Lululemon 2Q Net Income Rises but Revenue Misses Estimates

VANCOUVER, Canada — Shares of Lululemon Athletica Inc. slipped in after-hours trading Thursday after the "athleisure" apparel maker's revenue missed Wall Street estimates in the second quarter.

The Vancouver, British Columbia-based company also forecast weaker-than-expected results for the rest of the year.

For the second quarter ended July 31, Lululemon earned $53.6 million, or 39 cents per share, up 12.5 percent from last year's $47.7 million, or 34 cents per share. Results in the latest quarter were affected by transfer pricing arrangements and the related tax effects. Excluding those, the company earned 38 cents per share. That's in line with the average analyst estimate, according to a survey by FactSet.

Revenue rose 14 percent to $514.5 million. On average, analysts forecast quarterly revenue of $515.7 million. Revenue at stores open at least a year — a key metric of a retailer's health — rose 3 percent, or 4 percent on a constant-currency basis.

Looking ahead, the company raised its guidance slightly higher, but the midpoint fell short of estimates. Lululemon expects to earn $2.07 to $2.15 on an adjusted basis, on revenue of $2.33 billion to $2.35 billion. That assumes that comparable sales are expected to grow in the mid-single digits. Analysts expect the company to earn $2.14 per share on revenue of $2.34 billion.

Previously Lululemon forecast earnings per share of $2.05 to $2.15 and revenue of $2.31 billion to $2.35 billion.

For the third quarter, Lululemon expects to earn 42 cents to 44 cents with revenue of $535 million to $545 million. According to FactSet, analysts expect a quarterly profit of 44 cents per share and revenue of $542.5 million.

In after-hours trading, Lululemon shares traded at $70.13, down $6.53, or 8.5 percent. In the year to date, the stock has rallied 46 percent.