Core Insights - Best Buy Co., Inc. reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.28 per share, surpassing the consensus estimate of $1.21 [1] - Sales increased by 1.6% year over year to $9.44 billion, exceeding the consensus of $9.24 billion [2] Financial Guidance - The company reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings per share guidance of $6.15-$6.30, compared to the consensus of $6.17 [2] Analyst Ratings and Expectations - JPMorgan analyst Christopher Horvers maintained an Overweight rating on Best Buy, raising the price target from $88 to $89 [3] - Horvers noted that June and July comparable sales were up 3%, with quarter-to-date comps running in low single digits, likely towards the high end due to anticipated post-back-to-school slowdown [3][4] Sales and Margin Outlook - Best Buy indicated that both sales and EPS are trending towards the upper end of full-year guidance [4] - The analyst believes the stock's setup has improved heading into the holiday season, with a conservative margin guide considering tariff and supply-chain efficiencies [4] Tariff and Sourcing Strategy - Blended tariff rates are increasing, but Best Buy is mitigating impacts while vendors provide support [5] - The sourcing mix includes approximately 25% from the U.S./Mexico (no tariffs), 30%-35% from China at a ~25% blended rate, and the remaining ~40% from other countries with varying tariffs [5] Market Trends and Future Projections - The pull-forward in computing, TVs, and appliances is largely complete, with a larger installed base expected to support a soft landing this year [6] - Average selling prices are anticipated to rise as AI features become mainstream in consumer electronics [6] - A credible path to a 5% operating margin over time is expected, with 6% becoming feasible when key categories, especially home theater, show positive trends [6] Stock Performance - Best Buy shares were trading higher by 1.33% to $73.63 at the time of publication [7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported Q1 revenue of $8.8 billion, slightly below last year, with an adjusted operating income rate of 3.8%, flat year over year [7][39] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased by 4% to $1.15, primarily due to lower investment income [39] - The gross profit rate improved by approximately 10 basis points to 23.4% compared to last year [41] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable sales growth was driven by computing, mobile phones, and tablets, while home theater, appliances, and drones saw declines, resulting in a domestic comparable sales decline of 0.7% [8][39] - The combined computing and tablet categories achieved 6% comparable sales growth [8] - Online sales grew year over year for the second consecutive quarter, accounting for nearly 32% of total domestic sales [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic revenue decreased by 0.9% to $8.1 billion, with international revenue of $640 million also down by 0.6% [40] - The revenue decrease included a negative foreign currency impact of approximately 450 basis points [40] 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 [19][26] - Strategic priorities include improving omnichannel experiences, launching new profit streams, and driving operational effectiveness [19][31] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that consumers remain resilient despite persistent inflation, focusing on value and thoughtful spending on big-ticket items [9][68] - The company updated its annual outlook, lowering the full-year comparable sales range to down 1% to up 1% and expecting an adjusted operating income rate of approximately 4.2% [18][44] Other Important Information - The company is actively managing the impact of tariffs, with China now representing approximately 30% to 35% of product COGS, down from 55% [12][52] - The company continues to target roughly 60 days of forward supply for inventory management [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you help us understand the changes in China sourcing? - Management explained that China sourcing has decreased to 30-35% of COGS, with mitigation efforts from vendors and Best Buy helping to manage costs [52][53] Question: Did you see any pull forward in demand? - Management noted that while there may have been some pull forward in demand, it was difficult to quantify due to the Easter shift [60][61] Question: How is the advertising initiative performing? - Management indicated that incremental advertising revenue is expected to show up in gross margin, with plans to add more to revenue as the initiative develops [76][78] Question: What is the outlook for the marketplace launch? - Management confirmed that the marketplace is on track for a mid-year launch and is expected to be accretive overall despite potential cannibalization [93] Question: Are there other product launches to be excited about? - Management highlighted excitement around upcoming innovations in gaming, computing, and wearable technology, indicating strong consumer interest [95][96]