Zumiez Inc. (ZUMZ) posted earnings of $0.60 per share for fourth quarter 2011, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny and improved substantially from the prior-period profit of $0.49. The improved results were driven by solid top-line performance resulting from high-single digit comparable sales growth and improved operating margin.
During the period, operating margin expanded 160 basis points to 17% due to leveraged selling, general and administrative expenses. Anticipating momentum to continue in fiscal 2012, management expects first quarter net income in the range of $0.06 to $0.08 per share on the back of high-single digit growth in comparable sales.
Further, Zumiez’s niche focus on teenage action-sport based merchandise, commitment toward store expansion, and a healthy balance sheet augur well for future operating performance. Currently, we are maintaining a long-term Outperform recommendation on the stock.
