Aritzia (TSX:ATZ) Surged 20% Last Week: Should You Buy it Now?

Aritzia Inc. (TSX:ATZ) is a clothing stock that has gained serious momentum over the past year. Is it too late to buy in?

| More on:
consider the options

Image source: Getty Images

Aritzia (TSX:ATZ) is a Vancouver-based women’s fashion brand that designs and sells apparel and accessories in North America. Shares of this top Canadian clothing stock have climbed 23% week over week as of early morning trading on January 17. Today, I want to discuss what is behind this recent rise. Moreover, we’ll determine whether investors should look to snatch up this clothing stock past the midway point in January. Let’s jump in.

Why Aritzia stock has been red hot of late

This clothing stock has been on fire this decade. Aritzia has been scorching since it bottomed out during the March 2020 market pullback. Its business model has been able to shine in an environment that has seen many retailers struggle due to the ongoing supply chain crisis. Aritzia has leveraged its advantages in an uncertain environment to maximize its profits and stand out among Canadian and North American clothing retailers.

All the way back in 2017, I’d suggested that investors should target Aritzia over less-appealing clothing stocks like Roots. Beyond its broader success, Aritzia gained momentum on the back of its recent earnings release. Let’s tuck into that to see what the company did right over the past several months.

How did the company fare in its recent quarterly report?

Aritzia released its third-quarter fiscal 2022 earnings on January 12. Net revenue rose 67% year over year to $453 million. Aritzia achieved this on the back of a very strong response to its Fall and Winter product offerings across all channels. Moreover, it delivered 115% sales growth in the United States. That powered 44% of total revenue growth in the quarter.

The company has thrived due to having one of the better digital shopping offerings among its peers. Indeed, its e-commerce revenue delivered 46% growth from the prior year to $148 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2022. This came after a 79% jump in e-commerce revenue in the previous year. Meanwhile, retail revenue increased 72% to $305 million. Comparable sales at its boutiques have continued to exceed pre-pandemic levels, which is very encouraging going forward.

Fortunately, Artizia reported that it has continued to post strong sales growth, even in the face of the rising Omicron COVID-19 variant. This should help Aritzia weather what is gearing up to be an extremely harsh winter for most retailers.

Gross profit margin rose to 46.4% compared to 45.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2021. Meanwhile, adjusted EBITDA more than doubled to $109.3 million compared to $54.6 million in the prior year. Adjusted net income was reported at $0.61 — up from $0.29 per diluted shares in the third quarter of 2021. In the year-to-date period, net revenue jumped 78% to $1.05 billion. Moreover, it posted adjusted EBITDA of $223 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2022 — up 436% year over year.

Aritzia: Is it a buy right now?

Last February, I’d discussed why I was bullish on a clothing stock like Canada Goose. Aritzia is another clothing stock I’m looking to snatch up in January 2022. It boasts an immaculate balance sheet, and the company is on track for very strong earnings growth going forward. Investors should look to ride the wave at Aritzia this decade.

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 Ambrose O'Callaghan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Investing

FREIGHT TRAIN
Investing

CNR Stock: Should You Buy Today?

Canadian National Railway has been hit in recent quarters, as economic growth has slowed, with CNR stock declining 10% in…

Read more »

Family relationship with bond and care
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 3 Cheap Canadian Stocks for Retirees

These three Canadian stocks are super cheap for retirees looking for a great buy that will last the test of…

Read more »

calculate and analyze stock
Dividend Stocks

CPP Disability Benefits: Here’s How Much You Could Get

Not everybody can get CPP disability benefits. If you want some passive income, consider investing in Royal Bank of Canada…

Read more »

growing plant shoots on stacked coins
Dividend Stocks

Boosting Your Monthly Income: TSX Stocks That Deliver

Dividend investing can boost regular or active incomes, especially select TSX stocks that pay monthly dividends.

Read more »

consider the options
Tech Stocks

Better Buy (2024 Edition): Shopify or Nvidia Stock?

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) isn't the only red-hot tech stock in town that could add to recent gains.

Read more »

Bad apple with good apples
Investing

5 Stocks You Can Confidently Invest $500 in Right Now

These stocks could significantly grow your investment over the next decade.

Read more »

Illustration of bull and bear
Tech Stocks

A Bull Market Is Coming: 3 Growth Stocks That Could Thrive

Given their high growth prospects and cheaper valuation, these three growth stocks would be an excellent buy as the market…

Read more »

Golden crown on a red velvet background
Energy Stocks

Enbridge Stock: This Dividend Aristocrat Could Gain in 2024

Enbridge (TSX:ENB) stock is looking like a great buy as management expects it to grow in 2024.

Read more »