Dillard's Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Comparable Store Sales Rise 1%

Core Insights - Dillard's Inc. reported second-quarter fiscal 2025 results with earnings per share (EPS) of $4.66, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.79, and a year-over-year increase of 1.5% from $4.59 [1][9] - Net sales reached $1.514 billion, reflecting a 1.6% increase from the prior-year quarter, aligning closely with consensus estimates [2][9] - The company's stock price rose approximately 3.4% following the earnings announcement, indicating strong investor confidence [3] Financial Performance - Total retail sales, excluding CDI Contractors, increased by 1.5% year over year to $1.447 billion, with comparable store sales also rising by 1% [5][9] - The consolidated gross margin contracted by 100 basis points year over year to 36.6%, with retail gross margin at 38.1%, also down 100 basis points [6] - Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) as a percentage of sales decreased to 28.7%, down 40 basis points from the prior-year quarter, with total SG&A expenses increasing by 0.1% year over year to $434.2 million [10][11] Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns - Dillard's ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1.012 billion and long-term debt of $225.6 million, alongside total shareholders' equity of $1.919 billion [12] - The company repurchased 24,500 shares for $9.8 million at an average price of $398.7 per share, with $165.2 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization [13] Future Outlook - Dillard's forecasts capital expenditure of $120 million for fiscal 2025, an increase from $105 million in fiscal 2024 [14] - The company expects depreciation and amortization expenses of $180 million and projects interest and debt income of $7 million for fiscal 2025 [15]