Crispr Therapeutics shares tumble after significant earnings miss
On Wednesday, Craig-Hallum analyst Jeremy Hamblin adjusted the price target for Citi Trends (NASDAQ:CTRN) to $32, down from the previous $36, while maintaining a Buy rating on the company’s shares. The adjustment follows Citi Trends’ release of its fourth-quarter results, which showcased strong performance with same-store sales (SSS) rising 6.4% and exceeding expectations on adjusted EBITDA. According to InvestingPro data, the company, currently valued at $186 million, has shown volatile stock performance with a beta of 2.3, suggesting significant market sensitivity.
Citi Trends has started the 2025 fiscal year on a positive note, with SSS continuing to show mid-single-digit growth. The retailer’s strategy of offering a mix of branded products and extreme-value deals has been well-received by customers. However, InvestingPro analysis reveals concerning fundamentals, including a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95 and negative EBITDA of -$13.93 million in the last twelve months. Despite these challenges, the company is projected to see over a 200 basis point improvement in gross margin (GM) and is anticipated to generate positive free cash flow (FCF) for the first time since the stimulus-boosted 2021 fiscal year.
The company stands out as one of the few retailers to have reported an improvement in two-year stacked SSS in 2025, which bolsters confidence in the sustainability of its strategic improvements. Citi Trends is also cautiously expanding, with plans to restart unit growth and remodel approximately 10% of its stores during the fiscal year 2025.
Hamblin’s report suggests that these developments position Citi Trends to regain investor interest. Despite the lowered price target, the reiteration of the Buy rating indicates a continued positive outlook on the company’s stock, albeit with a cautious approach due to the increased uncertainty in the current market environment.
In other recent news, Citi Trends reported a significant earnings miss for the fourth quarter of 2025, with an earnings per share (EPS) of -1.71, far below the forecasted 0.18. Despite this, the company’s revenue slightly exceeded expectations, coming in at $211.17 million compared to the anticipated $209.19 million. DA Davidson has maintained a Buy rating on Citi Trends, with a price target of $29.00, suggesting confidence in the company’s strategic initiatives and management changes. The firm’s analysis indicates that Citi Trends is showing promising signs of a turnaround, particularly with first-quarter comparable store sales trending better than the previous quarter.
Citi Trends has also implemented strategic initiatives aimed at improving future performance, such as remodeling stores and optimizing inventory management. The company demonstrated a 6.4% growth in comparable store sales and expanded its gross margin by 60 basis points to 39.7%. However, full-year adjusted EBITDA showed a loss, raising concerns about profitability. Looking ahead, Citi Trends expects low to mid-single-digit comparable sales growth and at least a 220 basis point expansion in gross margin. The company plans to open up to five new stores, signaling a strategic focus on growth despite recent financial challenges.
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