28 years of historical data (1998–2025) · Consumer Cyclical · Apparel - Retail
Percentile shows where the current value sits in 30-year historical distribution. Sparklines show 5-year trend.
Price-based multiples — how expensive the stock is relative to earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow
Carter's, Inc. trades at 13.8x earnings, 15% above its 5-year average of 12.0x, sitting at the 36th percentile of its historical range. Compared to the Consumer Cyclical sector median P/E of 19.4x, the stock trades at a discount of 29%. On a free-cash-flow basis, the stock trades at 19.2x P/FCF, 13% below the 5-year average of 22.0x.
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Cap | $1.3B | $1.2B | $1.9B | $2.7B | $2.9B | $4.4B | $4.1B | $4.9B | $3.8B | $5.7B | $4.4B |
| Enterprise Value | $2.0B | $1.9B | $2.7B | $3.5B | $3.9B | $4.9B | $4.7B | $6.1B | $4.2B | $6.1B | $4.6B |
| P/E Ratio → | 13.80 | 12.82 | 10.63 | 12.00 | 11.77 | 12.96 | 37.63 | 18.69 | 13.49 | 18.83 | 17.01 |
| P/S Ratio | 0.45 | 0.41 | 0.68 | 0.93 | 0.90 | 1.25 | 1.35 | 1.39 | 1.10 | 1.66 | 1.36 |
| P/B Ratio | 1.37 | 1.27 | 2.26 | 3.24 | 3.64 | 4.58 | 4.35 | 5.55 | 4.38 | 6.60 | 5.52 |
| P/FCF | 19.21 | 17.15 | 7.97 | 5.84 | 60.39 | 18.86 | 7.35 | 15.00 | 13.02 | 21.74 | 15.51 |
| P/OCF | 10.78 | 9.62 | 6.47 | 5.18 | 32.80 | 16.23 | 6.94 | 12.62 | 10.69 | 17.16 | 11.79 |
P/E links to full P/E history page with 30-year chart
Enterprise-value multiples — capital-structure-neutral measures of total business value
Carter's, Inc.'s enterprise value stands at 10.3x EBITDA, 16% above its 5-year average of 8.8x. The Consumer Cyclical sector median is 11.4x, placing the stock at a 10% discount on an enterprise-value basis.
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV / Revenue | — | 0.66 | 0.93 | 1.18 | 1.20 | 1.42 | 1.56 | 1.73 | 1.22 | 1.79 | 1.45 |
| EV / EBITDA | 10.26 | 9.55 | 8.48 | 8.96 | 8.70 | 8.35 | 16.59 | 13.02 | 8.79 | 12.09 | 9.27 |
| EV / EBIT | 14.20 | 12.84 | 9.28 | 10.32 | 10.76 | 9.90 | 20.05 | 16.67 | 10.83 | 14.54 | 10.97 |
| EV / FCF | — | 27.71 | 10.93 | 7.40 | 80.58 | 21.38 | 8.48 | 18.70 | 14.47 | 23.43 | 16.51 |
Margins and return-on-capital ratios measuring operating efficiency
Carter's, Inc. earns an operating margin of 5.0%, above the Consumer Cyclical sector average of 2.9%. Operating margins have compressed from 11.0% to 5.0% over the past 3 years, signaling potential cost pressures or competitive headwinds. ROE of 10.3% is modest. ROIC of 6.7% represents adequate returns on invested capital versus a sector median of 5.8%.
Full margin charts and quarterly trend are on the Earnings History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Margin | 45.4% | 45.4% | 48.0% | 47.4% | 45.8% | 47.7% | 43.4% | 42.9% | 43.3% | 43.6% | 43.1% |
| Operating Margin | 5.0% | 5.0% | 9.0% | 11.0% | 11.8% | 14.3% | 6.3% | 10.6% | 11.3% | 12.3% | 13.3% |
| Net Profit Margin | 3.2% | 3.2% | 6.5% | 7.9% | 7.8% | 9.7% | 3.6% | 7.5% | 8.1% | 8.9% | 8.1% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE | 10.3% | 10.3% | 21.8% | 28.3% | 28.6% | 36.0% | 12.1% | 30.2% | 32.7% | 36.8% | 31.0% |
| ROA | 3.7% | 3.7% | 7.7% | 9.7% | 8.9% | 10.3% | 3.6% | 11.0% | 13.7% | 15.1% | 13.0% |
| ROIC | 6.7% | 6.7% | 12.1% | 14.5% | 17.2% | 24.1% | 7.8% | 16.5% | 22.7% | 26.6% | 29.8% |
| ROCE | 7.2% | 7.2% | 13.4% | 17.1% | 17.3% | 19.6% | 7.8% | 18.6% | 22.6% | 24.6% | 25.0% |
Solvency and debt-coverage ratios — lower is generally safer
Carter's, Inc. carries a Debt/EBITDA ratio of 6.1x, which is highly leveraged (38% above the sector average of 4.4x). Net debt stands at $725M ($1.2B total debt minus $487M cash). Interest coverage of 4.3x is adequate, though a cyclical earnings downturn could tighten the margin of safety.
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt / Equity | 1.31 | 1.31 | 1.32 | 1.28 | 1.48 | 1.65 | 1.84 | 1.61 | 0.68 | 0.72 | 0.74 |
| Debt / EBITDA | 6.09 | 6.09 | 3.61 | 2.79 | 2.66 | 2.65 | 6.09 | 3.03 | 1.23 | 1.22 | 1.16 |
| Net Debt / Equity | — | 0.78 | 0.84 | 0.86 | 1.22 | 0.61 | 0.67 | 1.37 | 0.49 | 0.51 | 0.36 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 3.64 | 3.64 | 2.29 | 1.88 | 2.18 | 0.99 | 2.21 | 2.58 | 0.88 | 0.87 | 0.56 |
| Debt / FCF | — | 10.56 | 2.96 | 1.56 | 20.19 | 2.52 | 1.13 | 3.70 | 1.45 | 1.69 | 1.00 |
| Interest Coverage | 4.33 | 4.33 | 9.11 | 9.90 | 8.40 | 8.27 | 4.19 | 9.72 | 11.30 | 13.95 | 15.62 |
Short-term solvency ratios and asset-utilisation metrics
Carter's, Inc.'s current ratio of 2.51x is well above the 1.0 safety threshold, indicating strong short-term liquidity with ample room to cover current liabilities. The quick ratio of 1.44x is notably lower than the current ratio, indicating a significant portion of current assets is tied up in inventory. The current ratio has improved from 2.15x to 2.51x over the past 3 years.
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 2.51 | 2.51 | 2.25 | 2.15 | 2.25 | 2.65 | 2.46 | 2.33 | 3.19 | 3.10 | 3.81 |
| Quick Ratio | 1.44 | 1.44 | 1.26 | 1.10 | 0.84 | 1.75 | 1.70 | 1.08 | 1.43 | 1.43 | 2.05 |
| Cash Ratio | 0.96 | 0.96 | 0.81 | 0.69 | 0.40 | 1.37 | 1.39 | 0.45 | 0.52 | 0.54 | 1.08 |
| Asset Turnover | — | 1.13 | 1.17 | 1.24 | 1.32 | 1.09 | 0.89 | 1.28 | 1.68 | 1.64 | 1.64 |
| Inventory Turnover | 2.91 | 2.91 | 2.94 | 2.89 | 2.34 | 2.82 | 2.85 | 3.39 | 3.42 | 3.49 | 3.73 |
| Days Sales Outstanding | — | 22.49 | 25.00 | 22.77 | 22.56 | 24.22 | 22.51 | 26.03 | 27.23 | 25.82 | 23.10 |
Earnings, FCF, buyback, and dividend yields — total returns to shareholders
Carter's, Inc. returns 4.4% to shareholders annually primarily through dividends. A payout ratio of 61.4% is moderate and appears sustainable, balancing shareholder returns with reinvestment capacity. The earnings yield of 7.2% (inverse of P/E) provides a useful comparison to bond yields when assessing the stock's relative attractiveness to fixed income.
Full dividend history and growth charts are on the Dividend History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 4.4% | 4.8% | 6.0% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 1.4% | 0.6% | 1.8% | 2.2% | 1.3% | 1.5% |
| Payout Ratio | 61.4% | 61.4% | 62.6% | 48.2% | 47.2% | 17.7% | 23.9% | 34.0% | 29.7% | 23.4% | 25.7% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Yield | 7.2% | 7.8% | 9.4% | 8.3% | 8.5% | 7.7% | 2.7% | 5.4% | 7.4% | 5.3% | 5.9% |
| FCF Yield | 5.2% | 5.8% | 12.5% | 17.1% | 1.7% | 5.3% | 13.6% | 6.7% | 7.7% | 4.6% | 6.4% |
| Buyback Yield | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2.6% | 3.7% | 10.3% | 6.9% | 1.1% | 4.0% | 5.1% | 3.3% | 6.9% |
| Total Shareholder Yield | 4.4% | 4.8% | 8.6% | 7.7% | 14.4% | 8.3% | 1.8% | 5.9% | 7.3% | 4.6% | 8.4% |
| Shares Outstanding | — | $35M | $36M | $37M | $39M | $43M | $43M | $45M | $47M | $48M | $50M |
Compare CRI with 10 similar companies in its peer group
| Company | Market Cap | P/E | EV/EBITDA | P/FCF | Gross Margin | Op Margin | ROE | ROIC | Debt/EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1B | 13.8 | 10.3 | 19.2 | 45.4% | 5.0% | 10.3% | 6.7% | 6.1 | |
| $877M | 21.8 | 8.7 | 24.6 | 43.4% | 5.8% | 9.4% | 7.8% | 5.9 | |
| $4B | 8.4 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 59.4% | 8.5% | 11.7% | 7.0% | 3.3 | |
| $2B | -7.1 | 16.6 | 10.1 | 38.8% | 5.3% | -141.4% | 4.5% | 9.2 | |
| $48B | 30.5 | 42.2 | 47.0 | 68.6% | 13.2% | 29.5% | 20.6% | 2.3 | |
| $7B | -38.9 | 22.0 | 22.0 | 53.5% | 3.2% | -8.6% | 2.7% | 9.5 | |
| $3B | 19.5 | 14.3 | 15.3 | 50.2% | 6.0% | 10.2% | 8.0% | 3.3 | |
| $74M | -0.7 | 11.6 | — | 30.3% | 1.2% | — | 2.6% | 10.4 | |
| $35M | -1.0 | — | 18.8 | 43.4% | -4.2% | -28.8% | -6.8% | — | |
| $1B | 20.7 | 5.0 | — | 39.4% | 5.3% | 3.9% | 7.5% | 0.1 | |
| $675M | 7.7 | 6.0 | 11.3 | 62.9% | 7.8% | 15.7% | 9.1% | 2.4 | |
| Consumer Cyclical Median | — | 19.4 | 11.4 | 15.3 | 36.8% | 2.9% | 5.7% | 5.8% | 4.4 |
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Start ComparisonQuick answers to the most common questions about buying CRI stock.
Carter's, Inc.'s current P/E ratio is 13.8x. The historical average is 19.1x. This places it at the 36th percentile of its historical range.
Carter's, Inc.'s current EV/EBITDA is 10.3x. This enterprise value multiple compares the company's total value (equity + debt - cash) to its EBITDA. The historical average is 12.1x.
Carter's, Inc.'s return on equity (ROE) is 10.3%. The historical average is 18.3%.
Based on historical data, Carter's, Inc. is trading at a P/E of 13.8x. This is at the 36th percentile of its historical P/E range. Compare with industry peers and growth rates for a complete picture.
Carter's, Inc.'s current dividend yield is 4.45% with a payout ratio of 61.4%.
Carter's, Inc. has 45.4% gross margin and 5.0% operating margin.
Carter's, Inc.'s Debt/EBITDA ratio is 6.1x, indicating high leverage. A ratio above 4x may signal elevated financial risk.