Why Chewy Stock Got Chewed Up Today

Core Viewpoint - Chewy's stock fell 12.6% despite meeting analyst forecasts for adjusted earnings and sales, indicating investor disappointment with the company's financial performance [1][9]. Financial Performance - Chewy reported Q2 sales of $3.1 billion, a year-over-year increase of nearly 9%, with a gross profit margin of 30.4%, up 90 basis points from the previous year [2]. - The company's adjusted earnings per share were $0.33, but GAAP earnings were only $0.14, reflecting a nearly 80% decline in profits year over year [4]. Customer Base and Business Model - A significant portion of Chewy's sales, 83%, came from repeat customers using the Autoship service, indicating a stable customer base [5]. Tax Impact - The decline in profits was primarily due to the reversal of a $253 million income tax credit received in the previous year, with Chewy paying $12 million in taxes this quarter [6]. Valuation Concerns - Chewy's stock is considered expensive, trading at 32 times free cash flow and nearly 100 times trailing earnings, leading to skepticism about its investment attractiveness [7].