Analysts See 180% Upside for Rent the Runway: Should You Buy?

Group 1: Company Overview - Rent the Runway (RTR) is a fashion company that allows customers to rent high-priced designer garments, specifically catering to women, providing access to luxury clothing at a lower cost than purchasing [2][3] - The company aims to offer an "unlimited closet" experience, allowing customers to swap garments whenever they like, generating revenue primarily through subscription fees ranging from $94 to$235 per month [3] Group 2: Financial Performance - RTR has improved its profitability, increasing its gross margin by nearly 600 basis points since fiscal year 2021, with an adjusted EBITDA margin exceeding 17% last quarter, a 700+ basis point increase from the previous year [4] - Free cash flow has significantly improved, with a loss of $6 million in the first half of 2024 compared to a loss of$30 million in the same period of 2023, with expectations to break even on cash flow in 2024 [5][6] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - RTR's active subscribers have declined by 3% year over year, while competitors like Nuuly have seen a 55% growth in active subscribers, indicating a competitive disadvantage for RTR [8][10] - Nuuly, owned by Urban Outfitters, has a significant advantage in offering a wider variety of clothing options and a lower price point, which contributes to its superior growth compared to RTR [10] Group 4: Market Sentiment and Valuation - Despite challenges, RTR's low valuation is notable, trading at nearly one-tenth of its projected sales over the next twelve months, which has attracted interest from some Wall Street analysts [12] - Analysts have set a price target of $26 per share for RTR, suggesting a potential upside of 180$9.31 [1][11]