Kathmandu, the outdoor equipment retailer, said first-quarter sales rose more than expected in the first quarter though growth in first-half profit hinges on a successful Christmas and New Year sales period. The shares climbed 4.1 per cent.
Sales rose 19.5 per cent to $66.9 million in the 15 weeks ended November 11 while sales at stores open at least 12 months gained 14.3 per cent, the company said in presentations for its annual meeting today.
"Trading to date gives us confidence and is ahead of our YTD targets, but earnings growth is still almost all expected in 2H FY13," the company said. "Providing there is no further deterioration in economic conditions, Kathmandu continues to expect an improvement in performance of our business in FY13 over FY12."
Shares of Kathmandu rose 7 cents to $1.80 and have declined 2.3 per cent this year. They are rated 'outperform' based on 10 recommendations compiled by Reuters. At today's price the stock has a dividend yield of 8.78 per cent, more than twice the average return on a one-year term deposit, according to interest.co.nz.
"Despite the difficult retail trading conditions, our sales performance in the first 15 weeks of the financial year has overall been ahead of our expectations, particularly in Australia," said chief executive Peter Halkett. "Growth in first-half profit remains highly dependent on the Christmas and January trading period."
