Dollar General Corp. (DG)

Dollar General (DG) stock dropped by 5.13% as the market reacted to the company's lackluster guidance for the coming year. Here are the key details:

• Fiscal Year 2023 Performance: In fiscal 2023, which ended on Feb. 2, Dollar General experienced modest growth, with net sales increasing by 2% to almost $39 billion. This growth was supported by a 0.2% increase in same-store sales, a significant decrease from the 4.3% growth seen in fiscal 2022. Despite a surge in sales early in the COVID-19 pandemic, sales have mostly plateaued since then.
• Inventory Challenges and Lower Profits: Dollar General's management had anticipated continued sales growth, leading to an overstocked inventory. The excess inventory resulted in lower profits, with the company reporting full-year net income of $1.7 billion compared to $2.4 billion in fiscal 2022. The slow sales and lower profits in 2023 have contributed to Dollar General's stock remaining more than 40% below its all-time high.
• Guidance for Fiscal Year 2024: For fiscal 2024, Dollar General expects to grow net sales by at least 6% but anticipates that its profit margins will continue to be under pressure. The company is guiding for earnings per share (EPS) of $6.80 to $7.55, compared to $7.55 per share earned in fiscal 2023. This guidance suggests that EPS may remain flat in a best-case scenario, despite anticipated sales growth.