Aritzia (TSX:ATZ) has been among the top-performing TSX stocks in 2024 so far, as it trades with 31.4% year-to-date gains against the S&P TSX Composite benchmark’s 4.1% year-to-date rise. With this, ATZ stock hovers currently at $36.13 per share with a market cap of $4 billion. The Vancouver-headquartered fashion designer and apparel retailer recently announced the financial results of the fourth quarter of its fiscal year 2024 (ended in February) on Thursday, May 2.
Before we delve into whether Aritzia stock is a good buy right now, let’s quickly go over some key fundamental highlights from its latest earnings report and explore how they could influence its stock price in the short term.
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Aritzia’s upbeat results despite inflationary pressures
In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, Aritzia’s total sales inched up by 7% YoY (year over year) to $682 million, even as its comparable sales for the quarter slipped by around 3% from a year ago. This revenue growth was especially noteworthy following the exceptional quarterly growth rates of 44% and 66% YoY in the previous two fiscal years, clearly showcasing a sustained upward trajectory in its top line.
More importantly, the Canadian fashion retailer posted a revenue growth rate of 9.4% YoY in the United States, higher than the growth rate of 4.2% in the previous quarter, underscoring its increasing foothold in this significant market.
The retail segment of Aritzia’s business also saw a robust increase last quarter, with net revenue rising by 14.7% from a year ago to $416.4 million, fueled by both new and repositioned boutiques performing beyond expectations. However, its e-commerce segment faced a slight setback with a 3.2% YoY decrease in revenue, attributed to lower markdown sales despite strong performances from new product lines.
Even as factors, including higher technology and marketing initiative-related expenses and inflated product costs, drove Aritzia’s adjusted quarterly earnings down by 18.1% YoY to $38.2 million, it exceeded Bay Street analysts’ expectations of $36.3 million.
Is Aritzia stock a good buy now?
While it’s nearly impossible to predict how investors might react to Aritzia’s latest quarterly results in the short term, these results reflect the strength of the company’s business model and its solid long-term growth potential. Despite inflationary pressures and the weak consumer spending environment, the fashion retailer has been able to accelerate its YoY revenue growth rate for two consecutive quarters, which is also helping it limit the decline in its earnings.
Another key factor that could help Aritzia come out stronger in the coming years is its consistent focus on expanding its product portfolio and store network. Notably, the company has been able to increase its boutique count from 114 to 119 in the last year. Similarly, its financial position continues to strengthen further as its cash and cash equivalents climbed up by around 89% in the last year, giving it ample resources for future investments.
Moreover, Aritzia’s strategic focus on expanding its boutique footprint, especially in the U.S., combined with its stable e-commerce platform, brightens its long-term growth outlook. That’s why, despite short-term uncertainties, ATZ stock has the potential to continue soaring over the long run, making it a really attractive TSX growth stock to buy now and hold for years to come.
