Carter's (NYSE: CRI) reported Q1 EPS of $1.98, $1.66 better than the analyst estimate of $0.32. Revenue for the quarter came in at $787 million versus the consensus estimate of $664.49 million.

• Net sales $787 million, growth of 20%
  • Double-digit growth in all business segments
  • Strong online demand - U.S. eCommerce net sales increased 38%
  • Net sales in March grew 59%
• Strong improvement in profitability
  • Operating margin 16.2%; adjusted operating margin 16.3%
  • Diluted EPS $1.96 vs. loss per diluted share of $1.82 last year
  • Adjusted diluted EPS $1.98 vs. adjusted loss per diluted share of $0.81 last year
• Company raises full year fiscal 2021 outlook
  • Net sales growth of approximately 10%
  • Adjusted diluted EPS growth of approximately 40%
• $1.8 billion in total liquidity at quarter end
• Board of Directors authorizes resumption of quarterly dividend at $0.40 per share

“Our first quarter sales and earnings meaningfully exceeded our expectations, with growth in each of our retail, wholesale, and international business segments,” said Michael D. Casey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We saw demand for our brands surge in March driven by the strength of our Spring product offerings, unprecedented government stimulus supporting families with young children, and progress with vaccinations enabling more children to return to school.

“In the first quarter, we achieved a record gross profit margin and our best operating profit margin in over a decade. This performance reflects our focus on more effective promotions, inventory management, improved price realization, and productivity.

“Given our strong start to the year, we have raised our sales and earnings forecasts for 2021. We have also amended our credit facility to enable the resumption of capital distributions, which were temporarily suspended in the early days of the pandemic. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has declared a dividend payable to shareholders commencing in the second quarter.

“Despite ongoing pandemic-related challenges, we believe the strength of our brands, unparalleled multi-channel model, depth of relationships with essential retailers, and strong value proposition will enable us to achieve our growth objectives. And, with the continued progress with vaccinations, we believe Carter’s is well positioned to benefit from a global recovery from the pandemic.”

2021 Business Outlook

The Company’s outlook for the balance of fiscal year 2021 contemplates marketplace risks and opportunities with uncertain potential effects on business results. Marketplace risks include: supply chain disruptions, higher transportation costs, pandemic-related birth count declines, COVID-19 case trends, store traffic, product cost inflation, international consumer demand, and the promotional environment. Opportunities include: share gains resulting from the Company’s market-leading product assortments and differentiated marketing capabilities, accelerated vaccination rates, less restrictive business and social gathering directives, a return to in-person classroom instruction, and the benefit of child tax credits and additional government stimulus.

Factors forecasted to adversely affect the comparability of second half 2021 results to the prior year period include: changes in the timing of wholesale shipments, retail store closures, increased compensation provisions, higher effective tax rates, and in 2020, the release of inventory reserves and a 53 week fiscal year. Accordingly, the Company’s strong first quarter fiscal 2021 performance may not be replicated in subsequent quarters in the balance of the year.

For fiscal 2021 (a 52 week fiscal year), the Company projects net sales will increase approximately 10% and adjusted diluted earnings per share will increase approximately 40% compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $4.16 in fiscal 2020. This forecast excludes: 1) approximately $7 million of expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including costs associated with additional protective equipment and cleaning supplies, 2) approximately $1 million of restructuring costs, and 3) a benefit of approximately $1.5 million related to a gain on modifications of previously-impaired leases.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company projects net sales will increase approximately 35%, adjusted operating income will increase approximately 35% (compared to adjusted operating income of $41.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020) and adjusted diluted earnings per share will increase approximately 25% (compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.54 in the second quarter of fiscal 2020). This forecast excludes approximately $2 million of expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including costs associated with additional protective equipment and cleaning supplies.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Carter's (CRI) click here.