PHILADELPHIA, PA, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Five Below, Inc. (NASDAQ: FIVE), the trend-right, high-quality, extreme-value retailer for tweens, teens and beyond, today announced that its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 will be released after market close on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The company will host a conference call at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the financial results. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available online at investor.fivebelow.com, wher ...

Five Below, Inc. (NASDAQ: FIVE ) operates as a specialty value retailer in the U.S., selling jewelry, socks, t-shirts, personal care products, and a number of other items at a cheap price point. At the end of FY2024I am an avid investor with a major focus on small cap companies with experience in investing in US, Canadian, and European markets. My investment philosophy to generating great returns on the stock market revolves around identifying mispriced securities by understanding the drivers behind a compa ...

Core Viewpoint - Five Below, Inc. has shown strong upward momentum in its stock performance, reflecting positive market sentiment and investor confidence in its financial stability and growth potential [1][3]. Financial Performance - In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, Five Below reported total sales of $1.39 billion, a 4% increase from the same period in 2023, driven by the addition of 22 net stores [4]. - The company has raised its outlook for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, projecting net sales of approximately $967 million, significantly above the previous guidance of $905-$925 million [8]. - Comparable sales are now forecasted to grow 6.7%, an improvement from the initial expectation of flat to 2% growth [9]. Growth Strategy - Five Below opened a record 228 stores in fiscal 2024, increasing its total store count by 14.7% to 1,771, with plans for 150 new store openings in fiscal 2025 [7]. - The company's scalable business model and focus on customer experience position it well for sustained growth as it enters fiscal 2025 [3]. Valuation Metrics - Five Below is trading at a low price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 1.31, below the industry average of 1.64 and the sector average of 1.59, indicating potential for attractive entry points for investors [10]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has been revised upward, with the current fiscal year's estimate at $4.58 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 9.1% [13]. Cost Pressures - The company faces elevated cost pressures, with selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses rising 8.5% to $267 million in the fiscal fourth quarter [15]. - Adjusted gross margin declined 70 basis points year over year to 40.5%, primarily due to fixed cost deleverage and product cost timing [17].

Core Viewpoint - Five Below (FIVE) is positioned well to potentially beat earnings estimates in its upcoming quarterly report, supported by a strong history of exceeding expectations [1][6]. Earnings Performance - Five Below has a solid track record of surpassing earnings estimates, with an average surprise of 82.73% over the last two quarters [2]. - In the last reported quarter, Five Below achieved earnings of $3.48 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.38 per share by 2.96% [3]. - In the previous quarter, the company reported earnings of $0.42 per share against an expectation of $0.16 per share, resulting in a surprise of 162.50% [3]. Earnings Estimates and Predictions - Recent changes in earnings estimates for Five Below have been favorable, with a positive Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) indicating a strong likelihood of an earnings beat [6][9]. - The current Earnings ESP for Five Below is +7.45%, suggesting that analysts have recently become more optimistic about the company's earnings prospects [9]. - Stocks with a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) or better have a nearly 70% chance of producing a positive surprise [7]. Earnings ESP Explanation - The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with the Most Accurate Estimate reflecting the latest analyst revisions [8]. - A negative Earnings ESP does not necessarily indicate an earnings miss but can reduce the predictive power of the metric [9].

Core Viewpoint - Five Below, Inc. (FIVE) has raised its sales and earnings outlook for Q1 fiscal 2025, leading to an 11.9% increase in stock price, driven by strong performance and a leadership transition that signals confidence in long-term strategy [1][4][7]. Financial Outlook - The company expects net sales for Q1 fiscal 2025 to reach $967 million, up from previous guidance of $905-$925 million, compared to $811.9 million in Q1 fiscal 2024 [4]. - Projected store openings for the quarter are now 55, exceeding the earlier estimate of 50 [5]. - Comparable sales are anticipated to rise by 6.7%, a significant improvement from the earlier projection of flat to modest 2% growth [5]. - Earnings per share are forecasted between 69 cents and 71 cents, an increase from the previous estimate of 44-55 cents, with adjusted earnings expected to be 82-84 cents compared to the prior estimate of 50-61 cents [6]. Leadership Transition - Tom Vellios, co-founder and executive chair, will step down from the board after the 2025 annual meeting, transitioning to an advisory role [7]. - Mike Devine, a current board member, is expected to be appointed as non-executive chair, bringing extensive governance experience [8]. Company Strategy and Market Position - Five Below has positioned itself as a leading destination for pre-teens and teens, focusing on trendy, high-quality products at exceptional value [9]. - The company has realigned its strategy to emphasize product, value, and customer experience, which has gained momentum since Q3 fiscal 2024 [10]. - Despite ongoing challenges such as rising costs and a competitive retail landscape, Five Below remains committed to its growth strategy [10][11].

Company Transition and Leadership Changes - Tom Vellios, co-founder and Executive Chair of Five Below, will transition to an advisory role and will not seek re-election to the Board at the 2025 Annual Meeting scheduled for June 12, 2025 [1][2] - Mike Devine, a current director with 12 years of experience on the Board, is expected to be appointed as the non-executive Chair, bringing substantial public company board experience [2] Business Performance and Outlook - Five Below is raising its guidance for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, expecting net sales of approximately $967 million, up from prior guidance of $905 million to $925 million [4][6] - The company anticipates opening 55 new stores in the first quarter, exceeding the previous guidance of approximately 50 new stores [6] - Comparable sales are projected to increase by approximately 6.7%, compared to earlier guidance of a flat to 2% increase [6] - Diluted income per common share is expected to be in the range of $0.69 to $0.71, significantly higher than the prior guidance of $0.44 to $0.55 [6] - Adjusted diluted income per common share is expected to be between $0.82 and $0.84, compared to the previous range of $0.50 to $0.61 [6] Company Overview - Five Below is a leading high-growth value retailer targeting pre-teens and teens, with most items priced between $1 and $5, and some items priced above $5 [7] - The company operates over 1,800 stores across 44 states, focusing on delivering trend-right, high-quality products in a fun shopping environment [7]

Core Insights - Five Below has suspended cargo shipments from China due to the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China, as reported by a shipping company used by the retailer [1] - The recent tariff increases announced by the U.S. could impose costs of 90% to 95% on Five Below, according to an estimate from Oppenheimer analyst Brian Nagel [2] - Approximately 60% of Five Below's total cost of goods are imported from China, either directly or through domestic vendors [3] Company Response - Five Below's CFO Kristy Chipman stated that the company is actively managing the impact of tariffs through various initiatives, including vendor collaboration, selective price adjustments, diversification of sourcing, and a focus on product newness [4] - The company is currently dealing with existing tariffs and has implemented mitigation strategies to address the financial impact [4] Industry Impact - Global container bookings have seen a significant drop of 49% during the period of April 1-8 compared to the previous week, indicating a broader reaction from global shippers to changes in tariffs [4] - The decline in bookings is particularly pronounced in discretionary or seasonal categories, reflecting the uncertainty in the market due to tariff changes [5] - Amazon has also canceled orders from multiple vendors in China and other Asian countries following the U.S. announcement of tariffs on goods from over 180 countries [6]

Group 1 - The article discusses the investment outlook for Five Below, Inc. (NASDAQ: FIVE), highlighting uncertainty regarding the health of its underlying fundamentals versus seasonal demand influences [1] - An ideal investment is characterized by core business performance in a sector expected to grow structurally beyond GDP growth over the next 5-10 years, sustainable competitive advantages, and fair valuation [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide specific financial metrics or performance data for Five Below, Inc. or the broader industry [2]

Sales Performance - Comparable sales decreased by 2.7% in fiscal 2024, increased by 2.8% in fiscal 2023, and decreased by 2.0% in fiscal 2022[26] - Net sales increased from $3.1 billion in fiscal 2022 to $3.9 billion in fiscal 2024, representing a compounded annual growth rate of 12.3%[26] - Net sales for fiscal 2024 reached $3,876.5 million, an increase of 8.9% from $3,559.4 million in fiscal 2023[207] - Operating income for fiscal 2024 was $323.8 million, a decrease of 16.1% compared to $385.6 million in fiscal 2023[207] - Net income for fiscal 2024 was $253.6 million, down 15.8% from $301.1 million in fiscal 2023[207] - The gross margin for fiscal 2024 was 34.9%, down from 35.8% in fiscal 2023[207] Store Expansion - The store base expanded from 1,340 stores at the end of fiscal 2022 to 1,771 stores at the end of fiscal 2024, representing a compounded annual growth rate of 15.0%[26] - The company plans to open approximately 150 new stores in fiscal 2025, following the opening of 227 net new stores in fiscal 2024[23][29] - As of February 1, 2025, the company operated 1,771 stores across the United States, with plans to open approximately 150 new stores in fiscal 2025[39][46] - The company aims to expand its store base from 1,771 locations to more than 3,500 locations over time[216] - Total stores at the end of fiscal 2024 increased to 1,771, up from 1,544 in fiscal 2023[207] Product Categories - In fiscal 2024, the percentage of net sales for leisure products was 44.3%, down from 46.2% in 2023 and 47.6% in 2022[37] - Fashion and home products accounted for 30.2% of net sales in 2024, an increase from 29.3% in 2023 and 29.2% in 2022[37] - Snack and seasonal products represented 25.5% of net sales in 2024, up from 24.5% in 2023 and 23.2% in 2022[37] Distribution and Supply Chain - Approximately 85% of merchandise is distributed from five major shipcenters, with a total of over 5 million square feet of distribution space[58] - The company sources approximately 60% of its purchases from domestic vendors, working with around 1,000 vendors[56] - The company has expanded its distribution network, including a new 1,100,000 square foot shipcenter in Forsyth, Georgia, which began operations in the first half of 2024[119] - The company ceased operations at its shipcenters in Olive Branch, Mississippi, and Cincinnati, Ohio, in the first half of fiscal 2022 due to significant expansion of its distribution facilities[119] Financial Management - Capital expenditures for fiscal 2024 were $324.0 million, slightly down from $335.1 million in fiscal 2023[207] - Cash and cash equivalents as of February 1, 2025, were $331.7 million, compared to $179.7 million as of February 3, 2024[207] - The company repurchased 266,997 shares in fiscal 2024 at an average price of $149.79 per share, totaling approximately $40 million[204] - The new share repurchase program approved on November 27, 2023, allows for up to $100 million in common shares to be repurchased through November 27, 2026[204] Workforce and Crew Engagement - The company employs approximately 7,300 full-time and 15,900 part-time crew members, with a total crew count of around 23,200[86] - The company has a comprehensive suite of benefits for crew members, including medical, dental, vision, and a 401(k) retirement savings option[88] - The company emphasizes the importance of crew engagement, utilizing annual surveys to monitor and improve workforce engagement levels[96] Risks and Challenges - The company has experienced higher inflation levels during fiscal 2022, impacting product costs and potentially affecting net sales and earnings[105] - The company has identified risks related to inflation and commodity prices that could adversely affect its financial performance[105] - The company faces risks related to transportation disruptions, which could adversely impact sales or increase transportation costs, thereby decreasing profits[122] - Cybersecurity threats pose a risk to the company's operations, and any breach could lead to negative publicity and financial repercussions[126] - The company is exposed to risks from natural disasters, adverse weather, and geopolitical events, which could lead to lower sales and increased operating costs[149] Marketing and Customer Engagement - The marketing strategy focuses on digital advertising and community engagement to enhance brand awareness and drive traffic[67] - The company is expanding its e-commerce strategy through its website and mobile app, but faces risks related to customer acquisition and fraud associated with online transactions[145] Legal and Compliance - The company is subject to various legal proceedings, including a securities class action filed on August 1, 2024, alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act[192] - The company is committed to compliance with labor and employment laws, ensuring a respectful and inclusive workplace[90] Inventory Management - The company’s inventory balance represented approximately 15% of total assets as of February 1, 2025, highlighting the importance of effective inventory management[136] - The company experienced a significant increase in inventory shrinkage, reaching higher than historic levels, which could negatively impact profitability and cash flows from operations[136] Corporate Governance - Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters are increasingly important, and the company's reputation may be affected by its performance in these areas[168] - The company's revolving credit facility contains covenants that may restrict operations and affect its ability to respond to business changes[160]

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