Myer Holdings (MYR) is one of Australia’s largest department store groups, targeting a wide spectrum of consumers. The company has a national network of stores, retailing designer, national, and international fashion and apparel for men, women and children.

MYR focuses on its retail presence and execution, and also operates a consumer loyalty program.

Improving consumer environment

MYR has been operating in an extraordinarily tough consumer environment in recent years, but conditions look to be easing.

In the first four months of 2013, the Westpac Consumer Confidence Index has risen to its highest level since December 2010. Since last October, consumer confidence has risen 11.5%.

It appears the RBA’s 2012 interest rate cuts are beginning to have a noticeable impact on confidence, leading to improved operating conditions for retailers like MYR.

1H13 results

Last month, MYR mentioned that its 1H13 net profit increased by 0.7% from the prior corresponding period to $87.9 million. An interim dividend of 10 cents was declared.

CEO, Mr. Bernie Brookes, said that, “we are pleased that the positive sales trend continued during the half, with the second quarter representing our third consecutive quarter of positive comparative store sales growth.

On a comparable store sales basis, 1H13 sales increased by 1.4% on the prior corresponding period to $1.7 billion.

The result was attributed to the good performance of its menswear, cosmetics, womenswear, fashion accessories, and childswear divisions.

Despite a challenging environment, MYR managed to grow same store sales by focusing on things it can control like improved customer service, new stores and refurbishments, and a better online offering.

The group’s investment in its own brands also appears to be paying off, with the positive customer reception helping to drive a 23 basis point increase in gross margin from 1H12.

On a one year forward P/E basis MYR is trading on a multiple of just 13.1x, representing a 13.5% discount to the median of its closest peers.

Outlook

MYR has provided three straight quarters of comparable store growth and we expect this trend to continue.

Sentiment towards retailing stocks is improving, with consumer confidence rising to multi-year highs thanks in part to the RBA’s rate cutting cycle.

MYR responded to the challenging retail environment by investing in its own brands. The 1H13 results showed solid demand for MYR’s brands, and we think this will translate into continued margin expansion.

The stock is still trading at relatively inexpensive multiples, offering good value around current prices.

Myer was issued as a share to buy to our members on April 9th, if you would like further information you can sign up for FREE share tips and access all our research files on not only MYR but all our current trading ideas. Simply click here and starting trading today, free for 7 days.

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National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) is one of Australia’s “big four” banks, with a focus on regional banking, wealth management operations, international capital markets and institutional banking business. Brands within Australia include NAB and MLC, and the group is represented in New Zealand by Bank of New Zealand. In the UK the brands are Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank.

Financials stock, National Australia Bank released its first quarter trading update which showed 1Q FY12 earnings of approximately $1.4 billion, 8% higher than the previous corresponding period.

The bank said that revenue was driven by wholesale banking and to a lesser extent, MLC and NAB wealth.

NAB also revealed that it will undertake a strategic review of its UK operations, with a view to reposition the arm to deal with the current economic situation in the region.

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Billabong (ASX:BBG) is a major international retailer whose core business is the marketing, distribution, wholesaling and retailing of apparel, accessories, eyewear, wetsuits and hardgoods.

BBG’s products are licensed and distributed in more than 100 countries, and are distributed through specialised retailers and through their own branded retail outlets.

Billabong provided the market with a trading update today, in which it announced a strategic review of its operations and capital structure after a slowdown in Christmas sales.

The company also downgraded its EBITDA guidance for the first half of FY12 to $70-$75 million compared to the previous corresponding period’s $94.6million

Billabong said reasons for the slowdown varied by region, but it believes fears of a global recession are impacting consumer confidence and spending patterns.

Billabong has been one of the shares to sell amongst recent times.

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APN News and Media Limited (AXS:APN) is one of Australasia’s largest and fastest-growing multi media companies. Listed on the ASX in 1992, APN publishes 23 daily and over 100 non-daily newspapers across Australia and New Zealand. Importantly, APN’s newspapers service Australia’s fastest growing region of southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.

APN News and media held an investor Conference today, where it announced expected full year net profit will be between $75 million to $77 million, which is slightly below market consensus.

The company said in a statement that trading in the second half will be better than the first half, which was impacted by a series of natural disasters in Queensland and New Zealand.

CEO Brett Chenoweth said that management have remained vigilant and have exceeded the cost reduction targets announced in April.

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Metcash Limited (ASX:MTS) is a leading marketing and distribution company operating in the food and other fast moving consumer goods categories. MTS operates via three business units: IGA Distribution (retail), Campbells Cash & Carry (wholesale) and Australian Liquor Marketers (ALM; liquor wholesale).

Metcash today released its first half results, which showed a 14% decrease in 1H profit to $94.4 million.

The company said the decrease was due to grocery price deflation, economic uncertainty and a cut in margins due to increased competition.

Metcash said it expects low-to-mid single digit earnings growth for the full year.

MTS will pay an interim dividend of $0.115.

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David Jones (ASX:DJS) is Australia’s second-largest department store retailer and fifth largest retailing company overall. The company operates a chain of over 35 retail stores and mainly sells upmarket brands of clothing, accessories and homewares. The stores also offer a wide product range of David Jones branded merchandise.

ASX 200 listed stock DJS today has reaffirmed its guidance for a substantial fall in first half year profit.

The company expects its net profit for the half year to December 31 to fall by 15-20% on last year’s first half profit of $105.7 million

David Jones also reported first quarter 2012 sales of $414.3 million, which was down 11.2% compared to the previous corresponding quarter.

CEO Paul Zahra said that trading seems to have improved in October and November 2011, but continues to be negative on last year due to a tough operating environment.

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Ten Network Holdings Limited (ASX:TEN). TEN ‘s FY11 profit slid 90.5% to $14.2 million, driven by an $85.4 million impairment charge that related to staff redundancy costs.

Underlying earnings slumped 24% to $74.1 million, with revenue rising a paltry 1% to $1 billion. A final dividend of 5.25 cents was declared.

However the group said it will keep costs flat in FY12 and that a planned programming overhaul will help it better compete with its rivals.

The encouraging outlook has lit a rocket under TEN shares, making them among the best performing in the Australian stock market.

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Qantas Airways Limited (ASX:QAN) is one of the world’s leading airlines and an Australian icon.

On top of its standard domestic and international flights, QAN also owns budget airline Jetstar, regional airline QantasLink and related travel businesses Qantas Flight Catering.

Although some still consider QAN as a blue chip stock, its huge share price fall since the GFC has taken away a lot of its lustre.

Today, QAN said it would plan to ground additional aircraft due to the ongoing strikes.

The group will ground two Boeing 767s, resulting in the loss of 20,000 seats.  The total hit to capacity has now reached 88,000 seats.

Qantas has not ruled further grounding of aircraft in response to the strikes.

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David Jones (ASX:DJS) is Australia’s second-largest department store retailer.

The company operates a chain of over 35 retail stores and primarily sells upmarket brands of clothing, accessories and homewares and David Jones-branded merchandise.

Like many other retailers, DJS has been one of the shares to sell in recent times due to challenging trading conditions hurting its sales.

Today DJS reported an FY11 net profit of $168.1 million, down 1.5% from FY10 but in line with the company’s guidance.

Sales were down 4.4% on-year, which DJS attributed to a tough retail environment.  The lower sales were offset by a lower cost of doing business.

DJS forecast no improvement in 1Q12 sales from the 4Q11, but reiterated its 1H12 guidance of a 15% – 20% fall in net profit.

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Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) is Australia’s leading conglomerate, and one of the most widely know blue chip stocks in the Australian share market.

Since listing on the ASX in 1984, the company has recorded strong growth in assets and profits.

The company owns several iconic Australian businesses, including supermarket chain Coles, hardware retailer Bunning’s Warehouse, discount department stores Target and K-Mart, and office supplies provider Officeworks. WES also involves in industrials supplies distribution, coal mining, fertilisers, chemicals and general insurance.

Today, WES reported its full year results.

FY11 net profit climbs 22.8% to $1.92 billion, exceeding analyst estimates of a $1.88 billion profit.  A final dividend of $1.50 was declared, also beating estimates.

Coles earnings growth outpaced sales growth, reflecting operational efficiencies at the division.  Kmart and Bunnings also recorded earnings growth.

However, Target EBIT slumped 26.5% due primarily to price deflation and clearance activity.

Revenue at the Coal division grew 25.6% on-year, with record export prices and strong demand offsetting the impact to production from the early-year flooding.

WES was optimistic about the outlook given solid operating fundamentals, but said its outlook was subject to any adverse shocks from the fragile global economy.

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