Should You Buy Roots (TSX:ROOT) After Its Latest Earnings Report?

Roots Corporation (TSX:ROOT) offered up few surprises in its latest earnings report, making investors wary on whether the share price is a good deal or a hard pass.

| More on:
edit Close-up Of A Piggybank With Eyeglasses And Calculator On Desk

Image source: Getty Images

It’s been a rough couple of quarters for Roots Corporation (TSX:ROOT). In fact, it’s been a rough go since pretty much the company’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2017.

The company started on an upward trend, starting at $10 per share and reaching about $13.50 by May 2018. But since then, the stock has plummeted to where it currently sits at about $4.50 at the time of writing this article.

Its latest earnings report didn’t help the company’s situation, so let’s take a look at what’s going on with Roots.

Fickle finances

At first look, it seemed as though Roots had a decent quarter. The company earned a profit of $18.3 million, and expects sales between $358 million and $375 million for its 2019 financial year. Adjusted income would be between $20 and $24 million.

For the 2018 year, Roots reported profit of $11.4 million, which came out to $0.27 per diluted share. And that’s where things go south. This was compared to $17.5 million from last year, and $0.41 per diluted share.

Sales were up mildly for the company to $130.8 million from $130 million in the same quarter of 2017, or 3.1%. So with small profits, and limited sales growth, investors just haven’t been excited by this stock.

Plans?

You’d think Roots would at least make some announcements to get investors excited to invest again, but no. While Roots remain a popular brand in Canada, it just doesn’t have the buzz that a Canada Goose has, for example, which is expanding around the globe.

And it doesn’t look like Roots has any plans to expand even south of the border. Unfortunately, few know of Roots outside of Canada. That would make it extremely hard for the brand to set itself up against the competition of a Nike or Adidas that create similar clothing.

The small profits are causing the company to burn through its cash supply, with debt increasing over recent quarters. And there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.

Future

But wait a minute, surely Roots isn’t going under? It’s a Canadian icon!

No, I don’t think we’re there, but I also don’t see this stock continuing as an example of market success. At $4.50 a share, I still wouldn’t touch this stock with a 10-foot pole. There just isn’t any proof the company is doing anything to grow. And then there’s another problem: millennials.

If the new generation decides  that it’s uninterested in Roots as a brand name, this generation could sink this iconic brand. Millennials would need to both buy the brand and invest in the stock to make it great again, and the company really isn’t doing much to help out.

So while the stock remains undervalued, I’m still not convinced it’ a buy. Unless the company starts considering expansion beyond the Canadian border and comes up with a clear path to success, I don’t think it has a future on the TSX.

In the meantime, management should take a hard look at companies like Canada Goose and start marketing themselves in a relatable way. Unfortunately, it’s really only Canadians that can connect to a beaver.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Investing

Engineers walk through a facility.
Dividend Stocks

1 TSX Stock I Wouldn’t Touch With a 10-Foot Pole

AtkinsRéalis (TSX:ATRL) is one TSX stock I'd never invest in.

Read more »

money cash dividends
Stocks for Beginners

Have $500? 3 Absurdly Cheap Stocks Long-Term Investors Should Buy Right Now

If you're looking for cheap stocks, these three have a huge future ahead of them, all while costing far less…

Read more »

edit Woman in skates works on laptop
Dividend Stocks

3 No-Brainer Stocks to Buy Under $30

These three stocks all offer a huge deal for investors looking for dividends, as well as growth that will last.

Read more »

Business man on stock market financial trade indicator background.
Tech Stocks

1 Growth Stock Down 50 Percent to Buy Right Now

There are plenty of growth stocks in the market worth considering, but Shopify (TSX:SHOP) looks like one of the best…

Read more »

You Should Know This
Dividend Stocks

How to Convert a $300 Monthly Investment Into $338 in Monthly Income

If you want a certain amount in monthly passive income, invest a similar amount today and leave the rest to…

Read more »

Increasing yield
Dividend Stocks

3 Income Stocks With Big Yields to Consider in April 2024

If you haven’t yet made your March investments, here are three income stocks to buy the dip and lock in…

Read more »

Senior Man Sitting On Sofa At Home With Pet Labrador Dog
Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: Don’t Miss Out on This Contribution Hack!

This hack has so many benefits for you -- not just when you put it in your RRSP but for…

Read more »

edit Sale sign, value, discount
Stocks for Beginners

These 3 Growth Stocks Are on Sale and Set to Surge

Some growth stocks are on sale right now that offer massive long-term potential for investors. Here's a trio to consider…

Read more »