- Angela Gonzalez-Rodriguez
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New York – Nike (NKE) and Tapestry (TPR) could suffer a 3 percent to 5
percent decline in earnings per share this quarter and a 1 to 2 percent
decline in overall earnings per share (EPS) this year, according to Credit
Suisse.
Credit Suisse’ analyst Michael Binetti said in a research note last
Monday that history shows that viral outbreaks can have a significant
effect on sales, indicating that some U.S. retail firms are particularly
exposed to the fallout.
Binetti calculates that for the most exposed companies, the coronavirus
outbreak related cost could amount to a 3-5 percent reduction in earnings
per share next quarter if the virus threat coronavirus continues, warns
Binetti. Additionally, Binetti calls out the potential risk of media
coverage. The analyst based his analysis of the risk of coronavirus off of
historical data from SARS and avian flu outbreaks in 2003 and 2004-2006,
respectively, reported ‘Business Insider’.
On the upside, Binetti points out that those brands affected can
leverage their e-commerce business to make up for any potential losses at
brick and mortar stores. Also, highlights the expert, China and the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention are more equipped to combat the spread
of contagious disease than in previous occasions, and retailers have
bounced back from contractions quickly in the past, he added.
Previous viral outbreaks in China hampered retail, Binetti said: “At the
height of reported SARS cases, Mainland China retail sales growth slowed to
just +4 percent,” about half the rate seen in the preceding 12 months. The
“fear factor” produced by media coverage led to a 16 percent contraction to
price-earnings ratios on top of that, he added.
Hannesbrands Inc. (HBI) would be minimally exposed, with an estimated 1
percent, percentage shared by both Ralph Lauren (RL) and Limited Brands
(LB), the parent group to Victoria’s Secret and PINK. Under Armour (UAA)’s
estimated exposure is 2 percent, Lululemon (LULU) follows with 3 percent,
and so does Gap Inc. (GPS.) Capri Holdings (formerly Michael Kors), is
thought to have an exposure of 4 percent. Canada Goose would be around 5
percent, VF Corporation (VFC) and PVH Corp are closer to 10 percent
estimated risk of exposure (6 and 7 percent respectively.) Tapestry Inc. is
significantly exposed with 15 percent estimated risk and Nike Inc. tops the
list with 17 percent.
