][34] Share Repurchase Program - The Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $500 million, replacing the previous program [11][15] Store Performance - The total number of company-operated stores increased to 1,895, with 106 new openings and 61 closures [46] - International partner-operated stores also saw an increase, totaling 529 [47]