Best Buy (NYSE:BBY) Q3 2026 Earnings Call November 25, 2025 08:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsMatt Bilunas - Chief Financial and Strategy OfficerMollie O'Brien - Head of Investor RelationsCorie Barry - CEOJason Bonfig - Chief Customer Product and Fulfillment OfficerConference Call ParticipantsJoe Feldman - AnalystJonathan Matuszewski - AnalystPeter Keith - AnalystGreg Mellick - Equity AnalystSeth Sigman - AnalystSimeon Gutman - Executive Director and Senior Equity AnalystChristopher Horvers - AnalystAnthony C ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported third-quarter revenue of $9.7 billion, with an adjusted operating income rate of 4% and adjusted earnings per share increasing by 11% year-over-year to $1.40 [4][24] - Comparable sales growth was 2.7%, exceeding expectations [4][24] - Domestic revenue increased by 2.1% to $8.9 billion, while international revenue rose by 6.1% to $794 million [24][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Strong sales performance was noted in computing, gaming, and mobile phones, with computing achieving its seventh consecutive quarter of positive comps [4][5] - Desktop computers saw nearly 30% year-over-year growth, while gaming demand remained strong for the Nintendo Switch 2 [5][6] - Online revenue increased by 3.5% on a comparable basis, representing 31.8% of domestic revenue [24][25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The domestic gross profit rate decreased by 30 basis points to 23.3%, primarily due to lower product margin rates [25] - International gross profit rate increased by 30 basis points to 22.8%, attributed to favorable supply chain costs [25][26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen its position as a leading omnichannel destination for technology while building new profit streams [9][10] - Strategic priorities include enhancing omnichannel experiences, driving incremental profitability streams through the Best Buy marketplace, and improving operational efficiencies [9][13][17] - The company is focusing on leveraging AI for customer support and product recommendations, aiming to enhance customer experience [18][60] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the upcoming holiday season, highlighting compelling deals and strong marketing efforts [18][22] - The company expects fourth-quarter comparable sales to range from down 1% to up 1%, with an adjusted operating income rate of 4.8%-4.9% [28][29] - Management noted that the high end of the fourth-quarter outlook assumes growth in computing, gaming, and mobile, with improved trends in TVs [22][28] Other Important Information - The company recorded pre-tax non-cash asset impairments of $192 million related to Best Buy Health, which were excluded from adjusted results [27] - Year-to-date, the company returned $802 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on Q4 guidance and expectations - Management indicated that the high end of the Q4 sales guide is similar to previous expectations, with a slight adjustment to the bottom end [31] Question: Product momentum and demand outlook - Management expects continued growth in computing and mobile phones, driven by the need for upgrades and innovation [32][33] Question: Marketplace performance and EBIT impact - The marketplace has onboarded over 1,000 sellers and significantly increased SKUs, with positive early indicators for customer experience [38][39] Question: Loyalty program performance - The loyalty program has over 100 million members, with nearly 8 million paid members, focusing on personalized promotions to drive engagement [41][42] Question: Store investment and future plans - The company plans to continue investing in store aesthetics and exploring smaller format stores to enhance customer experience [44][46] Question: Impact of tariffs on pricing - The effective tariff rate is in the mid-teens, but overall ASP remains flat due to competitive pricing pressures [49][50] Question: Vendor support in labor - Vendor labor support varies by time of year and product launches, with a focus on maintaining customer service quality [52][53]

As Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE:BBY) prepares to report third-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings on Nov. 25, the retailer faces a critical test that goes beyond simple sales figures: can a high-margin, “hidden” advertising business counterbalance the profitability pressure of selling lower-margin hardware?Check out BBY’s stock price here. Building On A Breakout QuarterWhile management and analysts largely expect the company to maintain the positive sales momentum established in the second quarter—its best performance ...

Core Viewpoint - Best Buy Co., Inc. is recognized as one of the top consumer electronics stocks to invest in, with Jefferies maintaining a Buy rating and raising the price target from $88 to $95 due to the company's strong financial performance driven by its expanding advertising division [1][2]. Financial Performance - Jefferies anticipates that Best Buy Ads will significantly influence the company's profit and loss statement over the next five or more years, potentially leading to an increase in annual gross margin instead of a contraction, which is a common concern among investors [2]. Business Model Evolution - The integration of the advertising segment into Best Buy's investment narrative is expected to alter what Jefferies describes as "outdated investor perceptions" regarding the company's business model, highlighting the potential of this new revenue stream [3]. Company Overview - Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American multinational retailer specializing in consumer electronics, offering a wide range of products and services. The company has established a robust online presence alongside its physical stores, which are integral to its omnichannel strategy [4].

Core Insights - Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY) reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 results with revenues and earnings exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate, and revenues increased year over year [1] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings were $1.28 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.22, but down from $1.34 per share in the prior year [3] - Enterprise revenues reached $9,438 million, exceeding the consensus mark of $9,202 million and increasing by 1.6% from $9,288 million in the previous year [3] - Gross profit rose 0.4% to $2,194 million, while gross margin decreased by 30 basis points to 23.2% [4] - Adjusted operating income was $369 million, down 3.1% from the previous year, with an adjusted operating margin of 3.9%, a decline of 20 basis points [4] Domestic Operations - Domestic revenues were $8,698 million, a 0.9% increase year over year, driven by a 1.1% rise in comparable sales [6] - Domestic online revenues increased by 5.1% to $2.86 billion, accounting for 32.8% of total domestic revenues, up from 31.5% last year [7] - Domestic gross margin fell 10 basis points to 23.4%, primarily due to lower product margin rates [8] International Operations - International revenues increased by 11.3% to $740 million, supported by a 7.6% rise in comparable sales and new Best Buy Express locations in Canada [9] - International gross margin contracted by 210 basis points to 21.8%, mainly due to lower product margin rates [10] Shareholder Returns - During the quarter, the company returned $266 million to shareholders, including $201 million in dividends and $65 million in share repurchases [13] - The board authorized a quarterly cash dividend of 95 cents per share, payable on October 9, 2025 [14] Future Guidance - For the fiscal third quarter, Best Buy expects comparable sales growth to remain similar to the reported quarter, with an adjusted operating margin similar to the previous year's 3.7% [15] - The company maintains its fiscal 2026 revenue guidance between $41.1 billion and $41.9 billion, with comparable sales expected to range from down 1% to up 1% [16] - Adjusted earnings per share are projected to be between $6.15 and $6.30, with capital expenditures estimated at around $700 million for the fiscal year [17]

Core Viewpoint - Best Buy Co., Inc. reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 results with revenues in line with estimates but a decline in both revenues and earnings year over year, leading to a downward revision of full-year guidance due to tariff impacts [1][3][13]. Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share were $1.15, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.09 but down from $1.20 in the prior year [3]. - Enterprise revenues reached $8,767 million, nearly matching the consensus mark of $8,766 million but down 0.9% from $8,847 million in the previous year [3]. - Gross profit decreased by 0.7% to $2,049 million, while gross margin expanded by 10 basis points to 23.4% [4]. - Adjusted operating income remained flat at $333 million, with an adjusted operating margin of 3.8% unchanged from the prior year [4]. Operational Insights - Domestic revenues were $8,127 million, down 0.9% year over year, attributed to a comparable sales decline of 0.7% [6]. - Domestic online revenues increased by 2.1% to $2.58 billion, accounting for 31.7% of total domestic revenues, up from 30.8% in the previous year [7]. - International revenues fell to $640 million, a decrease of 0.6% year over year, impacted by foreign currency fluctuations and comparable sales decline [9]. Guidance and Future Outlook - For fiscal 2026, Best Buy expects revenues between $41.1 billion and $41.9 billion, down from the previous range of $41.4 billion to $42.2 billion [13]. - The company revised its comparable sales forecast to a range of down 1% to up 1%, compared to earlier guidance of flat to 2% growth [13]. - Adjusted earnings per share are now projected to be between $6.15 and $6.30, slightly lower than the previous range of $6.20 to $6.60 [14].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported first quarter revenue of $8.8 billion, slightly below last year, with an adjusted operating income rate of 3.8%, flat year over year [6][36] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased by 4% to $1.15, primarily due to lower investment income [36] - The gross profit rate improved by approximately 10 basis points to 23.4% compared to last year [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable sales growth was driven by computing, mobile phones, and tablets, while there were declines in home theater, appliances, and drones, resulting in a domestic comparable sales decline of 0.7% [6][35] - The combined computing and tablet categories saw a 6% growth in comparable sales [6] - Domestic revenue decreased by 0.9% to $8.1 billion, with international revenue down 0.6% to $640 million [37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that customer behavior remained resilient despite persistent inflation, with consumers being value-focused and thoughtful about big-ticket purchases [7][8] - Online sales grew year over year for the second consecutive quarter, accounting for nearly 32% of total domestic sales [6][7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen its position as a leading omnichannel destination for technology while building new profit streams, including Best Buy Marketplace and Best Buy Ads [16][22] - Strategic priorities include improving omnichannel experiences, launching incremental profit streams, and driving operational effectiveness [16][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating the current tariff environment and updated the annual outlook, lowering the full-year comparable sales range to down 1% to up 1% [15][41] - The company expects growth in computing and tablets driven by product replacement needs and ongoing innovation [31][92] Other Important Information - The company is actively mitigating tariff impacts through various strategies, including leveraging manufacturing flexibility and negotiating costs with vendors [12][52] - The company plans to maintain approximately 60 days of forward supply in inventory and feels good about inventory levels for the back-to-school season [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you help us understand the changes in China sourcing? - Management noted that the percentage of product COGS from China has decreased to approximately 30-35% from 55%, with half of the China-sourced products subject to 20% tariffs [50][51] Question: Did you see any pull forward in demand? - Management indicated that while there may have been some pull forward in demand, it was difficult to quantify due to the Easter shift impacting sales [56][58] Question: How do you view consumer behavior in light of tariffs? - Management stated that consumers remain resilient but are making trade-offs in their spending due to inflation and higher prices [64][66] Question: What is the expected impact of the marketplace on margins? - Management expects the marketplace to have a positive impact on operating income and gross profit rates, particularly in the back half of the year [83][89]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported almost $14 billion in revenue for Q4, with an adjusted operating income rate of 4.9% and adjusted earnings per share of $2.58, reflecting a 5% decrease in adjusted diluted earnings per share compared to the previous year [10][11][62]. - The enterprise comparable sales growth was 0.5%, with a 2.3% decline on a 52-week basis, indicating the company's ability to maintain profitability in a challenging sales environment [11][62]. - The domestic segment saw a 0.2% increase in comparable sales, while revenue decreased by 5.2% to $12.7 billion, primarily due to the impact of the previous year's extra week [63]. Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The computing and tablet categories experienced a 9% growth in comparable sales, with laptop sales specifically increasing to 10% growth compared to 7% in Q3 [14][15]. - Sales in appliances, home theater, and gaming categories declined, impacting overall performance [14]. - The domestic gross profit rate increased by 50 basis points to 20.9%, driven by improvements in the services category, while the international gross profit rate rose by 40 basis points to 21.4% due to favorable supply chain expenses [65]. Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Digital sales accounted for almost 40% of total domestic sales in Q4, with significant growth in the Best Buy app, which ranked as the 1 shopping app on the Apple App Store during Black Friday [13]. - International comparable sales increased by 3.8%, although revenue decreased by 0.2% due to the previous year's extra week and negative foreign currency impacts [64]. Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen its position as a leading omnichannel destination for technology, focusing on improving customer experiences and launching new profit streams such as Best Buy Marketplace and Best Buy Ads [19][40]. - Fiscal '26 priorities include enhancing omnichannel experiences, scaling new profit streams, and driving operational effectiveness to offset pressures [19][50]. - The company plans to leverage AI for improved digital experiences and enhance physical store merchandising while closing less profitable locations [32][36]. Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about consumer resilience despite high inflation, anticipating flat to slightly up growth in the U.S. consumer electronics industry [22]. - The company expects comparable sales growth in the range of flat to 2% for the year, with growth weighted more in the second half due to product launches [23]. - Management acknowledged the potential impact of tariffs on pricing and consumer behavior, emphasizing the need for strategic navigation in a volatile environment [25][121]. Other Important Information - The company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $475 million related to Best Buy Health, which is excluded from adjusted earnings [66]. - Capital expenditures for fiscal '25 were $706 million, down from $795 million in fiscal '24, reflecting a reduction in store-related investments [67]. - The quarterly dividend was increased to $0.95 per share, marking the 12th consecutive year of dividend increases [68]. Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of tariffs on pricing and sales - Management indicated that the 10% tariff from China could result in a negative impact of approximately 1 point on comparable sales, with potential price increases depending on vendor actions and consumer reactions [77][80]. Question: Flexibility in supply chain regarding tariffs - Management highlighted their experienced team and ongoing communication with vendors to navigate supply chain adjustments and mitigate tariff impacts [95][97]. Question: Comparison of company performance to industry growth - Management stated that for Q4, the company's market share was flattish compared to last year, with notable share gains in computing and gaming categories [132][134].