Express Shares Surge Following Strong Q1 Results, FY Forecast

Shares of

jumped more than 11 percent in pre-market trading after the company reported stronger-than-expected results for the first quarter and raised its outlook for the full year. The Columbus, Ohio-based company posted quarterly earnings of $13.1 million, or $0.15 per share, versus $5.1 million, or $0.06 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding non-recurring items, the company earned $0.22 per share. Its revenue gained 9 percent year-over-year to $502.4 million from $460.7 million. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $0.14 per share on revenue of $487.8 million. The average estimate among 5 Estimize users was for earnings of $0.17 per share and revenue of $512.18 million. Its comparable store sales climbed 7 percent year-over-year in the quarter. E-commerce sales gained 12 percent to $77.6 million. Its gross margin widened to 33.1 percent from 29.8 percent. Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased to $133.2 million in the latest quarter, from $122.9 million in the year-ago quarter. At the end of the quarter, the company had $127.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared to $250.2 million at the end of the year-ago quarter. David Kornberg, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, noted that, "2015 is off to a strong start. In the first quarter, comparable sales rose by 7% and our merchandise margin expanded by 200 basis points, driving earnings above our initial expectations. Our customers responded with enthusiasm to our assortment while we intensified our inventory discipline and scaled back our promotional activity. We also continued to execute against our growth pillars and our 2015 priorities. I am particularly pleased that the growth we delivered resulted from our balanced approach to running the business." The company now expects FY earnings of $1.11 to $1.22 per share, versus earlier forecast of $0.93 to $1.07 per share. It projects Q2 earnings of $0.13 to $0.16 per share, versus analysts' estimates of $0.12 per share . Express shares jumped 11.37 percent to $18.51 in pre-market trading.