MACY’S INC. $35 (New York symbol M, Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 413.2 million; Market cap: $14.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.5; Dividend yield: 2.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.macysinc.com) reported lower-than-expected sales at its 840 department stores for June 2012.
During the month, same-store sales rose 1.2% from June 2011. That missed the consensus estimate of a 1.9% increase. The weaker U.S. economy has hurt consumer spending. As well, renovations have cut sales at its flagship store in New York City.
However, the company’s websites continue to grow strongly: online sales jumped 31.8% in June 2012. Moreover, Macy’s still expects its same-store sales to rise 3.7% for its full fiscal year, which ends January 31, 2013.
Macy’s is a buy.