Q3 A Mixed Bag For Department Store Stocks So Far

SPDR S&P Retail (ETF) (NYSE:XRT) is rallying strongly Thursday despite the lackluster showing by the broader market. The catalyst could be the retail earnings that are trickling in.

Macy's Muted Showing

Department store chain Macy's Inc (NYSE:M) reported Thursday ahead of the open its third-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $0.17, down from $0.56 in the year-ago period. This was also notably lower than the consensus estimate of $0.41 per share.

Sales of $5.626 billion was down 4.2 percent and missed the average analysts' estimate by a whisker. Comparable store sales were down 2.7 percent.

The company reaffirmed its earnings per share guidance of $3.15$3.40 for 2016 and raised its sales guidance. Comps are now expected to drop 2.53 percent versus previous expectations of a 34 percent decline.

As part of its strategy to generate value from its real estate, the company announced an agreement with Brookfield Asset Management Inc (NYSE:BAM) to explore value creation opportunities in its real estate portfolio.

The update on real estate monetization and positive sales expectations for the year have buoyed the stock.

Q3 EPS-Beat From Kohl's

Meanwhile, Kohl's Corporation (NYSE:KSS) also reported ahead of the market open Thursday, above-consensus third-quarter earnings of $0.80 per share. This was up from $0.75 per share in the year-ago period.

Sales, despite falling 2.3 percent to $4.33 billion, were about in line with estimates. Comps fell 1.7 percent reversing the 1 percent increase in the year-ago period.

Going forward, the company reaffirmed its earnings per share guidance for the year, with the adjusted earnings expected at $3.80 to $4 per share. This is in line with the consensus estimate.

More Retailers On Deck

Luxury retailer Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE:JWN) is due to release its quarterly progress card after the market close Thursday. Analysts, on average, expect earnings of $0.51 per share, down from $0.57 per share, on an estimated 4.7 percent sales growth to $3.48 billion.

J C Penney Company Inc (NYSE:JCP), which is scheduled to report its financial results before the market open on Friday, is expected to report a loss of $0.21 per share, narrower than the year-ago loss of $0.47.

Sales may have edged up to $2.96 billion from the year-ago's $2.90 billion.

Retail chain Sears Holdings Corp (NASDAQ:SHLD) is expected to report a loss of $4.06 per share on revenues of $4.95 billion. In comparison, the company lost $2.98 per share last year, with revenues at $5.75 billion.

At Last Check ...

JC Penney was up 8.73 percent to $9.09.
Kohl's was rallying 14.11 percent to $52.15.
Macy's was up 8.57 percent at $41.67.
Nordstrom was gaining 8.49 percent to $56.73.
Sears Holdings was advancing 8.08 percent to $12.77.
SPDR S&P Retail was up 2.82 percent at 43.79.