Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Big 5 Lowers On Weak Comps (BUY)

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (BGFV: 11.94 0.00 0.00%), a leading sporting goods retailer lowers its outlook on account of weak comparable-store sales for second-quarter 2010. Sales fell 0.5%, breaching its own guidance of low-single digit growth, and were even not able to surpass the positive 0.3% sales growth reported in the prior-year quarter. Sluggish economic recovery in its markets put hindrance on its performance.
Followed by weak same-store sales result, the company now expects to earn 20-23 cents a share in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. This comes in below the previous guidance range of 24-30 cents a share.
Besides, the economy is to witness unemployment that is expected to last until 2012. Until businesses start hiring again, consumers are unlikely to splurge.The deceleration comes after the company had posted three straight quarters of positive same-store sales growth of 2.4% in first-quarter 2010, and 0.1% and 1.6% in fourth and third quarters of 2009, respectively. Management noted that performance across its major categories was consistent and merchandise margins have held up.

Analysts' Targets
 Deutsche Bank Securities$19 
    Buy
    Thursday, April 15, 2010
 Wedbush Morgan Securities$17 
    Buy
    Thursday, January 14, 2010

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