Zumiez Q4 Earnings & Sales Miss Estimates, Comps Increase Y/Y

Core Insights - Zumiez Inc. (ZUMZ) reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 results with sales and earnings below the Zacks Consensus Estimate, showing a year-over-year decrease in sales and an increase in earnings [1][4]. Financial Performance - Quarterly earnings were 78 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 79 cents, but improved from a loss of $1.73 per share in the same quarter last year [3]. - Total net sales were$279.2 million, slightly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $281 million, and decreased by 0.9$281.8 million in the prior-year quarter [4]. - Comparable sales (comps) rose 5.9% year over year, marking the third consecutive quarter of positive growth, although it fell short of the 6% growth expected by analysts [5]. Regional and Category Performance - North America's net sales increased by 0.8% year over year to $214.2 million, while international sales declined by 6.4$65 million [6]. - Comps in North America increased by 7.2%, while international comps rose by 1.9%, with women's apparel showing the highest increase among product categories [7]. Margins and Costs - Gross profit increased by 4.5% year over year to $101 million, with gross margin expanding by 190 basis points to 36.2$80.9 million, representing 29% of sales [9]. Operational Highlights - Zumiez reported an operating income of $20.1 million, a significant improvement from an operating loss of$32.8 million in the previous year [10]. - As of February 1, 2025, cash and current marketable securities totaled $147.6 million, down from$171.6 million a year earlier, with no debt reported [11]. Future Outlook - For the first quarter of fiscal 2025, Zumiez anticipates total sales of $179-$183 million, indicating year-over-year growth of 1-3%, with comps expected to increase by 3-5% [16]. - The company expects total sales growth for fiscal 2025 despite the closure of 33 stores in fiscal 2024 and anticipated 20 store closures in 2025, which will negatively impact growth by $14.7 million [19]. - Capital expenditure for the year is projected to be between$14 million and $16 million [21].