Signet Q1 Earnings Beat, Same-Store Sales Up Y/Y, FY26 View Raised

Core Insights - Signet Jewelers Limited (SIG) reported strong first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with both revenues and earnings exceeding expectations and showing year-over-year growth [1][2][8] - The company raised its fiscal 2026 outlook following these positive results, leading to a 12.5% increase in share price [1][8] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) were $1.18, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.01, and increased 6.3% from $1.11 in the prior year [2] - Total sales reached $1,541.6 million, exceeding the consensus estimate of $1,516 million, and reflecting a 2% year-over-year increase [2] - Same-store sales rose 2.5% year over year, supported by an 8% increase in merchandise average unit retail (AUR) [2][8] Margins and Expenses - Gross profit for the quarter was $598.8 million, up 4.6% from $572.4 million in the previous year, with gross margin increasing by 100 basis points to 38.8% [3] - Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $526 million, a 2.1% increase from the prior year, maintaining a flat percentage of sales at 34.1% [4] - Adjusted operating income rose 21.6% to $70.3 million, with an adjusted operating margin increase of 80 basis points to 4.6% [4] Segment Performance - North American segment sales increased 2.1% year over year to $1.45 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $1.43 billion, with same-store sales up 2.3% [5] - International segment sales grew 3.8% year over year to $80.1 million, exceeding the consensus estimate of $75.9 million, with same-store sales jumping 4.5% [5] Store Update - As of May 3, 2025, Signet operated 2,633 stores, a decrease from 2,642 due to five openings and 14 closures [9] Financial Snapshot - At the end of the fiscal first quarter, cash and cash equivalents stood at $264.1 million, with inventories at $2.01 billion and total shareholders' equity at $1.78 billion [10] - The company repurchased approximately 2.1 million common shares for $117.4 million during the quarter, with nearly $600 million remaining under the current share repurchase authorization [11] Guidance - For Q2 fiscal 2026, total sales are expected to range from $1.47 billion to $1.51 billion, with same-store sales projected to decline by 1.5% to increase by 1% [12] - Fiscal 2026 total sales guidance has been updated to $6.57 billion to $6.80 billion, with adjusted EPS expected between $7.70 and $9.38 [14][15]