Der Baumarktkette Lowes gab heute eine Gewinnwarnung raus, die sie mit der Housing-Krise begründet. Diese Art Gewinnwarnung werden wir meiner Meinung nach demnächst noch häufiger hören - auch bei anderen "Retailern" (Einzelhändlern).
Lowe's cuts profit view to lower end of forecast By Angela Moore & Ruth Mantell, MarketWatch Last Update: 7:39 AM ET Sep 26, 2006
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Lowe's Cos. forecast profit for the year toward the lower end of its prior view, citing near-term pressures on consumers such as a weaker housing market and high energy costs, the home improvement retailer said late Monday. The Mooresville, N.C.-based company (LOW) said it now sees annual per-share income will be at or near the low end of its prior outlook ranging from $2 to $2.07, as sales are below expectations. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call are looking for fiscal 2007 per-share income of $2.01.
"Despite the backdrop of declining housing turnover, elevated energy costs and difficult comparisons resulting from active 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, I'm confident we have the plans and people in place to ensure we continue to meet the needs of consumers and gain market share," said Robert Niblock, chairman, president and chief executive, in a statement.
At the Lowe's annual meeting with shareholders and analysts Tuesday, Robert Hull Jr., chief financial officer, will provide an outlook, noting the company's plan to add 155 and 150 stores in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
The company sees per-share income growth of 10% to 14% in 2007, and 12% to 16% in 2008. "We are not surprised that management is taking a more cautious outlook given the still challenging macro environment, with the declines in the housing market continuing to accelerate," Wachovia analyst Peter Benedict wrote in a note to clients. "We believe there is still risk that more estimate reductions are ahead given there is no sign of the housing market reaching a bottom. On the positive side, we believe the revised outlook is no worse than expected."
Lowe's, with a market capitalization of more than $44 billion, added that it sees the additional square footage driving annual sales growth of 10% to 13% percent in 2007, and 11% to 13% in 2008.
Last month, Lowe's shares fell after the retailer reported second-quarter earnings that missed Wall Street's outlook. At that time, Lowe's also cut its full-year profit forecast, citing pressure on consumer spending from higher energy prices and a slowing housing market.
Rival Home Depot Inc. (HD) in August also warned on profit, and forecast its earnings for the second half of the year would fall to the low end of previous estimates as it reinvested in labor and new-store models amid a tough economic environment.
Lowe's shares closed Monday at $28.84. |