MODEL VERDICT
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (BNED)
Relative Valuation•Peer multiples, competitive benchmarking & quality-adjusted fair value
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. is currently trading at a 5.07% discount to its peer-implied fair value.
6 curated peers matched by core operations and segment-adjacent attributes
2 valuation metrics · peer-median based
| Multiple | Current | Peer Median | vs Peers | Implied Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward P/EPrice paid for next year's expected earnings. | 47.87x | 12.97x | Premium +269.18% | $2.98 |
| EV/EBITDAEnterprise value versus operating cash earnings proxy. | 12.05x | 11.13x | Premium +8.21% | $25.34 |
How the model derives the final fair value from peer baselines and quality metrics
Opportunity: The stock is trading at a 4.86% discount to its quality-adjusted fair value of $11.57. To reach its estimated fair value, the stock would need to appreciate by 5.1% from its current price of $11.01.
Quality metrics trail the peer group, warranting a discount.
Quality adjustments are capped at ±15% (up to ±20% for financial services) to prevent runaway premiums. Based on trailing twelve months and multi-year CAGR data where available.
How current multiples rank vs 1 years of the stock’s own history
| Multiple | Current | Historical Median | Percentile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV/EBITDA1 years of data | 12.05x | 10.15x | 100th | Above historical norm |
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. currently trades near the highest valuation levels observed during the last 1 years.
Wall Street target prices — 3 analysts
Model-identified caveats to consider
BNED looks fair versus peers using AI-curated peers, with relative upside of 5.1%.
Answers to common questions about BNED's relative valuation and our methodology.
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.'s fair value of $11.57 is the price at which the stock would trade if valued at the same multiples as its 6-company peer group, adjusted for differences in business quality. At $11.01, the stock trades at a +5.09% discount to fair value. This is a reference point, not a price target.
A core set of peers matched by business model was augmented with segment-adjacent companies sharing key business attributes, bringing the total to 6 clean peers. Only companies with usable financial data are included.
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. has challenges in 3y revenue growth, roic, fcf margin, net debt / ebitda, and a quality score that warrants a 12% discount relative to its peer group. The Quality Adjustment section breaks down each driver.
No. This page provides an automated quantitative comparison of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. against its peers. It is not investment advice, a recommendation, or a solicitation. Valuation is only one factor in an investment decision — it does not account for growth catalysts, management quality, regulatory risk, or your personal financial situation.
Look at the Historical Context to see where current multiples sit versus the stock's own history. Review the Risk Factors section for model-identified caveats. Compare the Analyst Consensus to our model output for another perspective. Valuation is only one dimension — growth trajectory, competitive position, and market conditions all matter.
Valuation data is refreshed weekly based on the latest financial filings, market prices, and analyst estimates. Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.'s fair value, peer multiples, and quality scores will shift over time as new earnings are reported and stock prices change.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Fair value estimates are model outputs under stated assumptions and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for any investment decision.