Why Zumiez Inc. Stock Dropped 10% in May

What:Shares of clothing retailerZumiez Inc. fell 10% last month, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, as the company reported weak comparable-store sales for April, and tracked with several other apparel retailers that got slammed on disappointing earnings reports.

ZUMZ data by YCharts

So what:As you can see from the chart above, Zumiez's worst day came on May 5, when the stock fell 9.3% following an underwhelming same-store sales report for April. For the 13th consecutive month, the surf-and-skate-themed retailer saw same-stores sales slide, falling 6% on 1.1% drop in overall revenue. Management also said it expected its first-quarter earnings per share to come in at the low end of its previously announced guidance of -$0.11 to -$0.07. Management did not offer a comment on the month, but the results seem to speak for themselves.

The stock recovered briefly following that announcement, but declined again as peer retailers includingMacy'sandGap Inc.posted their own dismal quarterly reports, showing that Zumiez's problems may be beyond its own control.

Now what:Zumiez reported first-quarter earnings on June 2, and the stock slipped 4% the next day. For the quarter, comparable sales fell 7.5% and the company reported a loss -$0.08 a share, down from a $0.09 profit a year ago. CEO Rick Brooks expressed long-term confidence in the business, but many of the company's closest competitors are struggling for survival.Pacific Sunwearfiled for bankruptcy in April, and Quiksilver declared bankruptcy last year, and teen retailers like American Apparel and Aeropostale have also followed suit. Zumiez isn't facing a similar fate, and it's still expected to turn a profit this year, but the weakness of the business is apparent. As long as comparable-store sales keep falling, the company's long-term prospects remain in doubt.

The article Why Zumiez Inc. Stock Dropped 10% in May originally appeared on Fool.com.

Jeremy Bowman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.