Core Viewpoint - Wall Street anticipates a year-over-year decline in earnings for Carter's (CRI) despite an increase in revenues, with actual results being crucial for stock price movement [1][2]. Earnings Expectations - Carter's is expected to report quarterly earnings of $1.70 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 28.9%, while revenues are projected to be $916.4 million, an increase of 6.6% from the previous year [3]. Estimate Revisions - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised 1.96% higher in the last 30 days, indicating a reassessment by analysts [4]. Earnings Surprise Prediction - The Zacks Earnings ESP model suggests that the Most Accurate Estimate for Carter's is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, resulting in an Earnings ESP of -1.48%, indicating bearish sentiment among analysts [12]. Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, Carter's had an expected EPS of $0.78 but reported $0.74, resulting in a surprise of -5.13%. Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates twice [13][14]. Investment Considerations - Despite a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), the negative Earnings ESP reading complicates predictions of an earnings beat for Carter's [12]. Investors should consider other factors beyond earnings results when evaluating the stock [15][17].

Core Insights - The podcast revisits a five-stock sampler from February 10, 2016, titled "Five Stocks to Feed the Bear," to evaluate performance over the past decade against the S&P 500, which returned 274.3% during that period [1][6][32] - The analysis includes lessons learned from the performance of these stocks, emphasizing the importance of long-term investing and the impact of market conditions on stock performance [3][34] Stock Performance Summary Stock 1: Carter's (Ticker: CRI) - Carter's stock price decreased from $85.04 to $38.07, resulting in a 55% decline, significantly underperforming the market [8][9] - The decline is attributed to a decreasing U.S. birth rate and challenges in the apparel retail sector, including increased costs due to tariffs and declining sales [8][9] Stock 2: IPG Photonics (Ticker: IPGP) - IPG Photonics' stock rose from $81.59 to $113.26, marking a 39% increase, but still lagging behind the market [12][13] - The company faced four consecutive years of declining revenue, which negatively impacted investor sentiment despite recent signs of recovery [12][13] Stock 3: Ellie Mae (Ticker: ELLI) - Ellie Mae was acquired for $99 per share in 2019, resulting in a 65% gain from the initial cost basis of $59.78, outperforming the market during its trading period [18][19] - The acquisition by Thoma Bravo and subsequent sale to Intercontinental Exchange highlighted the potential missed opportunities for early investors [19][20] Stock 4: Planet Fitness (Ticker: PLNT) - Planet Fitness' stock surged from $13.86 to $92.72, achieving a remarkable 569% increase, significantly outperforming the market [23][32] - The company demonstrated consistent revenue growth and resilience, even during the pandemic, which contributed to its strong performance [23][24] Stock 5: Mercado Libre - Mercado Libre's stock skyrocketed from $87.71 to $2,041.50, representing a staggering 2,227.6% increase, far exceeding the market return [26][32] - The company's growth was driven by its dominant position in the Latin American e-commerce market and the increasing shift of retail to online platforms [26][29] Overall Performance - The average return of the five stocks was 568.5%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 274.3% return over the same period [32] - The performance of Mercado Libre was pivotal in achieving this average, illustrating the power of a few high-performing stocks to drive overall portfolio success [31][32]

Core Viewpoint - Digital Brands Group, Inc. has entered into agreements with existing holders of Common Share Purchase Warrants to exercise certain warrants, resulting in significant proceeds for the company [1][2]. Group 1: Agreements and Warrants - The company has entered into letter agreements with holders of Existing Warrants, which are set to expire on February 17, 2026, with an exercise price of $0.66 per share [1]. - Holders agreed to exercise a total of 591,492 Existing Warrants immediately and an additional 2,408,508 New Warrants by June 17, 2026, at the same exercise price [2]. - The total amount of Existing Warrants exercised by the holders was 2,365,968, generating approximately $1.54 million in proceeds for the company [2]. Group 2: New Warrants - In exchange for exercising the Existing Warrants, the company will issue New Warrants allowing holders to purchase up to 2,408,508 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.66 per share, with a similar structure to the Existing Warrants [3]. - The New Warrants will have a registration for resale under a Registration Statement on Form S-3, which the company plans to file by February 27, 2026 [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - Digital Brands Group specializes in eCommerce and fashion, offering a variety of apparel through direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels [5]. - The company focuses on leveraging customer data and purchase history to create personalized content and enhance customer engagement [5].

Prior to the pandemic, which tipped many retailers into bankruptcy, Moody’s vulnerable retailer list leaned more heavily toward apparel and department stores. Now, Sokolyanska sees a mix of sectors represented, including retail-adjacent companies.“The defaults in the retail sector remain elevated and our list of at-risk retailers is as long today as it was last year,” Raya Sokolyanska, vice president of corporate finance at Moody’s Ratings, said.As for retailers currently at risk, they’re facing many of the ...

Core Insights - Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT) has demonstrated strong online sales growth, with e-commerce same-store sales increasing by 19.6% year over year in Q3 fiscal 2026, significantly surpassing retail same-store growth of 3.7% and total company same-store growth of 5.7% [1][8] - The company's strategy of launching stand-alone websites for exclusive brands has been a key driver of this momentum, enhancing digital visibility and attracting first-time customers [2][3] E-commerce Strategy - The introduction of dedicated websites for brands like Cody James and Hawx has yielded strong initial results, reinforcing the effectiveness of marketing proprietary brands independently from the core Boot Barn platform [2] - Boot Barn plans to launch additional stand-alone sites, including Shyanne and CLEO & WOLF, to further enhance brand identities and customer engagement [3] Omnichannel Growth Model - The company's omnichannel strategy supports a virtuous loop where digital platforms enhance brand awareness and drive traffic to physical stores, leading to a raised full-year e-commerce growth outlook of 15%, up from a previous range of 11% to 13% [4] - By leveraging a low-cost digital infrastructure, Boot Barn is building a scalable and efficient omnichannel growth model [4] Stock Performance and Valuation - BOOT's shares have increased by 6.5% year to date, outperforming the industry's rise of 4.2%, and the company holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [5] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for BOOT is 22.45, which is higher than the industry average of 18.42 [6] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year earnings growth of 26% for the current fiscal year and 16.1% for the next fiscal year [10] - Current estimates for BOOT's earnings per share (EPS) are 7.33 for the current year and 8.52 for the next year, reflecting a growth estimate of 25.95% and 16.12% respectively [11]

Company Overview - lululemon athletica inc. is based in Vancouver, Canada, and specializes in designing, distributing, and retailing technical athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories for both women and men under the lululemon brand. The company has a market capitalization of $20.7 billion [1]. Performance Analysis - Over the past 52 weeks, lululemon has significantly underperformed the broader market, with its shares declining by 54.9%, while the S&P 500 Index increased by 11.8%. Year-to-date, the stock is down 15.1%, contrasting with a slight drop in the S&P 500 [2]. - The company has also lagged behind the Amplify Online Retail ETF, which saw a decrease of 12.3% over the past 52 weeks and 13.9% year-to-date [3]. Recent Financial Results - On December 11, lululemon reported better-than-expected Q3 results, with shares surging by 9.6% in the following trading session. The company's total revenue rose by 7.1% year-over-year to $2.6 billion, exceeding Wall Street expectations by 3.6%. However, earnings per share (EPS) declined by 9.8% from the previous year to $2.59, although it surpassed analyst expectations of $2.22 [4]. Earnings Forecast - For the current fiscal year ending in January, analysts project lululemon's EPS to decline by 10.8% year-over-year to $13.06. The company has a strong earnings surprise history, having exceeded consensus estimates in each of the last four quarters [5]. Analyst Ratings - Among the 31 analysts covering lululemon, the consensus rating is a "Hold," which includes two "Strong Buy," 26 "Hold," one "Moderate Sell," and two "Strong Sell" ratings [5]. - The configuration of ratings has slightly shifted, with three analysts now suggesting a "Strong Buy" rating. JPMorgan Chase & Co. maintained a "Neutral" rating and raised its price target to $209, indicating an 18.5% potential upside from current levels [6]. - The mean price target of $210.58 represents a 19.4% premium to current price levels, while the highest price target of $320 suggests an ambitious 81.4% potential upside [7].

Core Insights - Ranger Investment Management sold 99,800 shares of Boot Barn Holdings, valued at approximately $18.62 million, during the fourth quarter of 2025 [2][7] - The fund's position in Boot Barn Holdings decreased by $15.63 million, reflecting both trading and price movement effects [2] Company Overview - Boot Barn Holdings operates over 500 stores across 49 states and multiple e-commerce platforms, focusing on western and workwear apparel [6] - The company reported a market capitalization of $5.72 billion and revenue of $2.17 billion for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4] - Net income for the TTM was $218.98 million [4] Recent Performance - Boot Barn achieved a quarterly revenue growth of 16%, reaching $705.6 million, with same-store sales increasing by 5.7% and e-commerce sales up by 19.6% [9] - Net income rose to $85.8 million, translating to $2.79 per diluted share, with guidance for full-year sales projected up to $2.25 billion and diluted EPS as high as $7.35 [9] Financial Position - The company holds approximately $200 million in cash and has not drawn on its $250 million revolving credit facility [10] - Boot Barn plans to open 70 new stores in the current fiscal year while continuing share repurchases [10] Market Performance - As of February 12, 2026, Boot Barn shares were priced at $186.00, reflecting a 41.1% increase over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 28.16 percentage points [7][10] - The valuation risk is acknowledged, but the operating fundamentals remain strong, with a focus on unit economics and brand penetration [11]

Company Overview - Boot Barn Holdings operates over 500 stores across 49 states, specializing in western and workwear apparel, and utilizes multiple e-commerce platforms to reach a diverse customer base [6][9] - The company reported a market capitalization of $5.72 billion, with a revenue of $2.17 billion and a net income of $218.98 million for the trailing twelve months [4] Recent Financial Performance - Boot Barn achieved a quarterly revenue growth of 16%, reaching $705.6 million, with same-store sales increasing by 5.7% and e-commerce comparable sales surging by 19.6% [10] - The net income for the quarter rose to $85.8 million, translating to $2.79 per diluted share, with guidance projecting full-year sales of up to $2.25 billion and diluted EPS as high as $7.35 [10] Investment Activity - Ranger Investment Management disclosed a sale of 99,800 shares of Boot Barn Holdings, valued at approximately $18.62 million, reducing its position in the company [2][8] - Post-transaction, Boot Barn Holdings represented 1.02% of Ranger's 13F assets under management, with the fund's quarter-end position value decreasing by $15.63 million [2][8] Market Performance - As of February 12, 2026, Boot Barn shares were priced at $186.00, reflecting a 41.1% increase over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 28.16 percentage points [8][12] - The company maintains a strong cash position of approximately $200 million, with plans to open 70 new stores in the fiscal year while continuing share repurchases [11] Strategic Positioning - Boot Barn's differentiated product assortment and omni-channel strategy provide a competitive edge in the fragmented apparel retail market, targeting consumers seeking durable lifestyle-focused merchandise [6][9] - The company is positioned for growth, with a focus on unit economics and exclusive brand penetration, suggesting that its current store count may be a midpoint rather than a ceiling [12]

Core Viewpoint - Digital Brands Group, Inc. has announced that holders of its Series D Preferred Stock have entered into private agreements regarding their ownership and rights, which include conversion and sale limitations on the shares [1][2]. Group 1: Shareholder Agreements - The Company is not a party to the Shareholder Agreements and cannot enforce their terms [2]. - An aggregate of 9,375 Series D Shares are currently subject to a Conversion Standstill, preventing conversion into Common Stock until after May 31, 2026 [3][4]. Group 2: Conversion Standstill - The Transferee Holder of the 9,375 Series D Shares has agreed not to convert these shares into Common Stock until the end of the Conversion Standstill [3]. - The Transferring Holder also transferred certain Pre-Funded Warrants to the Transferee Holder as part of this agreement [3]. Group 3: Leak-out Limitations - After the Conversion Standstill, the Transferee Holder is subject to Leak-out Limitations on the sale of Common Stock, restricting sales to the greater of 5,000 shares or 1% of the average daily trading volume for the first 20 days, increasing to 10,000 shares or 3.5% thereafter [5][6]. - The shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of 9,375 Series D Shares are currently subject to these Leak-out Limitations [6]. Group 4: Extending Holders - Two existing holders, collectively owning 2,500 Series D Shares, granted an option to another holder, which included a Leak-out provision limiting sales to the greater of 1% of the average daily traded volume or 2,500 shares [7][8]. - The shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of 2,434 Series D Shares are currently subject to the Extending Holders' Leak-out [8].

Group 1: Cascale Leadership Change - Ying McGuire has been appointed as the new CEO of Cascale, effective June 1, succeeding interim CEO Harsh Saini and former CEO Colin Browne [1][2] - McGuire's leadership comes at a crucial time as the organization aims to enhance value for members and scale collective action on climate, decent work, and responsible sourcing [2] - Her priorities will include deeper engagement with members, operational excellence, and translating sustainability commitments into measurable outcomes [2][3] Group 2: Target Executive Changes - Target has announced a series of executive leadership changes under new CEO Michael Fiddelke to strengthen merchandising authority and enhance guest experience [6] - Lisa Roath has transitioned from Chief Merchandising Officer to Chief Operating Officer, expanding her responsibilities across merchandising, supply chain, and stores [6] - Cara Sylvester has been appointed as the new Chief Merchandising Officer, overseeing product, assortment, and design [6][7] Group 3: Tractor Supply Company Board Appointment - Tractor Supply Company has appointed Sonia Syngal as an independent member of its board of directors, bringing over 30 years of leadership experience [8] - Syngal previously served as CEO of Gap Inc. from 2020 to 2022 and led Old Navy through a turnaround before resigning in July due to supply chain and inventory challenges [8]