Black Friday shoppers at the Lululemon store in Garden State Plaza, New Jersey.
Mike Gallia | CNBC
Lululemon said Thursday it saw strong third-quarter demand and a positive start to the holiday shopping season, but the retailer’s shares fell in extended trading after it gave its fourth-quarter outlook.
In the quarter, sales rose 12% in North America and 49% internationally, but the retailer’s holiday guidance came in light of expectations. Lululemon said fourth-quarter sales would be between $3.14 billion and $3.17 billion, just shy of the $3.18 billion analysts expected, according to LSEG, formerly Refinitiv.
According to LSEG, it expects earnings to be between $4.85 and $4.93 per share, compared with estimates of $4.80 to $5.19. For the full year, Lululemon expects sales of $9.55 billion to $9.58 billion, compared with $8.11 and $9.90 billion, according to LSEG.
Shares fell about 3% in extended trading.
Here’s how the company fared in its third fiscal year:
- Stock Gains: Adjusted to $2.53. It was not immediately clear if the figures were comparable to what Wall Street had expected, based on LSEG’s survey of analysts.
- Revenue: $2.20 billion and $2.19 billion expected
The company’s net income for the three months ended Oct. 29 was $249 million, or $1.96 per share, compared with $255 million, or $2 per share, a year earlier.
Sales rose to $2.2 billion, up 19% from $1.86 billion a year earlier.
“This was another strong quarter for lululemon as our innovative product offerings and social activities resonated powerfully with our guests worldwide. As we enter the holiday season, we are pleased with our early performance and are well positioned to deliver to our guests in the fourth quarter,” CEO Calvin McDonald’s said in a news release. “I am excited by the significant opportunities ahead.”
On a call with analysts, McDonald’s said this year’s Black Friday was “the single biggest day” in the company’s history. He added that Lululemon was “encouraged” by trends seen early in the holiday season.
Total sales rose 13% in Lululemon’s third quarter, according to the Street Account, beating the 12.4% rise analysts had expected. Comparable sales at the retailer’s stores came in at 9%, below Wall Street’s expected 11.7%.
But comparable direct-to-consumer sales rose 18%, beating the 16.9% analysts were expecting, according to the Street Account.
