Office Depot Maintains Outlook - Analyst Blog
September 07 2012 - 2:20PM
Zacks
Office Depot Inc. (ODP), one of the leading
suppliers of office products and services across the globe,
reiterated its fiscal 2012 outlook. Management stood by its earlier
guidance and expects full-year adjusted operating income in the
range of $125 to $135 million, up $5 to $10 million from the prior
year.
Further, the company expects to generate free cash flow in the
range of $80 to $100 million. Moreover, on the cost front,
management remains determined to contain costs and enhance
operational efficiencies by closing underperforming stores,
reducing exposure to higher dollar-value inventory items,
shuttering non-critical distribution facilities, and focusing on
providing innovative products and services, all of which should
contribute to margin improvement.
The company plans to renovate or shut down 30 to 35 stores and
relocate 25 to 30 stores in fiscal 2012. The company also remains
on track to remodel and relocate stores extensively in fiscal 2013,
which in turn will facilitate the company to reduce occupancy costs
and deliver better customer service.
We appreciate Office Depot’s rational approach to slow the pace
of stores openings in North America, given the weak consumer
environment. The company opened 6 stores in fiscal year 2009,
significantly down from 59 stores opened in 2008 and 71 stores
opened in 2007. The company opened 17 stores in fiscal 2010 and 9
stores in fiscal 2011. The company plans to increase the store
count in the low-single-digits in fiscal 2012.
Currently, we have a long-term Neutral recommendation on the
stock. Moreover, Office Depot, which competes with
OfficeMax Inc. (OMX) and Staples
Inc. (SPLS), holds a Zacks #3 Rank that translates into a
short-term Hold rating.
OFFICE DEPOT (ODP): Free Stock Analysis Report
OFFICEMAX INC (OMX): Free Stock Analysis Report
STAPLES INC (SPLS): Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment Research
Officemax (NYSE:OMX)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2024 to Aug 2024
Officemax (NYSE:OMX)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2023 to Aug 2024