Shoppers wait in a line outside a Petco pet store in Hollywood, California, on April 23, 2020 during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Robyn Beck | AFP | Getty Images
Petco Health and Wellness Company reported Thursday first-quarter earnings that outpaced Wall Street’s estimates as a surge in pet adoptions continues to help the retailer recruit new customers.
Despite the better-than-expected performance, and an increased earnings forecast, Petco shares fell nearly 3% in premarket trading.
“We’re attracting new customers and gaining market share in a growing category,” said Ron Coughlin, chairman and chief executive, in a press release.
Here’s what the company reported for the fiscal first quarter ended May 1, according to Refinitiv consensus estimates:
- Earnings per share: 17 cents adjusted vs. 9 cents expected
- Revenue: $1.4 billion vs. $1.27 billion expected
In the quarter, Petco reported net income of $7.56 million, or 3 cents per share, compared with a loss of $31.2 million, or 15 cents a share, a year ago.
Excluding items, the company earned 17 cents per share. Analysts polled by Refinitiv had expected earnings of 9 cents per share.
Total revenue grew by 27% to $1.41 billion from $1.11 billion a year ago, also outpacing estimates of $1.27 billion.
Petco’s same-store sales rose 28% from a year ago.
Petco said it gained 1.2 million net new customers during the quarter, which is a multiyear high.
“The category acceleration combined with a strengthening of our customer base give us confidence to raise our full year guidance,” Coughlin said.
The retailer expects revenue this year to be between $5.48 billion and $5.58 billion, up from a prior forecast of $5.25 billion to $5.35 billion.
Its outlook for earnings was lifted to a range of 73 cents to 76 cents per share, from a previous forecast of 63 cents to 66 cents per share.
Correction: Petco beat Wall Street’s earnings expectations.
