Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Boot Barn (BOOT - Free Report) Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. is the largest lifestyle retailer in the United States, specializing in western and work-related footwear, apparel, and accessories. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Irvine, California, the company serves customers through an integrated network of brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce platforms. At the end of fiscal 2026, Boot Barn operated 539 stores across 49 states and complemented its physical presence with a nationwide digital platform that supports services such as buy online, pick up in store, curbside pickup, ship-from-store and in-store returns.
BOOT is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 17.27; value investors should take notice.
For fiscal 2027, one analyst revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.01 to $8.56 per share. BOOT boasts an average earnings surprise of +5.6%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, BOOT should be on investors' short list.
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BOOT) today announced that the company will release its financial results for the first quarter fiscal year 2027 ended June 27, 2026, after the market close on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Management will host a conference call that afternoon (July 29, 2026) at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT) to discuss the financial results. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (844) 825-9789 at 4:25 p.m. ET.
Key Takeaways Boot Barn's e-commerce comparable sales rose 14.1% in fiscal 2026 Q4, outpacing same-store sales growth.BOOT's exclusive-brand websites for Cheyenne and CLEO & WOLF enhance product discovery & attract new shoppers.Boot Barn expects 13% e-commerce comparable sales growth in fiscal 2027 from digital investments. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.’s (BOOT - Free Report) omnichannel strategy remains a key growth driver in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, reflecting the company's continued investments in digital capabilities, exclusive brands and customer engagement. While consolidated same-store sales increased 6.1%, e-commerce comparable sales surged 14.1%, led by double-digit growth on BootBarn.com. Management believes its integrated omnichannel model is expanding customer reach while strengthening the brand's long-term competitive position.
A major pillar of the company's strategy is the expansion of its exclusive brands through dedicated digital platforms. During the quarter, Boot Barn launched standalone websites for Cheyenne and CLEO & WOLF, following the earlier launches of Cody James and Hawx. These platforms enhance brand storytelling, improve product discovery and position the exclusive labels as standalone brands. Management said the new websites have delivered encouraging early results while helping attract new customers to the Boot Barn ecosystem.
The retailer is also leveraging artificial intelligence to strengthen its omnichannel capabilities. Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to drive incremental traffic across online and physical stores, enhance the customer experience, improve operating efficiency and allow employees to focus on higher-value activities. Meanwhile, balanced marketing investments across stores and e-commerce support customer acquisition, contributing to a 12.5% increase in the active loyalty database to 10.8 million members in fiscal 2026.
Management highlighted that approximately 70% of shoppers purchasing through its exclusive-brand websites are entirely new customers, with many later converting into Boot Barn shoppers. Social media platforms, particularly Meta and TikTok, have been instrumental in driving this discovery through targeted marketing.
Boot Barn expects e-commerce comparable sales to increase 13% in fiscal 2027, supported by continued investments in AI, digital marketing and exclusive-brand expansion, reinforcing its omnichannel as a key pillar of its long-term growth strategy.
Boot Barn’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Boot Barn have lost 8.8% over the past year against the industry’s 1.8% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, BOOT trades at a trailing price-to-sales ratio of 2.10X, above the industry’s average of 1.46X. It has a Value Score of B.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Boot Barn’s fiscal 2027 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 16.3%, while the same for fiscal 2028 indicates an uptick of 15.6%. Estimates for fiscal 2027 and 2028 have remained unchanged over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Boot Barn currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Other Key PicksGenesco Inc. (GCO - Free Report) is a Nashville-based specialty retailer and branded company. It sells footwear and accessories through retail stores. The company flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Genesco’s current fiscal-year earnings indicates growth of 55.2% from the year-ago actuals. GCO delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 3.8%.
Designer Brands Inc. (DBI - Free Report) designs, produces and retails footwear and accessories. It offers shoes, boots, sandals, sneakers, socks, handbags and accessories. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Designer Brands’ current fiscal-year earnings and sales suggests growth of 137.5% and 0.5%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. DBI delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 112.8%.
Tapestry, Inc. (TPR - Free Report) is the designer and marketer of fine accessories and gifts for women and men in the United States and internationally. The company also holds a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tapestry’s current fiscal-year earnings and sales indicates growth of 36.5% and 13.9%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. TPR delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 15.6%.
Investors interested in stocks from the Retail - Apparel and Shoes sector have probably already heard of Boot Barn (BOOT - Free Report) and Tapestry (TPR - Free Report) . But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks? Let's take a closer look.
There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The proven Zacks Rank puts an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, while our Style Scores work to identify stocks with specific traits.
Currently, both Boot Barn and Tapestry are holding a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Investors should feel comfortable knowing that both of these stocks have an improving earnings outlook since the Zacks Rank favors companies that have witnessed positive analyst estimate revisions. But this is only part of the picture for value investors.
Value investors also tend to look at a number of traditional, tried-and-true figures to help them find stocks that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.
The Style Score Value grade factors in a variety of key fundamental metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a number of other key stats that are commonly used by value investors.
BOOT currently has a forward P/E ratio of 18.02, while TPR has a forward P/E of 18.23. We also note that BOOT has a PEG ratio of 1.08. This figure is similar to the commonly-used P/E ratio, with the PEG ratio also factoring in a company's expected earnings growth rate. TPR currently has a PEG ratio of 1.29.
Another notable valuation metric for BOOT is its P/B ratio of 3.56. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. By comparison, TPR has a P/B of 41.53.
These metrics, and several others, help BOOT earn a Value grade of B, while TPR has been given a Value grade of C.
Both BOOT and TPR are impressive stocks with solid earnings outlooks, but based on these valuation figures, we feel that BOOT is the superior value option right now.
Investors in Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT - Free Report) need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Aug. 21, 2026 $115.00 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.
What is Implied Volatility?Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.
What do the Analysts Think?Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Boot Barn shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Boot Barn is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry that ranks in the Top 22% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, two analysts have increased their earnings estimates for the current quarter, while none have dropped their estimates. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from $1.56 per share to $1.69 in that period.
Given the way analysts feel about Boot Barn right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.
Key Takeaways Boot Barn is using stores, exclusive brands and digital growth to support a balanced expansion model.Fiscal 2026 comps rose 7.2%, with retail stores up 6.2% and e-commerce sales increasing 15.3%.BOOT plans 70 store openings in fiscal 2027, supporting expected sales growth of 14-16%. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT - Free Report) is leaning on a balanced growth model that combines store expansion, category depth, exclusive brands and digital execution.
For investors, the question is whether those strengths can keep driving sales while near-term margin pressure from occupancy, freight and expansion costs remains part of the story.
Boot Barn Demand Drivers Still Look BroadBoot Barn’s demand base is not tied to a single trend. The company serves western lifestyle and workwear customers across footwear, apparel, hats, accessories and related categories, giving it a broader retail position than a narrow fashion concept.
Fiscal 2026 same-store sales increased 7.2%, with retail stores up 6.2% and e-commerce up 15.3%. Fourth-quarter comps rose 6.1%, helped by higher transaction count and average unit retail, with strength across men’s western boots, ladies’ western boots, apparel and denim.
The durability signal is also meaningful. Many of Boot Barn’s top-selling styles have been in the assortment for more than five years, which lowers fashion-cycle risk and supports a steadier core merchandise base.
For comparison, Tractor Supply Company (TSCO - Free Report) gives investors another rural and work-related retail reference point. Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK - Free Report) is a relevant footwear and lifestyle-brand peer when assessing how branded product identity can shape consumer demand.
BOOT Store Expansion Is Still the Main EngineStores remain central to Boot Barn’s long-term thesis. The company ended fiscal 2026 with 539 stores across 49 states, while management believes the United States can support about 1,200 locations over time.
New-store economics remain attractive. Boot Barn targets roughly $3.2 million in first-year sales on about $1.7 million of total net investment, with a payback period of about 1.8 years.
The store base has already reshaped the company. Boot Barn opened 267 stores over the past five years, effectively doubling its chain, and those locations contributed more than $750 million of fiscal 2026 revenues.
The company opened 80 stores in fiscal 2026 and plans 70 openings in fiscal 2027. That expansion is expected to help support fiscal 2027 sales growth of 14-16%.
Boot Barn Brands Add Margin and IdentityExclusive brands are becoming a larger part of the Boot Barn model. Their penetration rose 220 basis points in fiscal 2026 to 40.8% of sales.
That shift matters because in-house labels do more than broaden product choice. Brands such as Cody James, Shyanne, Hawx and Cleo + Wolf help Boot Barn address specific customer needs while differentiating its assortment from retailers that rely more heavily on third-party labels.
Exclusive brands also support the margin story. Merchandise margin expanded 80 basis points in fiscal 2026, helped by buying scale, supply-chain efficiencies and higher exclusive brand penetration.
Management expects exclusive brand penetration to reach 41.3% in fiscal 2027 and continues to target 50% over time. That provides a longer-term path to product differentiation and profitability support.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
BOOT Digital Strategy Expands ReachBoot Barn’s digital strategy is designed to reinforce the physical fleet, not replace it. Stores still generated about 90% of fiscal 2026 sales, while e-commerce represented about 10%.
Website visits exceeded 164 million in fiscal 2026, up from more than 114 million in fiscal 2025. In the fourth quarter, e-commerce same-store sales increased 14.1%, faster than the retail store comp gain.
Omnichannel services add convenience across channels. Boot Barn supports buy online, pick up in store, curbside pickup, ship-from-store and in-store returns, tying digital traffic back to the store base.
The company is also investing in dedicated brand sites and artificial intelligence tools, including Range Finder and a piloted in-store consumer AI solution. Fiscal 2027 guidance calls for e-commerce same-store sales growth of 11-13%.
Boot Barn Signals Point to Growth With CautionThe bottom line is that Boot Barn still has several credible growth levers, led by stores, resilient categories, exclusive brands and digital reach. The caution is that faster expansion is also adding near-term cost pressure.
Gross margin declined 80 basis points in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026. For the first quarter of fiscal 2027, management expects gross margin of 37.1-37.3%, down from 39.1% a year earlier, reflecting freight and occupancy headwinds.
BOOT currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). That rank suggests a more balanced near-term setup rather than a clear positive or negative earnings-revision signal. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The stock also has a VGM Score of A, with a Growth Score of A and Momentum Score of A, but a Value Score of C. That mix supports the view that operating momentum remains visible, while investors should stay alert to valuation and margin pressure.
Key Takeaways BOOT expects fiscal 2027 net sales to rise 14-16%, supported by 70 planned store openings.E-commerce same-store sales are projected to rise 11-13% in fiscal 2027, outpacing retail stores.Margin pressure from occupancy, freight and distribution costs keeps BOOT's near-term setup mixed. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT - Free Report) gives investors a clear trade-off. Sales trends, store growth and digital momentum remain healthy, but the margin outlook is less clean.
The stock is not an obvious bargain. BOOT may still fit growth-oriented investors, but the near-term setup supports patience more than aggressive buying.
BOOT Sales Growth Looks Hard to IgnoreBOOT expects fiscal 2027 net sales to grow 14% to 16% year over year, supported by 70 planned store openings and continued same-store sales gains. Management projects consolidated same-store sales growth of 2% to 4%, with retail stores up 1% to 3%.
E-commerce remains the faster-growing channel, with same-store sales expected to rise 11% to 13% for fiscal 2027. Recent results support that outlook. Fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 net sales rose 18.7% to $538.8 million, while consolidated same-store sales increased 6.1%.
New-store economics add to the bullish case. Boot Barn targets about $3.2 million in first-year sales per new store, with roughly $1.7 million of total net investment and a payback period of about 1.8 years.
Boot Barn Margins Face a Tough Near-Term TestMargin pressure is the key reason to avoid chasing the stock. For the first quarter of fiscal 2027, Boot Barn expects gross margin of 37.1% to 37.3%, down from 39.1% in the year-ago period.
The full-year picture is also softer. Fiscal 2027 gross margin is expected to be 37.7% to 37.9%, below fiscal 2026’s 38.1%. Higher occupancy, freight and distribution costs are weighing on profitability.
The hurdle rate has also moved higher. Boot Barn expects to leverage buying, occupancy and distribution center costs only at 10% same-store sales growth for fiscal 2027. That means even healthy sales growth may not quickly translate into stronger margins.
BOOT Valuation Looks Balanced, Not CheapBOOT trades at 17.54X forward 12-month earnings. That is below the Zacks sector and the S&P 500, but above the Zacks sub-industry multiple of 14.08X.
The stock also sits close to its own five-year median of 18.42X. That makes the valuation look balanced rather than deeply discounted.
A $166 price target, based on 18.59X forward 12-month earnings, leaves some room for upside from the recent stock price. Still, the setup does not scream cheap given the margin risks.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Boot Barn Balance Sheet Supports PatienceBoot Barn has the financial flexibility to keep investing through the margin squeeze. The company ended fiscal 2026 with $141 million in cash and no borrowings under its $250 million revolving credit facility.
Operating cash flow also improved sharply. Net cash provided by operating activities was $304.9 million in fiscal 2026, compared with $147.5 million in fiscal 2025.
The company continues to fund growth, with fiscal 2027 capital expenditures expected at $125-$130 million. It also repurchased 286,504 shares for $50 million during fiscal 2026.
For investors comparing specialty retail names, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (ASO - Free Report) offers another way to assess discretionary spending trends across footwear, apparel and outdoor categories. Tractor Supply Company (TSCO - Free Report) is also relevant because rural lifestyle and work-oriented retail demand can overlap with parts of Boot Barn’s customer base.
BOOT Ratings Show Why the Call Is MixedThe bottom line is that BOOT looks more like a watch-and-selectively-buy growth story than a clear value play. The sales engine is working, but near-term earnings quality is being tested by freight, occupancy and expansion costs.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). That rank points to a neutral short-term setup rather than a strong near-term buying signal. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Style Scores are more favorable for growth investors. BOOT has a VGM Score of A, a Growth Score of A and a Momentum Score of A, suggesting solid growth and price-trend characteristics. Its Value Score of C is the offset, reinforcing the view that the stock is better suited to investors prioritizing growth and momentum over a discounted entry point.
Key Takeaways Boot Barn's fiscal 2026 same-store sales rose 7.2%, led by e-commerce growth of 15.3%.Exclusive brands reached 40.8% of BOOT sales, helping merchandise margin expand 80 basis points.BOOT ended fiscal 2026 with 539 stores and sees long-term potential for about 1,200 U.S. stores. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT - Free Report) offers a useful window into several trends shaping specialty retail. Investors can use BOOT to track how western lifestyle demand, exclusive brands, omnichannel tools and store-led expansion are changing niche apparel and footwear retail.
BOOT enters fiscal 2027 with healthy sales momentum, a larger store base and a clearer role for technology inside the store network.
Boot Barn Is Riding Western Lifestyle DemandBoot Barn is benefiting from sustained category demand rather than a short-lived fashion cycle. Fiscal 2026 consolidated same-store sales increased 7.2%, with retail store same-store sales up 6.2% and e-commerce same-store sales up 15.3%.
The demand profile was broad. Fourth-quarter same-store sales rose 6.1%, supported by higher transaction count and average unit retail, with strength across men’s western boots, ladies’ western boots, apparel and denim.
Many top-selling styles have been in the assortment for more than five years. That consistency, combined with category and geographic breadth, supports the view that western lifestyle demand has a durable base.
BOOT Shows Private Labels Gaining PowerBOOT’s exclusive-brand progress points to a broader retail shift toward owned labels. Exclusive brands represented 40.8% of fiscal 2026 sales, up 220 basis points from the prior year and up 1,900 basis points over six years.
The company uses proprietary labels to address underserved product categories and price points. Cody James, Shyanne, Hawx and Cleo + Wolf help Boot Barn offer differentiated assortments across western lifestyle and workwear.
Brand ownership also supports loyalty and margin potential. Fiscal 2026 merchandise margin expanded 80 basis points, helped by exclusive-brand growth, buying economies of scale and supply-chain efficiencies. Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK - Free Report) gives investors another specialty-footwear comparison point built around category-focused brands.
Boot Barn Tech Is Blending Stores and DigitalBoot Barn is not treating digital as a separate business. Its technology investments are aimed at making stores more useful and expanding product access.
The omnichannel tool kit includes a mobile app, AI-enabled Range Finder, the WHIP endless-aisle platform and Cassidy, an in-store consumer AI pilot. Stores also support buy online, pick up in store, curbside pickup, ship-from-store and in-store returns.
That model uses physical stores as selling floors and fulfillment nodes. Fiscal 2026 website visits exceeded 164 million, and e-commerce accounted for 10.4% of consolidated sales.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
BOOT Expansion Reflects a Still-Open White SpaceBoot Barn’s expansion shows how specialized concepts can still take share nationally. The company ended fiscal 2026 with 539 stores across 49 states and opened 80 stores during the year.
Management believes the United States can support about 1,200 Boot Barn stores over time. That view leaves meaningful geographic white space even after years of rapid expansion.
The store model remains central to the growth case. Over the past five years, Boot Barn opened 267 stores, effectively doubling the chain, and these stores contributed more than $750 million of fiscal 2026 revenues. Levi Strauss & Co. (LEVI - Free Report) offers a relevant denim and apparel benchmark for investors tracking heritage categories within modern retail assortments.
Boot Barn Screens Well for Trend-Focused InvestorsBoot Barn screens well for trend-focused investors because the operating story lines up with durable niche demand, private-label growth, store-enabled digital tools and national expansion.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which tempers the near-term call. A Rank #3 can be appropriate to hold, but it does not carry the same positive earnings-estimate signal as a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
BOOT’s Style Scores add more nuance. The stock has a VGM Score of A, Growth Score of A and Momentum Score of A, indicating favorable growth and momentum characteristics within the Zacks framework. Its Value Score of C is the caveat. Trend strength and operating momentum do not automatically mean the shares are inexpensive.
It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Boot Barn (BOOT - Free Report) Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. is the largest lifestyle retailer in the United States, specializing in western and work-related footwear, apparel, and accessories. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Irvine, California, the company serves customers through an integrated network of brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce platforms. At the end of fiscal 2026, Boot Barn operated 539 stores across 49 states and complemented its physical presence with a nationwide digital platform that supports services such as buy online, pick up in store, curbside pickup, ship-from-store and in-store returns.
BOOT is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. BOOT has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 16.3% for the current fiscal year.
For fiscal 2027, two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.01 to $8.55 per share. BOOT boasts an average earnings surprise of +5.6%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, BOOT should be on investors' short list.
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BOOT) today announced that the company will release its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2026 ended March 28, 2026, after the market close on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Management will host a conference call that afternoon (May 14, 2026) at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT) to discuss the financial results. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (844) 825-9789 at 4:25 p.m.
Key Takeaways Boot Barn likely saw strength across western boots, apparel and workwear categories.BOOT continued expanding exclusive brands through standalone websites and digital initiatives.Boot Barn margins may have faced pressure from freight, shrink and store opening costs. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT - Free Report) is slated to report its fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on May 14, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $532.8 million, implying 17.4% growth from the prior year. Meanwhile, the consensus mark for earnings has remained unchanged at $1.43 per share over the past 30 days and suggests a 17.2% increase from the year-ago period. BOOT has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.9%, on average.
Key Factors to Observe for BOOT's Q4 EarningsBoot Barn’s fourth-quarter performance is likely to have benefited from continued strength across stores and e-commerce channels, healthy consumer demand across core western and workwear categories and sustained transaction growth. Broad-based momentum across men’s and women’s western boots, apparel and denim suggests that the company continued to benefit from resilient demand trends and strong customer engagement.
Digital initiatives are likely to have remained another growth driver during the quarter. Boot Barn has been expanding the reach of its exclusive brands through dedicated standalone websites for labels such as Cody James and Hawx, which management indicated were helping attract new customers and enhance brand awareness. Continued momentum in exclusive brands, combined with disciplined full-price selling and targeted merchandising efforts, is likely to have supported both sales trends and product differentiation during the period.
The company’s aggressive store expansion strategy is also likely to have contributed positively to quarterly results. Boot Barn has continued opening stores across both existing and newer markets, supported by healthy productivity trends and favorable customer response. In addition, buying economies of scale, supply-chain efficiencies and higher penetration of exclusive brands are likely to have been supportive of merchandise margin performance during the quarter.
That said, margins in the fiscal fourth quarter might have faced pressure from higher freight expenses, normalized shrink levels and occupancy deleverage associated with accelerated store openings.
What the Zacks Model Says About BOOT’s Q4 EarningsAs investors prepare for BOOT’s fiscal fourth-quarter results, the question looms regarding earnings beat or miss. Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for BOOT this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. However, that’s not the case here.
BOOT has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Stocks With the Favorable CombinationHere are three companies you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this season:
Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (CASY - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.02% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings per share is pegged at $3.44, which implies 30.8% year over year growth. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $4.33 billion, implying 8.4% year-over-year growth. CASY has a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 20%, on average.
Capri Holdings, Inc. (CPRI - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +20.37% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings per share is pegged at 11 cents, which implies 102.2% year over year growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $803.7 million, implying 22.4% year-over-year decline. CPRI has a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 698.9%, on average.
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.14% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings per share is pegged at $4.9, which implies 14.7% year over year growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $69.4 billion, implying 9.7% year-over-year decline. COST has a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 1.1%, on average.
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BOOT) (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our””) today announced its financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended March 28, 2026. A Supplemental Financial Presentation is available at investor.bootbarn.com. For the quarter ended March 28, 2026 compared to the quarter ended March 29, 2025: Net sales increased 18.7% over the prior-year period to $538.8 million. Same store sales increased 6.1%, with retail store.
Boot Barn (BOOT - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.45 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.43 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.22 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +1.40%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this Western apparel and footwear retailer would post earnings of $2.79 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.79, delivering no surprise.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
Boot Barn, which belongs to the Zacks Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry, posted revenues of $538.75 million for the quarter ended March 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.13%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $453.75 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
Boot Barn shares have lost about 17.7% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.8%.
What's Next for Boot Barn?While Boot Barn has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Boot Barn was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.95 on $577.9 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $8.54 on $2.57 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Retail - Apparel and Shoes is currently in the bottom 37% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
One other stock from the same industry, Gap (GAP - Free Report) , is yet to report results for the quarter ended April 2026. The results are expected to be released on May 28.
This clothing chain is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.39 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -23.5%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Gap's revenues are expected to be $3.53 billion, up 1.8% from the year-ago quarter.
Boot Barn (BOOT - Free Report) reported $538.75 million in revenue for the quarter ended March 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 18.7%. EPS of $1.45 for the same period compares to $1.22 a year ago.
The reported revenue represents a surprise of +1.13% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $532.75 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $1.43, the EPS surprise was +1.4%.
While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how Boot Barn performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Same Store Sales growth/(decline): 6.1% compared to the 4.4% average estimate based on three analysts.Store Count - Opened/Acquired: 25 versus the two-analyst average estimate of 15.Average retail store selling square footage, end of period: 11,404 versus the two-analyst average estimate of 11,304.Store Count (EOP): 539 versus the two-analyst average estimate of 529.Total retail store selling square footage, end of period: 6.15 million versus 5.95 million estimated by two analysts on average.View all Key Company Metrics for Boot Barn here>>>
Shares of Boot Barn have returned -8.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +8.2% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), indicating that it could underperform the broader market in the near term.
3 Retailers Poised to Outmaneuver Tariff and Recession ConcernsBoot Barn NYSE: BOOT reported record fiscal 2026 sales and earnings, with executives pointing to continued store expansion, gains in same-store sales and increased penetration of exclusive brands as key drivers of the western and workwear retailer’s performance.
Chief Executive Officer John Hazen said on the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call that fiscal 2026 revenue rose 18% to $2.25 billion, while earnings per diluted share increased 25% to $7.35. The company opened a record 80 new stores during the year and ended the fiscal year with 539 locations.
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3 Small Caps Drawing Insider and Institutional Support“I am very pleased with our fiscal 2026 results, which reflect strong performance across key metrics, broad-based strength across the business, and unprecedented sales and earnings for the company,” Hazen said.
For the fourth quarter, Boot Barn said total revenue increased 19% to $539 million. Consolidated same-store sales rose 6.1%, including a 5.2% increase in retail store comps and a 14.1% increase in e-commerce comps. Earnings per diluted share rose 19% to $1.45, compared with $1.22 in the prior-year period.
Store Growth Remains Central to Expansion Plan Abercrombie & Fitch Hits 12-Year High...Is It Still Undervalued?Hazen said the company’s new-store strategy continues to perform ahead of expectations. Over the past five years, Boot Barn has opened 267 stores, doubling its store count. Those stores contributed more than $750 million in incremental revenue in fiscal 2026, according to Hazen.
The company said new stores are on track, on average, to generate about $3.2 million in annual sales in their first full year and pay back their initial investment in less than two years. Hazen said stores opened within the past five years contributed about 150 basis points to consolidated same-store sales growth in fiscal 2026.
Boot Barn is targeting 1,200 stores across the U.S. over the long term. Chief Financial Officer Jim Watkins said the company plans to open 70 stores in fiscal 2027, down from an original plan of 80 because 10 stores were accelerated into the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026. About 25 new stores are expected to open in the first quarter, with the remaining 45 spread relatively evenly through the rest of the year.
During the question-and-answer session, Hazen said one of two planned high-traffic, high-visibility stores will be located on the Las Vegas Strip, while the other will be in Southern California.
Exclusive Brands and Work Boots Drive Strategic Focus Hazen highlighted progress on three priorities he introduced during his first year as CEO: building a sourcing organization, marketing exclusive brands as standalone brands and reinvigorating the work boot business.
The company’s sourcing organization is now fully built out, Hazen said, with run-rate benefits expected to begin late in fiscal 2027 and during fiscal 2028. He said the team’s mitigation efforts and factory negotiations helped drive margin expansion as the tariff environment evolved.
Boot Barn also expanded its efforts to market exclusive brands independently. The company launched dedicated websites for Cody James, Hawx, Shyanne and Cleo & Wolf, in addition to its existing Idyllwind site. Hazen said the sites have helped with brand storytelling and new customer acquisition.
Exclusive brand penetration increased 220 basis points for the full year to 40.8%, with fourth-quarter penetration up 90 basis points. Over the past six years, exclusive brand penetration has risen 1,900 basis points. Hazen said Boot Barn remains confident in its long-term target of 50% of sales from exclusive brands, though fiscal 2027 penetration is expected to rise more modestly to 41.3% as the company grows sales in work boots with third-party vendors.
Hazen said the work boot business exited fiscal 2026 with four consecutive quarters of accelerating comp sales growth and maintained momentum into the start of fiscal 2027. In the fourth quarter, work boots delivered mid-single-digit comp growth. Through the first six weeks of the new fiscal year, Hazen said work boots were trending up in the high single digits.
Margins, Inventory and Share Repurchases Watkins said fourth-quarter merchandise margin decreased 30 basis points, outperforming company guidance. Better-than-expected product margin expansion of 40 basis points was offset by a 70-basis-point headwind from cycling low shrink and low freight expense in the prior-year period. Buying, occupancy and distribution center costs deleveraged by 50 basis points, primarily due to new-store occupancy costs.
SG&A expenses were $139 million, or 25.7% of sales, representing a 50-basis-point improvement from the prior year. Income from operations was $57 million, or 10.6% of sales.
Inventory increased 13% year over year to $845 million, reflecting new-store growth, exclusive brands and inventory purchased at a volume discount. Watkins said inventory decreased slightly on a same-store basis and markdowns as a percentage of inventory remained below historical levels.
The company repurchased more than 68,000 shares in the quarter for $12.5 million under its $200 million share repurchase authorization. Fiscal 2026 repurchases totaled $50 million for about 287,000 shares. Boot Barn ended the quarter with $141 million in cash and no borrowings on its $250 million revolving credit facility.
Fiscal 2027 Outlook Calls for Continued Growth At the high end of its fiscal 2027 guidance range, Boot Barn expects total sales of $2.6 billion, representing 16% growth over fiscal 2026. The company expects same-store sales to increase 4%, including a 3% increase in retail store comps and 13% growth in e-commerce comps.
Watkins said the fiscal 2027 outlook assumes merchandise margin of about 51.4% of sales, up 50 basis points year over year, driven by buying economies of scale, moderated promotional activity, supply chain efficiencies and increased exclusive brand penetration. Gross profit rate is expected to deleverage by 20 basis points to about 37.9% of sales, while SG&A is expected to leverage by 40 basis points.
Boot Barn expects income from operations of $353 million, or 13.5% of sales, and net income of $265 million. Earnings per diluted share are projected to grow 18% to $8.64. Capital expenditures are expected to total $130 million.
For the first quarter, the company guided for total sales of $584 million at the high end of the range and consolidated same-store sales growth of 4%. Earnings per diluted share are expected to be $1.71, compared with $1.74 a year earlier. Watkins said the year-over-year decline reflects a difficult comparison with an “extremely strong” first quarter in the prior year.
Early Fiscal 2027 Trends Remain Positive Hazen said that through the first six weeks of the fiscal first quarter, consolidated same-store sales were up 5%, cycling high-single-digit growth in the prior-year period. He described the growth as broad-based across categories and geographies, with strength in work boots, denim, men’s western boots and women’s apparel. Women’s boots were softer against a mid-teens comp increase in the prior-year first quarter.
Executives said they had not observed meaningful divergence in purchasing behavior across low-, middle- and high-income customers. Watkins said the company’s guidance reflects recent customer trends and does not assume potential impacts from changes in the macroeconomic environment. The outlook also excludes potential recovery of about $18 million in IEPA tariff refunds that the company is pursuing.
Hazen also discussed Boot Barn’s first year as the official boot retailer for Stagecoach, the country music festival. He said the company hosted events at local stores and on-site at the festival and sponsored the Mustang Stage, which was streamed by Amazon. Hazen said the partnership could support broader brand awareness and customer acquisition over time.
About Boot Barn NYSE: BOOTBoot Barn, Inc is a leading specialty retailer focused on western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories. The company operates full-price and outlet retail stores under the Boot Barn and BootBarn.com brands, offering a wide assortment of cowboy boots, work boots, casual and fashion footwear, western and work apparel, hats, belts and related accessories. In addition to its brick-and-mortar network, Boot Barn maintains an e-commerce platform to serve customers seeking ranch-and-rodeo style clothing and rugged workwear from coast to coast.
Founded in 1978 in Southern California, Boot Barn began as a single store catering to ranchers, farmworkers and western enthusiasts.
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Boot Barn Holdings delivered strong Q4 FY2026 results, with revenue and EPS surpassing expectations and robust growth in store count and comparable sales. BOOT's e-commerce segment excelled, with 14.1% comparable sales growth, aided by AI-driven marketing and operational initiatives and dedicated women's brand websites. Management guides for FY2027 revenue of $2.578–$2.623 billion, 70 new store openings, and net profit of $251.1–$264.5 million, supported by a debt-free balance sheet.
Stock futures are cooling off from yesterday's records, as tech steps back and investors digest the final takeaways from President Donald Trump's summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. There were no clear breakthroughs in policies, though both agreed the Strait of Hormuz must remain open. S&P 500 Index (SPX) futures are notably lower, while the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are off over 400 points, respectively.
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Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White sees whether or not large caps are ruling this market rally. Get ahead and grab this 3D printing stock before summer. Plus, semiconductor name brushing off a Q2 beat; diabetes stock surging; and a post-earnings pop for BOOT.
5 Things You Need to Know Today The Cboe Options Exchange saw more than 3.3 million call contracts and 1.7 million put contracts traded on Thursday. The single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.51, while the 21-day moving average stayed at 0.59. Applied Materials Inc (NASDAQ:AMAT) stock is 1.7% lower ahead of the open, the semiconductor name brushing off a fiscal second-quarter earnings and revenue beat. Several brokerages have hiked their price target in response to the report. AMAT has been an outperformer in 2026, already having added 71%. DexCom Inc (NASDAQ:DXCM) stock is up 4.3% before the bell, after making an agreement with Elliott Investment Management to add two new members to its board. The diabetes supply maker has struggled this calendar year, now off 12.9%. Footwear retailer Boot Barn Holdings Inc (NYSE:BOOT) is moving 8% higher in electronic trading after posting a notable fiscal fourth-quarter earnings and revenue beat. BOOT is sitting flat on the quarter but is clinging to a 10% year-over-year gian. What's joining Nvidia earnings on next week's docket?
Asian, European Markets Tumble Asia-Pacific markets fell broadly Friday as South Korea’s Kospi tumbled more than 6%, retreating from a fresh record after briefly breaching 8,000, dragged down by heavyweight tech stocks Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Elsewhere, Japan’s Nikkei slid 2%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng shed 1.6%, and China’s Shanghai Composite fell 1%, as President Trump departed Beijing after two days of trade talks with China’s Xi Jinping.
European stocks are also tumbling Friday as inflation fears return to the forefront after a string of higher-than-anticipated U.S. economic data and a surge in crude. At last check, London’s FTSE 100 is down 1.9%, while Germany’s DAX is off 2%, and France’s CAC 40 is 1.6% lower.
Boot Barn (BOOT) is seeing a modest increase in its stock price following a strong finish to FY26. The company reported impressive results for Q4 (March), with
Key Takeaways Kontoor Brands sees outdoor wear as a durable growth market within a $400B global opportunity.KTB views Helly Hansen's low U.S. brand awareness as a major long-term growth opportunity.Kontoor Brands is investing in innovation, footwear and expansion to boost outdoor growth. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT - Free Report) posted fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with both the top and bottom lines surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both the top and bottom lines saw strong year-over-year growth.
BOOT Q4 Results: Key InsightsThe company reported earnings of $1.45 per share, which rose 18.9% from $1.22 per share in the year-ago period. The metric surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.43.
Net sales increased 18.7% year over year to $538.8 million from $453.7 million in the prior-year period, and came in ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $533 million. The increase was driven by incremental sales from new stores and higher consolidated same-store sales.
Consolidated same-store sales rose 6.1%, which was higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 4.4% growth. This growth was mainly driven by a 5.2% increase in retail store same-store sales and a 14.1% increase in e-commerce same-store sales.
Boot Barn opened 25 new stores during the quarter, bringing its store count to 539 at quarter's end.
Boot Barn's Margin & Cost PerformanceGross profit increased 16.1% to $195.7 million from $168.6 million in the prior-year period, supported by higher sales growth. However, gross margin declined 80 basis points to 36.3% from 37.1% in the prior-year period, mainly due to deleverage in buying, occupancy and distribution center costs, along with a 30-basis-point decline in merchandise margin. The merchandise margin decline reflected the impact of cycling unusually low shrink and freight expenses from the prior year, partially offset by improved buying scale efficiencies and higher penetration of exclusive brands.
Selling, General & Administrative expenses (SG&A) were $138.5 million, up 16.5% from $118.9 million in the prior-year period. SG&A, as a percentage of sales, was 25.7% compared with 26.2% a year ago. Higher store payroll and store-related expenses tied to a larger fleet, along with increased marketing spend, drove the year-over-year dollar increase, while leverage on the higher sales base helped the rate improve.
Income from operations increased 15.2% year over year to $57.2 million from $49.7 million. The operating income margin declined 40 basis points to 10.6% from 11% in the prior-year period.
Boot Barn’s Financial PositionBoot Barn ended fiscal 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $141 million, up from $69.8 million at the prior-year end. The company also noted that average inventory per store declined about 0.6% on a same-store basis compared with fiscal 2025 and that it had nothing drawn on its $250 million revolving credit facility.
Cash generation strengthened meaningfully. Net cash provided by operating activities was $304.9 million in fiscal 2026 compared with $147.5 million in fiscal 2025, while capital spending totaled $178.6 million. Boot Barn repurchased 68,472 shares for $12.5 million during the quarter and 286,504 shares for $50 million during fiscal 2026 under its $200 million authorization.
BOOT Lays Out Fiscal 2027 OutlookFor fiscal 2027, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company expects to open 70 stores, in addition to 10 stores that were accelerated into the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026. The company guided to total sales of $2.578-$2.623 billion, implying 14%-16% growth, and consolidated same-store sales growth of 2%-4%, with retail same-store sales growth of 1%-3% and e-commerce same-store sales growth of 11%-13%.
The outlook also calls for merchandise margin of $1.326-$1.349 billion, or approximately 51.4% of sales. The gross profit is expected to be in the range of $971-$994 million, or about 37.7%-37.9% of sales. SG&A expenses are expected to be in the range of $636-$641 million or 24.7%-24.4% of sales and income from operations of $335-$353 million, or roughly 13%-13.5% of sales. Earnings per share are expected to be between $8.21 and $8.64. Capital expenditure is estimated to be in the range of $125-$130 million.
For the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the company expects total sales between $574 million and $584 million, representing year-over-year growth of 14% to 16%. Consolidated same-store sales are projected to increase 2% to 4%, supported by retail same-store sales growth of 1% to 3% and stronger e-commerce same-store sales growth of 12% to 14%.
The company expects merchandise margin of $295-$300 million, or 51.5% of sales, and gross profit margins between $213 million and $218 million, or 37.1% and 37.3%. SG&A is projected to be between $147 million and $149 million, or 25.7%- 25.5% of sales, with operating income expected to be between $65 million and $69 million, or 11.4%-11.9% of sales, while earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $1.62-$1.71.
The company’s shares have plunged 10.6% in the past year compared with the industry’s decline of 8%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
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Tapestry, Inc. (TPR - Free Report) provides accessories and lifestyle brand products in North America, Greater China, the rest of Asia, and internationally. At present, TPR flaunts a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TPR’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 13.2% and 36.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. TPR has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.6%, on average.
Victoria’s Secret & Co. operates as a specialty retailer of women's intimate apparel and other apparel and beauty products worldwide. At present, VSCO carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Victoria's Secret’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 6.2% and 16.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. VSCO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 55.1%, on average.
Levi Strauss & Co. (LEVI - Free Report) designs, markets, and sells apparel and related accessories for men, women, and children in the United States and internationally. At present, LEVI carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LEVI’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 5.2% and 11.9%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. LEVI has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.4%, on average.
Key Takeaways Boot Barn expands merchandise margin by 80 bps in fiscal 2026, reaching 660 bps growth over six years. Boot Barn lifts exclusive brand penetration to 40.8% and targets a long-term rate of 50%. BOOT expects merchandise margin to rise 50 bps in fiscal 2027 as new stores drive sales growth. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.’s (BOOT - Free Report) ability to expand merchandise margins despite aggressive store growth is driven primarily by exclusive brand penetration, sourcing efficiencies and strong store-level economics. In fiscal 2026, merchandise margin expanded by 80 basis points, contributing to a total 660-basis point expansion over the last six years.
key driver is growth of exclusive brands, which expanded 220 basis points to 40.8% penetration in fiscal 2026. These brands are central to margin health, and the company is confident about its exclusive brands, targeting a long-term penetration rate of 50%. Additionally, Boot Barn has established a dedicated sourcing organization that has helped drive merchandise margin expansion through improved factory negotiations and tariff mitigation. The company also leverages economies of scale and supply chain efficiencies to bolster its merchandise margin.
Rapid store expansion creates near-term pressure on occupancy costs. However, the underlying store economics remain robust. Management noted that these stores are on track to generate approximately $3.2 million in annual sales during their first full year and recover their initial investment in less than two years. In addition to driving incremental revenue and earnings, stores opened in the past five years also supported consolidated same-store sales growth, contributing approximately 150 basis points in fiscal 2026 as they continue to progress toward sales maturity. The company expects merchandise margin to increase 50 basis points to 51.4% in fiscal 2027.
Boot Barn’s expanding merchandise margins reflect the strength of its exclusive brand strategy, sourcing advantages and disciplined store economics. Despite aggressive store expansion, strong new-store productivity and scale efficiencies continue to support sustained growth in the company’s merchandise margin.
The Zacks Rundown for BOOTBOOT’s shares have plunged 13.4% in the past year compared with the industry’s decline of 8.1%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, BOOT trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 16.17, higher than the industry’s average of 14.19. BOOT carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BOOT’s current and next fiscal year earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 16.5% and 16%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
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Tapestry, Inc. (TPR - Free Report) provides accessories and lifestyle brand products in North America, Greater China, the rest of Asia, and internationally. At present, TPR carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TPR’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 13.2% and 36.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. TPR has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.6%, on average.
Victoria’s Secret & Co. operates as a specialty retailer of women's intimate apparel and other apparel and beauty products worldwide. At present, VSCO carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Victoria's Secret’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 6.2% and 16.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. VSCO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 55.1%, on average.
Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN - Free Report) offers lifestyle products and services in the United States and internationally. At present, URBN carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for URBN’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 8.6% and 7.4%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. URBN has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 19%, on average.
What happenedAccording to an SEC filing dated May 13, 2026, Southernsun Asset Management added 79,127 shares of Boot Barn Holdings (BOOT 1.85%), bringing its total position to 272,348 shares. The estimated transaction value, calculated using the average unadjusted closing price from January through March 2026, was approximately $14.35 million. The quarter-end value of the position increased by $5.76 million, reflecting both share price movements and share changes.
What else to knowThe fund increased its Boot Barn Holdings stake, which now represents 5.78% of its 13F reportable assets under management.Top holdings after the filing:NYSE:DAR: $48.25 million (7% of AUM)NYSE:MUSA: $41.89 million (6.1% of AUM)NYSE:LPX: $35.35 million (5.1% of AUM) NASDAQ:EXTR: $34.65 million (5.0% of AUM)As of May 12, 2026, shares were priced at $144.80, up 8.6% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 18.01 percentage points.Company overviewMetricValueRevenue (TTM)$2.17 billionNet income (TTM)$218.98 millionPrice (as of market close May 12, 2026)$144.80One-year price change8.6%Company snapshotOffers western and work-related footwear, apparel, and accessories, including boots, shirts, denim, outerwear, and flame-resistant clothing, as well as gifts and home merchandise.Operates a specialty retail model through a network of physical stores and multiple e-commerce platforms, generating revenue from both in-store and online sales.Targets men, women, and children seeking western lifestyle and workwear products across the United States, serving both individual consumers and professionals in need of rugged apparel.Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. is a leading U.S. specialty retailer focused on western and workwear apparel, operating over 300 stores nationwide and a robust e-commerce presence. The company's strategy emphasizes a broad product assortment, omnichannel distribution, and a strong brand portfolio to capture demand from both lifestyle and work-focused consumers.
What this transaction means for investorsSouthernSun has a well-diversified portfolio of holdings. Boot Barn Holdings sat in the No. 6 spot last quarter, and with this investment, it rose to the No. 3 largest by value. So, this acquisition signals the asset manager’s consistent confidence in the company’s performance.
At the end of its fiscal year 2026, Boot Barn reported record revenue, a 6% growth in same-store sales, and solid net income and cash flow. Also, it plans to open 70 new retail stores during its fiscal year 2027. This growth is impressive, especially amid concerns about inflation. Many are cutting back on nonessential purchases, but although Boot Barn is known for fashionable western wear, it also sells a wide range of durable work boots and clothing, for which there is always demand.
Individual investors may be wary of investing in retail in today’s market, but this is a case where being selective pays off. By choosing retailers of essential merchandise rather than trendy items, investors may find that retail remains a solid option for diversifying their portfolios.
Pamela Kock has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Live Oak Bancshares. The Motley Fool recommends Boot Barn, Darling Ingredients, and Murphy USA and recommends the following options: short July 2026 $55 calls on Darling Ingredients. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
On May 21, 2026, Boot Barn Holdings Inc (BOOT) shares rose 8.6% today to a current price of $154.49. This price movement comes amidst a 52-week range of $133.18
Key Takeaways Boot Barn's exclusive brands reach 40.8% of fiscal 2026 sales, up 220 basis points.Boot Barn expands digital reach with new websites for Cody James and Hawx brands.BOOT expects merchandise margin to rise 50 basis points in fiscal 2027. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.’s (BOOT - Free Report) exclusive brands continue to emerge as a major growth driver, supporting higher merchandise margins, stronger customer engagement and improving long-term profitability. For fiscal 2026, merchandise margin increased 80 basis points and exceeded initial expectations, supported by continued growth in exclusive brand penetration. Exclusive brands represented 40.8% of sales during the year, up 220 basis points year over year, while in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, brand penetration increased 90 basis points. Management also noted that exclusive brand penetration has expanded by 1,900 basis points over the past six years, underscoring the long-term success of the company’s brand strategy.
Additionally, the company continued to strengthen its exclusive brand strategy by refining merchandising and brand positioning efforts to establish its labels as standalone brands. These initiatives contributed to sales penetration growth. Over the past year, the company launched dedicated websites for Cody James, Hawx, Cheyenne and CLEO & WOLF, complementing its existing legacy brand platform. Management also highlighted strong brand storytelling, positive customer acquisition trends and ongoing marketing support through TikTok.
Boot Barn Holdings expects merchandise margin to reach 51.4% of sales in fiscal 2027, representing a 50 basis-point year-over-year increase. Management highlighted several drivers expected to support continued margin expansion, including higher exclusive brand penetration. The company also reiterated confidence in achieving its long-term objective of exclusive brands accounting for 50% of total sales.
Overall, Boot Barn’s growing exclusive brand portfolio continues to strengthen merchandise margins, enhance customer engagement and support long-term profitability through differentiated products and expanding digital brand presence.
The Zacks Rundown for BOOTBOOT’s shares have lost 1.5% in the past year against the industry’s growth of 4.1%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, BOOT trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17.68, higher than the industry’s average of 15.19. BOOT presently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BOOT’s current and next fiscal year earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 16.5% and 15.9%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:
Tapestry, Inc. (TPR - Free Report) provides accessories and lifestyle brand products in North America, Greater China, the rest of Asia, and internationally. At present, TPR sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TPR’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 13.2% and 36.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. TPR has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.6%, on average.
Victoria’s Secret & Co. operates as a specialty retailer of women's intimate apparel and other apparel and beauty products worldwide. At present, VSCO carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Victoria's Secret’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 6.2% and 16.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. VSCO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 55.1%, on average.
Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN - Free Report) offers lifestyle products and services in the United States and internationally. At present, URBN carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for URBN’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 8.5% and 9.7%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. URBN has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 12.2%, on average.
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BOOT) today announced participation in the following investor conferences:
William Blair 46th Annual Growth Stock Conference
Date: June 2, 2026
Webcast Fireside Chat: 9:40 am Eastern Time TD Cowen 10th Annual Future of the Consumer Conference
Date: June 3, 2026
Webcast Fireside Chat: 2:00 pm Eastern Time
Baird 2026 Global Consumer, Technology & Services Conference
Date: June 4, 2026 The William Blair Fireside Chat and TD Cowen Fireside Chat will be webcast live over the internet and can also be accessed at HTTP://INVESTOR.BOOTBARN.COM. Online archives will be available for a period of 90 days following the Fireside Chats.
About Boot Barn
Boot Barn is the nation’s leading lifestyle retailer of western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children. The Company offers its loyal customer base a wide selection of work and lifestyle brands. As of the date of this release, Boot Barn operates 555 stores in 49 states. For more information, call 888-Boot-Barn or visit www.bootbarn.com.
Key Takeaways Boot Barn posts 14.1% e-commerce comparable sales growth in fiscal fourth-quarter 2026.Boot Barn launches dedicated websites for Cheyenne and CLEO & WOLF brands.BOOT expects e-commerce comparable sales growth of 13% in fiscal 2027. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT - Free Report) delivered strong e-commerce performance in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, supported by double-digit growth on bootbarn.com. The company’s e-commerce comparable sales increased 14.1% in the final quarter. To further strengthen its digital presence, the company launched dedicated websites for two of its women's exclusive brands, Cheyenne and CLEO & WOLF. Management expressed satisfaction with the early performance of these platforms, highlighting their ability to enhance brand storytelling and customer engagement. The new websites also support the company's strategy of positioning and marketing its exclusive brands as distinct stand-alone brands.
Boot Barn is leveraging AI to drive incremental traffic across both online and in-store channels while enhancing the customer experience and strengthening brand engagement. The company relies heavily on social media platforms to market its exclusive brands, with Meta and TikTok serving as key customer acquisition channels. Management highlighted the effectiveness of these platforms' algorithms in identifying and reaching potential new customers. Additionally, social media platforms provide an environment where consumers are more receptive to product discovery and advertising, enabling the company to introduce new products and enhance brand visibility in a less disruptive manner.
Overall, Boot Barn’s AI-powered customer acquisition initiatives, expanding portfolio of exclusive brand websites and effective social commerce efforts continue to support strong online momentum. The company expects e-commerce comparable sales growth of 13% in fiscal 2027, with digital channels remaining a key contributor to e-commerce growth and customer engagement.
The Zacks Rundown for BOOTBOOT’s shares have gained 7.8% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 7.9%. BOOT presently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, BOOT trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.36, higher than the industry’s average of 15.50.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BOOT’s current and next fiscal year earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 16.5% and 15.9%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:
Tapestry, Inc. (TPR - Free Report) provides accessories and lifestyle brand products in North America, Greater China, the rest of Asia, and internationally. At present, TPR carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TPR’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 13.8% and 36.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. TPR has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.6%, on average.
Victoria’s Secret & Co. operates as a specialty retailer of women's intimate apparel and other apparel and beauty products worldwide. At present, VSCO carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Victoria's Secret’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 6.2% and 16.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. VSCO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 55.1%, on average.
Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN - Free Report) offers lifestyle products and services in the United States and internationally. At present, URBN carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for URBN’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 8.5% and 9.7%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. URBN has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 12.2%, on average.
Key Takeaways Boot Barn grows fiscal 2026 EPS by 25%, supported by execution of key strategic initiatives.BOOT doubles its store base in five years and targets 1,200 U.S. stores over the long term.BOOT expands merchandise margins and exclusive brand penetration, supporting 2027 EPS growth. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT - Free Report) delivered a significantly strong fiscal 2026 performance, with earnings per share increasing 25% to $7.35. The company attributed the results to its continued commitment to its strategic initiatives, which played a key role in driving both revenue growth and profitability.
The company’s store expansion strategy is a key initiative supporting the earnings growth momentum. Over the past five years, the company opened 267 stores, doubling its store base to 539 locations. These new stores contributed more than $750 million in incremental fiscal 2026 revenue and exceeded expectations for sales, earnings and payback. Boot Barn plans to open 70 new stores in fiscal 2026, and remains focused on growing its footprint as it progresses toward its long-term goal of operating 1,200 stores across the United States.
Additionally, merchandise margin expansion and exclusive brand penetration remain key growth drivers. Merchandise margin increased 80 basis points in fiscal 2026, exceeding management’s initial expectations. Exclusive brand penetration also rose 220 basis points to 40.8%, continuing a multi-year growth trend. Looking ahead, management expects further gains in exclusive brand penetration to reach 41.3% in fiscal 2027, with merchandise margin expected to reach approximately 51.4% of sales, representing a 50-basis-point year-over-year improvement.
Boot Barn remains confident that its strategic initiatives will continue to support both near-term performance and long-term growth. As a result, the company expects its earnings per share growth to continue in fiscal 2027, with earnings per share projected to increase 18% year over year to $8.64, reflecting continued double-digit growth momentum despite a more moderate growth rate.
The Zacks Rundown for BOOTThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for BOOT’s current and next fiscal year earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 16.5% and 15.9%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, BOOT trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.24, higher than the industry’s average of 14.88.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
BOOT’s shares have gained 2.6% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 2.8%. BOOT presently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:
Tapestry, Inc. (TPR - Free Report) provides accessories and lifestyle brand products in North America, Greater China, the rest of Asia, and internationally. At present, TPR sportsa Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TPR’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 13.8% and 36.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. TPR has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.6%, on average.
Fossil Group, Inc. (FOSL - Free Report) designs, develops, markets, and distributes consumer fashion accessories in the United States, Europe, Asia, and internationally. At present, FOSL carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FOSL’s current fiscal-year sales indicates a decline of 4.9%, while the same for earnings indicates growth of 87.6% from the year-ago figures. FOSL delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 381.8%, on average.
Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN - Free Report) offers lifestyle products and services in the United States and internationally. At present, URBN carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for URBN’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 8.5% and 9.7%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. URBN has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 12.2%, on average.
Key Takeaways Boot Barn leverages its Stagecoach partnership to increase brand awareness and customer engagement.BOOT gains broader exposure through festival activations and the Amazon-streamed Mustang Stage.BOOT expects marketing spending to remain near 3% of sales despite higher Q1 timing impacts. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT - Free Report) strengthened its brand visibility through its partnership as the official boot retailer for Stagecoach. The company supported the event through local store activations, onsite activities and sponsorship of one of the festival’s music stages. Management expressed satisfaction with the partnership and believes that it enhances brand awareness while creating opportunities to attract customers. The initiative reflects the company’s continued focus on expanding its reach through targeted marketing and experiential brand engagement.
Management highlighted strong execution of its Stagecoach partnership, with successful store events in Southern California and strong engagement from festival attendees traveling from neighboring states. The company’s onsite presence at Stagecoach also generated significant interest, with consistently high attendance throughout the event.
Management was particularly encouraged by the visibility created through the Mustang Stage presented by Boot Barn. The stage featured multiple well-known bands and was streamed through Amazon, extending the event’s reach well beyond festival attendees. This broader exposure helped transform the partnership into a platform with national and potentially global visibility, significantly amplifying brand awareness.
However, the Stagecoach sponsorship and its associated events led to marketing expenses being more heavily weighted toward the first quarter of fiscal 2027. Despite the near-term increase, the company does not expect a structural change in marketing spending levels. For fiscal 2027, marketing expenses are projected to be consistent with the historical levels of approximately 3% of sales, indicating that the elevated fiscal first-quarter spending largely reflects timing rather than a sustained increase in investment intensity.
Overall, Boot Barn believes that the company’s brand recognition will continue to expand over the long term. As awareness grows, more consumers across the country and internationally are expected to become familiar with the brand, supporting broader visibility and reach.
Zacks Rundown for BOOTBoot Barn’s shares have inched up 0.2% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 4.5%. BOOT presently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Boot Barn trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 18.43, higher than the industry’s average of 14.88.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BOOT’s current and next fiscal-year earnings implies year-over-year rallies of 16.5% and 15.9%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:
Tapestry, Inc. (TPR - Free Report) provides accessories and lifestyle brand products in North America, Greater China, the rest of Asia and internationally. At present, TPR sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TPR’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 13.8% and 36.3%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures. TPR has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.6%, on average.
Victoria’s Secret & Co. (VSXY - Free Report) operates as a specialty retailer of women's intimate apparel and other apparel and beauty products worldwide. At present, VSXY flaunts a Zacks Rank of 1.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Victoria's Secret’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings suggests growth of 7.7% and 35.7%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers. VSXY delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 55.1%, on average.
Fossil Group, Inc. (FOSL - Free Report) designs, develops, markets and distributes consumer fashion accessories in the United States, Europe, Asia and internationally. At present, FOSL carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FOSL’s current fiscal-year sales indicates a decline of 4.9%, while the same for earnings suggests growth of 87.6% from the year-ago reported figures. FOSL delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 381.8%, on average.
