The Cato Corporation faces a challenging outlook characterized by stagnant revenue growth of only 0.62% year-over-year and significant volatility in operating margins, which reached a low of -11.9% in 2024Q3.
Price trend, volume and key moving averages
Trailing total returns as of 11/7/2026, which may include dividends or other distributions. Benchmark is S&P 500 (^GSPC).
Check whether operating performance supports the current valuation.
Recent results and news deserve attention only when they alter the forward view.
| Quarter | EPS (Act vs Est) | Revenue (Act vs Est) |
|---|---|---|
Q3 2026Latest Aug 20, 2026 | $0.06 vs — | — vs — |
Q2 2026 May 21, 2026 | $0.47 vs — | $171M vs — |
Q2 2026 Mar 19, 2026 | -$0.55 vs — | $152M-19.4% vs $188M |
Q4 2025 Nov 20, 2025 | -$0.28 vs — | $155M vs — |
CATO is strained by declining retail sales, store closures, margin pressure and tariff challenges, but stronger cash flow and cost controls offer financial flexibility.
Cato (NYSE: CATO - Get Free Report) and BARK (NYSE: BARK - Get Free Report) are both small-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk and profitability. Insider and Institutional Ownership 61.1% of Cato shares
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cato Corporation (NYSE: CATO) today announced that they plan to close approximately 70 additional underperforming stores in the third and fourth quarters bringing total planned stores closures to approximately 120 stores in fiscal 2026.
The U.S. Retail – Apparel and Shoes industry is seeing selective growth, supported by resilient consumer spending, rising demand for performance footwear, comfort-driven styles, denim and other functional categories. Product innovation, premiumization and growing health and fitness awareness are supporting technical footwear and athleisure, while digital and direct-to-consumer expansion is widening customer reach.
Benchmark CATO against direct peers instead of judging its metrics in isolation.
Key metrics vs top competitors for The Cato Corporation (CATO)
| Company | Price | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | Rev Growth (1Y) | Net Margin | ROE | Div Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2.34 | $41.91M | -8.01 | 0.62% | -0.87% | -3.39% | — | |
| $0.32 | $7.16M | -0.05 | -12.8% | -11.82% | — | — | |
| $0.43 | $23.89M | -0.65 | -6.85% | -8.77% | -33.24% | — | |
| $2.17 | $215.91M | -24.30 | -9.39% | -0.94% | — | — | |
| $45.01 | $374.93M | 52.02 | 8.88% | 0.84% | 6.19% | — | |
| $18.28 | $2.3B | -5.23 | -4.26% | -445% | -90.04% | — |
The Cato Corporation (CATO) vs competitors — business, growth, and fundamentals comparison against the closest industry rivals.
Verify the primary filings, follow material updates, and answer the remaining questions.
The Cato Corporation (CATO) SEC filings — annual & quarterly reports (10-K, 10-Q)
Aug 25, 2026·SEC
May 26, 2026·SEC
Mar 23, 2026·SEC
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The Cato Corporation (CATO) stock FAQ — growth, dividends, profitability & financials explained
The Cato Corporation (CATO) reported $643.7M in revenue over the trailing twelve months. Revenue was $653.8M in fiscal year 2025. That is 37% more than the $477.0M of fiscal year 1996.
The Cato Corporation (CATO) revenue fell by 1.1% over the trailing twelve months, compared with the twelve months before.
No. The Cato Corporation (CATO) reported a net loss of $5.6M over the trailing twelve months.
The Cato Corporation (CATO) had a return on equity (ROE) of -3.4% over the trailing twelve months. A negative ROE means the company lost money over the period.
The Cato Corporation (CATO) generated $1.6M in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months.
