TOP NEWS: Asos shares rise despite swing to loss as touts future plans

(Alliance News) - Asos PLC on Wednesday reported a swing to an annual loss, though the online ...

Alliance News 19 October, 2022 | 7:42AM
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(Alliance News) - Asos PLC on Wednesday reported a swing to an annual loss, though the online fast-fashion retailer outlined plans to revive its fortunes under its new chief executive officer, Jose Calamonte, having performed a "diagnostic" of its issues.

Among the issues is the need to improve its business outside the UK, CEO Calamonte said.

Asos said revenue in the financial year that ended August 31 rose 0.7% to GBP3.94 billion from GBP3.91 billion the year before. However, Asos reported a swing to an annual pretax loss of GBP31.9 million from a profit of GBP177.1 million. Administrative expenses increased 14% to GBP1.22 billion from GBP1.08 billion.

Asos shares were 9.4% higher at 536.00 pence each in London on Wednesday morning.

The owner of clothing brands Topman and AsYou said: "The second half of the year proved more challenging than expected. While Asos had expected an acceleration in revenue growth against weaker comparatives, inflationary pressures on consumers increased markedly as the year progressed, and impacted consumers' confidence and discretionary income. As a result, growth in the second half was lower than had been anticipated," it explained.

Among its issues, Asos said, is an underperforming international arm, its supply chain operations, its "customer acquisition and commercial model", and the need for data and digital improvements.

CEO Calamonte said that outside the UK he sees "a significant need to improve the way we operate to unlock the opportunity of our global reach. In recent years, the quest for growth has resulted in Asos becoming excessively capital intensive, too complex and overstretched globally, which has resulted in a lack of meaningful growth and scale in its key international markets of the US, France and Germany.

"While the international business makes a positive contribution and there are pockets of strength in key territories, we are disappointed in our performance, given the extent of our historical capital investment, particularly in the US."

Looking ahead, Asos said: "Over the next 12 months, Asos will deliver on four actions targeted at improving its ability to navigate the existing uncertainty, focused on: renewing its commercial model and improving inventory management; simplifying and reducing its cost profile; ensuring a robust and flexible balance sheet; and reinforcing the leadership team and refreshing the culture."

It expects a GBP100 million to GBP130 million non-cash stock write-off for the new financial year. Capital expenditure, at GBP175 million to GBP200 million, will be below the mid-term range of GBP200 million to GBP250 million.

Asos pays no dividend.

By Tom Budszus; tombudszus@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.

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Securities Mentioned in Article

Security Name Price Change (%) Morningstar
Rating
ASOS PLC 370.20 GBX -0.59

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