We came across a bullish thesis on Sleep Number Corporation (SNBR) on Substack by Yanky Banash. In this article, we will summarize the bulls’ thesis on SNBR. Sleep Number Corporation (SNBR)’s share was trading at $15 as of Nov 29th. SNBR’s forward P/E was 35.84 according to Yahoo Finance.
A close-up of a woman laying on a mattress in the store, testing the comfort of the product.
Sleep Number, a direct-to-consumer (DTC) specialty mattress company, represents a compelling investment opportunity as it emerges from a challenging phase while maintaining strong operational fundamentals. Despite a highly cyclical mattress industry, with 2024 volumes below 2015 levels, Sleep Number has generated $50 million in free cash flow year-to-date (YTD), even while managing significant debt. The stock trades at an astonishingly low 2–3 times normalized mid-cycle earnings, offering the potential for multi-fold returns as the cycle rebounds.
Sleep Number dominates the 10% specialty segment of the U.S. mattress market with an estimated 12–15% market share, thanks to its DTC model, which avoids the commoditization typical of large retail selections. The company’s emphasis on innovation, customer-centric retail practices, and substantial national advertising investment has cemented its premium brand position. These factors, coupled with gross margins exceeding 60%, make Sleep Number one of the most profitable players in its segment.
While industry volumes are projected to stabilize and recover in 2025, Sleep Number is poised to benefit from the mattress industry’s inherent turnover cycle of 7–8 years as delayed purchases over the last few years come due. Additionally, an uptick in new home purchases, a key driver of mattress demand, further bolsters the company’s growth outlook.
The valuation underscores Sleep Number’s appeal. Trading at $14 per share, the company has an enterprise value of $1.2 billion. Assuming it generates revenue equal to 2019 levels, where it achieved $1.7 billion in revenue and with a $60M reduction in costs, it would result in $141 million in net income, implying earnings per share (EPS) of $6.40 given its reduced share count. This suggests the potential for a significant rerating, particularly as the company’s gross margins have improved to 60% in 2024 from 55% in 2019, driven by cost efficiencies and value engineering.
Debt remains a concern, particularly with leverage covenants kicking in by Q1 2025. However, management is confident about compliance, supported by $130 million in planned cost savings across 2023 and 2024. A supportive banking group and major shareholder backing, notably from Stadium Capital, provide financial flexibility.
Recent developments further enhance Sleep Number’s investment case. The retirement of long-serving CEO Shelly Ibach, whose capital allocation decisions were widely criticized, opens the door for fresh leadership. As industry conditions improve, a new CEO will inherit a fundamentally strong business with significant upside potential.
In conclusion, Sleep Number offers a rare opportunity in the cyclical space. With its undervalued stock, operational strengths, and favorable market dynamics, the company is well-positioned for substantial gains when growth resumes.
Sleep Number Corporation (SNBR) is not on our list of the 31 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 17 hedge fund portfolios held SNBR at the end of the third quarter which was 20 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of SNBR as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than SNBR but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey.