Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Now's The Time To Load Up On Chewy, A Perfect Stock For Pet And Profit Lovers

Published 09/14/2021, 06:09 AM
Updated 07/09/2023, 06:31 AM

This article was written exclusively for Investing.com.

  • Incredible rise from the March 2020 low to the February 2021 high
  • Chewy’s customer service puts it at the top of the pet supplies business
  • Correction from February through May 2021; a rally to a lower high in August
  • Q2 earnings: Disappointing, but a rare miss
  • Revenue growth, shrinking losses say buy the dip; Most analysts are bullish

Chewy (NYSE:CHWY), the Dania Beach, Florida-based e-commerce business that provides pet foods and treats, pet supplies, pet medications, and other pet-health products for dogs, cats, fish, birds, small pets, horses, and reptiles via its chewy.com retail website has been in business since 2010. CHWY offers approximately 70,000 products from 2,500 partner brands.

The global pandemic that began in 2020 lifted profits for many online companies, and Chewy is no exception. At $73.64 per share as of yesterday's close, CHWY’s market cap was around the $30.8 billion level.

On average, the company trades over 3.3 million shares each day. Chewy is a highly volatile stock. CHWY opened for trading in June 2019 at $37.60 per share. The range since its listing has been from $20.62 to $120.00.

Chewy recently dropped after its Q2 earnings disappointed as they came in below market expectations. However, the decline could be a buying opportunity for the company that shows pet owners how much they care, with customer service that is more than a notch above retail competitors.

Incredible rise from the March 2020 low to the February 2021 high

CHWY shares experienced a parabolic rise following the pandemic-inspired Mar. 9, 2020, $20.62 low. CHWY Weekly

Source: Barchart

As the chart highlights, CHWY shares rose nearly five times to a high of $120 by mid-February 2021. The global pandemic created an almost perfect bullish storm for the e-commerce pet supplies company as the customer base grew. Delivery of pet food, medicines, and supplies became a must during the height of the pandemic.

Chewy’s customer service puts it at the top of the pet supplies business

Customer service is critical in building a loyal customer base. From personal experience, I can attest that Chewy is a cut above in the e-commerce sector.

Our cat Gia requires a special diet that needs a veterinarian’s prescription. We began ordering from Chewy sometime in late 2020. The delivery has been swift and efficient.

Moreover, when the prescription ran out and needed renewal, CHWY was on point in assisting us, so Gia did not go without her required nutrients. Furthermore, each time we call, the representative personalizes the conversation, asking how Gia is doing and if they can help.

Friends and colleagues have had an equally pleasant experience with Chewy’s approach to customer service. One friend sadly lost their pet over the past year. When they called to cancel their food delivery, the company not only expressed heartfelt sympathy for the loss of a family member, they went one step beyond.

The next day, a package arrived with flowers and a sympathy card. Few companies go the extra mile like Chewy.

Correction from February through May 2021; a rally to a lower high in August

CHWY shares peaked at $120 in February 2021. The parabolic move ran out of upside steam, sending the stock to a low of $64.08 on May 13. CHWY Daily

Source: Barchart

As the chart shows, the stock almost halved in value from mid-February through mid-May. As social distancing guidelines eased with COVID-19 vaccinations, more people went back to their local store to purchase pet supplies. Meanwhile, the stock recovered, moving to a lower high at $97.74 on Aug. 13.

CHWY’s kind attention to service likely helped retain many new customers, pushing the stock higher. However, the shares ran out of upside steam, just shy of the $100 per share level. After the company released its second-quarter earnings, the stock plunged.

Q2 earnings: Disappointing, but a rare miss

The consensus forecast for the company’s Q3 fiscal 2021 earnings was for CHWY to lose two cents per share. A disappointing four cents per share loss sent the stock lower, to its most recent low at $71.93 on Sept. 13. Technical support now stands at the May 13 $64.08 low. CHWY Earnings

Source: Yahoo Finance

The chart shows that CHWY had consistently beaten consensus earnings estimates from Q4 2020 through Q2 2021. The miss in Q3 sent the stock substantially lower.

Nonetheless, I view the recent decline as a buying opportunity for the stock.

Revenue growth, shrinking losses say buy the dip; Most analysts are bullish

A survey of eighteen analysts on Yahoo Finance has an average price target of $93.93 for CHWY shares, with forecasts ranging from $67.75 to $133 per share. At below $74 on Sept. 13, the stock was trading at the low end of the range and over 20% below the consensus forecast.

Wall Street companies rate CHWY shares anywhere from neutral and hold to outperform at the current price level.

Source: Yahoo Finance

The chart shows impressive revenue growth from 2018 through 2021 and a declining loss. The current trend implies CHWY will earn steady profits over the coming quarters and years.

Similarly, of 20 analysts polled by Investing.com, the majority gave it an 'Outperform' rating.

CHWY Consensus Estimates

Chart: Investing.com

Among respondants the average 12-month price target was $95.73, for a 30% upside.

When it comes to investing, buying the companies you have experience with is often a profitable approach. Because of my experience with CHWY I added the company to our portfolio.

I will buy more CHWY shares on a scale-down basis during the current correction. We love our pets and we love the companies that care about their customers and their furry friends.

Latest comments

As food inflation starts to skyrocket (Kroger is already warning).. I can't see people wanting to spend more on their pets. In fact I see them downgrading their food to cheaper brands.. unless the bet here is people start eating dog food.
am new here,someone teach how to trade
thanks
One word...woof
Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.