Shoe Carnival reports Q2 EPS 70c, consensus 61c

Reports Q2 revenue $306.4M vs. $332.7M last year. “Our Q2 results demonstrate meaningful progress, with profits beating consensus by double digits and gross margins reaching 38.8% – our strongest Q2 margin performance in years,” said CEO Mark Worden. “As we moved into Back-to-School in early August, our execution hit a higher level. We delivered positive comparable store sales for the Company and margin expansion across all banners during the period that drives approximately 25% of our annual profits. This return to growth during our highest-stakes season – ahead of our projected timeline – validates that our transformation is accelerating. Our rebanner strategy continues to deliver strong results. Through year-to-date August, the Shoe Station banner is outperforming the Shoe Carnival (SCVL) banner by a wide margin, with margins up sharply over last year. Our debt-free balance sheet with strong cash reserves allows us to invest aggressively in this proven model while remaining ready for strategic opportunities. By Back-to-School 2026, Shoe Station will be our majority concept, positioning us for sustained growth with a higher-income customer base, stronger margins, and improved returns.”