By Archishma Iyer
(Reuters) - Shares of Australia's Premier Investments fell 8% on Monday and were on track for their worst session in more than four years, after preliminary annual results showed that the company's retail brand earnings fell short of market estimates.
The apparel and accessories retailer's stock declined as much as 8.1% to A$32.35, heading for its worst session since April 2, 2020. It was down 4.7% as of 0100 GMT, while the broader benchmark fell 0.8%.
In an unaudited trading update, the company said it expected its fiscal 2024 total global retail sales for Premier Retail to be A$1.60 billion ($1.07 billion), narrowly missing a Visible Alpha consensus of A$1.63 billion and down from A$1.64 billion in fiscal 2023.
The company, which owns brands such as Peter Alexander designer sleepwear brand and Smiggle stationery brand, estimated its fiscal 2024 operating earnings at about A$341 million, implying a decline of 13% in the second half of the fiscal year, according to E&P Capital.
"The (update) highlights trading conditions across 2H24 were tough, consistent with most other discretionary retailers that have recently reported," E&P retail analyst Phillip Kimber wrote in a note.
Last month, department store chain Myer Holdings forecast a drop in its annual profit, citing less spending by consumers and store closures.
Customers have increasingly pared back spending on discretionary items, as savings take a hit due to elevated price pressures and an uncertain macroeconomic outlook.
Premier Investments had said earlier this year that it continued to work towards the demerger of both Peter Alexander and Smiggle, which was first announced in late March.
However, Kimber said the company was one of the better positioned discretionary retailers due to strong share price performance.
The trading update excluded its investment portfolio. The company will announce its fiscal 2024 results on Sept. 25.
($1 = 1.4988 Australian dollars)