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H&M Blames Warm Weather Across US and Europe for Sales Miss

Hennes & Mauritz AB reported fourth-quarter revenue that missed analysts’ estimates as unseasonably mild weather weighed on demand in North America and Europe.
By
  • Bloomberg

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Hennes & Mauritz AB reported fourth-quarter revenue that missed analysts' estimates as unseasonably mild weather weighed on demand in North America and Europe.

Revenue excluding sales tax reached 48.7 billion kronor ($5.8 billion), Stockholm, Sweden-based H&M said in a statement Tuesday. Analysts predicted 49.5 billion kronor, according to the average of 20 estimates compiled by Bloomberg. November sales rose 4 percent in local currencies, which also missed estimates. It’s only the second time this year that the retailer’s monthly sales growth has fallen below 10 percent.

H&M attributed the underperformance to unpredictable weather including in Germany, where it gets about a fifth of sales. Larger rival Inditex SA, however, last week reported its fastest sales growth in three years, showing how the Spanish company’s focus on value for money and choice are paying off.

The unfavorable weather and H&M’s relatively inflexible business model are “likely to put further pressure on fourth-quarter margins,” said Exane BNP Paribas analyst Simon Bowler. H&M’s gross margin in the third quarter narrowed to 55.9 percent, the lowest since 2004, hurt by August price markdowns along with the dollar.

By Andrew Roberts; editors: Matthew Boyle and Thomas Mulier.

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