GIL Q4 Earnings & Sales Beat Estimates, Activewear Sales Rise Y/Y

Gildan Activewear Inc. GIL has reported impressive fourth-quarter 2024 results, wherein the top and bottom lines surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Also, revenues and earnings grew year over year. The strong performance was driven by the company’s continued focus on executing its GSG strategy.Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar.In the past three months, shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 8.9% compared with the industry’s 11.7% growth.Gildan Activewear, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise  Gildan Activewear, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Gildan Activewear, Inc. QuoteInsight Into GIL’s Q4 PerformanceGildan Activewear posted adjusted earnings of 83 cents a share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 80 cents. The figure increased 10.7% from adjusted earnings of 75 cents in the prior-year quarter. Net sales were $821.5 million, up 5% year over year. Excluding the impacts of the Under Armour phase-out, net sales grew in the low-double digits. The top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $793 million. Regarding segments, Activewear sales totaled $714.1 million, marking a 10.9% year-over-year increase, driven by higher sales volumes. Positive POS trends were observed across channels and product lines, with market share gains in key growth categories. In the Hosiery and Underwear category, net sales declined 22.6% year over year to $107.4 million, aligning with expectations due to the Under Armour phase-out. However, excluding this impact, sales in the category increased in the high-single-digit percentage in the fourth quarter.GIL Stock Past Three-Month Performance Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Gildan Activewear’s Regional Performance DetailsIn the United States, sales reached $730.6 million, reflecting a 4.4% increase from $699.5 million in the prior year. In Canada, sales declined 10.7% to $26.5 million from $29.7 million. International sales grew 20.3% to $64.4 million from $53.5 million in the previous year.GIL’s Margins & CostsAdjusted gross profit was $253 million, up 6.9% year over year. The adjusted gross margin increased 60 basis points (bps) year over year to 30.8%. This resulted from lower raw material costs.Adjusted SG&A expenses declined 5% year over year to $77.9 million. As a percentage of net sales, this metric declined 100 bps year over year.Adjusted operating income improved 13.3% to $175.1 million. We note that the adjusted operating margin increased 160 bps year over year to 21.3%.Adjusted EBITDA totaled $208.4 million. This represents a year-over-year increase of 12.4%. The adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 170 bps year over year to 25.4% in the quarter under review.Gildan Activewear’s Other FinancialsGIL ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $98.8 million, long-term debt of $1.24 billion, and stockholders' equity of $1.46 billion. Cash flows from operating activities were $210.5 million.GIL’s 2025 OutlookFor 2025, net sales growth is expected to increase year over year in the mid-single digits. The adjusted operating margin is projected to improve 50 bps. Capital expenditure is anticipated to be 5% of sales. Adjusted earnings are expected between $3.38 and $3.58 per share, indicating a year-over-year increase of 13-19%. The free cash flow is projected to exceed $450 million.For the first quarter of 2025, net sales are expected to increase year over year in the low-single digits. Excluding the impacts of the Under Armour sock license agreement, first-quarter net sales are projected to grow in the mid-single digits. The adjusted operating margin is expected to align with the full-year guidance of a 50-bps increase.Key PicksSome better-ranked stocks are Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. BOOT, Deckers Outdoor Corporation DECK and lululemon athletica inc. LULU.Boot Barn is a specialty retailer of premium, high-quality casual apparel. It sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Boot Barn’s fiscal 2025 earnings and sales indicates growth of 21.4% and 14.9%, respectively, from the fiscal 2024 reported levels. BOOT delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 7.2%.Deckers is a leading designer, producer and brand manager of innovative, niche footwear and accessories. It currently flaunts a Zacks Rank of 1.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DECK’s fiscal 2025 earnings and revenues implies growth of 21.2% and 15.6%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. DECK delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 36.8%.lululemon is a yoga-inspired athletic apparel company that creates lifestyle components. It has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) at present. LULU delivered a 6.7% earnings surprise in the last reported quarter. The consensus estimate for lululemon’s fiscal 2025 earnings and sales indicates growth of 12.5% and 9.7%, respectively, from the fiscal 2024 reported levels. LULU delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 6.7%.5 Stocks Set to DoubleEach was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2024. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +143.0%, +175.9%, +498.3% and +673.0%.Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK): Free Stock Analysis Report lululemon athletica inc. (LULU): Free Stock Analysis Report Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT): Free Stock Analysis Report Gildan Activewear, Inc. (GIL): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks