Saturday, July 14, 2012

Sozzi: Do Your Homework Early

bright colors, high tops, etc.
  • The company is producing stronger same-store sales than main competitor Finish Line (FINL).
  • The company's nitty-gritty financials are better than Finish Line's, including: inventories are actually down year over year causing scarcity in the marketplace (Finish Line's are up about 14%) and merchandise margins are rising (Finish Line's are not).
Low Income Pick: Dollar General (DG)
  • The company is giving the low-income consumer the ability to buy school supplies in bulk off its website (surprise factor). The stores will also be the go-to destination for low-income Americans for back-to-school items as opposed to a Staples SPLS - I have been unimpressed by its early back-to-school promotion.
  • Same-store sales have accelerated for five consecutive quarters, which is not the norm for a retailer, but what an investor should be looking for in an investment in the sector.
  • Profit margins are not declining whereas a Family Dollar's FDO are due to restructuring.
  • The company is growing, meaningfully, by opening 625 new stores in its fiscal year and remodeling 550 stores.
  • Dollar Tree (DLTR) just landed a downgrade -- primarily because Dollar General is being viewed as a share gainer in the company's markets.
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