Core Insights - Investors should not rely solely on stock price movements without understanding a company's fundamentals, as this can lead to financial losses. A thorough review of a company's financial health is essential, particularly in an unpredictable market [1] Interest Coverage Ratio - The interest coverage ratio is a critical metric that indicates how effectively a company can pay interest charges on its debt [3][4] - This ratio is calculated by dividing Earnings before Interest & Taxes (EBIT) by Interest Expense, providing insight into a company's ability to meet its interest obligations [4] - A ratio lower than 1 indicates potential default risk, while a higher ratio suggests a company can withstand financial difficulties [6] Investment Strategy - Companies with an interest coverage ratio above the industry average, a favorable Zacks Rank, and a VGM Score of A or B are likely to yield better investment results [7] - Additional criteria for screening include a minimum stock price of $5, strong historical and projected EPS growth compared to the industry median, and an average trading volume greater than 100,000 [8][9] Company Performance Highlights - Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT) has a Zacks Rank of 1, a VGM Score of B, and is projected to have a 17.6% sales growth and 26% EPS growth this fiscal year, with a stock price increase of 36.2% over the past year [10][11] - Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) also holds a Zacks Rank of 1 and a VGM Score of A, with expected sales growth of 7.9% and EPS growth of 19.8%, although its stock has declined by 3.6% in the past year [11][12] - Tapestry, Inc. (TPR) has a Zacks Rank of 1 and a VGM Score of B, with projected sales growth of 9.6% and EPS growth of 23.7%, and a significant stock increase of 72.8% over the past year [12][13] - Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) carries a Zacks Rank of 2 and a VGM Score of A, with anticipated sales growth of 16.5% and EPS growth of 25.1%, and a stock surge of 74.8% in the past year [13][14]

Core Insights - Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. reported a 16% year-over-year increase in net sales for the third fiscal quarter, reaching $705.6 million, driven by strong demand across various merchandise categories and channels [4][5] - The company achieved a merchandise margin expansion of 110 basis points, contributing to earnings per diluted share of $2.79, up from $2.43 in the prior year [4][5] - Same store sales increased by 5.7%, with retail store same store sales rising 3.7% and e-commerce same store sales growing 19.6% [4][5] Financial Performance - Net income for the quarter was $85.8 million, compared to $75.1 million in the prior-year period [4][5] - Gross profit was $281.2 million, representing 39.9% of net sales, an increase from 39.3% in the previous year [5][6] - Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses rose to $166.5 million, or 23.6% of net sales, up from 22.9% in the prior year [5][6] Store Expansion and Operations - The company opened 25 new stores, bringing the total store count to 514 as of the end of the quarter [4][5] - Average inventory per store increased approximately 4.1% on a same-store basis compared to the previous year [11] - Boot Barn plans to open 70 new stores in the upcoming fiscal year [11] Future Outlook - For the fiscal year ending March 28, 2026, the company expects total sales between $2.24 billion and $2.25 billion, representing growth of 17% to 18% over fiscal year 2025 [11] - SG&A expenses are projected to be approximately 24.5% of net sales, with net income expected to be between $222.8 million and $225.8 million [15]