Most Softline Retailers Poised to Meet or Top Quarterly Earnings Views, UBS Says
Most US softline retailers are expected to report upcoming quarterly earnings either in line or above Wall Street's estimates, while consumer spending could rise notably if the Middle East conflict ends soon, UBS Securities said Monday.A survey conducted by the brokerage during the first two weeks of this month showed that consumer spending intentions remained "good," particularly for apparel and footwear despite headwinds from the US-Israel war with Iran that started at the end of February, UBS analysts, including Jay Sole said in a note to clients."We believe the market is overestimating the negative impact of high oil prices on softline company margins," UBS said. "We see most softline companies either meeting or beating (first-quarter) expectations during this upcoming earnings season."The war, which has impacted several Middle East countries, has sent energy prices soaring amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important chokepoint for crude flows.US retail gasoline prices averaged $4.042 per gallon Monday, compared with $3.151 a year ago, according to data from AAA, a travel organization that tracks fuel prices in the country."US consumers' view of the economy has been somewhat impacted (month on month) by the Middle East conflict and rising gas prices," the UBS analysts said Monday. "Yet, the data show potential for a strong pop in US consumer spending if the Middle East conflict ends soon and gas prices return to pre-conflict levels. This is a main reason we remain bullish."On Holding (ONON), Deckers Outdoor (DECK), Gildan Activewear (GIL), Burlington Stores (BURL), Levi Strauss (LEVI), Ralph Lauren (RL), and TJX (TJX) are among the softline stocks that UBS said it likes and rates as buy. The brokerage said it likes these stocks over several big names such as Nike (NKE) and Lululemon Athletica (LULU), according to the note."We believe the market is significantly underestimating the potential for (artificial intelligence) to positively impact softline companies' sales and margins," the analysts said.On Saturday, Iran took back control the Strait of Hormuz after temporarily opening the waterway to commercial vessels Friday. The US and Iran have accused each other of violating a two-week ceasefire announced April 7, leaving the situation in the Middle East in limbo.Price: $37.24, Change: $+0.29, Percent Change: +0.78%
