Five Below tweaks full-year forecasts, and shares rally

Shares of Five Below Inc. (FIVE) rose 5.2% after hours on Thursday after the teen-and-tween-focused discount retailer raised the low end of its full-year revenue and profit forecasts, even as management said its customers faced "multiple macro headwinds." The chain -- which sells things like toys, gear and electronics largely priced at $5 or less -- said it expected full-year revenue of between $3.5 billion and $3.57 billion, helped by plans to open more than 200 new stores, with same-store sales up 1% to 3% and earnings per share of $5.31 to $5.71. That compares with a prior revenue forecast of $3.49 billion to $3.59 billion, with same-store sales up 1% to 4%, and earnings per share of $5.25 to $5.76. The chain reported first-quarter net income of $37.5 million, or 67 cents a share, compared with $32.7 million, or 59 cents a share, in the same quarter in its fiscal 2022. Revenue rose to $726.2 million, compared with $639.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Same-store sales rose 2.7%. Analysts polled by FactSet expected earnings per share of 63 cents, on revenue of $728 million and a same-store sales gain of 3.1%. Five Below also said it planned to make more than 400 store conversions this year to its Five Beyond format, which sells some items at higher prices.

-Bill Peters

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06-01-23 1653ET

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