The All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is down 0.4% in afternoon trade today, but that's not holding back this surging ASX retail share.
Shares in the women's clothing retailer closed yesterday trading for 10.20 cents. At the time of writing on Wednesday, shares are swapping hands for 13.25 cents apiece, up 29.9%.
Any guesses?
If you said City Chic Collective Ltd (ASX: CCX), give yourself a virtual gold star.
The City Chic share price is storming higher today following the release of the company's financial results for the full year ended 30 June (FY 2024).
Here's what has investors excited about the ASX retail share.
City Chic share price rockets as losses narrow
- Underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) loss of $8.4 million, a 47.3% improvement on FY 2023 earnings losses
- Sales revenue of $131.6 million, down 28.3% year on year
- Inventory down 42.8% from FY 2023 to $30.7 million
- Statutory net loss after tax from continuing operations of $38.4 million
What else happened with the ASX retail share in FY 2024?
Although City Chic's core financial metrics remain largely negative, investors are bidding up the ASX retail stock based on its improved earnings performance over FY 2023 and brighter outlook for FY 2025.
"The result for FY24 reflects a year of business transformation, including decisive actions that were taken to streamline the business and focus on our high-value City Chic customer base and product mix in ANZ and the US," City Chic CEO Phil Ryan said.
Over the 12 months, the ASX retail share divested Avenue and Evans. The company said this has simplified its operations, unlocked cost savings, and allowed it to refocus on the City Chic customers in ANZ and the US.
City Chic also successfully completed an equity raise of $14.4 million in FY 2024, with an additional $3.1 million received in July, the first month of FY 2025.
As at 30 June, City Chic had a net cash position of $3.9 million.
What did management say?
Commenting on the results sending the ASX retail share rocketing today, Ryan said:
The divestment of Avenue enabled us to simplify our brand portfolio and refocus on what we do best – delivering high-quality, on-trend products that our customers love.
In the latter part of FY 2024 we saw strong positive momentum in average selling price (ASP) and gross margin contribution as inventory returned to appropriate levels and new product has been introduced.
In addition, we have delivered a material reduction in operating costs to align with demand.
What's next for the ASX retail share?
Looking at what could impact the ASX retail share in the year ahead, City Chic is targeting FY 2025 revenue of $142 million to $160 million and EBITDA post AASB 16* of $11 million to $18 million.
"We have a stronger balance sheet following the divestment of Avenue and the equity raise, and with our right-sized cost base and improved operational flexibility we are well placed to return to sustainable, profitable growth," Ryan said.
City Chic share price snapshot
Despite the big leap higher for the ASX retail share today, the City Chic share price remains down 67% over 12 months.
(*AASB 16 introduces a single lessee accounting model and requires a lessee to recognise assets and liabilities for all leases with a term of more than 12 months, unless the underlying asset is of low value. Australian Accounting Standards Board)
