Benzingaยท2025-11-13 18:02Core Viewpoint - Floor & Decor Holdings Inc. is expected to capture a larger market share in 2026 as housing conditions improve and industry competition eases [1] Market Outlook - Goldman Sachs upgraded Floor & Decor to Neutral from Sell, with a 12-month price forecast of $71, down from $80, citing expectations for a modestly improved U.S. housing backdrop in 2026 [2] - The bank noted that while housing turnover has not recovered since January, the backdrop appears steady and could strengthen as mortgage rates decline [3] Store Expansion and Performance - Management continues to open stores at a pace of 20 units per year, with flexibility to accelerate in 2026 if conditions improve [4] - New-store performance remains pressured, with average revenue at $11 million versus long-term targets, though improvement is expected as macro conditions normalize [9] Financial Projections - For 2025, management guided sales of $4.66-$4.71 billion, up 5%-6% year over year, with comparable store sales projected to decline by -2% to -1% [8] - Goldman forecasts revenue of $4.68 billion for 2025, $5.08 billion for 2026, and $5.68 billion for 2027, with EPS estimates of $1.87, $2.08, and $2.59 for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively [11] Market Share and Competitive Position - Floor & Decor is well positioned as smaller rivals struggle with tariffs and tighter economics, with expectations for market-share gains due to bankruptcies and store closures at competitors [5][8] - Competitive pricing analysis shows Floor & Decor maintains prices below industry averages across most comparable products [8] Margin Resilience - Margins remain resilient, supported by disciplined pricing, supply-chain savings, and higher-margin design services, with 2025 gross margin guidance at 43.6%-43.7% [11]