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Designer Brands Inc (DBI)
NYSE:DBI
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Designer Brands (DBI) AI Stock Analysis

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DBI

Designer Brands

(NYSE:DBI)

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Neutral 53 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:53Neutral
Price Target:
$3.50
▼(-12.50% Downside)
Designer Brands faces significant financial challenges with declining sales and high leverage, which are major concerns. However, strategic improvements and positive trends in specific areas, along with a stable technical outlook, provide some optimism. The high dividend yield offers a potential cushion for investors, but the negative P/E ratio and macroeconomic uncertainties remain key risks.
Positive Factors
Strategic Partnerships
The partnership with DoorDash has brought in 85% new customers to DSW, indicating a strong potential for customer base expansion and revenue growth.
Product Category Performance
The women's dress category saw a 5% positive comp, a 900 basis point improvement, highlighting effective inventory and marketing strategies.
Debt Management
Reducing debt levels improves financial flexibility and reduces interest expenses, strengthening the company's balance sheet.
Negative Factors
Sales Decline
A decline in sales indicates challenges in market demand or competition, impacting revenue and profitability in the long term.
High Leverage
High leverage can strain financial resources and limit strategic options, posing risks during economic downturns or market volatility.
Leadership Transition
Leadership changes can lead to strategic shifts or disruptions, affecting company performance and investor confidence in the short to medium term.

Designer Brands (DBI) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Designer Brands Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionDesigner Brands Inc. (DBI) is a leading retailer of footwear and accessories, primarily operating under the DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) brand. The company focuses on delivering a wide array of branded and private-label footwear for men, women, and children, as well as accessories such as handbags and socks. Operating both physical stores and an online platform, DBI caters to a diverse customer base across various market segments, emphasizing both style and affordability.
How the Company Makes MoneyDesigner Brands generates revenue primarily through the sale of footwear and accessories in its retail locations and e-commerce channels. The company's revenue model is built on a combination of direct sales, private-label product offerings, and branded merchandise from various well-known manufacturers. Key revenue streams include in-store sales, online sales, and membership programs that encourage repeat customers. Additionally, DBI benefits from partnerships with various brands that allow for exclusive product offerings and seasonal collections, which can drive higher traffic and sales. The company also leverages its loyalty program to enhance customer retention and increase average transaction values.

Designer Brands Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Sep 09, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Dec 10, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted several strategic improvements and positive trends, particularly in specific product categories and brand partnerships. However, the overall sales decline and the impact of macroeconomic headwinds such as tariffs present ongoing challenges. With significant improvements in targeted areas and strategic initiatives, the sentiment leans towards the positive, though tempered by the broader economic context.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Improvement in Women's Dress Category
The women's dress category delivered a positive 5% comp, which is a 900 basis point improvement from the first quarter, and represents a significant part of the business at almost 12% of total sales.
Successful New Partnership with DoorDash
Approximately 85% of transactions from the DoorDash marketplace so far represent new customers to DSW.
Top Performing Brands
The top eight brands outperformed the balance of the chain with a positive 1% comp for the quarter, accounting for 45% of total sales.
Social Engagement and Marketing Initiatives
Social engagement continued to climb in Q2, fueled by stronger content strategies and creator partnerships.
Debt Reduction
The company paid down debt to end fiscal August with outstanding debt of $476.1 million.
Expansion in Topo Athletic
Topo Athletic posted a 45% growth in sales year over year.
New Store Format and Brand Repositioning
Unveiled a reimagined DSW store in Framingham, Massachusetts, with immersive, playful elements designed to drive deeper customer engagement.
Negative Updates
Overall Sales Decline
Total sales for the quarter were down 4% year over year, with a 5% decline in comparable sales.
Decline in Brand Portfolio Sales
Sales in the brand portfolio segment were down 24% compared to last year, largely driven by lower internal sales.
Impact of Tariffs and Consumer Caution
Uncertainties related to tariffs and continued consumer caution around discretionary spending led to withholding full-year guidance.
Company Guidance
In the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, Designer Brands Inc. reported a 4.2% decline in net sales year-over-year to $739.8 million, with comparable sales down 5%. This marked a 280 basis point improvement in comparable sales from the first quarter. Adjusted operating expenses decreased by over $14 million, achieving a 350 basis point leverage compared to Q1. Despite a 5% decline in U.S. retail comps, the company noted a 1% increase in store conversion rates, driven by a strategic focus on inventory depth and marketing investments. The women's dress category outperformed with a 5% positive comp, a 900 basis point improvement from the prior quarter. In the Canadian retail segment, sales were flat year-over-year with a positive comp in July. The brand portfolio's external wholesale business grew by 7%, despite a 24% decline in internal sales. The company continued to withhold full-year guidance due to macroeconomic uncertainties, including tariffs and consumer spending caution. However, it remains focused on executing its strategy, with a targeted $20-$30 million reduction in expenses for fiscal 2025.

Designer Brands Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Designer Brands is facing financial headwinds with declining revenues and profitability challenges. High leverage and negative returns on equity highlight financial risks. While there is some positive cash flow, the overall financial health is under pressure, requiring strategic adjustments to improve performance.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Designer Brands has faced challenges in maintaining profitability, with a negative net profit margin of -1.09% TTM. The revenue growth rate has been negative, indicating a decline in sales. Gross profit margin remains relatively stable at 48.19% TTM, but the EBIT and EBITDA margins are negative, reflecting operational inefficiencies.
Balance Sheet
40
Negative
The company has a high debt-to-equity ratio of 4.70 TTM, indicating significant leverage, which poses a risk in a volatile market. Return on equity is negative, suggesting that the company is not generating sufficient returns on shareholders' investments. The equity ratio is low, highlighting a reliance on debt financing.
Cash Flow
50
Neutral
Operating cash flow remains positive, but the operating cash flow to net income ratio is low at 0.11 TTM, indicating limited cash generation relative to net income. Free cash flow has shown some growth, but the free cash flow to net income ratio suggests challenges in converting earnings into cash.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.20B3.01B3.07B3.32B3.20B2.23B
Gross Profit865.50M1.29B974.89M1.08B1.07B311.24M
EBITDA6.89M99.53M138.51M255.94M283.15M-496.59M
Net Income6.42M-10.55M29.06M162.68M154.48M-488.72M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.06B2.01B2.08B2.01B2.01B1.98B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments44.94M44.75M49.17M58.77M72.69M59.58M
Total Debt1.32B1.29B1.24B1.10B1.02B1.26B
Total Liabilities1.78B1.73B1.71B1.58B1.60B1.73B
Stockholders Equity280.80M278.49M359.22M429.75M412.40M243.02M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-14.58M87.27M107.40M146.45M138.40M-184.91M
Operating Cash Flow-8.68M82.24M162.40M201.43M171.43M-153.79M
Investing Cash Flow-27.89M-62.67M-182.49M-88.12M-35.03M2.63M
Financing Cash Flow33.01M-22.09M10.48M-128.48M-121.49M122.95M

Designer Brands Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price4.00
Price Trends
50DMA
3.79
Positive
100DMA
3.34
Positive
200DMA
3.50
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.03
Negative
RSI
61.10
Neutral
STOCH
46.91
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For DBI, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 4 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 3.58, above the 50-day MA of 3.79, and above the 200-day MA of 3.50, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.03 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 61.10 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 46.91 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for DBI.

Designer Brands Risk Analysis

Designer Brands disclosed 20 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Designer Brands 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

Designer Brands Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
67
Neutral
$465.34M7.499.69%3.28%-6.42%-19.27%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
59
Neutral
$881.46M168.596.23%6.63%7.84%-81.20%
53
Neutral
$176.38M-9.98%5.00%-4.63%-637.55%
49
Neutral
$151.41M-12.08%93.16%
47
Neutral
$99.07M-24.97%-6.13%-215.18%
42
Neutral
$124.95M40.38-5.76%-75.71%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
DBI
Designer Brands
4.00
-0.79
-16.49%
GES
Guess?
16.98
1.14
7.20%
SCVL
Shoe Carnival
17.85
-18.99
-51.55%
PLCE
Children's Place
7.69
-5.66
-42.40%
DLTH
Duluth Holdings
2.83
-1.07
-27.44%
CURV
Torrid Holdings
1.31
-2.56
-66.15%

Designer Brands Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
Designer Brands Announces CFO Resignation and Interim Appointment
Neutral
Oct 8, 2025

On October 3, 2025, Designer Brands Inc. announced the resignation of Jared A. Poff from his roles as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer, effective October 31, 2025, to pursue a new professional opportunity. The Board has appointed Mark A. Haley as the interim Principal Financial Officer starting November 1, 2025, while continuing his role as Senior Vice President, Controller, and Principal Accounting Officer. The company is initiating an executive search for a permanent CFO. This transition is expected to be seamless, with Mr. Haley working closely with the company’s financial leadership. Mr. Haley will receive a retention bonus and restricted stock units as part of his new role.

The most recent analyst rating on (DBI) stock is a Hold with a $3.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Designer Brands stock, see the DBI Stock Forecast page.

Dividends
Designer Brands Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend
Positive
Sep 19, 2025

On September 18, 2025, Designer Brands announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share for its Class A and Class B common shares, payable on October 17, 2025, to shareholders recorded by October 3, 2025. This decision reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to returning value to its shareholders and may influence investor sentiment and market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (DBI) stock is a Hold with a $5.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Designer Brands stock, see the DBI Stock Forecast page.

Designer Brands Reports Q2 2025 Financial Results
Sep 10, 2025

Designer Brands Inc., a leading designer, producer, and retailer of footwear and accessories, is renowned for its extensive portfolio of popular brands and its commitment to transforming the footwear industry through a robust omni-channel infrastructure.

Designer Brands Earnings Call: Strategic Gains Amid Challenges
Sep 10, 2025

In the latest earnings call, Designer Brands Inc. expressed a cautiously optimistic sentiment. The company highlighted several strategic improvements and positive trends, particularly in specific product categories and brand partnerships. However, challenges such as an overall sales decline and macroeconomic headwinds, including tariffs, continue to pose significant obstacles. Despite these challenges, the sentiment remains positive, buoyed by targeted improvements and strategic initiatives.

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: Nov 01, 2025