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ASOS plc (ASC) Ordinary 3.5p

Sell:381.30p Buy:383.60p 0 Change: No change
Market closed Prices as at close on 28 March 2024 Prices delayed by at least 15 minutes | Switch to live prices |
Sell:381.30p
Buy:383.60p
Change: No change
Market closed Prices as at close on 28 March 2024 Prices delayed by at least 15 minutes | Switch to live prices |
Sell:381.30p
Buy:383.60p
Change: No change
Market closed Prices as at close on 28 March 2024 Prices delayed by at least 15 minutes | Switch to live prices |
The selling price currently displayed is higher than the buying price. This can occur temporarily for a variety of reasons; shortly before the market opens, after the market closes or because of extraordinary price volatility during the trading day.

HL comment (26 March 2024)

ASOS revenue was down 18% for the 26 weeks to 3 March 2024, as discounts were used to help clear excess stock.

Business transformation plans remain on track. The group is ahead on plans to improve stock efficiency and reduce inventory by 20%, back to pre-COVID levels (c.£600mn) by year-end.

Free cash outflows narrowed from £260mn to £20mn as clearing excess inventory helped free up cash. Cash on the balance sheet stood at £330mn, up 6.5% on last year.

There was no change to full-year guidance, including a 5-15% sales decline and positive cash generation.

The shares rose 3.1% in early trading.

Our view

ASOS is in the midst of a transformation, and profitability rather than growth remains the top priority. The transition isn't pretty, with sales declining at double-digit rates and the group turning loss-making. Sales are expected to keep moving lower in the new financial year but under the hood, there are signs that ground-level operations are improving.

Back in May last year, it took steps to shore up the balance sheet. Around £80m of funds were raised through issuing new equity shares and £275m worth of debt has also been refinanced. This cash injection has provided the wiggle room to execute the ongoing transformation which includes removing unprofitable brands from the platform and re-evaluating the returns proposition.

The ongoing drive to slim down inventory has made good progress too. Having reduced stock levels by 30% last year, it’s ahead of targets to cut a further 20% by the year-end. The discounts used to help clear this excess stock have hurt the top line though, and that action looks set to continue into the second half with more deadwood left to clear. But once all this excess inventory is off the books, it should provide some tailwinds to ASOS' margins moving forward.

Despite an improving outlook on the profitability front, there are still challenges to navigate. Active customer numbers were trending lower last year. This means for now, profitability and cash flow will have to come from streamlining current operations and squeezing more out of each customer. This needs to be managed carefully. Other retailers like Next are closing the gap, and compromising on what gives ASOS an advantage in service, like convenient delivery and returns, could impact long-term growth.

And, as part of the profitability drive, ASOS reallocated resources away from international markets, where extensive investment has so far yielded weak results. But cutting costs in areas like this could be problematic in the long run. International markets, especially the US, hold the key to the group's future growth, and sacrificing investment in these markets now could come back to bite ASOS when conditions recover.

Ultimately, there are long-term opportunities for ASOS, but short to medium term challenges shouldn't be overlooked. Transformation activities look to be progressing but as other retailers close the gap, there is additional pressure to deliver. While the current valuation looks attractive, investors should expect a bumpy ride.

ASOS key facts

  • Forward price/earnings ratio (next 12 months): 0.12

  • Ten year average forward price/earnings ratio: 1.27

  • Prospective dividend yield (next 12 months): 0.0%

  • Ten year average prospective dividend yield: 0.0%

All ratios are sourced from Refinitiv, based on previous day’s closing values. Please remember yields are variable and not a reliable indicator of future income. Keep in mind key figures shouldn’t be looked at on their own – it’s important to understand the big picture

Important information - This article isn’t personal advice. If you’re not sure whether an investment is right for you please seek advice. If you choose to invest the value of your investment will rise and fall, so you could get back less than you put in.

This article is not advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any investment. No view is given on the present or future value or price of any investment, and investors should form their own view on any proposed investment. This article has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is considered a marketing communication. Non-independent research is not subject to FCA rules prohibiting dealing ahead of research, however HL has put controls in place (including dealing restrictions, physical and information barriers) to manage potential conflicts of interest presented by such dealing. Please see our full non-independent research disclosure for more information.


Previous ASOS plc updates

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