Leslie's targets $20M inventory reduction and intensifies cost optimization amid Q3 sales decline
Management Insights: Leslie's, Inc. reported a challenging Q3 2025 with a 12% decline in sales due to adverse weather and increased competition; the company is focusing on cost optimization and strategic initiatives like same-day delivery and loyalty program enhancements to improve performance.
Financial Performance and Outlook: The company recorded net sales of $500 million and plans to reduce inventory by at least $20 million year-over-year; guidance for full-year sales has been adjusted downwards, reflecting ongoing market challenges and competitive pressures.
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Leslie's to Release Q1 2026 Financial Results on February 17
- Earnings Release Schedule: Leslie's, Inc. will announce its Q1 2026 financial results after market close on February 17, 2026, providing crucial insights into the company's financial health and helping investors assess its market performance.
- Conference Call Details: The company will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 17, 2026, to discuss the financial results and progress on strategic transformation initiatives, aiming to enhance transparency and engage effectively with investors.
- Webcast Availability: The conference call will be available via live webcast on the company's Investor Relations website, ensuring that all stakeholders can access real-time information and improve interaction between the company and its investors.
- Replay Service: A replay of the call will be available approximately three hours after its conclusion and will remain accessible on the Investor Relations website for 180 days, allowing investors who could not attend live to obtain key information.
Goldman Sachs Downgrades MoonLake to Sell, Raises Price Target to $10
- MoonLake Downgrade: Goldman Sachs analyst Richard Law downgraded MoonLake Immunotherapeutics from Neutral to Sell while raising the price target from $8 to $10, indicating cautious sentiment despite the current share price of $17.41.
- Leslie’s Inc Rating Change: Morgan Stanley analyst Simeon Gutman downgraded Leslie’s Inc from Equal-Weight to Underweight, cutting the price target from $3.5 to $1.5, reflecting concerns about the company's future profitability with shares currently at $1.54.
- Rocket Lab Rating Adjustment: Keybanc analyst Michael Leshock downgraded Rocket Lab Corp from Overweight to Sector Weight, indicating a conservative outlook on its market performance, with shares priced at $91.80.
- Albertsons Downgrade: Morgan Stanley analyst Simeon Gutman downgraded Albertsons Companies Inc from Equal-Weight to Underweight, lowering the price target from $20 to $14, suggesting a pessimistic view on future growth as shares are currently at $17.71.
What’s Happening with Leslie's Stock Today?
Mixed Financial Results: Leslie’s, Inc. reported adjusted earnings per share of nine cents, significantly missing the consensus estimate of $1.29, while revenue of $389.20 million exceeded expectations of $370.63 million.
Store Closures and Strategic Changes: The company plans to close 80 to 90 underperforming stores and one distribution center as part of a strategy to improve EBITDA by fiscal 2026, alongside a 10% reduction in inventory.
Impairment Charges and Profit Margins: Leslie's recorded $183.8 million in impairment charges, with gross profit increasing by 4.8% to $150.1 million, despite a 6.5% decline in comparable sales.
Analyst Reactions and Stock Performance: Following the earnings report, analysts adjusted their price targets downward, with Leslie’s shares trading 20.95% lower at $2.83.
Leslie's Closes 80-90 Underperforming Stores to Enhance Financial Performance
- Sales Decline: Leslie's reported fourth-quarter sales of $389.2 million, a 2.2% decrease year-over-year, indicating challenges in a competitive market and the urgent need for transformation to restore growth.
- EBITDA Improvement Plan: The company announced the closure of 80-90 underperforming stores and one distribution center, which is expected to yield immediate EBITDA improvements for FY26, reflecting management's urgency in optimizing operations.
- Inventory Efficiency Enhancement: Leslie's achieved approximately a 10% year-over-year reduction in inventory, which not only lowers holding costs but also provides greater flexibility for future pricing competition, aiming to enhance customer value propositions.
- Deteriorating Financial Condition: The net loss for FY2025 reached $237 million, a significant increase from the previous year, highlighting the substantial financial pressures faced during the strategic transformation process.
Leslie's, Inc. (LESL) Reports Q4 Earnings Below Expectations
Earnings Performance: Leslie's, Inc. reported quarterly earnings of $0.09 per share, significantly missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.12, marking a 91.96% earnings surprise. The company has struggled to meet consensus EPS estimates over the last four quarters.
Revenue Insights: The company generated revenues of $389.21 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.64%, although this was a decline from $397.86 million in the previous year. Leslie's has topped revenue estimates twice in the last four quarters.
Stock Outlook: Leslie's shares have plummeted approximately 93.4% year-to-date, contrasting with the S&P 500's 15.8% gain. The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market.
Industry Context: The Consumer Products - Staples industry, to which Leslie's belongs, is ranked in the bottom 26% of Zacks industries, suggesting potential challenges ahead. Investors are advised to monitor earnings estimate revisions and industry performance for future stock movements.
BJ's Wholesale Club (BJ) Exceeds Q3 Profit Projections
Earnings Performance: BJ's Wholesale Club reported quarterly earnings of $1.16 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.1, but slightly down from $1.18 a year ago, marking a +5.45% earnings surprise.
Revenue Insights: The company generated revenues of $5.35 billion, missing the consensus estimate by 0.08%, and has not surpassed revenue estimates in the last four quarters.
Stock Outlook: BJ's shares have underperformed compared to the S&P 500 this year, and the stock currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market.
Industry Context: The Consumer Products - Staples industry is ranked in the bottom 22% of Zacks industries, which may impact BJ's stock performance, while another industry peer, Leslie's, Inc., is set to report its earnings soon.
Leslie's to Release Q1 2026 Financial Results on February 17
- Earnings Release Schedule: Leslie's, Inc. will announce its Q1 2026 financial results after market close on February 17, 2026, providing crucial insights into the company's financial health and helping investors assess its market performance.
- Conference Call Details: The company will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 17, 2026, to discuss the financial results and progress on strategic transformation initiatives, aiming to enhance transparency and engage effectively with investors.
- Webcast Availability: The conference call will be available via live webcast on the company's Investor Relations website, ensuring that all stakeholders can access real-time information and improve interaction between the company and its investors.
- Replay Service: A replay of the call will be available approximately three hours after its conclusion and will remain accessible on the Investor Relations website for 180 days, allowing investors who could not attend live to obtain key information.
Goldman Sachs Downgrades MoonLake to Sell, Raises Price Target to $10
- MoonLake Downgrade: Goldman Sachs analyst Richard Law downgraded MoonLake Immunotherapeutics from Neutral to Sell while raising the price target from $8 to $10, indicating cautious sentiment despite the current share price of $17.41.
- Leslie’s Inc Rating Change: Morgan Stanley analyst Simeon Gutman downgraded Leslie’s Inc from Equal-Weight to Underweight, cutting the price target from $3.5 to $1.5, reflecting concerns about the company's future profitability with shares currently at $1.54.
- Rocket Lab Rating Adjustment: Keybanc analyst Michael Leshock downgraded Rocket Lab Corp from Overweight to Sector Weight, indicating a conservative outlook on its market performance, with shares priced at $91.80.
- Albertsons Downgrade: Morgan Stanley analyst Simeon Gutman downgraded Albertsons Companies Inc from Equal-Weight to Underweight, lowering the price target from $20 to $14, suggesting a pessimistic view on future growth as shares are currently at $17.71.
What’s Happening with Leslie's Stock Today?
Mixed Financial Results: Leslie’s, Inc. reported adjusted earnings per share of nine cents, significantly missing the consensus estimate of $1.29, while revenue of $389.20 million exceeded expectations of $370.63 million.
Store Closures and Strategic Changes: The company plans to close 80 to 90 underperforming stores and one distribution center as part of a strategy to improve EBITDA by fiscal 2026, alongside a 10% reduction in inventory.
Impairment Charges and Profit Margins: Leslie's recorded $183.8 million in impairment charges, with gross profit increasing by 4.8% to $150.1 million, despite a 6.5% decline in comparable sales.
Analyst Reactions and Stock Performance: Following the earnings report, analysts adjusted their price targets downward, with Leslie’s shares trading 20.95% lower at $2.83.
Leslie's Closes 80-90 Underperforming Stores to Enhance Financial Performance
- Sales Decline: Leslie's reported fourth-quarter sales of $389.2 million, a 2.2% decrease year-over-year, indicating challenges in a competitive market and the urgent need for transformation to restore growth.
- EBITDA Improvement Plan: The company announced the closure of 80-90 underperforming stores and one distribution center, which is expected to yield immediate EBITDA improvements for FY26, reflecting management's urgency in optimizing operations.
- Inventory Efficiency Enhancement: Leslie's achieved approximately a 10% year-over-year reduction in inventory, which not only lowers holding costs but also provides greater flexibility for future pricing competition, aiming to enhance customer value propositions.
- Deteriorating Financial Condition: The net loss for FY2025 reached $237 million, a significant increase from the previous year, highlighting the substantial financial pressures faced during the strategic transformation process.
Leslie's, Inc. (LESL) Reports Q4 Earnings Below Expectations
Earnings Performance: Leslie's, Inc. reported quarterly earnings of $0.09 per share, significantly missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.12, marking a 91.96% earnings surprise. The company has struggled to meet consensus EPS estimates over the last four quarters.
Revenue Insights: The company generated revenues of $389.21 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.64%, although this was a decline from $397.86 million in the previous year. Leslie's has topped revenue estimates twice in the last four quarters.
Stock Outlook: Leslie's shares have plummeted approximately 93.4% year-to-date, contrasting with the S&P 500's 15.8% gain. The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market.
Industry Context: The Consumer Products - Staples industry, to which Leslie's belongs, is ranked in the bottom 26% of Zacks industries, suggesting potential challenges ahead. Investors are advised to monitor earnings estimate revisions and industry performance for future stock movements.
BJ's Wholesale Club (BJ) Exceeds Q3 Profit Projections
Earnings Performance: BJ's Wholesale Club reported quarterly earnings of $1.16 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.1, but slightly down from $1.18 a year ago, marking a +5.45% earnings surprise.
Revenue Insights: The company generated revenues of $5.35 billion, missing the consensus estimate by 0.08%, and has not surpassed revenue estimates in the last four quarters.
Stock Outlook: BJ's shares have underperformed compared to the S&P 500 this year, and the stock currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market.
Industry Context: The Consumer Products - Staples industry is ranked in the bottom 22% of Zacks industries, which may impact BJ's stock performance, while another industry peer, Leslie's, Inc., is set to report its earnings soon.
