Macy’s Can Handle a Slowdown

Article Excerpt

MACY’S INC. $9.13 (New York symbol M; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 420.6 million; Market cap: $3.8 billion; WSSF Rating: Average) now feels it will earn $1.30 to $1.50 a share in its current fiscal year, down from its earlier prediction of $1.70 to $1.85 a share. Macy’s shares now trade at a low 6.5 times the midpoint of the new range. However, Macy’s strong balance sheet and successful cost controls should help it cope with slowing consumer spending. Long-term debt of $8.8 billion is a reasonable 3.6 times its annual cash flow. It also held cash of $1.3 billion or $3.07 a share at August 2, 2008. Macy’s recently suspended its share buyback plan. That should let it keep paying its $0.53 dividend, which yields 5.8%. Macy’s is a buy. buy…