Next (LSE: NXT) 1Q19 Trading Update: Strong Quarter, Raises Full-Year Guidance

Executive Summary

• Next reported total full-price sales growth of 6.0% in the first quarter ended May 7, 2018. Full-price in-store retail sales declined by 4.8%, while full-price online sales jumped by 18.1%.
• Inferred comp growth came in at 5.6% for the quarter.
• Next raised its FY19 guidance for total full-price sales growth to 2.2% from 1.0% previously, and for group PBT to decline by 1.3% versus the previously expected decline of 2.9%. The company now expects EPS to grow by 3.7% versus previous guidance of 1.4%.