Gap Stock Surges 26.87% After Revenue Beat

31 Mei

Gap shares (NYSE:GPS) surged more than 27% in Friday's trading session after the clothing and accessories retailer posted a better-than-expected quarterly earnings report and raised its full-year guidance. Comparable store sales in the quarter rose 3% from a year earlier, driven by each of Gap's four brands posting positive same store sales in the period. New CEO Richard Dickson has led an ambitious turnaround plan that has seen the retailer work on improving its operational efficiency and repositioning the company’s brands.

Gap's (NYSE:GPS) comparable store sales increased 3% from the year-ago period, showing a significant improvement from a 4% decline in last year’s corresponding quarter. The turnaround was driven by positive same store sales growth in each of the retailer's four brands, which include Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta. Looking ahead, the company raised its full-year guidance, saying it now expects net sales to be up slightly, an improvement on its prior forecast where it projected flat annual sales. It also lifted its full-year operating income outlook to the mid-40% growth range, significantly higher than its earlier forecast of growth in the low-to-mid teens.

Gap (NYSE:GPS) CEO Richard Dickson told CNBC in an interview following the quarterly results that the plan is working and resonating with investors. Since finding a bottom in May last year, Gap shares have trended higher, with gains accelerating after the 50-day moving average (MA) crossed above the 200-day MA in early October to form a golden cross pattern. Leading into the retailer’s quarterly results, the stock has rallied towards the 50-day MA after a period of recent consolidation, indicating bullish expectations by market participants.

Amid the stock’s projected earnings-driven surge on Friday, investors should closely monitor the $28.50 level, an area where the price would likely run into overhead resistance from its March 2024 high. Gap's (NYSE:GPS) upgraded outlook gives Wall Street fresh proof that CEO Richard Dickson's turnaround strategy - to introduce trendier styles across its brands and ramp up marketing efforts to attract picky shoppers - is paying off less than a year after he joined the struggling mall retailer from Mattel.

The stock experience massive surged in price after a "Golden Cross" pattern exhibited since the last week of September, 2023 surging through to New Highs