Chewy's Q1 Results Exceed Expectations Despite Sales Outlook Downgrade
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 05 2026
0mins
Source: Fool
Chewy Inc. shares fell 5.01% and hit a 52-week low amid broader market gains, with the Nasdaq-100 up 0.87% and S&P 500 up 0.35%.
Chewy's Q1 net sales increased by 7.7% year-over-year to $3.36 billion, exceeding expectations, but the company lowered its full-year sales outlook, now expecting FY26 sales to range between $13.4 billion and $13.55 billion, reflecting uncertainty about future market conditions. Analysts have mixed sentiments, with some maintaining 'Overweight' ratings while adjusting price targets downward due to the revenue guidance cut.
Despite the lowered outlook, Chewy's strong customer growth and profitability improvements indicate resilience in a challenging market. The company added nearly 200,000 new customers and achieved an adjusted earnings per share of $0.43, up 23% year-over-year, showcasing effective cost management.
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Analyst Views on CHWY
Wall Street analysts forecast CHWY stock price to rise
20 Analyst Rating
17 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 17.770
Low
42.00
Averages
47.06
High
52.00
Current: 17.770
Low
42.00
Averages
47.06
High
52.00
About CHWY
Chewy, Inc. is an e-commerce business geared toward pet products and services. The Company’s products consist of pet food and treats, pet supplies and pet medications, other pet-health products, and pet services. It serves its customers through its retail websites, and its mobile applications and focuses on delivering customer service, competitive prices, convenience, including Chewy’s Autoship subscription program, and a range of pet food, treats and supplies, and pet healthcare products and services. It partners with approximately 3,200 of the brands in the pet industry, and it creates and offers its own private brands. It owns a number of trademark registrations and applications in the United States and in foreign jurisdictions. These trademarks include American Journey, Blue Box Event, Careplus, Chewy, Chewy.com, Chewy Vet Care, Dr. Lyon’s, Frisco, Goody Box, Onguard, PetMD, PracticeHub, Tiny Tiger, True Acre Farms, Tylee’s, Vibeful, and The Zoo.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Investment Opportunities: Despite current market uncertainties, Chewy, Cava, and e.l.f. exhibit strong growth potential, particularly Chewy, which trades at a forward P/E of just 12, attracting long-term investors and potentially leading to significant returns.
See More
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- Rocket Lab Growth Potential: Rocket Lab's shares have fallen nearly 30% from last month's peak, yet its focus on small and medium rocket launches positions it well within the $370 billion space industry, particularly as medium launches are expected to account for over half of future market demand.
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See More
Comparing Apparel Retailer and Pet Supplier Strategies
- American Eagle Performance: In FY 2025, American Eagle Outfitters reported revenue of approximately $5.5 billion, a 3.2% increase, but net income fell to $192 million with a net margin of 3.5%, indicating challenges in consumer spending that necessitate a focus on brand profitability to navigate market fluctuations.
- Pet Supplier Growth: Chewy's revenue reached nearly $12.6 billion in FY 2025, growing by 6.2%, yet net income was approximately $222.8 million with a net margin of 1.8%, reflecting the pressure of investments in expanding veterinary services and health infrastructure that may impact short-term profitability.
- Risks and Challenges: American Eagle faces a 10% global tariff risk that could create uncertainty in merchandise costs and strain supply chain stability, while Chewy contends with fierce competition from Amazon and Walmart, alongside corporate governance risks that may affect minority shareholders' interests.
- Valuation Comparison: American Eagle trades at a forward P/E of 10.3x, significantly lower than Chewy's 23.0x, although both share a P/S ratio of 0.6x, indicating differing market expectations regarding their future growth potential, prompting investors to carefully assess each company's long-term investment value.
See More
Market Comparison: American Eagle Outfitters vs. Chewy
- Brand Loyalty: American Eagle Outfitters focuses on the teen and young adult market through its 1,168 company-owned stores, reporting nearly $5.5 billion in revenue for FY 2025, a 3.2% increase, although net income fell to $192 million with a net margin of 3.5%, indicating challenges in consumer spending.
- Financial Health: As of January 2026, the company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.0 and a current ratio of approximately 1.5, indicating solid short-term debt coverage, while generating free cash flow of about $195.4 million to support future investments and operations.
- Market Expansion Strategy: Chewy is expanding its veterinary clinic network to 47 locations through the acquisition of Modern Animal, achieving a revenue growth of approximately 6.2% to nearly $12.6 billion in FY 2025, despite a decline in net income to $222.8 million and a net margin of 1.8%, reflecting its investment in veterinary services.
- Competition and Risks: American Eagle Outfitters faces risks from a new 10% global tariff that could impact merchandise costs and supply chain stability, while Chewy contends with intense competition from Amazon and Walmart, alongside governance risks that may affect minority shareholders.
See More
Investment Comparison: American Eagle Outfitters vs. Chewy
- American Eagle Performance: In FY 2025, American Eagle Outfitters reported nearly $5.5 billion in revenue, a 3.2% increase year-over-year, although net income fell to $192 million with a net margin of 3.5%, indicating challenges in consumer spending.
- Chewy Growth Momentum: Chewy achieved approximately $12.6 billion in revenue for FY 2025, growing 6.2%, yet its net margin decreased to 1.8%, reflecting the pressure from investments in expanding veterinary services and health infrastructure.
- Risk Comparison: American Eagle faces a 10% global tariff risk that could impact merchandise costs and supply chain stability, while Chewy contends with fierce competition from Amazon and Walmart, alongside significant corporate governance risks.
- Valuation Discrepancy: American Eagle's forward P/E stands at 10.3x, significantly lower than Chewy's 23.0x, despite both having a P/S ratio of 0.6, indicating differing market expectations regarding their future growth potential.
See More
Consumer Goods Companies Face Pressure and Opportunities
- Chewy Customer Growth: Chewy added over 200,000 active customers in the recent quarter, achieving a 7.7% year-over-year sales increase, indicating strong growth potential in the pet food industry, with pet spending expected to reach $165 billion this year, presenting a significant market opportunity.
- Cava Sales Recovery: Cava has seen same-store sales growth in every quarter over the past two years, with a 9.7% year-over-year increase in the latest quarter, demonstrating robust market performance even in a weak consumer spending environment, indicating substantial future expansion potential.
- e.l.f. Beauty Brand Growth: e.l.f. Beauty achieved a 25% increase in net sales for fiscal 2026, and despite facing macroeconomic pressures, the brand continues to expand across multiple product categories, particularly in skincare, reflecting strong market demand and growth potential.
- Investor Opportunities: Despite short-term pressures on consumer spending, stocks of Chewy, Cava, and e.l.f. are viewed as attractive investment options, especially considering their growth potential and relatively undervalued price-to-earnings ratios, making them suitable for patient investors seeking long-term returns.
See More
Growth Potential of Chewy, Cava, and e.l.f.
- Chewy Customer Growth: Chewy added over 200,000 active customers in the recent quarter, driving a 7.7% year-over-year sales increase, showcasing strong market expansion potential in the pet industry, with consumer spending expected to reach $165 billion in 2026, indicating significant market opportunities.
- Cava Sales Performance: Cava has reported positive same-store sales growth in every quarter over the past two years, with a recent year-over-year increase of 9.7%, demonstrating resilience in a challenging consumer spending environment and substantial growth potential for market-beating returns.
- e.l.f. Beauty Products: e.l.f. achieved a 25% increase in net sales for fiscal 2026 and has gained market share for seven consecutive years, with management optimistic about the growth potential of its skincare line, despite facing macroeconomic pressures that could impact margins.
- Investment Opportunities: Despite current market uncertainties, Chewy, Cava, and e.l.f. exhibit strong growth potential, particularly Chewy, which trades at a forward P/E of just 12, attracting long-term investors and potentially leading to significant returns.
See More
