The 2024 Q2 earnings season is slowly winding down, with a vast majority of companies already delivering their quarterly releases.
And throughout the period, several companies unlocked higher profitability amid margin expansion, including Deckers Outdoor DECK, Kimberly Clark KMB, and Walmart WMT. Let’s take a closer look at each quarterly release.
Deckers Outdoor: Brand Momentum Propels Growth
Deckers Outdoor posted a strong quarter yet again, exceeding both earnings and revenue expectations handily and continuing its streak of earnings positivity. EPS grew a staggering 90% year-over-year, whereas sales shot 22% higher from the year-ago period.
Continued brand momentum among UGG and Hoka shoes aided the robust results, leading the company to up its current fiscal year outlook. Analysts have updated their outlook for the company’s current fiscal year accordingly following the print, with the $31.58 Zacks Consensus EPS estimate suggesting 8% growth year-over-year.
The company has been enjoying margin expansion, aiding its profitability picture nicely. And it enjoyed the same throughout its latest release, with its gross margin expanding to 56.9% vs 51.3% in the year-ago period.
Kimberly-Clark: A Defensive Player Proving Strong
KMB shares have delivered a strong performance year-to-date, gaining more than 15%. The company carries a defensive nature thanks to its placement in the consumer staples sector, as these companies’ products have an advantageous ability to generate consistent demand in the face of economic uncertainty.
The stock sports a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), with earnings expectations for its current fiscal year drifting higher following a guidance upgrade.
Cost management practices have aided the company’s profitability significantly, with adjusted EPS of $1.96 throughout its latest quarter seeing a 20% climb year-over-year. Margin expansion has also kept investors happy, as illustrated below.
Walmart: Profits soar with operational excellence
Concerning headline figures, retail titan Walmart posted 22% EPS growth on nearly 5% higher sales, exceeding consensus expectations.
The retail giant was firing on all cylinders throughout the period, seeing its gross margin improve by 43 basis points and enjoying a boost to its operating income. Importantly, eCommerce penetration also continues to provide tailwinds, which was higher across all segments throughout the period.
Walmart’s digital efforts have been a great source of growth, consistently posting robust results over recent periods. Global eCommerce sales surged 21%, with customers increasingly opting for fulfilled pickup and delivery.
Walmart increased its FY25 net sales and adjusted operating income guidance following the print, explaining the positive reaction post-earnings. Analysts have adjusted their earnings outlook accordingly, with the $2.44 Zacks Consensus EPS estimate suggesting a 10% climb year-over-year.
Summing Up
All three companies above – Deckers Outdoor DECK, Kimberly Clark KMB, and Walmart WMT – posted strong quarterly releases, with each enjoying margin expansion throughout their respective periods.
