WSM Stock Up on Q2 Earnings & Revenue Beat, FY25 View Up

Core Insights - Williams-Sonoma Inc. (WSM) reported strong second-quarter fiscal 2025 results, with earnings and net revenues exceeding expectations and showing year-over-year growth [1][3][8] - Following the earnings announcement, WSM's shares rose by 4.1% in pre-market trading [1] Financial Performance - Earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter were $2, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.79 by 11.7%, and up from $1.74 in the prior-year quarter [3][8] - Net revenues reached $1.84 billion, exceeding the consensus estimate of $1.82 billion by 1.1% and growing 2.8% year over year [3][8] - Comparable sales (comps) increased by 3.7%, a significant improvement from a negative 3.3% in the same period last year [3][8] Segment Performance - Comps at Williams-Sonoma increased by 5.1%, while West Elm saw a 3.3% gain, and Pottery Barn Kids and Teens grew by 5.3% [4] - Pottery Barn's comps rose slightly by 1.1%, contrasting with a 7.1% decline in the previous year [4] Operational Highlights - Gross margin improved to 47.1%, up 220 basis points year over year, attributed to higher merchandise margins and supply-chain efficiencies [5] - Selling, general and administrative expenses were 29.2% of net revenues, reflecting a 20 basis point decline year over year [5] - Operating margin expanded by 240 basis points to 17.9%, exceeding the projected margin of 15.3% [6][8] Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns - As of August 3, 2025, cash and cash equivalents stood at $985.8 million, a decrease from $1.21 billion at the end of fiscal 2024 [7] - Net cash from operating activities for the first half of fiscal 2025 was $401.7 million, down from $473.3 million a year ago, allowing for nearly $280 million returned to shareholders through stock repurchases and dividends [7] Future Guidance - WSM raised its fiscal 2025 guidance, projecting annual net revenues to grow between 0.5% and 3.5%, and comparable brand revenue growth expected between 2.0% and 5.0% [9] - Operating margin guidance remains between 17.4% and 17.8%, with long-term expectations of mid-to-high single-digit net revenue growth and operating margins in the mid-to-high teens [10]