Asos's profit warning won’t be the last one it issues, analysts at Liberum warned today, arguing it suffering from its own internal problems aside from a challenging environment.
Liberum kept its 'hold' rating but slashed its target price to 700p from 900p on the back of news the fashion retailer expects its profit before tax to be at the bottom end of its £20mln to £60mln guidance.
Aside from a challenging demand environment, the broker thinks “Asos has its own issues with excess stock, potentially in the wrong categories, and a constant reliance on promotions over the last 3-4 years.”
Add to that the group returned to a net debt position of £150mln and with significant capital expenditure ahead, Liberum believes free cash flow will be non-existent for a few years.
Further earnings downgrades and a potential strategy shift under a new chief executive and chairman remain a risk, the broker said.