TipRanks
Go Ultimate55% OFF

Warehouse Group (WHS) AI Stock Analysis

NZ:WHS

Warehouse Group

(NZX:WHS)

Select Model
Rating:51Neutral
Price Target:NZD 0.65▼(-1.82% Downside)
Action:initiatedcoverage
Date:10/05/26

Overall score reflects weak underlying financial quality (thin margins and elevated leverage) despite improved 2026 profitability and stronger cash generation. Technicals are broadly neutral with only modest momentum, while valuation appears fair rather than compelling given the earnings profile. Earnings-call commentary supports the score via clear turnaround progress and encouraging early FY27 trading, but with notable execution risks (loss-making core banner, aged inventory, and competitive pressures).

Positive Factors
Margin and profitability turnaroundThe FY26 recovery shows that tighter buying, pricing discipline and cost control can improve earnings without relying on stronger consumer demand. Higher gross margin and lower operating costs create a more sustainable base for rebuilding profitability over the next several quarters.
Negative Factors
Flat-to-declining revenue and thin marginsA stagnant or shrinking revenue base limits operating leverage, while a net margin near zero leaves little buffer against weaker demand, markdowns or cost inflation. The recent return to profit is encouraging, but earnings remain too thin and volatile to provide durable protection.

Warehouse Group (WHS) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

-40%-30%-20%-10%0%10%20%NZ:WHS-17.50%SPY+11.79%Dec '25Jan '26Feb '26Mar '26Apr '26May '26Jun '26Jul '26Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26
Market Cap
NZD 184.76M
Dividend Yield
―
Average Volume (3M)
83.75K
Price to Earnings (P/E)
20.3
Beta (1Y)
0.42
Revenue Growth
-1.92%
EPS Growth
―
Country
NZ
Employees
9,589
Sector
Consumer Cyclical
Sector Strength
61
Industry
Department Stores

Warehouse Group Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

The Warehouse Group Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of retail stores in New Zealand. The company sells general merchandise, apparels, technology, appliance, and stationery products. The Warehouse Group Limited operat...

How the Company Makes Money

The Warehouse Group makes money primarily by selling products to consumers through its retail brands via in-store and online channels. Its core revenue stream is retail sales of merchandise (general merchandise and other product categories sold acros...

Warehouse Group Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Sep 29, 2026(Q4-2026)|% Change Since:4.76%|Next Earnings Date:Nov 10, 2022
Earnings Call SentimentPositive

The call was predominantly positive, with management highlighting a substantial turnaround in operating profit, a return to reported profitability, improved margins and costs, strong cash generation, lower net debt, better inventory productivity, and encouraging early FY '27 trading. However, the group remains in turnaround mode: The Warehouse is still loss-making, several comparable-sales measures declined, Noel Leeming faces competitive and top-line pressure, aged inventory remains elevated, no final dividend was declared, and management expects ongoing inflationary cost growth and continued uncertainty.

Positive Updates

Stronger Group Earnings Despite Challenging Retail Conditions
Reported sales were just over $3 billion, down 1.9% due to the additional 53rd week in FY '25; on a comparable 52-week basis, sales were broadly flat, down 0.2%, while same-store sales increased 0.4%. Gross margin increased 40 basis points to 32.6%, cost of doing business reduced by $29.8 million or 3% to 31.8% of sales, and operating profit increased to $22.6 million from $1.3 million in FY '25.

Negative Updates

Difficult Consumer and Macroeconomic Environment
Management described FY '26 as another difficult year for New Zealand consumers. Unemployment reached its highest level since 2015, inflation increased 4.1%, real incomes declined, and the first OCR increase in 3 years added pressure to household budgets. International conflict also drove higher fuel prices, while discretionary spending did not experience a meaningful recovery.

Company Guidance

For FY ’27, trading in the first 8 weeks showed group sales “broadly in line with the prior year” and margin performance “ahead,” while the group remains cautious; getting cost of doing business below 31% of sales is “probably more” a “medium-term aspiration,” with costs expected to grow “more slowly than inflation” and “at a rate lower than inflation”; the 53rd week has an impact “in the vicinity of $15 million to $16 million,” some TCS benefits “won’t repeat next year,” and further cost benefits are expected into next year; inventory remains an opportunity, with “21%” still over 6 months aged, while reducing over-6-month inventory to “5%” from “15%” could turn stock turn to “5.5%”; CapEx levels will be higher, “lower than what a long-run average,” and not back to FY ’21, ’22, ’23 levels; and the November Investor Day will provide “longer-term financial aspirations” and greater clarity on the next “3 to 4 years,” including the intent to return to store growth at Noel Leeming.

Warehouse Group Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Financial quality remains weak overall: revenue has been flat-to-down and margins are very thin, despite a return to profitability in 2026. Leverage is elevated (high debt-to-equity), which increases risk and limits flexibility, partly offset by consistently positive operating cash flow and a sharp improvement in 2026 free cash flow.

Income Statement

44Neutral

Balance Sheet

35Negative

Cash Flow

63Positive
Financial statement breakdown
BreakdownTTMJul 2026Jul 2025Jul 2024Jul 2023Jul 2022
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.03B3.03B3.09B3.04B3.40B3.29B
Gross Profit320.05M320.82M312.81M1.02B1.14B1.16B
EBITDA194.53M196.79M197.04M227.82M230.95M268.80M
Net Income11.23M11.23M-2.76M-54.18M29.81M89.31M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.51B1.51B1.59B1.65B1.77B1.86B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments41.88M41.88M39.21M32.20M28.33M25.00M
Total Debt764.23M764.23M849.14M819.71M879.56M886.99M
Total Liabilities1.20B1.20B1.29B1.34B1.37B1.44B
Stockholders Equity312.05M312.05M299.37M309.55M402.07M421.91M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow174.07M174.07M59.72M146.59M99.09M-6.55M
Operating Cash Flow193.51M193.51M72.32M185.87M214.18M105.42M
Investing Cash Flow-19.40M-19.40M-12.44M-43.65M-85.11M-113.23M
Financing Cash Flow-171.43M-171.43M-52.88M-138.35M-125.74M-127.72M

Warehouse Group Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis SentimentPositive
Last Price0.66

Price Trends

50DMA0.65Positive
100DMA0.63Positive
200DMA0.66Negative

Market Momentum

MACD0.00Negative
RSI54.30Neutral
STOCH83.33Negative

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For NZ:WHS, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 0.66 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 0.66, above the 50-day MA of 0.65, and below the 200-day MA of 0.66, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.00 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 54.30 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 83.33 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for NZ:WHS.

Warehouse Group Peers Comparison

Overall Rating

UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)

Financial Indicators

NZ:WHS against its peers
NameOverall RatingMarket CapP/E RatioROEDividend YieldRevenue GrowthEPS Growth
Sector *61Neutral$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
NZ:WHSNZ:WHS51NeutralNZD 227.93M20.313.61%―-1.92%―
NZ:KMDNZ:KMD48NeutralNZD 134.60M-0.32-79.57%―6.47%-193.50%
NZ:CCCNZ:CCC45NeutralNZD 8.83M21.80-17.64%―90.03%-53.08%

* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average

Performance Comparison

-60%-40%-20%0%NZ:WHSNZ:KMDNZ:CCCDec '25Jan '26Feb '26Mar '26Apr '26May '26Jun '26Jul '26Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26
NZ:WHS and its peers over the selected period
Show on chartTickerCompany NamePriceChange% Change
NZ:WHSWarehouse Group 0.66-0.15-18.52%
NZ:KMDKMD Brands Limited1.87-2.50-57.19%
NZ:CCCCooks Coffee Company Limited0.13-0.11-44.58%
Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.

Date of analysis: Oct 05, 2026