Bull case
BURL would need investors to value it at roughly 44x earnings — about 11x more generous than today's 32x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where BURL stock could go
BURL would need investors to value it at roughly 44x earnings — about 11x more generous than today's 32x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 40x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
The bear case reflects a scenario where earnings shortfalls or multiple compression combine to materially reduce the stock from its current level.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

Burlington Stores is an off-price retailer offering branded apparel, home goods, and accessories at discounted prices. It generates revenue primarily through retail store sales — with merchandise sourced opportunistically from manufacturers' excess inventory and closeouts — and operates on a low-cost model with minimal marketing spend. The company's competitive advantage lies in its opportunistic buying strategy that secures branded merchandise at deep discounts, allowing it to offer compelling value while maintaining healthy margins.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2025 | $1.60/$1.43 | +11.9% | $2.5B/$2.5B | -0.9% |
| Q3 2025 | $1.59/$1.28 | +24.2% | $2.7B/$2.6B | +2.7% |
| Q4 2025 | $1.80/$1.64 | +9.8% | $2.7B/$2.7B | -0.4% |
| Q1 2026 | $4.89/$4.75 | +2.9% | $3.6B/$3.6B | +1.8% |
BURL beat EPS estimates in 4 of 4 tracked quarters. A perfect track record raises the bar for the upcoming report.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Latest annual revenue by reported region
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $333 — implies +4.6% from today's price.
| Metric | BURL | S&P 500 | Consumer Cyclical | 5Y Avg BURL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 32.4x | 19.1x+70% | 15.2x+113% | — |
| Trailing PE | 33.3x | 25.2x+32% | 19.6x+70% | 41.9x-20% |
| PEG Ratio | — | 1.75x | 0.95x | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 18.0x | 15.3x+18% | 11.4x+58% | 17.1x |
| Price/FCF | 116.8x | 21.3x+448% | 15.0x+679% | 70.9x+65% |
| Price/Sales | 1.7x | 3.1x-45% | 0.7x+144% | 1.6x |
| Dividend Yield | — | 1.88% | 2.15% | — |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolBURL 10.3% ROIC signals a durable competitive advantage — returns 1.4% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
~11.9 years to full repayment at current FCF run-rate
* Elevated by buyback-compressed equity — compare ROIC (10.3%) for an undistorted picture of capital efficiency.
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt). ROE marked * where buyback-compressed equity base may inflate the figure.
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
Burlington operates in a highly competitive retail environment, facing rivals such as department stores, other off-price retailers, specialty stores, online retailers, and discount stores. Competitors may employ aggressive pricing strategies and expand their merchandise offerings, which could significantly impact Burlington's market share and profitability.
An uncertain macroeconomic climate and geopolitical shifts can lead to a slowdown in consumer spending. Factors such as higher unemployment, rising inflation, and changes in consumer confidence pose significant risks, particularly in the latter half of the year when consumer spending typically peaks.
Burlington's business is exclusively focused on physical stores, making it vulnerable as consumer preferences shift towards online shopping. This reliance can hinder growth and profitability as competitors leverage technology more effectively to capture market share.
Burlington experiences seasonal fluctuations in sales and operating income, with stronger performance typically in the second half of the year. This seasonality necessitates careful inventory management to avoid overstocking and markdowns, exposing the company to risks from changes in consumer spending during peak periods.
While aggressive store expansion is a growth strategy for Burlington, it carries execution risks, including potential cannibalization of sales from existing locations. This could negatively affect comparable store sales and overall profitability.
Tariffs can negatively impact Burlington's home business, requiring strategic pivots in planning and potentially leaving gaps in product assortments. Additionally, unseasonable weather can adversely affect sales in key categories such as outerwear and home goods.
Burlington's current Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio is above the industry average, indicating potential valuation risk if market expectations cool. While some analyses suggest the stock is undervalued, this discrepancy could lead to volatility.
Intense competition for skilled talent in technology, engineering, and management could slow Burlington's innovation and execution capabilities. This talent shortage may hinder the company's ability to adapt to changing market conditions.
Elevated supply chain costs and potential inventory issues from disruptions, such as those related to geopolitical events, can impact Burlington's profitability. These disruptions may lead to increased operational costs and reduced product availability.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
Burlington Stores has demonstrated strong revenue growth with a 4% increase in comparable store sales and an 11% rise in total sales for Q4 2025, exceeding expectations. The company reported an 11% year-over-year increase in total sales for Q4, which is well above management's guidance.
Margin expansion is increasingly structural, driven by improvements in freight costs and merchandise elevation. Gross margins improved to 43.7% in Q4, supported by stronger merchandise margins and lower freight costs.
Underlying demand for Burlington's products has exceeded reported sales, as the company has prioritized margin protection over capturing all available low-margin categories. This strategic focus indicates a strong consumer interest in their offerings.
Burlington's focus on differentiated merchandise and expansion plans suggest a positive outlook. Management has guided for total sales growth of 8% to 10% and comparable store sales growth of 1% to 3% for the full year 2026.
The company's off-price model is considered resilient, effectively translating traffic and inventory execution into sustained earnings power. This model positions Burlington well to navigate market fluctuations.
A two-year comparable store sales stack of 10% indicates that Burlington is successfully gaining market share. This growth reflects the company's ability to attract and retain customers in a competitive retail environment.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUR BURL Burlington Stores, Inc. | $20.0B | 32.4x | +7.1% | 5.3% | Buy | +4.8% |
TJX TJX The TJX Companies, Inc. | $172.5B | 33.2x | +4.7% | 9.1% | Buy | +10.6% |
ROS ROST Ross Stores, Inc. | $75.3B | 35.1x | +4.0% | 9.4% | Buy | -6.6% |
OLL OLLI Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. | $5.1B | 21.6x | +10.2% | 9.1% | Buy | +67.1% |
KSS KSS Kohl's Corporation | $1.6B | 10.3x | -3.8% | 1.7% | Hold | +24.9% |
FIV FIVE Five Below, Inc. | $12.9B | 36.7x | +9.8% | 7.5% | Buy | -6.3% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
BURL returns 1.4% annually — null% through dividends and 1.4% through buybacks.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
Burlington Stores, Inc. (BURL) is rated Buy by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 35 analysts covering the stock, 34 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 1 rate it Hold, and 0 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $332, implying +4.8% from the current price of $317.
The Wall Street consensus price target for BURL is $332 based on 35 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $375 (+18.4% from today), and the low-end target is $270 (-14.8%). The base case model target is $393.
BURL trades at 32.4x times forward earnings. The stock trades at a notable premium to the broad market, which is typical for businesses with strong free cash flow and above-average growth expectations. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals fairly valued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for BURL in 2026 are: (1) Intense Competition — Burlington operates in a highly competitive retail environment, facing rivals such as department stores, other off-price retailers, specialty stores, online retailers, and discount stores. (2) Macroeconomic Factors — An uncertain macroeconomic climate and geopolitical shifts can lead to a slowdown in consumer spending. (3) Dependence on Brick-and-Mortar Retail — Burlington's business is exclusively focused on physical stores, making it vulnerable as consumer preferences shift towards online shopping. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates BURL will report consensus revenue of $12.4B (+7.1% year-over-year) and EPS of $10.39 (+9.3% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $13.8B in revenue.
A confirmed upcoming earnings date for BURL is not yet available. Check the Earnings section above for the most recent quarterly report dates and forward estimates.
Burlington Stores, Inc. (BURL) generated $232M in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 2.0%. BURL returns capital to shareholders through and share repurchases ($278M TTM).