Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (BNED) Price Target Analysis
Wall Street analyst price targets, ratings consensus & upside potential · Updated May 1, 2026
Current Price
$10.69
Price Target
$2.38
Target Range
$0.75 — $4.00
Analyst Rating
Hold
Forward P/E—
Trailing P/E-4.3x
Forward PEG—
Implied Growth-57.0%
Median Target$2.38
Analyst Spread136.6%
Price Forecast (1 Year)
Last 12 months price action with 12-month analyst target path
Bear Case
$1
-93.0%
Consensus
$2
-77.7%
Bull Case
$4
-62.6%
BNED Price Target Analysis
Updated May 8, 2026As of May 8, 2026, Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (BNED) has a Wall Street consensus price target of $2.38, based on estimates from 3 covering analysts. With the stock currently trading at $10.69, this represents a potential downside of -77.7%. The company has a market capitalization of $364M.
Analyst price targets range from a low of $0.75 to a high of $4.00, representing a 137% spread in expectations. The median target of $2.38 aligns closely with the consensus average. The wide target spread reflects significant disagreement on fair value.
The current analyst consensus rating is Hold, with 0 analysts rating the stock as a Buy or Strong Buy,3 rating it Hold, and 0 rating it Sell or Strong Sell. The bearish sentiment suggests caution about the stock at current levels.
From a valuation perspective, BNED trades at a trailing P/E of -4.3x. Analysts expect EPS to grow -57.0% over the next year.
Investment Context: Price targets represent analyst expectations for the next 12 months and should be considered alongside your own research. Targets are based on analysts' assumptions about earnings growth, margins, and market conditions which may change. For sector-specific context, view other Consumer Cyclical stocks.
Analyst Sentiment Comparison
Industry Peer AnalysisAvg Peer Upside+260.0%
Avg Forward P/E16.0x
Peers with Coverage9 / 10
| Company | Market Cap | Price | Target | Upside | Rating | Fwd P/E | Analysts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 CHGGChegg, Inc. | $143M | $1.28 | $30.42 | +2276.6% | Hold | — | 22 |
 PRDOPerdoceo Education Corporation | $2.2B | $34.44 | $30.00 | -12.9% | Hold | 12.0x | 9 |
 VSCOVictoria's Secret & Co. | $3.8B | $47.55 | $55.67 | +17.1% | Buy | 17.4x | 14 |
 STRAStrategic Education, Inc. | $1.8B | $79.09 | $87.00 | +10.0% | Buy | 11.0x | 18 |
 LOPEGrand Canyon Education, Inc. | $4.5B | $164.48 | $182.33 | +10.9% | Buy | 16.3x | 18 |
 COURCoursera, Inc. | $1.1B | $6.27 | $7.79 | +24.2% | Buy | 15.2x | 17 |
 AMZNAmazon.com, Inc. | $2.9T | $271.17 | $306.77 | +13.1% | Buy | 34.8x | 94 |
 WLYJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc. | $1.8B | $40.70 | — | — | Hold | 9.7x | 3 |
 PSOPearson plc | $9.5B | $15.07 | $14.50 | -3.8% | Hold | 21.7x | 15 |
 QUADQuad/Graphics, Inc. | $400M | $7.66 | $8.00 | +4.4% | Buy | 6.3x | 7 |
Upside Potential Comparison
CHGGCOURVSCOAMZNLOPESTRAQUADPSOSee BNED's True Return
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Start ComparisonBNED — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying BNED stock.
What is the BNED stock price target for 2026?
BNED's consensus price target is $2.38, -77.7% below the current price of $10.685. The 3 analysts tracking BNED see downside risk at present valuations.
Is BNED a buy, sell, or hold?
BNED has a consensus rating of "Hold" based on 3 Wall Street analysts. The rating breakdown is mixed, with 3 Hold ratings making up the largest segment. The consensus 12-month price target of $2.38 implies -77.7% downside from current levels.
Is BNED stock overvalued or undervalued?
BNED's current price is $10.685 with a consensus target of $2.38 (-77.7% implied move). Analyst estimates suggest the stock is overvalued at current levels.
How high can BNED stock go?
The most bullish Wall Street analyst has a price target of $4 for BNED, while the most conservative target is $0.75. The consensus of $2.38 represents the median expectation. These targets typically reflect 12-month expectations.
How many analysts cover BNED stock?
BNED is lightly followed, with 3 analysts providing price targets and ratings. Of these, 0 have Strong Buy ratings, 0 have Buy ratings, 3 recommend Hold, and 0 have Sell or Strong Sell ratings. Higher analyst coverage generally indicates greater institutional interest and more reliable consensus estimates.
What is the BNED stock forecast?
The 12-month BNED stock forecast based on 3 Wall Street analysts shows a consensus price target of $2.38, with estimates ranging from $0.75 (bear case) to $4 (bull case). The median consensus rating is "Hold".
Should I buy BNED stock?
Analysts are cautious on BNED, with 0 Sell ratings and a price target of $2.38 (-77.7% from current price). The "Hold" consensus suggests careful evaluation before buying. This information is for educational purposes only. Always conduct your own research, consider your financial situation, and consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Why do BNED price targets vary so much?
BNED analyst price targets range from $0.75 to $4, a 137% wide spread indicating significant analyst disagreement. Differences stem from varying assumptions about revenue growth, profit margins, competitive dynamics, and valuation multiples. The $2.38 consensus represents the middle ground.