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Citi Trends (CTRN)
NASDAQ:CTRN
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Citi Trends (CTRN) AI Stock Analysis

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CTRN

Citi Trends

(NASDAQ:CTRN)

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Neutral 57 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:57Neutral
Price Target:
$46.00
▲(5.00% Upside)
Citi Trends' overall stock score is driven by strong guidance and strategic growth plans highlighted in the earnings call, despite current financial challenges. Technical indicators show positive momentum, but valuation concerns and financial performance issues weigh down the score. Continued focus on operational efficiency and cost management will be crucial for future improvement.
Positive Factors
Strategic Growth Plans
Citi Trends' clear strategic growth plans, including sales and EBITDA targets, demonstrate a focused approach to long-term expansion and profitability.
Consistent Sales Growth
Consistent sales growth over multiple quarters indicates strong market position and effective customer engagement strategies, supporting long-term revenue stability.
Technological Advancements
Investing in technology like CRM and loyalty platforms enhances customer relationships and operational efficiency, crucial for sustained competitive advantage.
Negative Factors
Gross Margin Challenges
Decreasing gross margins reflect cost management challenges, which can impact profitability and require strategic adjustments to sustain long-term financial health.
Rising SG&A Expenses
Increasing SG&A expenses can pressure operating margins, necessitating improved cost control measures to maintain financial stability and profitability.
Cash Flow Challenges
Negative cash flow highlights difficulties in capital management, potentially limiting the company's ability to invest in growth opportunities and manage financial obligations.

Citi Trends (CTRN) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Citi Trends Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCiti Trends, Inc. is a retail company that operates a chain of discount apparel and accessories stores primarily targeting urban customers in the United States. The company focuses on offering a variety of fashionable clothing, shoes, and accessories for men, women, and children, often at prices that are significantly lower than traditional retailers. Citi Trends also emphasizes value-driven merchandise, catering to a diverse demographic and striving to meet the needs of communities in which its stores are located.
How the Company Makes MoneyCiti Trends generates revenue primarily through the sale of apparel and accessories in its retail stores, which are strategically located in urban areas with high foot traffic. The company's revenue model is based on a low-price strategy, allowing it to attract a cost-conscious customer base. Key revenue streams include in-store sales, e-commerce sales through its online platform, and seasonal promotions that drive traffic and volume. Additionally, Citi Trends may benefit from partnerships with clothing manufacturers that allow for exclusive lines or branded merchandise, further enhancing its product offerings and customer appeal. The company's focus on community engagement and value is integral to maintaining customer loyalty and driving repeat business.

Citi Trends Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Dec 02, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 17, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
Citi Trends demonstrated strong sales growth and customer engagement, with strategic expansions and technological advancements showing promise for future growth. However, challenges in maintaining gross margins and controlling SG&A expenses persist, along with ongoing efforts to address shrinkage issues.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Consistent Sales Growth
Citi Trends reported a 10.8% increase in comparable store sales for Q3, marking the fifth consecutive quarter and fifteenth straight month of strong comp growth. Total sales were up 10.1% compared to the previous year.
Positive Customer Engagement
The company saw increased customer traffic across all store volume groups and geographies. Continued focus on the African American demographic led to strong performance in children's, men's, and basic apparel categories.
Inventory and Supply Chain Efficiency
Inventory dollars decreased by 3.1% compared to last year, with improved supply chain processes leading to higher in-store inventory efficiency.
Strategic Store Expansion
Citi Trends remodeled 24 stores in Q3 and opened three new ones, bringing the total to 593 locations. Plans to open about 25 new stores in 2026 and 40 stores in 2027 were outlined.
Financial Performance and Outlook
Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 was a loss of $2.9 million, in line with expectations and better than the previous year's loss. Guidance for full-year EBITDA was raised to $10 million to $12 million.
Technological Advancements
Implementation of a new CRM and loyalty platform is in progress to enhance customer engagement and long-term value.
Negative Updates
Gross Margin Challenges
Third-quarter gross margin decreased by 90 basis points compared to Q3 2024 due to inventory shifts and an unfavorable comparison to the prior year's strategic inventory reset.
SG&A Expense Increase
SG&A expenses rose to $79.5 million in Q3, driven by higher incentive compensation and store expenses, although SG&A leverage improved by 130 basis points.
Shrink Mitigation Efforts Ongoing
Despite new camera systems and technology, the shrink rate remains above the desired level, impacting gross margins.
Company Guidance
During the Citi Trends third quarter 2025 earnings call, CEO Ken Seipel provided robust guidance highlighting the company's strategic roadmap to achieve $900 million in sales and $45 million of EBITDA by 2027, representing a $60 million increase from 2024 levels. The guidance emphasized a focus on maintaining consistent comparable store sales growth, which saw a 10.8% increase in Q3 alone, and a two-year stack of 16.5%. The company plans to expand its gross margin, leveraging operating expenses, and strategically expanding its store base by opening approximately 25 new stores in 2026 and 40 stores annually from 2027 onwards. Moreover, Seipel projected a gross profit rate of 42% and an SG&A leverage improvement by 200 basis points, leading to an EBITDA margin rate of approximately 5%. The call also underscored the strategic use of AI-driven analytics for inventory management and store location decisions, alongside investments in CRM and loyalty platforms to deepen customer engagement.

Citi Trends Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Citi Trends is experiencing financial strain with declining revenues and profitability, affecting both the income statement and cash flows. The balance sheet shows moderate leverage, posing potential risks if earnings do not improve. While the company faces challenges, the relatively stable cash position offers some resilience to navigate through difficult periods. Continued focus on cost management and operational efficiency will be key to reversing the negative trends.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Citi Trends has faced declining revenue and profitability in recent years. The TTM data shows a negative EBIT and net income, reflecting operational challenges. Gross profit margin has decreased compared to previous years, indicating pressure on cost management. However, despite the negative trend, there are signs of recovery in revenue growth when comparing recent TTM figures to the previous annual data.
Balance Sheet
50
Neutral
The company's balance sheet reveals moderate stability with a debt-to-equity ratio that is relatively high, indicating potential leverage risk. The equity ratio has decreased over time, reflecting increased liabilities. However, the company maintains a consistent level of cash, which provides some liquidity buffer. Return on equity has been negative recently, consistent with the negative net income.
Cash Flow
40
Negative
Citi Trends has struggled with cash flow in recent periods, as evidenced by negative free cash flow. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is weak, highlighting challenges in converting income to cash. Free cash flow growth has been negative, suggesting difficulties in managing capital expenditures relative to cash generation.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue782.72M753.08M747.94M795.01M991.60M783.29M
Gross Profit302.24M282.04M285.12M310.99M407.53M311.68M
EBITDA16.41M-18.19M3.41M96.93M99.94M51.43M
Net Income-16.64M-43.17M-11.98M58.89M62.24M23.98M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets457.41M462.77M518.72M544.26M474.02M494.59M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments50.40M61.09M79.71M103.50M49.79M123.18M
Total Debt217.49M220.40M234.65M267.60M216.11M192.81M
Total Liabilities344.17M349.59M361.01M377.81M357.88M330.96M
Stockholders Equity113.24M113.18M157.71M166.44M116.14M163.63M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-9.23M-13.96M-24.45M-16.53M44.61M93.90M
Operating Cash Flow3.03M-3.85M-9.58M5.75M74.32M110.86M
Investing Cash Flow-1.05M-10.11M-13.36M60.18M-29.52M26.70M
Financing Cash Flow-10.88M-4.66M-854.00K-12.23M-118.19M-34.30M

Citi Trends Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price43.81
Price Trends
50DMA
37.16
Positive
100DMA
34.89
Positive
200DMA
30.09
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
2.09
Negative
RSI
66.05
Neutral
STOCH
55.72
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CTRN, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 43.81 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 41.30, above the 50-day MA of 37.16, and above the 200-day MA of 30.09, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 2.09 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 66.05 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 55.72 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for CTRN.

Citi Trends Risk Analysis

Citi Trends disclosed 27 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Citi Trends reported the most risks in the "Ability to Sell" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Citi Trends Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
66
Neutral
$449.25M0.19%1.64%
64
Neutral
$239.84M6.5934.74%1.85%-2.37%-16.40%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
57
Neutral
$361.06M-13.76%5.77%35.12%
57
Neutral
$382.16M-4.81%2.66%-4772.54%
51
Neutral
$207.59M-9.98%4.31%-4.63%-637.55%
45
Neutral
$160.27M-12.08%93.16%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CTRN
Citi Trends
43.81
17.62
67.28%
DBI
Designer Brands
4.64
-1.23
-20.95%
GCO
Genesco
35.25
-2.94
-7.70%
PLCE
Children's Place
7.91
-3.75
-32.16%
ZUMZ
Zumiez
27.75
5.09
22.46%
JILL
JJill
16.75
-11.33
-40.35%

Citi Trends Corporate Events

Citi Trends’ Earnings Call Highlights Growth and Challenges
Sep 1, 2025

Citi Trends’ recent earnings call conveyed a positive sentiment, highlighting strong sales growth and gross margin improvements. The company is strategically positioned for expansion and inventory optimization, although challenges such as increased SG&A expenses and an adjusted EBITDA loss remain. Overall, Citi Trends’ outlook is optimistic, with strategic initiatives paving the way for a promising future.

Citi Trends Reports Strong Q2 2025 Performance
Aug 27, 2025

Citi Trends, Inc. is a prominent off-price value retailer specializing in apparel, accessories, and home trends, primarily catering to African American families across the United States. The company operates 590 stores in 33 states, offering a unique shopping experience with a focus on affordability and trend-leading merchandise.

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: Dec 02, 2025