The Cato Corporation (CATO)
Valuation Overview•Is The Cato Corporation Overvalued or Undervalued?
Popular:
Poor quality — fundamental deterioration
Total return, benchmark alpha, and annual history in one section.
3Y, 5Y, and 10Y use CAGR when available.
| Period | Return | vs S&P | Dividends |
|---|---|---|---|
| YTD | -1.7% | -7.6% | — |
| 1Y | +27.7% | -0.7% | — |
| 3YCAGR | -21.9% | -41.7% | +12.2% |
| 5YCAGR | -16.8% | -28.4% | +17.5% |
| 10YCAGR | -11.6% | -25.1% | — |
Year-by-year total return versus SPY, including dividend contribution.
| Year | Stock Return | SPY Return | Alpha | Dividends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +0.3% | +0.4% | -0.1% | — |
| 2025 | -18.0% | +16.6% | -34.7% | — |
| 2024 | -39.7% | +24.0% | -63.7% | +7.0% |
| 2023 | -18.5% | +24.8% | -43.3% | +7.1% |
| 2022 | -42.4% | -19.9% | -22.5% | +3.9% |
| 2021Best | +93.9% | +28.8% | +65.2% | +5.0% |
| 2020 | -42.3% | +15.1% | -57.4% | +1.9% |
| 2019 | +30.9% | +28.7% | +2.3% | +9.2% |
Based on our multi-model analysis of The Cato Corporation (CATO) at $2.88: Fundamental quality score: 20/100 (below average). This is a quantitative summary combining DCF intrinsic value, peer-based relative valuation, quality scoring, and analyst consensus — not a buy/sell recommendation. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before investing.
Fair value data is not yet available for CATO.
The Cato Corporation's financial health as measured by our composite scoring: Overall quality score: 20/100. Piotroski F-Score: 2/9 (weak fundamentals). Altman Z-Score: 1.3 (distress zone — elevated risk). Return on invested capital: -6.7%. Cash conversion (OCF/NI): 1.06x (earnings are cash-backed). The quality score blends profitability (ROIC, ROE, margins), solvency (leverage, coverage, Z-Score), and growth trajectory into a single 0–100 framework updated end-of-day.
The Cato Corporation's performance profile: 1-year total return: +27.7%. 1-year alpha vs S&P 500: -0.7% (underperforming the benchmark). 5-year CAGR: -16.8%. Maximum drawdown (1Y): -43.6%. Relative Strength rating: 26/99 (weak momentum). Beta: 0.88 (similar volatility to the market). Total returns include reinvested dividends. Alpha is calculated against the S&P 500 Total Return Index over matching periods.
Current dividend yield: 19.0%. Annual dividend per share: $0.55. 5-year dividend CAGR: -16.8%. Buyback yield: 7.5% (hybrid return program). Total shareholder yield (dividends + buybacks): 26.5%.
No analyst coverage data available for CATO.
Key risks identified for The Cato Corporation: Drawdown risk: The stock experienced a -43.6% max drawdown in the past year. Solvency risk: Altman Z-Score (1.3) is in the distress zone, indicating elevated bankruptcy risk. Note: This model does not capture regulatory changes, management decisions, competitive disruption, or geopolitical events. Macro and qualitative risks remain material and should be assessed independently.
No. This overview dashboard aggregates data from our DCF intrinsic value model, relative peer multiples model, proprietary estimates engine, and third-party analyst consensus feeds. It is strictly for educational and informational purposes. The operator of this platform is not a registered investment advisor (RIA), broker-dealer, or financial planner. All model outputs, fair value estimates, quality scores, and signals are automated quantitative computations and should not be construed as investment recommendations. Consult a qualified, licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Past model performance does not guarantee future results.