RH Stock Sinks on Lower Guidance. Is It Time to Buy the Dip or Run for the Hills?

Core Viewpoint - The luxury furniture company RH has lowered its full-year guidance due to the impact of tariffs, resulting in a significant decline in its stock price, which is down over 40% for the year [1]. Industry Overview - The furniture industry is facing challenges due to a pull-forward in demand from the COVID-19 pandemic and low housing turnover caused by high interest rates, compounded by the implementation of tariffs [2]. - Additional tariffs specifically targeting the furniture industry were indicated by the Trump administration in late August [2]. Company Performance - For fiscal Q2, RH reported a revenue increase of over 8% to $899.2 million, with demand rising by 14%. However, adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.93 fell short of analyst expectations of $3.21 [3]. - The company's European expansion is performing well, with RH England experiencing a 76% surge in Gallery demand and a 34% increase in online demand. Gallery demand is expected to reach between $37 to $39 million this year [4]. Financial Metrics - Merchandise inventories rose by 4% to $957 million, which is below the sales growth rate. The company plans to reduce $300 million in excess inventory over the next 12 to 18 months [5]. - RH has previously repurchased $2.2 billion of its stock, resulting in $2.5 billion in debt. The company generated negative free cash flow last year but has produced $114.8 million this year, projecting $250 million to $300 million for the year, down from an earlier forecast [6]. Production and Supply Chain - RH sources most of its furniture from Asia but is shifting a significant portion of its upholstered furniture production to a factory in North Carolina, aiming for 52% of upholstered furniture to be produced in the U.S. by year-end [7]. Future Outlook - The company has lowered its full-year revenue growth forecast to between 9% and 11%, down from 10% to 13%. It also reduced its adjusted EBITDA margin guidance from 20%-21% to 19%-20%, anticipating an additional $30 million impact from tariffs [8]. - For Q3, RH expects revenue growth of between 8% and 10% [8]. Investment Considerations - RH's forward price-to-earnings ratio is 15 times next fiscal year analyst estimates, but earnings may fluctuate significantly due to tariff impacts. The company carries substantial leverage, making it a high-risk, high-reward investment [12].