Advertisement A bright spot on Lululemon's horizon was its robust growth in international markets.Its international sales increased 33% in Q3 of 2024, compared to 2% in the Americas.China, in particular, was a strong market for the brand this quarter.Lululemon's robust growth in its international markets — particularly China — made up for its lackluster performance in the Americas.The Vancouver-based activewear brand, known for selling $100 yoga pants, reported strong third-quarter sales in its stores abro ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue increased by 9% to $2.4 billion, or 8% in constant currency, with adjusted operating margin rising by 70 basis points to 20.5% [13][40][45] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased by 13% compared to the previous year [14][45] - Inventory increased by 8%, which was lower than the guidance of mid-teens growth [47][72] Performance by Business Line - Men's revenue increased by 9%, while women's and accessories both saw an 8% increase [13][40] - In the Americas, revenue grew by 2%, with a flat performance in the U.S. and a 9% increase in Canada [15][40] - International revenue surged by 33%, or 30% in constant currency, with China Mainland growing by 39% [22][40][101] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - E-commerce revenue in the U.S. increased by 4%, contributing $945 million, or 39% of total revenue [40][112] - The company ended the quarter with 749 stores globally, having opened 13 net new stores [41] - The membership program now boasts 24 million members, indicating strong guest retention [20][113] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to return the level of newness in product offerings to historical levels by Q1 2025, focusing on seasonal newness and improved assortments [21][35] - Plans for 2025 include opening new stores in Italy and expanding through franchise models in Denmark, Belgium, Turkey, and the Czech Republic [29][103] - The company remains committed to its Power of Three x2 revenue target of $12.5 billion by 2026, with a current three-year revenue growth CAGR of 19% [35][49] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the U.S. market's potential for growth, citing strong guest retention and opportunities for increased revenue per guest [66][67] - The company is closely monitoring macroeconomic conditions and planning prudently for the holiday season [38][48] - Management highlighted the importance of brand awareness, which remains low at 36% in the U.S., presenting a significant growth opportunity [21][159] Other Important Information - The company authorized a $1 billion increase in its share repurchase program, with $1.8 billion available for repurchases [14][47] - The purchase of the Mexico franchise was completed, adding 15 stores to the company-operated store count [39] Q&A Session Summary Question: U.S. sales stabilization and future growth - Management indicated that U.S. sales performance met expectations and expressed optimism for improvement in Q4 due to stronger newness [64][66] Question: Inventory growth reasons - Management explained that the mid-teens inventory growth is due to chasing seasonal newness and managing slower-moving core products [70][72] Question: Confidence in negative comp trends inflecting - Management cited strong guest engagement and loyalty, along with a focus on newness, as reasons for confidence in reversing negative comp trends [75][77] Question: Women's business performance - Management reported strong growth in the women's business, particularly in leggings, driven by newness in colors and patterns [82][84] Question: Gross margin drivers and sustainability - Management noted that lower inventory provisions positively impacted gross margin in Q3, but they do not expect significant movement in Q4 [90][92] Question: China market performance - Management expressed satisfaction with the growth in China, expecting continued strong performance in Q4 [100][101] Question: Competitive landscape and promotional intensity - Management acknowledged a promotional environment but emphasized their strategy of maintaining regular price sales rather than relying on markdowns [127][128] Question: Marketing investment and brand awareness - Management indicated that marketing spend is expected to increase slightly, focusing on long-term brand awareness and customer engagement [157][159]

The following table disaggregates the Company's net revenue by channel. In addition to the legal proceedings described below, the Company is, from time to time, involved in routine legal matters, and audits and inspections by governmental agencies and other third parties which are incidental to the conduct of its business. This includes legal matters such as initiation and defense of proceedings to protect intellectual property rights, employment claims, product liability claims, personal injury claims, and ...

Adjusted financial measures 9 10 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | |---------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | | Total Gross Square Feet at the Beginning of the Quarter | Gross Square Feet Added During the (2) Quarter | Gross Square Feet Lost During the (2) Quarter | Total Gross Square Feet at the End of the Quarter | ...

Key TakeawaysLululemon is set to report third-quarter results after the market closes Thursday.The majority of analysts who research Lululemon and are tracked by Visible Alpha have "buy" ratings on the stock, but the consensus price target is below its current level.In August, Chief Executive Officer Calvin McDonald described a “newness” problem for customers seeking, but not finding, more seasonal product updates from Lululemon. Lululemon Athletica (LULU) is slated to report fiscal third-quarter earnings a ...

Wall Street analysts forecast that Lululemon (LULU) will report quarterly earnings of $2.69 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year increase of 6.3%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $2.35 billion, exhibiting an increase of 6.8% compared to the year-ago quarter.The current level reflects a downward revision of 0.4% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter over the past 30 days. This demonstrates how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reappraised thei ...

Core Viewpoint - lululemon athletica inc. is expected to report growth in both sales and earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2024, with sales estimated at $2.4 billion, reflecting a 6.8% increase year-over-year [1][3]. Financial Performance - The consensus estimate for earnings per share is $2.69, indicating a 6.3% rise from the previous year [3]. - The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise average of 7.9%, suggesting a strong performance trend [4]. Growth Drivers - Continued business momentum is anticipated across various channels, regions, and product categories, driven by positive consumer response, increased in-store traffic, and robust online performance [6]. - International markets, particularly Mainland China, are expected to contribute significantly to revenue growth, with forecasts of $548.5 million in international revenues, accounting for 23.3% of total revenues [8]. Strategic Initiatives - lululemon's Power of Three x2 growth plan focuses on product innovation, enhancing guest experience, and market expansion, which are crucial for brand awareness and customer loyalty [9]. - The men's category is projected to see a revenue increase of 10.8% year-over-year, contributing 23.7% to total revenues [10]. Revenue Projections - Management anticipates net revenues between $2.34 billion and $2.365 billion for the fiscal third quarter, indicating a 6-7% year-over-year growth [11]. - Company-operated stores and direct-to-consumer channels are expected to grow by 8.1% and 5.3% year-over-year, respectively [11]. Cost Management - SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales are expected to decline by 40-50 basis points year-over-year, with an estimated rate of 37.7% for the fiscal third quarter [12]. Challenges - The company faces challenges from inflation affecting discretionary spending, particularly in the women's category in the Americas [13]. - A slowdown in the women's category is attributed to fewer updates in core and seasonal styles, impacting conversion rates [14]. Inventory Issues - Inventory shortages in key product lines have been noted, with replenishment expected in the second half of fiscal 2024 [16]. Margin Outlook - A gross margin contraction of 50-60 basis points year-over-year is projected, with an estimated adjusted gross margin of 57.6% for the fiscal third quarter [18]. Stock Performance - lululemon's shares have increased by 23.1% over the past three months, outperforming the industry and major indices [19][21]. - The stock currently trades at a forward P/E multiple of 21.42X, above the industry average of 13.77X, indicating strong investor expectations [22][24]. Long-term Strategy - The company aims to double net revenues to $12.5 billion by 2026, focusing on international market expansion and growth in the men's category [25][26]. - lululemon is optimistic about its potential in international markets, particularly China, with plans to quadruple international revenues over time [26]. Conclusion - Regardless of the immediate market reaction to the upcoming earnings report, lululemon is viewed as a solid long-term investment due to its strong fundamentals and global growth potential [27].

I am a finance enthusiast with a keen interest in value investing. Since 2022, I have been sharing my insights on Seeking Alpha, focusing on easy-to-understand businesses that present opportunities, especially those that are currently out of favour.Wishing everyone the best in their investing journey!Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of LULU either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I a ...

In the latest market close, Lululemon (LULU) reached $317.11, with a +0.63% movement compared to the previous day. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.35%. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.97%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.17%.Coming into today, shares of the athletic apparel maker had gained 5.4% in the past month. In that same time, the Consumer Discretionary sector gained 8.31%, while the S&P 500 gained 1.69%.Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Lu ...

You can never count out the American consumer, but that’s not really the issue at hand for Lululemon (NASDAQ: LULU ). The Canada-based retailer has endured a tumultuous 2024, but shares have been on the rebound – perhaps just at the rightFreelance Financial Writer | Investments | Markets | Personal Finance | RetirementI create written content used in various formats including articles, blogs, emails, and social media for financial advisors and investment firms in a cost-efficient way. My passion is putting ...