Performance Sports Group Ltd. (TSX:PSG)(NYSE:PSG), one of the world’s leading retailers of sporting apparel, equipment, and accessories, announced record third-quarter earnings results after the market closed on April 13, but its stock responded by falling over 3% in the trading session that followed. Let’s take a closer look at the quarterly results to determine if this weakness represents a long-term buying opportunity.
The record-setting results
Here’s a summary of PSG’s third-quarter earnings results compared to what analysts had anticipated and its results in the same quarter a year ago. All figures are in U.S. dollars.
| Metric | Reported | Expected | Year-Ago |
| Earnings Per Share | $0.13 | $0.10 | ($0.11) |
| Revenue | $137.75 million | $137.12 million | $62.20 million |
Source: Financial Times
In the third quarter of fiscal 2015, PSG reported an adjusted net profit of $6.2 million, or $0.13 per share, compared to an adjusted net loss of $4.2 million, or $0.11 per share, in the year-ago period, as its revenue increased 121.5% to $137.75 million. These very strong results can be primarily attributed to the company’s $330 million acquisition of Easton’s baseball and softball business, which closed in April 2014 and led to revenues increasing 2,379.3% to $71.9 million in its baseball & softball operating segment.
Here’s a quick breakdown of eight other notable statistics and updates from the report compared to the year-ago period:
- Revenues increased 9.3% to $53.9 million in its hockey segment
- Revenues increased 19% to $11.9 million in its other sports segment
- Adjusted gross profit increased 133.8% to $46.3 million
- Adjusted gross margin expanded 180 basis points to 33.6%
- Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) came in at a profit of $14.4 million compared to a loss of $3 million in the year-ago period
- Operating income came in at a profit of $2.52 million compared to a loss of $10.42 million in the year-ago period
- Total assets increased 4.6% to $858.34 million
- Total debt increased 229.7% to $431.2 million, which reflects the company’s financing of the Easton acquisition
Does Performance Sports Group belong in your portfolio?
I do not think the post-earnings drop in PSG’s stock was warranted and actually represents a very attractive long-term buying opportunity. I think this because the stock trades at very inexpensive valuations, including just 22 times fiscal 2015’s estimated earnings per share of $1.09 and only 19.2 times fiscal 2016’s estimated earnings per share of $1.25, both of which are very inexpensive compared to its long-term growth potential.
I think the company’s stock could consistently command a fair multiple of at least 25, which would place its shares upwards of $27 by the conclusion of fiscal 2015 and upwards of $31 by the conclusion of fiscal 2016, representing upside of more than 12% and 29%, respectively, from current levels.
With all of the information provided above in mind, I think Performance Sports Group represents one of the best long-term investment opportunities in the retail industry today. Foolish investors should take a closer look and strongly consider establishing positions.
