Joann Inc. Considers Bankruptcy to Address Debt Challenges

What You Need To Know

Crafts retailer Joann Inc. (NASDAQ: JOAN) is reportedly considering filing for bankruptcy as a means of reducing its debt burden and gaining control. The company, which operates 850 stores in the US, has been engaging in confidential discussions with lenders to secure additional capital. While plans still need to be finalized, Joann is seeking enough support from lenders to expedite a Chapter 11 filing, which would allow the company to continue operating while developing a repayment plan.

Joann has faced significant challenges in maintaining liquidity and managing inventory levels, resulting in the need for fresh capital. The company's term loan due 2028 is currently valued at less than 10 cents on the dollar, and JOAN shares have declined by 85% over the past year. Joann joins a growing list of retailers seeking financial solutions, with companies like The Children's Place, Express Inc., and Big Lots Inc. also exploring restructuring options.

Why This Is Important for Retail Investors

1. Investment implications: The possible bankruptcy filing of Joann Inc. can have significant implications for retail investors who have invested in the company. They must understand the potential impact on their investment portfolios.

2. Industry trends: The struggles faced by Joann Inc. reflect the challenging environment for retailers. Retail investors need to stay informed about such trends and understand the risks associated with investing in the retail sector.

3. Market conditions: Joann Inc.'s situation highlights broader market conditions and economic challenges. Retail investors should be aware of these factors to make informed decisions about their investment strategies.

4. Asset diversification: If retail investors are exposed to JOAN stock or other struggling retail companies, this news emphasizes diversifying their investment portfolios. Understanding the risks in specific industries can help investors create a diversified portfolio to mitigate potential losses.

5. Opportunities for investment: A bankrupt company like Joann Inc. may present investment opportunities, such as potential asset sales, reorganizations, or reemergence as a stronger entity. Retail investors who are well-informed about the company's bankruptcy process may be able to identify potential investment opportunities during or after the restructuring process.

How Can You Use This Information?

Here are some of the investing ideas that can be explored using this information:

Value Investing

Retail investors can assess the potential value of Joann Inc.'s assets and consider investing if they believe the market has undervalued the company due to its bankruptcy situation.

Value investing searches for undervalued companies that trade for less than their intrinsic values, with the expectation that they will eventually be recognized by the market.

Defensive investing

In light of Joann Inc.'s challenges and the broader market conditions, retail investors may opt for defensive strategies by focusing on stable, reliable companies in less volatile sectors.

Defensive Investing focuses on securing a portfolio by choosing companies that are less sensitive to economic downturns.

Event-Driven Strategy

Investors focusing on event-driven strategies may monitor developments regarding Joann Inc.'s bankruptcy filing and seek opportunities resulting from the restructuring process.

An event-driven strategy capitalizes on stock mispricing that may occur before or after a corporate event, such as a merger or acquisition.

Speculative Investing

For investors comfortable with higher risk, speculating on potential opportunities arising from Joann Inc.'s bankruptcy proceedings could be an option. However, this strategy should be approached with caution.

Speculative investing engages in high-risk investments with the potential for substantial rewards, often over a short time frame.

Read What Others Are Saying

Bloomberg: Crafts Retailer Joann Is Planning a Bankruptcy Filing That Would Hand Keys to Lenders

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Popular ETFs

Some investors prefer to invest in stocks via an exchange-traded fund for ease and reduced risk. Some popular ETFs include the following:

• SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT): This ETF offers exposure to the retail sector, including various companies that could range from apparel stores to internet commerce, providing a broad overview of the retail industry's performance.

• VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH): Focusing on the largest retail firms, this ETF can expose investors to major players in the retail industry, potentially offering a more stable investment in the sector.

• ProShares Decline of the Retail Store ETF (EMTY): For those looking to capitalize on the challenges within the retail sector, this inverse ETF is designed to increase in value as the price of certain bricks-and-mortar retail assets declines.

• iShares U.S. Consumer Services ETF (IYC): This ETF provides exposure to U.S. companies that distribute food, drugs, general retail items, and media, offering a broader take on consumer services beyond traditional retail.

• First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund (FXD): This fund aims to track an index of large and mid-cap U.S. consumer discretionary stocks, which includes retailers, making it relevant for investors interested in consumer spending trends.

• Invesco S&P SmallCap Consumer Discretionary ETF (PSCD): For those looking to invest in smaller companies within the consumer discretionary sector, which includes retail, this ETF focuses on small-cap firms, where there might be more growth potential, albeit with higher risk.