RBC Not Adding Macy's To Its Shopping Cart Despite M&A Rumors


27% profit every 20 days?

This is what Nic Chahine averages with his option buys. Not selling covered calls or spreads… BUYING options. Most traders don’t even have a winning percentage of 27% buying options. He has an 83% win rate. Here’s how he does it.


Despite takeout rumors, RBC Capital is not excited on Macy's Inc (NYSE:M) as it expects core business to be increasingly challenged by competitive pressures, while margins also remain depressed by pricing headwinds and costly growth investments.

Analyst Brian Tunick reiterated his Sector Perform rating on Macy’s, which recently reported disappointing fourth-quarter numbers and weak outlook.

ENTER TO WIN $500 IN STOCK OR CRYPTO

Enter your email and you'll also get Benzinga's ultimate morning update AND a free $30 gift card and more!

Rating's Justification

Tunick is skeptical about Macy’s ongoing initiatives to improve sales and potential M&A as well as real estate opportunities.

“A potential takeout (according to an unconfirmed article in the WSJ) and/or significant monetization of M's real estate pose an interesting setup, however, we believe there are still too many unknowns to get more constructive,” Tunick wrote in a note.

Related Link: Look At How Macy's And Amazon Have Changed Over The Past Decade

Specifically, on the real estate front, the analyst said Macy’s real estate gains will be smaller in the near term unless the company is taken out in a levered buyout. The analyst pointed out that the company has realized only about $750 million from its real estate assets versus estimated valuation of up to $20 billion.

The analyst noted that the help Macy’s got from the momentum in accessories brands, increased tourist spending and outsized e-commerce growth are all shrinking, thereby making growth more challenging and costly.

Tunick also sees increased online penetration and free shipping is expected to more than offset potential merchandise margin upside from inventory management.

Analyst's Bottom Line

“Although we are encouraged that ~43 percent of M’s product sold is private label or exclusives, we view M at a vulnerable spot, as Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)’s intensifying push into apparel more closely targets M’s more core customers,” Tunick added.

Shares of Macy’s closed Wednesday’s trading at $32.36. Tunick has a price target of $35. In Thursday's pre-market session, shares were slightly depressed, down 0.12 percent at $32.32.


27% profit every 20 days?

This is what Nic Chahine averages with his option buys. Not selling covered calls or spreads… BUYING options. Most traders don’t even have a winning percentage of 27% buying options. He has an 83% win rate. Here’s how he does it.


Posted In: Analyst ColorNewsWall Street JournalRumorsPrice TargetReiterationM&AAnalyst RatingsMoversMediaReal EstateBrian TunickRBC Capital