Company Performance & Strategy - Macy's CEO states the company caters to both high-end and lower-end consumers, potentially a key strength [1][9] - The company's turnaround, led by CEO since February 2024, is showing signs of progress, boosting investor confidence [2] - Macy's is revamping stores to improve the shopping experience, focusing on aesthetics and experiential elements [3] - Comp sales growth surprised positively at 1.9% excluding closed businesses, indicating a slowing decline [4] Challenges & Mitigation - Tariffs are impacting margins by an estimated 40 to 60 basis points [6] - Macy's is negotiating with suppliers and leveraging private label brands to mitigate tariff costs [6][7] - The company reduced expenses and inventory, improving product mix, particularly in women's apparel [7] Consumer Behavior - Consumers are becoming more selective and "surgical" in their spending choices [8] - Macy's aims to offer products for a wide range of consumers, addressing the evolving identity of department stores [9] Market Reaction - Macy's shares experienced a 20% increase, suggesting positive investor sentiment [10]

Market Performance - The three major U.S. stock indices showed mixed performance on September 3, with the Dow Jones down 0.01%, the Nasdaq up 0.75%, and the S&P 500 up 0.43% [3] Company News - Google shares rose over 7% after a U.S. judge ruled that Google does not need to sell its Chrome browser and is not required to divest its Android operating system [9] - Apple shares increased by more than 3% as Bank of America raised its price target for Apple from $250 to $260 [4] - Macy's stock surged over 14% following a strong second-quarter earnings report and an upward revision of its annual guidance [4] - Nvidia clarified rumors regarding its H100 and H200 GPUs, stating that supply is sufficient to meet demand [8] - Tesla released its "Master Plan Part IV," focusing on integrating artificial intelligence into the physical world, moving beyond just electric vehicles [8] - Apple announced its annual fall product launch event scheduled for September 9, where the iPhone 17 series is expected to be unveiled [8]

Market Performance - The three major U.S. stock indices opened mixed, with the Nasdaq up by 0.85%, the S&P 500 up by 0.41%, and the Dow Jones down by 0.08% [1][2] - Notable stock movements include Google (Alphabet) rising over 7%, Macy's increasing over 14%, and Apple gaining more than 3% [1] Commodity Prices - Spot silver has surpassed $41 per ounce, increasing by over 0.5%, marking a new high since 2011 [3] - Spot gold has reached above $3550 per ounce for the first time, achieving a year-to-date increase of over 35% [4] Pre-Market Activity - Apple saw a nearly 4% increase in pre-market trading [6] - Macy's experienced a pre-market rise of over 10% after the company raised its annual guidance [6] - Alphabet (Google) was up over 6% in pre-market trading following a ruling in its online search monopoly case, which stated that it does not need to divest Chrome and Android systems [6]

Financial Performance - Macy's lifted its full-year outlook [1] - Quarterly same-store sales flipped to growth for the first time since 2022 [1]

Group 1 - Google shares rose over 7% following a favorable ruling in the online search monopoly case, allowing it to retain Chrome and Android systems [6] - Macy's stock increased by more than 14% after the company raised its annual guidance [6] - Apple shares gained over 3% in the market [1] Group 2 - The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened at 45,259.28, down 36.53 points or 0.08% [2] - The Nasdaq Composite Index opened at 21,461.19, up 181.56 points or 0.85% [2] - The S&P 500 Index opened at 6,441.60, up 26.06 points or 0.41% [2] Group 3 - Spot silver surpassed $41 per ounce, increasing over 0.5%, marking a new high since 2011 [3] - Spot gold first rose above $3,550 per ounce, achieving a historical high with a year-to-date increase of over 35% [4]

Core Viewpoint - Macy's reported better-than-expected Q2 financial performance, achieving the highest same-store sales growth in 12 quarters and raising its annual guidance [1][3][5]. Financial Performance - Q2 revenue decreased by 2.8% year-over-year to $4.81 billion, exceeding the expected $4.76 billion [1]. - Adjusted EPS was $0.41, significantly higher than the expected $0.18 [1]. - Net profit for the quarter was $87 million, down from $150 million in the same period last year [1]. Same-Store Sales - Same-store sales turned positive with a growth rate of 1.9%, the highest increase in 12 quarters, compared to an expected decline of 0.5% [1][3]. - Bloomingdale's reported a same-store sales increase of 3.6%, while Bluemercury saw a 1.2% increase [3][4]. Annual Guidance - The company raised its annual revenue and earnings guidance, now expecting net sales to reach $21.45 billion, slightly above the previous estimate of $21 billion [3]. - Adjusted diluted EPS guidance was increased to a range of $1.70 to $2.05, up from the previous range of $1.60 to $2.00 [3]. Strategic Initiatives - The company plans to close approximately 150 underperforming stores by 2026 and invest in stronger departments [5]. - CEO Tony Spring has focused on enhancing the performance of Macy's stores identified with the highest growth potential [5]. Market Outlook - Despite a strong Q2 performance, the company remains cautious about consumer spending in the second half of the year, with a projected sales decline of 0.5% to 1.5% [6]. - The company has incorporated the impact of tariffs into its forecasts and is optimistic about future performance [6]. Consumer Behavior - Consumers continue to show resilience, particularly in new and fashionable products [7]. - The company is focusing on expanding business areas that maintain growth momentum, such as denim, women's modern apparel, and watches [7].

Group 1: Earnings Performance - Macy's reported quarterly earnings of $0.41 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.19 per share, but down from $0.53 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of +115.79% [1] - The company posted revenues of $4.81 billion for the quarter ended July 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.99%, although this is a decrease from year-ago revenues of $4.94 billion [2] Group 2: Stock Performance and Outlook - Macy's shares have declined approximately 20.3% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with the S&P 500's gain of 9.1% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is -$0.21 on revenues of $4.51 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $1.81 on revenues of $21.29 billion [7] Group 3: Industry Context - The Retail - Regional Department Stores industry is currently ranked in the top 14% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook compared to the bottom 50% [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Macy's Inc. achieved comparable sales growth of 1.9%, marking the strongest performance in 12 quarters, with adjusted EPS of $0.41 exceeding guidance of $0.15 to $0.20 [5][20][24] - Net sales were $4.8 billion, down 2.5% year-over-year, primarily due to the closure of 64 non-GoForward stores, but excluding this impact, sales grew by 0.9% [20][21] - Gross margin was 39.7% of net sales, slightly better than expectations, but down from 40.5% last year, influenced by proactive markdowns and tariff impacts [22][23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Macy's comparable sales grew by 1.2%, with GoForward Macy's achieving 1.5% growth, and Reimagined 125 locations up 1.4% [8][21] - Bloomingdale's reported a 5.7% increase in comparable sales, achieving its highest second quarter sales and net promoter score on record [11][12] - Bluemercury experienced a 1.2% growth in comparable sales, marking its 18th consecutive quarter of gains, driven by skincare and recent brand launches [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The consumer remained resilient through the first half of the year, with a cautious outlook due to tariff uncertainties impacting demand [15][26] - The company anticipates a 40 to 60 basis point tariff impact on gross margin for the full year, compared to a previous expectation of 20 to 40 basis points [16][28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The "Bold New Chapter" strategy focuses on enhancing customer experience, improving product offerings, and leveraging a multi-brand, multi-channel approach [5][11] - The company aims to close underperforming locations while investing in growth opportunities, particularly in the GoForward business and digital channels [11][16] - Macy's is expanding its private brand portfolio, which is expected to drive differentiation and improve margins [55] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the consumer's resilience, noting strong sales in various categories and a healthy start to the back-to-school season [35][48] - The company is focused on navigating the macroeconomic environment while continuing to invest in growth initiatives [26][90] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between leveraging SG&A and driving growth [92] Other Important Information - The company returned $251 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, with approximately $1.2 billion remaining on its share buyback authorization [25] - The balance sheet remains strong, with $829 million in cash and a net long-term debt reduction of approximately $340 million [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you rank the drivers of sequential improvement in same-store sales? - Management noted strong growth across various categories, with July being the strongest month, driven by a healthy start to back-to-school shopping [34][35] Question: What learnings have come from the Reimagined 125 stores? - Positive performance was noted, with local empowerment and improved staffing contributing to better customer experiences and net promoter scores [40][42] Question: How is the company addressing tariff impacts on pricing? - Management is taking a surgical approach to pricing, negotiating with suppliers, and adjusting prices selectively based on category and brand [42][43] Question: What is the outlook for the consumer and guidance for the third quarter? - The consumer is viewed as resilient, but management remains cautious due to potential tariff impacts and is monitoring the situation closely [48][49] Question: How is the company planning to grow its private brands? - The company is reimagining its private brands and has seen positive initial responses, with plans for further growth and differentiation [52][55] Question: What are the expectations for SG&A improvements? - Management expects continued SG&A savings while reinvesting in growth initiatives, with a focus on leveraging expenses in the long term [60][61]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Macy's Inc. achieved comparable sales growth of 1.9%, with adjusted EPS of $0.41, exceeding guidance of $0.15 to $0.20 [5][18][23] - Net sales were $4.8 billion, down 2.5% year-over-year, primarily due to the closure of 64 non-GoForward stores [18][19] - Gross margin was 39.7% of net sales, slightly better than expectations, impacted by proactive markdowns and tariffs [21][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Macy's brand achieved 1.2% comparable sales growth, driven by GoForward locations which rose 1.5% [6][19] - Bloomingdale's reported a 5.7% increase in comparable sales, marking its fourth consecutive quarter of growth [11][12] - Bluemercury achieved 1.2% comparable sales growth, its 18th consecutive quarter of gains, driven by skincare and new brand launches [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The luxury market remains competitive, but Bloomingdale's is gaining market share through brand expansions and digital growth [12][81] - The consumer remains resilient, with a notable portion of Macy's customer base earning over $100,000 household income [47][48] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The "Bold New Chapter" strategy focuses on enhancing customer experience, expanding product offerings, and optimizing operations [5][14] - The company is investing in Reimagined 125 stores, which have shown positive performance and customer satisfaction [40][41] - Future growth will be supported by expanding private brands and leveraging partnerships with market brands [52][56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the consumer's resilience but remains prudent due to potential tariff impacts [14][46] - The company anticipates a tariff impact of 40 to 60 basis points on gross margin, adjusting pricing strategies accordingly [25][42] - The outlook for the third quarter and full year includes a cautious view on consumer demand and potential impacts from tariffs [24][25] Other Important Information - The company returned $251 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, with $1.2 billion remaining on the buyback authorization [23][24] - Management emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy balance sheet and liquidity profile to navigate market challenges [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Drivers of sequential improvement in same-store sales - Management noted strong growth across various categories, with July being the strongest month, driven by back-to-school shopping [33][34] Question: Learnings from Reimagined 125 stores and expansion plans - Positive performance was noted in both the first and next 75 Reimagined stores, with local empowerment being a key factor [39][40] Question: Consumer sentiment and pricing strategies amid tariffs - Management sees the consumer as resilient but choiceful, with a cautious approach to pricing adjustments based on category performance [46][47] Question: SG&A savings and growth opportunities - SG&A was down nearly $30 million, with continued savings expected in the second half while reinvesting in growth initiatives [60][61] Question: Impact of tariffs on gross margin and future guidance - Tariffs had a notable impact in Q2, with management focused on mitigation strategies and maintaining competitive pricing [80][83] Question: Investments in service and balancing growth with SG&A leverage - Management is committed to investing in customer-facing initiatives while managing costs effectively to drive growth [94][95]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Macy's Inc. achieved comparable sales growth of 1.9%, with adjusted EPS of $0.41, exceeding guidance of $0.15 to $0.20 [5][6][23] - Net sales were $4.8 billion, down 2.5% year-over-year, primarily due to the closure of 64 non-GoForward stores [18][19] - Gross margin was 39.7% of net sales, slightly better than expectations, impacted by proactive markdowns and tariffs [21][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Macy's comparable sales grew by 1.2%, driven by GoForward Macy's which rose 1.5% [6][19] - Bloomingdale's achieved a 5.7% increase in comparable sales, marking its fourth consecutive quarter of growth [11][12] - Bluemercury reported a 1.2% increase in comparable sales, its 18th consecutive quarter of gains [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The luxury segment, particularly Bloomingdale's, is gaining market share, with strong performances in ready-to-wear, fine jewelry, and fragrances [12][81] - The overall consumer remains resilient, with a notable portion of Macy's customer base earning over $100,000 household income [47] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The "Bold New Chapter" strategy focuses on enhancing customer experience, improving product offerings, and leveraging a multi-brand, multi-channel approach [5][14] - The company is committed to closing underperforming locations while investing in growth areas, particularly in the GoForward business and digital initiatives [11][15] - Future growth will be supported by expanding private brands and enhancing partnerships with existing brands [52][56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding the consumer's resilience but acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding tariffs and their impact on demand [14][46] - The company plans to reinvest savings from closed stores into initiatives that support long-term growth aspirations [25][29] - Management remains focused on maintaining a healthy balance sheet and improving operational efficiencies [24][29] Other Important Information - The company recognized $16 million in asset sale gains during the quarter [22] - Year-to-date operating cash flow was $255 million, significantly improved from $137 million last year [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Drivers of sequential improvement in same-store sales - Management noted strong growth across various categories, with July being the strongest month, driven by back-to-school shopping [33][34] Question: Learnings from Reimagined 125 stores and expansion plans - Positive performance was noted in both the first and next 75 Reimagined stores, with local empowerment being a key factor [39][40] Question: Consumer sentiment and pricing strategies amid tariffs - Management indicated a cautious approach to pricing, with surgical price increases based on category and brand performance [41][42] Question: SG&A savings and growth opportunities - SG&A was down nearly $30 million, with continued focus on cost management while reinvesting in growth initiatives [60][61] Question: Bloomingdale's performance amid luxury market pressures - Bloomingdale's has maintained growth and market share, with strong leadership and strategic brand partnerships [81][82] Question: Tariff impacts and mitigation strategies - Tariffs had a notable impact in Q2, with management focused on mitigating future impacts through negotiations and strategic sourcing [83][84] Question: Investments in service and SG&A leverage - Management emphasized the importance of balancing investments in customer-facing initiatives with maintaining operational efficiency [95][96]