Core Thesis - Cricut, Inc. presents a compelling short opportunity with shares potentially falling to $3.50, reflecting a 52% downside from current levels [2] - The company's stock has been inflated due to one-time items boosting Q1 results and a $0.85 special dividend, attracting temporary investor interest, while fundamentals remain weak [2][4] Market Dynamics - The core DIY and scrapbooking market is in structural decline, with intensifying competition from lower-cost machines and third-party materials [3] - Cricut's subscription revenue faces a looming "cliff" as the active user base nears saturation, with many users unlikely to convert to paid plans [3] - Access to free templates and designs further limits the potential for subscription growth [3] Financial Performance - Consensus estimates projecting growth in 2026 appear overly optimistic, with management's plans to reinvest in R&D and marketing expected to compress margins by 200-300 basis points in 2025 [4] - Q1 results were artificially inflated by one-time gains from inventory adjustments and bad debt recoveries, misleadingly boosting earnings by an estimated $8 million [4] - Valuation is stretched at 17x NTM consensus EBIT, with conservative adjustments suggesting 2026 EBIT could reach only $50 million versus $60 million consensus, implying a target price near $3.30 [5] Competitive Landscape - Connected machine sales have stagnated despite repeated efforts, and the accessories and materials business faces strong competition from online discounters, further pressuring margins [4] - While Cricut remains the leading brand in its category, structural headwinds, intensified competition, and subscriber base saturation support a significant downside for the stock [5]