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Foot Locker (NYSE: FL) is back to setting sales records. Its fiscal 2021 first quarter showed a huge spike over last year’s pandemic-influenced period and also surpassed a strong 2019 performance.

And the retailing chain is generating stronger earnings and cash flow, thanks to consumers’ robust demand for products in the premium athleisure niche.

Let’s take a closer look at Foot Locker’s latest growth metrics and find out why management is predicting fast sales growth — and expanding profitability — for the rest of 2021.

1. Growth is everywhere

Every part of Foot Locker’s business expanded compared to a year ago when nearly half of its store base was closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. But the standout categories were apparel and accessories, which more than doubled. Its core footwear business grew 70% too with strength from rising store traffic and high demand in its e-commerce segment.

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Foot Locker said in a conference call with investors that all of its geographic categories were booming at the start of 2021, and consumers showed interest in just about every major franchise, from Nike’s Max Air to Birkenstock, UGG, and Crocs. That success was more impressive given the industry challenges that pressured results, they said. “Our comp sales increased 80.3% in spite of store closures in Europe and Canada and supply chain pressures in the U.S. And [Europe],” CFO Andrew Page explained.

2. A favorable pricing environment

That favorable demand environment meant that Foot Locker didn’t have to use promotions to keep its inventory moving. Yes, sales tilted toward apparel and accessories, which aren’t as profitable as footwear. And costs jumped in areas like freight and labor. The chain lost some efficiency too by selling more products online rather than at its physical stores.

Yet Foot Locker still logged a 34.8% gross profit margin, compared to 33.2% two years ago and 23.0% in the depths of the pandemic. Executives see that positive pricing environment continuing through the rest of the year, even if profit margin gains are a bit more muted than investors saw this past quarter.

3. Lace up for more portfolio changes

Foot Locker is still planning to close more locations than it opens in 2021 as it pivots away from mall-based stores. The attractive growth opportunities right now include athleisure apparel and accessories, e-commerce (including through partnerships with Nike), and providing a platform for shoppers to experience the flood of innovative releases on the way from Nike, Adidas, UGG, Vans, and dozens of other footwear brands. “There’s a lot coming to market to keep our consumers engaged,” Executive VP Andrew Gray said.

Investors are right to respond to that good news by pushing Foot Locker stock higher — shares are up over 56% year to date as of this writing. The company needs to shed some underperforming assets in the next year or so, including some real estate leases that have become even less attractive due to pandemic-related shifts in shopping trends. Its business would be vulnerable to an economic pullback too.

But the chain quickly returned to setting sales records and has a good shot at producing higher profit margins over the next few years as it connects leading athleisure brands with their customers. That’s a valuable service for all parties involved, and it should be a sturdy enough platform to support a sustainable business for Foot Locker post-COVID-19.

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Lexinfintech: Q1 Earnings Snapshot

June 1, 2021Updated: June 1, 2021 3:37 a.M.

SHENZHEN, China (AP) _ Lexinfintech Holdings Ltd (LX) on Tuesday reported first-quarter net income of $108.6 million, after reporting a loss in the same period a year earlier.

On a per-share basis, the Shenzhen, China-based company said it had net income of 53 cents.

The online consumer finance company posted revenue of $449.3 million in the period.

Lexinfintech shares have risen 36% since the beginning of the year. The stock has climbed 12% in the last 12 months.

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This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.Com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on LX at https://www.Zacks.Com/ap/LX

Recap: 36KR Holdings Q1 Earnings

Shares of 36KR Holdings (NASDAQ:KRKR) were unchanged after the company reported Q1 results.

Quarterly Results

Earnings per share fell 1300.00% over the past year to ($0.14), which missed the estimate of ($0.11).

Revenue of $6,646,000 decreased by 27.82% year over year, which missed the estimate of $10,820,000.

Guidance

Earnings guidance hasn’t been issued by the company for now.

36KR Holdings hasn’t issued any revenue guidance for the time being.

Conference Call Details

Date: Jun 01, 2021

Time: 08:00 AM

ET Webcast URL: https://apac.Directeventreg.Com/der/validateConferenceId.Action

Price Action

Company’s 52-week high was at $8.50

52-week low: $2.29

Price action over last quarter: down 17.57%

Company Profile

36KR Holdings Inc is engaged in providing content and business services to new economy participants in the People’s Republic of China. The firm’s production process comprises of content creation, content editing, screening and monitoring, and content distribution. It distributes content through a variety of channels, including both self-operated and third-party platforms namely Weibo, Weixin/WeChat, Toutiao, Baidu, and Zhihu. The company mainly generates revenues from providing online advertising services, enterprise value-added services, and subscription services.