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Carter's (CRI)
NYSE:CRI

Carter's (CRI) AI Stock Analysis

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Carter's

(NYSE:CRI)

Rating:67Neutral
Price Target:
$35.00
▲(7.39%Upside)
Carter's stock score is influenced primarily by its mixed financial performance and undervaluation, providing potential for income-focused investors. However, bearish technical indicators and uncertainties from the earnings call and industry challenges pose risks. The recent CEO appointment is a positive strategic move, offering hope for operational improvements.
Positive Factors
Brand Momentum
Momentum in premium labels Little Planet and PurelySoft is encouraging, although they are still a small part of the business.
Growth Opportunities
New CEO Palladini has identified several opportunities to help return CRI to growth, which are expected to be outlined in the company's upcoming earnings call.
Wholesale Performance
Wholesale business continues its track record of beating expectations.
Negative Factors
Dividend Reduction
The company is cutting its quarterly dividend by 70% due to challenges, including higher tariff-related costs and necessary strategic investments.
Retail Segment Challenges
The US Retail business has been the largest issue at Carters, with sales in the Retail segment declining 25% and EBIT margins declining by 1,000bp.
Tariff Impact
CRI faces a challenging macro environment with the possibility of much higher costs due to tariffs, along with declining margins and concerning birthrate trends.

Carter's (CRI) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Carter's Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCarter's, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, sources, and markets branded childrenswear under the Carter's, OshKosh, Skip Hop, Child of Mine, Just One You, Simple Joys, Carter's My First Love, little planet, and other brands in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International. Its Carter's products include babies and young children products, such as bodysuits, pants, dresses, knit sets, blankets, layette essentials, bibs, booties, sleep and play products, rompers, and jumpers; and OshKosh brand products comprise playclothes, such as denim apparel products with multiple wash treatments and coordinating garments, overalls, woven bottoms, knit tops, and bodysuits. The company also provides products for playtime, travel, mealtime, bathtime, and homegear, as well as kid's bags and diaper bags under the Skip Hop brand. In addition, it offers bedding, cribs, diaper bags, footwear, gift sets, hair accessories, jewelry, outerwear, paper goods, socks, shoes, swimwear, and toys. The company operates 18,800 wholesale locations, including department stores, national chain stores, and specialty stores. As of December 31, 2021, it operated 980 retail stores. The company also sells its products through its eCommerce websites, such as carters.com, oshkoshbgosh.com, oshkosh.com, and skiphop.com, as well as other international wholesale accounts and licensees. Carter's, Inc. was founded in 1865 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
How the Company Makes MoneyCarter's generates revenue through multiple channels, primarily driven by the sale of its children's apparel products. The key revenue streams include sales from company-operated retail stores, e-commerce sales through its branded websites, and wholesale distribution to national and international retailers. The company also benefits from strategic partnerships with major retail chains such as Target and Walmart, which further extend its market reach. Additionally, Carter's taps into licensing agreements for certain product categories, enhancing its brand presence and contributing to its financial performance.

Carter's Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 25, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: -14.06%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 25, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed outlook, with positive trends in U.S. retail and the baby category offset by overall sales declines and tariff-related uncertainties. Cost management was strong, but the suspension of forward guidance underlines the challenges ahead.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Positive U.S. Retail Momentum
Sales and earnings in U.S. retail met the company's plan for the quarter, with April month-to-date comps up about 13% and March-April combined period comps up about 4%.
Strong Baby Category Performance
The baby category achieved a plus 4% comp in the first quarter, showing continued momentum in the market.
Effective Cost Management
SG&A expenses were well controlled, down 2% from last year, with cost reductions in several areas offsetting new store and retail technology investments.
Solid Balance Sheet
Total liquidity at quarter end was over $1 billion with over $300 million of cash on hand.
Negative Updates
Overall Sales Decline
First quarter net sales were $630 million, down 5% from last year, with a similar decline in all business segments.
Reduced Operating Income
Operating income declined to $35 million compared to $55 million last year, primarily due to lower sales and pricing investments.
Uncertainty Due to Tariffs
Proposed tariffs could significantly increase product costs. The administration's reciprocal tariffs could affect sourcing countries, leading to uncertainty in future pricing and supply chain adjustments.
Suspension of Forward Guidance
Forward guidance was suspended due to leadership transition and economic uncertainty related to proposed tariffs.
Company Guidance
During Carter's First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Earnings Call, the company announced the suspension of forward-looking guidance due to uncertainties surrounding tariff impacts and the new leadership transition. First quarter net sales were $630 million, a 5% decline from the previous year, while adjusted operating income was $35 million with an adjusted operating margin of 5.6% and adjusted EPS of $0.66. U.S. retail sales declined by 4% with a 5% drop in comp sales, although there was a 4% comp increase in the baby category. U.S. wholesale and international segments also saw a 5% sales decline. The company noted a gross margin of 46.2%, a decrease of 140 basis points from the prior year, influenced by pricing investments and adverse FX impacts. Carter's reported $300 million in cash on hand and over $1 billion in total liquidity. Despite these challenges, leadership expressed optimism about the company's long-term prospects and commitment to returning to accretive growth.

Carter's Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Carter's financial performance indicates mixed results. While profitability margins and cash flow generation remain robust, the declining revenue trend and slight pressure on equity suggest the need for strategic initiatives to bolster growth. Maintaining financial stability amidst industry challenges will be crucial for future success.
Income Statement
72
Positive
Carter's shows a declining revenue trend over recent periods with a noticeable drop from annual to TTM data. The Gross Profit Margin and Net Profit Margin are healthy but have decreased compared to prior periods, indicating pressure on profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins are also solid but declining, reflecting challenges in maintaining operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The company's Debt-to-Equity Ratio is moderate, indicating a balanced approach to leveraging. However, the declining trend in Stockholders' Equity and relatively stable debt levels suggest potential risks if profitability doesn't rebound. The Equity Ratio remains stable, reflecting an adequate proportion of equity financing.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Carter's has a strong Operating Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio, showcasing efficient cash conversion. The Free Cash Flow has seen fluctuations but remains positive, indicating operational resilience. There is a notable decrease in Free Cash Flow compared to net income, suggesting potential constraints in cash flexibility.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Mar 2022Mar 2021
Income StatementTotal Revenue
2.81B2.84B2.95B3.21B3.49B3.02B
Gross Profit
1.34B1.37B1.40B1.47B1.66B1.31B
EBIT
221.79M254.73M323.40M379.17M497.08M189.87M
EBITDA
287.02M320.07M400.35M455.01M592.69M328.90M
Net Income Common Stockholders
163.01M185.51M232.50M250.04M339.75M109.72M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
351.21M412.93M351.21M211.75M984.29M1.10B
Total Assets
2.38B2.43B2.38B2.44B3.20B3.39B
Total Debt
1.08B1.13B1.08B1.18B1.58B1.73B
Net Debt
730.32M717.27M730.32M969.05M596.47M626.86M
Total Liabilities
1.53B1.58B1.53B1.64B2.25B2.45B
Stockholders Equity
845.25M854.56M845.25M796.41M950.19M938.03M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
221.20M242.62M469.27M48.00M230.82M557.02M
Operating Cash Flow
275.69M298.79M529.13M88.36M268.26M589.89M
Investing Cash Flow
-54.49M-56.16M-59.86M-40.36M-32.44M-32.87M
Financing Cash Flow
-163.06M-174.82M-332.64M-819.27M-352.71M324.84M

Carter's Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price32.59
Price Trends
50DMA
34.58
Negative
100DMA
40.44
Negative
200DMA
48.97
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.95
Negative
RSI
47.43
Neutral
STOCH
56.70
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CRI, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 32.59 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 33.03, below the 50-day MA of 34.58, and below the 200-day MA of 48.97, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.95 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 47.43 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 56.70 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for CRI.

Carter's Risk Analysis

Carter's disclosed 38 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Carter's reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Carter's Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
BKBKE
75
Outperform
$2.22B11.1444.55%3.19%-1.08%-8.20%
CRCRI
67
Neutral
$1.19B7.2118.91%10.04%-3.39%-28.96%
AEAEO
64
Neutral
$1.76B10.4012.19%4.83%-0.95%-10.51%
63
Neutral
$1.77B11.2931.30%0.76%49.95%
63
Neutral
$6.96B11.512.80%3.85%2.70%-24.43%
FLFL
56
Neutral
$2.30B194.63-13.07%-2.62%
40
Underperform
$151.17M-521.67%-12.15%75.86%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CRI
Carter's
32.59
-29.94
-47.88%
AEO
American Eagle
10.39
-9.77
-48.46%
BKE
Buckle
43.69
10.77
32.72%
FL
Foot Locker
24.12
-1.07
-4.25%
PLCE
Children's Place
4.15
-5.60
-57.44%
VSCO
Victoria's Secret
22.20
4.06
22.38%

Carter's Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder MeetingsDividendsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Carter’s Announces Strategic Plan and Dividend Update
Neutral
May 20, 2025

On May 14, 2025, Carter’s held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where all eleven director nominees were elected for a one-year term. Additionally, the stockholders approved the 2024 executive compensation and ratified the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2025. On May 20, 2025, Carter’s announced updates to its strategic plan and declared a $0.25 quarterly dividend, reflecting a realignment of its capital allocation strategy amid challenging market conditions and potential cost increases due to proposed tariffs. The company aims to return to consistent, profitable growth and will present its strategic plan in the upcoming earnings call.

The most recent analyst rating on (CRI) stock is a Hold with a $49.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Carter’s stock, see the CRI Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Carter’s Appoints Douglas Palladini as New CEO
Positive
Mar 26, 2025

On March 26, 2025, Carter’s, Inc. announced the appointment of Douglas C. Palladini as the new Chief Executive Officer and President, effective April 3, 2025. Palladini, who brings extensive experience from his previous role as Global Brand President of Vans, is expected to enhance Carter’s direct-to-consumer and wholesale businesses, drive consumer loyalty, and expand international reach. His leadership is anticipated to foster innovation and customer engagement, strengthening Carter’s connection with families worldwide. The appointment follows a comprehensive search, and Palladini’s strategic vision is seen as pivotal for building upon the company’s strong foundation in providing high-quality, affordable apparel for young children.

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.