Jones Group Beats on Both Top and Bottom Lines

Jones Group (NYSE: JNY  ) reported earnings on Feb. 13. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Jones Group beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew and GAAP loss per share grew.

Gross margins shrank, operating margins increased, net margins contracted.

Revenue details
Jones Group logged revenue of $971.9 million. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see a top line of $959.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 8.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $893.6 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.14. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.08 per share. GAAP EPS were -$1.06 for Q4 versus -$0.27 per share for the prior-year quarter.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 34.6%, 120 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 2.0%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -8.3%, 590 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $961.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.33.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.88 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.20.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 163 members out of 204 rating the stock outperform, and 41 members rating it underperform. Among 65 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 57 give Jones Group a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Jones Group is hold, with an average price target of $13.25.

Selling to fickle consumers is a tough business for Jones Group or anyone else in the space. But some companies are better equipped to face the future than others. In a new report, we'll give you the rundown on three companies that are setting themselves up to dominate retail. Click here for instant access to this free report.

• Add Jones Group to My Watchlist.