Jupiter Topco LLC bought a new position in The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 107,866 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,017,000.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. bought a new position in shares of GAP in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Plato Investment Management Ltd bought a new stake in GAP during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC purchased a new stake in GAP during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in GAP during the second quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in GAP in the second quarter worth approximately $73,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.81% of the company’s stock.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades GAP has been the topic of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of GAP from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday. Bank of America raised their target price on GAP from $26.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, August 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a “neutral” rating and set a $27.00 target price (down from $35.00) on shares of GAP in a research note on Friday, May 29th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of GAP from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, August 28th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered GAP from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and cut their price target for the stock from $29.00 to $23.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $27.36.
Get Our Latest Analysis on GAP GAP Stock Up 1.1% NYSE GAP opened at $22.31 on Friday. The Gap, Inc. has a 12 month low of $18.11 and a 12 month high of $29.36. The company has a current ratio of 1.82, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The stock has a market cap of $7.84 billion, a PE ratio of 6.66, a P/E/G ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 2.08. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $20.19 and its 200 day moving average is $22.69.
GAP (NYSE:GAP – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 27th. The company reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $3.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.69 billion. GAP had a net margin of 8.14% and a return on equity of 19.72%. The company’s revenue was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.57 EPS. GAP has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.350-2.450 EPS. Research analysts predict that The Gap, Inc. will post 2.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.
GAP Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.175 per share. This represents a $0.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 7th. GAP’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.90%.
Key Headlines Impacting GAP Here are the key news stories impacting GAP this week:
Positive Sentiment: New handbag strategy could expand growth opportunities: Gap is introducing “GapBag” for fall 2026, featuring handbags designed by Reed Krakoff. The move expands the brand into the lucrative accessories market and could increase average customer spending and diversify revenue beyond apparel. Gap introduces GapBag for fall 2026 with handbags by Reed Krakoff Positive Sentiment: Momentum factors remain favorable: Zacks highlighted GAP as a strong momentum stock, which may attract technical and quantitative investors after the shares moved above their 50-day average. Why Gap is a strong momentum stock Neutral Sentiment: Analyst sentiment is cautious: The Gap received an average “Hold” rating, suggesting Wall Street sees balanced upside and downside rather than a clear catalyst for re-rating. The Gap receives average Hold rating Neutral Sentiment: CEO Richard Dickson is scheduled to participate in the Goldman Sachs Global Consumer & Retail Conference on September 14. The event could provide updates on strategy, sales trends and the handbag rollout, but no new financial guidance was announced. Gap to participate in Goldman Sachs conference Neutral Sentiment: Gap also announced a New York City youth education partnership with FIT and BroSis. The initiative supports brand goodwill but is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Gap, FIT and BroSis partnership GAP Company Profile (Free Report)
Gap Inc is a global specialty retailer renowned for its portfolio of apparel and accessories brands, including Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta. The company designs, sources and markets clothing across a broad price range and style spectrum, catering to men, women and children. Its offerings extend from everyday wardrobe essentials such as denim, tees and outerwear to performance and lifestyle pieces, reflecting each brand’s distinct identity and price point.
Founded in San Francisco in 1969 by Donald and Doris Fisher, Gap Inc has grown into one of the world’s largest apparel companies.
Further Reading Five stocks we like better than GAP The Path to $230 Billion: Broadcom Outlines the Next Phase of Its AI Growth Story NVIDIA’s Hugging Face Deal Raises a Bigger Question About Its AI Moat Now Dropping the Dough: Yum! Brands Strategically Trims the Fat These 3 Stock Charts Just Flashed the Dreaded Death Cross Pattern Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GAP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP – Free Report).
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Stock to Watch: Gap (GAP - Free Report) The Gap, Inc. is a international specialty retailer offering a diverse range of clothing, accessories and personal care products. It offers products for men, women and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta brands. The company’s products include denim, tees, button-downs, khakis and other trendy assortments as well as fitness and lifestyle products for training, sports, travel, yoga and other activities. Notably, the company offers its products through company-operated stores, franchise stores, websites, third-party arrangements, as well as catalogs. As of May 2, 2026, Gap had around 3,500 store locations in 35 countries, of which 2,477 were company-operated.
GAP is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Momentum investors should take note of this Retail-Wholesale stock. GAP has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 7.2% over the past four weeks.
For fiscal 2027, five analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.04 to $2.39 per share. GAP boasts an average earnings surprise of +2.1%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, GAP should be on investors' short list.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Gap Inc. (NYSE: GAP), today announced that Richard Dickson, President and Chief Executive Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at the Goldman Sachs Global Consumer & Retail Conference in New York, NY on Monday, September 14, 2026 at 7:45 a.m. Eastern Time.
A live webcast will be available online at investors.gapinc.com and, following the event, a replay of the webcast will be available at the same location.
Forward-Looking Statements
This webcast may contain forward-looking statements within the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than those that are purely historical are forward-looking statements. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "project," and similar expressions also identify forward-looking statements.
Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements. Information regarding factors that could cause results to differ can be found in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026, as well as the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.
About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc., a purpose-driven house of iconic brands, is the largest specialty apparel company in America. Its Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta brands offer clothing, accessories, and lifestyle products for men, women, children worldwide through Company-operated and franchise stores and e-commerce sites. Through Encore, its cross-brand membership program, Gap Inc. connects members across its portfolio to rewards, benefits and exclusive experiences. Since 1969, Gap Inc. has created products and experiences that shape culture, while doing right by employees, communities and the planet through its commitment to bridge gaps to create a better world. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.
The Gap (GAP) remains a Strong Buy, with valuation still reflecting a significant discount despite a 20% stock recovery and robust financials. GAP demonstrated solid Q2 performance, beating EPS estimates, advancing buybacks, and maintaining strong liquidity with $2.1B cash and $382M short-term investments. Management guides for 1–1.5% net sales growth, improved gross margin, and EPS of $2.35–$2.45, while executing $650M in CAPEX and pursuing $150M in cost savings.
Freestone Grove Partners LP bought a new stake in The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 28,243 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $528,000.
Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. bought a new position in GAP during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Plato Investment Management Ltd bought a new stake in GAP in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in GAP in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of GAP in the second quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in shares of GAP in the second quarter valued at approximately $73,000. 58.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
GAP News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting GAP this week:
Positive Sentiment: Quarterly earnings beat expectations: Adjusted EPS was $0.52, exceeding the $0.48 consensus estimate. Gross margin expanded 20 basis points to 41.4%, helping Gap outperform operating-profit expectations despite weaker sales. Gap names Michael Francis Old Navy CEO as quarterly profit beats estimates Positive Sentiment: Profit outlook raised: The company now expects fiscal 2026 EPS of $2.35 to $2.45, above the roughly $2.33 analyst consensus. Management cited continued momentum at the Gap brand, margin discipline and strength at Banana Republic. Gap lifts annual profit forecast on strength of namesake brand Positive Sentiment: Old Navy leadership reset: Michael Francis, a retail veteran with experience at Walmart and Target, will become Old Navy’s president and CEO on November 2, replacing Haio Barbeito. Investors appear hopeful that Francis can improve the company’s largest brand. Gap shares jump after Old Navy brings in new CEO to revive brand Positive Sentiment: Analyst support increased: TD Cowen and BTIG raised their price targets to $27 and assigned “buy” ratings. Bank of America also raised its target to $27, while Morgan Stanley lifted its target to $23 but retained an “equal weight” rating. Neutral Sentiment: Sales remained soft: Second-quarter revenue fell 2% year over year to $3.65 billion, below the $3.69 billion consensus, while comparable sales declined 1%. Full-year revenue guidance of about $15.6 billion is slightly below analyst expectations. Gap Inc. Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results Negative Sentiment: Brand performance was uneven: Old Navy reported sluggish comparable sales, and Athleta continued to face pressure. The need for a leadership change underscores execution risks even as Gap and Banana Republic show stronger momentum. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms recently weighed in on GAP. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on GAP from $22.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a “cautious” rating in a report on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded GAP from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and cut their price target for the company from $29.00 to $23.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 12th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of GAP from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of GAP from $26.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $27.00 price objective (down from $35.00) on shares of GAP in a report on Friday, May 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $27.21. View Our Latest Research Report on GAP
GAP Price Performance GAP opened at $23.48 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $20.06 and a 200-day moving average of $22.84. The company has a market capitalization of $8.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.01, a P/E/G ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 2.05. The Gap, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $18.11 and a fifty-two week high of $29.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.82.
GAP (NYSE:GAP – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 27th. The company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.04. GAP had a net margin of 8.14% and a return on equity of 19.72%. The business had revenue of $3.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.69 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.57 earnings per share. GAP’s revenue was down 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. GAP has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.350-2.450 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that The Gap, Inc. will post 2.38 EPS for the current year.
GAP Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 28th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 7th will be issued a $0.175 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 7th. This represents a $0.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.0%. GAP’s payout ratio is currently 20.90%.
GAP Company Profile (Free Report)
Gap Inc is a global specialty retailer renowned for its portfolio of apparel and accessories brands, including Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta. The company designs, sources and markets clothing across a broad price range and style spectrum, catering to men, women and children. Its offerings extend from everyday wardrobe essentials such as denim, tees and outerwear to performance and lifestyle pieces, reflecting each brand’s distinct identity and price point.
Founded in San Francisco in 1969 by Donald and Doris Fisher, Gap Inc has grown into one of the world’s largest apparel companies.
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Gap Inc. (NYSE:GAP) reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 net sales of $3.7 billion, down 2% from a year earlier, while comparable sales declined 1%. The retailer said it exceeded its profit expectations through pricing discipline, inventory management and gross-margin strength, even as performance varied sharply among its brands.
Chief Executive Officer Richard Dickson said Gap’s namesake brand and Banana Republic continued to gain momentum, while Old Navy faced seasonal assortment and traffic challenges and Athleta remained in a turnaround phase. The company narrowed its full-year sales outlook but raised its adjusted operating-margin and earnings-per-share forecasts.
Gap Brand Extends Momentum, While Old Navy Misses Expectations The Gap brand posted a 10% increase in comparable sales and a 9% rise in net sales, marking its 11th consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales growth. Dickson said women’s led the quarter, with solid results in men’s and accelerating sales in kids and baby. Denim and fleece remained key destination categories. Gap also gained market share, according to the company, while its customer file expanded and discounting declined. The retailer cited collaborations and marketing efforts, including a partnership with Hailey Bieber that reimagined two denim silhouettes. Dickson said the Hailey Jean sold out quickly and created a “meaningful halo” across the broader business.
Gap relaunched its fragrance line at the end of the quarter and plans to launch bags during Fashion Week in September as it expands into accessories. The company expects to complete about 35 Gap store remodels this year, bringing roughly one-quarter of its North American specialty fleet into its latest store concept by year-end.
Old Navy, however, reported a 4% decline in both net sales and comparable sales. Dickson said women’s summer seasonal products accounted for about 3 percentage points of the comparable-sales pressure, with dresses, shorts and swim affected by assortment and pricing decisions that weakened the brand’s value proposition.
The company also experienced an unexpected slowdown in traffic as the quarter progressed. Dickson said Old Navy’s summer marketing did not generate the traffic management expected, prompting changes to fall marketing and product plans.
“We see value as a perception based on product and pricing,” Dickson said during the question-and-answer session. “When we deliver the right product at the right price, the customer responds.”
Old Navy’s fall assortment emphasizes denim, activewear, sweaters and knits, categories management said should become more meaningful as the summer seasonal headwind subsides. The retailer launched a denim campaign featuring Cardi B, which Dickson said was Old Navy’s most-viewed campaign in its history and was helping improve traffic and women’s-denim conversion in August. The brand also partnered with digital creator MrBeast for back-to-school content.
Old Navy launched its Beauty Co. collection nationwide and plans to introduce an exclusive licensed sports merchandise collection with Fanatics beginning with football season. Its activewear category will be marketed under the new Old Navy Sport brand, including about 40 shop-in-shops in select stores.
Gap announced that Michael Francis will become Old Navy brand president and CEO effective Nov. 2, succeeding Haio Barbeito. Barbeito will serve in an advisory capacity during the transition. Dickson said Francis joined the company in May and has already worked with leadership on Old Navy’s fall plans and marketing execution.
Banana Republic Gains, Athleta Remains Under Pressure Banana Republic recorded a 3% comparable-sales increase and a 1% net-sales increase, its fifth consecutive quarter of positive comparable-sales growth. Management cited balanced strength in men’s and women’s, with outerwear, sweaters, denim and linen performing well.
The company said recently upgraded Banana Republic stores, including locations at Century City and Tysons Corner, are producing higher customer spending. Donald Kohler joined the brand as president and CEO in July.
Athleta’s net sales and comparable sales each declined 12%. The company said it tightly managed inventory while selectively testing new products, including the Journey Travel collection. Management is taking a conservative approach to inventory and marketing investment as it evaluates customer response to new merchandise.
Dickson said Athleta is focused on increasing newness, reducing its reliance on promotions and rebuilding customer engagement through better product and storytelling. While the approach could limit near-term sales improvement, the company said it is intended to rebuild the brand on a more sustainable and profitable foundation.
Margins, Cash Returns and Updated Outlook Second-quarter reported gross margin was 52.8%, while adjusted gross margin was 41.4%, up 20 basis points year over year. The adjusted measure excluded a cost-of-goods-sold adjustment related to an expected net recovery of tariffs previously paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Chief Financial Officer Katrina O’Connell said adjusted merchandise margin expanded 80 basis points, aided by Gap brand performance and partially offset by higher promotions at Old Navy. The company used promotional activity to clear seasonal Old Navy inventory, which O’Connell said is now largely behind it.
Adjusted operating margin was 7.1%, down 70 basis points from a year earlier, while adjusted earnings per share fell to $0.52 from $0.57. The company reported earnings per share of $1.38 on a reported basis.
Second-quarter capital expenditures were $154 million, bringing year-to-date spending to $289 million. Gap expects about $650 million in capital expenditures for the full year, largely for store openings and remodels, technology and supply-chain investments. The company paid $62 million in dividends during the quarter, and its board approved a third-quarter dividend of $0.175 per share. Gap repurchased an additional $200 million of stock in the quarter, bringing year-to-date repurchases to more than $600 million, or 26 million shares. About $400 million remains under its authorization. Quarter-end inventory at cost was flat from a year earlier, while units increased 4% because of higher in-transit inventory tied largely to geopolitical disruptions. For fiscal 2026, Gap now expects net sales growth of 1% to 1.5%, with comparable sales roughly in line. It forecasts Old Navy comparable sales to range from flat to down 1%, Gap comparable-sales growth in the high-single-digit to low-double-digit range, low-single-digit growth at Banana Republic, and Athleta trends similar to the first half.
The company raised its adjusted operating-margin forecast to 7.4% to 7.6%, compared with 7.3% last year, and expects adjusted EPS of $2.35 to $2.45, up 10% to 15% year over year. The higher outlook reflects an improved gross-margin view, including expected tariff relief, and a lower weighted-average share count following repurchases.
For the third quarter, Gap expects net sales growth of 1.5% to 2.5%, with comparable sales trailing net sales by about 50 basis points. Management said the quarter has started positively, supported by sequential improvement at Old Navy, although peak selling periods and the rollout of newer initiatives are still ahead.
About GAP (NYSE:GAP) Gap Inc is a global specialty retailer renowned for its portfolio of apparel and accessories brands, including Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta. The company designs, sources and markets clothing across a broad price range and style spectrum, catering to men, women and children. Its offerings extend from everyday wardrobe essentials such as denim, tees and outerwear to performance and lifestyle pieces, reflecting each brand’s distinct identity and price point.
Founded in San Francisco in 1969 by Donald and Doris Fisher, Gap Inc has grown into one of the world’s largest apparel companies.
Weekly Market HighlightsDuring the week, 1,003 stocks gained more than 7.2%, while 5,299 stocks declined overall, indicating a significant negative market brea
Gap Inc. (GAP +12.94%) shares jumped about 13% Friday, the day after the apparel retailer reported fiscal second-quarter results and nudged its full-year profit outlook higher. The market liked the margins, the raised guidance, and news of a new leader for the company's biggest brand.
But the quarter was more lopsided than a pop like that suggests. Gap Inc. runs four brands (Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta), and in the fiscal second quarter, exactly one of them was growing in any meaningful way. Total company net sales fell 2% year over year to $3.7 billion.
The brand that was growing happens to share its name with the stock. Here's a closer look at the quarter, brand by brand.
Image source: Getty Images.
The namesake Gap brand grew net sales 9% year over year to $844 million, with comparable sales up 10% -- what CEO Richard Dickson called "another quarter of double-digit comparable sales." That's the second quarter in a row of double-digit comparable growth, and it's momentum most mall retailers would love to have.
The rest of the portfolio went the other way. Old Navy's net sales fell 4% to $2.1 billion, with comparable sales also down 4% -- a reversal from growth a year ago, which management attributed partly to a weak women's seasonal assortment and slowing traffic.
Banana Republic inched up 1% to $478 million, with comparable sales up 3%. And Athleta, the activewear chain, saw net sales sink 12% to $264 million. Its comparable sales fell just as much, on top of a 9% decline a year earlier.
Old Navy is more than half the companyWhy does one brand's stumble outweigh another's surge? Scale. Old Navy's $2.1 billion in quarterly net sales is about 57% of companywide net sales. The growing Gap brand, at $844 million, is well under half Old Navy's size. Growth of 9% at the smaller brand cannot offset a 4% decline at the bigger one. In dollars, Old Navy's slip erased roughly $85 million of quarterly sales while the Gap brand added about $70 million, which is how a company with a hot brand still shrank overall.
Management is acting on it. Gap Inc. named retail veteran Michael Francis as Old Navy's next president and CEO, succeeding Haio Barbeito.
And the company's updated outlook quietly acknowledges the problem. It now assumes Old Navy comparable sales of flat to down 1% for the year, cut from flat to up 1%, while its assumption for the Gap brand moved up to high-single-digit to low-double-digit comparable growth. The full-year plan got better, in other words, and the only brand assumption that moved up was the smaller one.
Check the adjusted numbers, not the reported onesThe reported results look spectacular. Gross margin came in at 52.8%, and earnings reached $1.38 per share.
But most of that is an accounting event, not retailing. The quarter included a $417 million net benefit to cost of goods sold from refunds of U.S. tariffs the company had previously paid, with the remaining refund cash expected in the third quarter.
Set the refund aside, and the underlying quarter was solid rather than stunning: an adjusted gross margin of 41.4%, up 20 basis points, and adjusted earnings of $0.52 per share. For the full year, the company raised its adjusted outlook to between $2.35 and $2.45 in earnings per share, up from a range of $2.30 to $2.40, on an adjusted operating margin of about 7.4% to 7.6%. Notably, the net sales outlook came down a touch at the top end (up 1% to 1.5%, versus up 1% to 2% before).
Premium Feature
Moneyball Superscore
62/100
Today's Change
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2.69
Current Price
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The case rests on one brandWith the stock near $24 as of this writing, the valuation works out to about 10 times the midpoint of this year's adjusted earnings-per-share outlook.
And the dividend yields about 3%. That's an inexpensive price for a company whose profit outlook just improved.
But the cheapness has a reason. The company's largest brand is shrinking, its fourth brand is shrinking faster, and the raised guidance leans on the one brand that's working (plus margin discipline) to cover for Old Navy until a new leader can get its sales growing again.
To management's credit, the Gap brand's turnaround has now run long enough to take seriously, and I think it has earned the benefit of the doubt. Just know what you'd be buying. Until Old Navy grows again, one brand is carrying the company.
Gap on Thursday announced a new CEO for its Old Navy banner, effective Nov. 2, as the retailer tries to reinvigorate sluggish sales performance at the brand.
Michael Francis, who was appointed the chief customer officer at Old Navy in May, will take over the reins from current CEO Haio Barbeito, who will become an advisor to the company. Barbeito has held the position since 2022.
Gap CEO Richard Dickson told CNBC the move was "a planned and thoughtful transition" to better equip Old Navy for its next chapter.
"We've been working — from fixing fundamentals to building momentum and ultimately looking to accelerate growth, and so there's not a change in strategy," Dickson said in an interview. "We're just going to continue to execute better, continuously improve our core business, while we drive some accelerators that we're really excited about."
Shares of Gap jumped 12% in extended trading Thursday.
In the company's fiscal second-quarter earnings report, Old Navy posted net sales of $2.1 billion — down 4% year over year. Comparable sales were also down 4%, versus comparable sales growth of 2% during the same period last year. Wall Street analysts were expecting a decline of 2.4% for the most recent period, according to StreetAccount.
It marked Old Navy's first negative same-store sales figure since the second quarter of 2023 and was due in part to "unanticipated slowdown in traffic," the company said. The brand contributes nearly 60% to Gap's overall revenue.
Dickson told CNBC that Old Navy specifically saw disappointing results from its summer marketing, which he said "lacked a direct product message." But he added that the brand has already begun to see "significant improvement" in its traffic and sales this past month.
Incoming CEO Francis said in a statement the brand would "continue to sharpen our customer focus, strengthen the brand's cultural relevance, enhance the customer experience across every touchpoint and build on the momentum already underway."
Overall, Gap reported mixed results for its fiscal second quarter, beating analysts' estimates for earnings per share but underperforming revenue expectations. Gap Inc. comparable sales were down 1% for the period, including a 3% year-over-year decline in in-store sales.
"Ultimately, our slight miss on total company was really due to Old Navy's seasonal product assortment," Dickson said. "We know we didn't execute well on our seasonal product, but if there's good news in this, seasonal is behind us."
For the full fiscal year, Gap narrowed its net sales growth outlook from a range of between 1% and 2% to a range of between 1% to 1.5% due to the lag at Old Navy. Still, the company hiked its expectations for adjusted earnings per share from a range of $2.30 to $2.40 for the full year to a range of $2.35 to $2.45.
Here's how the company performed in the quarter ended Aug. 1 compared with what Wall Street was expecting, according to a survey of analysts by LSEG:
Earnings per share: 52 cents adjusted vs. 48 cents expectedRevenue: $3.65 billion vs. $3.69 billion expectedGap reported net income of $501 million, or $1.38 per share, compared with $216 million, or 57 cents per share, the prior year. Sales sank slightly to $3.65 billion from $3.73 billion in the year-ago period.
Adjusting for one-time items — in particular the impact of tariff refunds of approximately $512 million — Gap reported earnings per share of 52 cents.
"On balance, we're running a very disciplined organization with a playbook that is working," Dickson said. "These things take time. I think, pointing to Gap as the lead success story of our playbook, you can see the ability for us to actually deliver relevance and revenue, and we're well on our way."
At the namesake Gap banner, comparable sales soared 10% for the quarter — outpacing Wall Street expectations of 8.6% growth — and net sales jumped 9% to $844 million. The company attributed those gains to "culturally relevant storytelling" in categories across denim, fleece and kids and baby.
As for Gap's other brands, Banana Republic saw its comparable sales up 3% for the quarter, with net sales reaching $478 million. Analysts were expecting comparable sales up 2%, according to consensus metrics from StreetAccount. The company said the brand "continued to make progress" in its assortment during the quarter.
And, Athleta's comparable sales sank 12% for the quarter, hitting net sales of just $264 million. Gap said that Athleta "remains focused on disciplined execution to rebuild the brand profitably."
The company also said a significant increase in gross margin during the fiscal second quarter was the result of a 11.4-percentage-point benefit from "expected recovery of tariffs." Absent that tariff impact, Gap's gross margin improved by 0.2% year over year.
Gap said it received $95 million of tariff refunds during the quarter and used the funds to lower the costs of some of its products. The remainder of its tariff refund is expected in the third quarter, the company said.
Dickson added that the company continues to see a "resilient but discerning" consumer with sales growth across all income cohorts.
Gap (GAP.N) named industry veteran Michael Francis as Old Navy's new CEO on Thursday to reinvigorate the struggling brand, while improved pricing led to a quarterly profit beat and a strong forecast for the wider company.
Shares of the company soared 15% in extended trading on the leadership change at Old Navy, its biggest brand, and after the apparel retailer raised its annual profit forecast, partly on robust sales at the Gap brand.
The company, three years into CEO Richard Dickson's tenure, has been trying to revive demand after a prolonged period of inconsistent sales across its banners, which also include Banana Republic and Athleta. Merchandise focused on current trends and expanded marketing campaigns have helped boost its brands' relevance, even as consumers curb discretionary spending.
Average unit retail price rose across all Gap Inc brands in the quarter, lifting the company's adjusted merchandise margin by 80 basis points, excluding a net benefit tied to the recovery of tariffs.
The Gap chain posted a 10% comparable sales increase in the second quarter, marking its eleventh straight quarter of growth. Analysts, on average, expected an 8.8% rise, according to data compiled by LSEG.
Comparable sales at Old Navy fell 4% in the quarter, compared with a 2% increase a year earlier, while Athleta's comparable sales fell 12% after a 9% decline last year.
New leadership at Old Navy will be "instrumental in unlocking the brand's full potential," Dickson said on a post-earnings call.
Old Navy's dresses, shorts and other summer apparel failed to generate strong sales in the second quarter - but the company expects its fall assortment, from sweaters to denim jeans, to draw in more shoppers, he added.
Dickson highlighted Old Navy's partnership with Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B, and its collaboration with YouTuber MrBeast on a back-to-school campaign, as examples of its expanded marketing push to reach younger shoppers.
The Old Navy leadership change signals the company's push to bring the same cultural relevance luring shoppers to Gap to its largest brand, eMarketer analyst Suzy Davidkhanian said.
Gap raised its adjusted annual earnings-per-share forecast by 5 cents at both ends to a range of $2.35 to $2.45. The adjusted outlook excludes the impact of tariff refunds.
Gap said it recorded a $417 million adjustment for net tariff recovery in the reported quarter and received refunds of $95 million and related interest income of $5 million, with the remaining refunds and interest income expected in the current quarter.
The company revised its fiscal 2026 sales growth outlook to between 1% and 1.5%, down from 1% to 2%. Analysts estimate a 1.1% increase.
Gap said the outlook considers consumer trends and the broader economic and geopolitical environment, while recognizing risks related to energy prices and U.S. tariffs.
Revenue for the quarter ended August 1 fell 2% to $3.65 billion, narrowly missing analysts' estimate of about $3.69 billion, while adjusted profit of 52 cents per share beat expectations of 48 cents.
The apparel company is shaking up leadership at Old Navy, bringing in Michael Francis, a retail veteran with experience at Walmart and Target, as chief executive of the brand to try to boost sales.
Gap Inc (NYSE:GAP) reported financial results for the second quarter Thursday after the bell. Here’s a look at the key highlights from the quarter.
Gap shares are advancing steadily. Why are GAP shares climbing? Gap Q2 Key Metrics Q2 Revenue: $3.65 billion, versus estimates of $3.69 billion Q2 Adjusted EPS: 52 cents, versus estimates of 48 cents Net sales fell 2% on a year-over-year basis as store sales decreased 3% and online sales dropped 1% compared to the prior year’s quarter, representing 35% of total net sales.
Comparable sales were down 1% overall. Here’s a breakdown of comparable sales by brand.
Old Navy: down 4% Gap: up 10% Banana Republic: up 3% Athleta: down 12% “While top-line results in the second quarter were modestly below expectations, continued operational and financial rigor contributed to gross margin strength resulting in the company exceeding profit expectations,” said Richard Dickson, president and CEO of Gap.
“We are particularly proud of the momentum at the Gap brand, which posted another quarter of double-digit comparable sales. We have work to do at Old Navy, but we have a clear understanding of the factors that impacted performance and are taking targeted actions that are already driving improved results.”
In connection with earnings, Gap announced a CEO transition at Old Navy. Michael Francis will take over as president and CEO of Old Navy as Haio Barbeito transitions to an advisory role.
What’s Next For Gap?Gap sees third-quarter revenue of approximately $3.96 billion to $4 billion versus estimates of $3.98 billion. The company also guided for full-year revenue of $15.55 billion to $15.63 billion versus estimates of $15.53 billion.
Gap raised its full-year adjusted earnings guidance from a range of $2.30 to $2.40 per share to a new range of $2.35 to $2.45 per share versus estimates of $2.34 per share.
Gap management will further discuss the quarter on an earnings call at 5 p.m. ET.
GAP Shares Jump After EarningsGAP Price Action: Gap shares were up 11.45% in Thursday’s after-hours session, trading at $23.17 at publication time, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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Dana Telsey, Telsey Advisors Group, CEO and Chief Research Officer, joins 'Closing Bell Overtime' to talk Gap quarterly results, the divergence in dollar store stocks, and more.
Gap Inc (NYSE:GPS) raised its full-year profit forecast after posting better-than-expected quarterly earnings, driven by strong sales growth at its namesake brand, sending shares up more than 11%.
The retailer reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of $0.52 per share, topping analyst estimates of $0.48, as gross margins expanded 20 basis points to 41.4%.
Revenue came in at $3.7 billion, roughly in line with estimates of $3.69 billion but down 2% from a year earlier.
Comparable sales at the Gap brand rose 10% year-over-year, marking another quarter of double-digit growth, while Old Navy's net revenue fell 4% to $2.1 billion. Banana Republic revenue rose 1% to $478 million, and Athleta sales declined 12% to $264 million.
Overall comparable sales across the company fell 1% year-over-year. Net income came in at $501 million, with free cash flow of $261 million year-to-date.
The company raised its full-year adjusted earnings guidance to a range of $2.35 to $2.45 per share, above the $2.34 analyst estimate, and now expects revenue growth of 1% to 1.5%.
For the third quarter, Gap guided to revenue growth of 1.5% to 2.5% year-over-year, with gross margin expansion of 25 to 75 basis points and slight leverage on operating expenses.
Gap also announced Michael Francis will become the next President and CEO of Old Navy, succeeding Haio Barbeito.
"Continued operational and financial rigor contributed to gross margin strength, resulting in the company exceeding profit expectations," said Gap Inc (NYSE:GPS) CEO Richard Dickson.
"We have work to do at Old Navy, but we are taking targeted actions that are already driving improved results."
The CEO added that Old Navy is “poised for its next chapter of growth.”
"Michael is one of the most respected commercial, brand and customer leaders in retail,” Dickson added.
Gap (GAP - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.52 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.5 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.57 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +4.00%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this clothing chain would post earnings of $0.39 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.38, delivering a surprise of -2.56%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.
Gap, which belongs to the Zacks Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry, posted revenues of $3.65 billion for the quarter ended July 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.86%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $3.73 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once 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.
Gap shares have lost about 17.4% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 12.1%.
What's Next for Gap?While Gap 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 Gap was mixed. 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 #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with 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 $0.77 on $4.01 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $2.33 on $15.54 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 top 36% 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.
Another stock from the same industry, Victoria's Secret (VSXY - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended July 2026. The results are expected to be released on September 3.
This retailer of lingerie, pajamas and beauty products is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.77 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +133.3%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Victoria's Secret's revenues are expected to be $1.62 billion, up 11.2% from the year-ago quarter.
Gap (GAP - Free Report) reported $3.65 billion in revenue for the quarter ended July 2026, representing a year-over-year decline of 2%. EPS of $0.52 for the same period compares to $0.57 a year ago.
The reported revenue represents a surprise of -1.86% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.72 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $0.50, the EPS surprise was +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 Gap performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Comparable Sales - Old Navy - YoY change: -4% versus the four-analyst average estimate of -2%.Number of Store Locations - Gap - Total: 588 versus 589 estimated by four analysts on average.Number of Store Locations - Banana Republic - Total: 391 versus the four-analyst average estimate of 396.Number of Store Locations - Old Navy North America: 1,241 compared to the 1,241 average estimate based on four analysts.Comparable Sales - YoY change: -1% versus 0.4% estimated by four analysts on average.Comparable Sales - Banana Republic - YoY change: 3% compared to the 1.6% average estimate based on four analysts.Comparable Sales - Gap - YoY change: 10% versus 8.3% estimated by four analysts on average.Number of Store Locations - Company-operated stores: 2,471 versus the four-analyst average estimate of 2,477.Square Footage - Banana Republic North America: 2.80 Msq ft versus 2.86 Msq ft estimated by three analysts on average.Net Sales- Gap Global- Total: $844 million versus $843.1 million estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +9.3% change.Net Sales- Banana Republic Global- Total: $478 million versus $475.09 million estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +0.6% change.Net Sales- Old Navy Global- Total: $2.06 billion compared to the $2.11 billion average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of -4.1% year over year.View all Key Company Metrics for Gap here>>>
Shares of Gap have returned +4.2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.7% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Gap Inc. NYSE: GAP reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 net sales of $3.7 billion, down 2% from a year earlier, while comparable sales declined 1%. The retailer said it exceeded its profit expectations through pricing discipline, inventory management and gross-margin strength, even as performance varied sharply among its brands.
Abercrombie and Fitch has focused on a contemporary identity. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Gado via Getty Images
Abercrombie & Fitch has spent much of 2026 reminding investors that a retail turnaround is not necessarily finished when the stock starts falling.
And on Wednesday, the market flipped as shares of Abercrombie & Fitch surged more than 22% after the company raised its full-year sales and profit forecasts, with the stock currently trading around $145. The move reversed a mid-year decline of more than 10% and pushed the shares back towards their 52-week high.
The immediate catalyst was second-quarter sales of $1.27 billion, up 5% year on year, while earnings per share of $4.17 more than doubled Wall Street expectations. Abercrombie raised its full-year sales-growth forecast to around 5%, at the top of a previous range of 3% to 5%, and lifted its EPS guidance to $13.10-$13.60 from $10.20-$11.
Admittedly, Abercrombie's quarterly profits were helped by roughly $100 million of tariff refunds, worth around $1.75 of EPS, but the underlying business was also substantially better than the headline profit number suggests.
And what Abercrombie has shown is that apparel retailers can still take share from consumers even when the environment is difficult so long as they are sufficiently focused on product, customer and brand.
The Abercrombie brand produced 8% sales growth and a 4% comparable-sales increase. Hollister sales rose 2%, although comparable sales declined 3%. Americas sales increased 5%, APAC rose 19% and EMEA was up 2% as the company delivered its 15th consecutive quarter of sales growth.
Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData, told Reuters that the Abercrombie brand was benefiting from "stronger spending from core customers and a strong assortment,” while Telsey Advisory Group's Dana Telsey similarly pointed to improving trends at Abercrombie and easing pressure at Hollister.
Abercrombie Focuses On ProductBut Abercrombie's most important strategic decision was to stop hankering after the Abercrombie of the 2000s. Under CEO Fran Horowitz, the company has shifted from the highly distinctive but increasingly restrictive image built under former CEO Mike Jeffries and is far less about demographic identity and more about product categories with broad reach.
Horowitz has repeatedly stressed the importance of listening to customers and in a company interview she said Abercrombie was "staying close to our customers and really listening to their needs."
The company has been able to grow sales without relying on the kind of permanent promotional intensity that has damaged many mall-based apparel chains, creating a much healthier retail model.
Hollister has become its own growth engine within the group. (Photo by Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The other smart decision has been treating Abercrombie and Hollister as genuinely different brands. Hollister remains much more closely associated with younger consumers while Abercrombie has broadened its customer base and evolved into a more adult, fashion-led proposition.
That’s a lesson particularly relevant for retailers such as Gap Inc., which is attempting to manage four very different brands — Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta — under one corporate umbrella. Gap's problem is not that it lacks brands, it is that several of them have struggled to establish a sufficiently distinctive identity.
Gap Has The Brands But Not The ClarityGap's namesake brand is currently the company's star, as its comparable sales increased 10% in the second quarter, its 11th consecutive quarter of growth. Banana Republic was also up 3% on a comparable basis but Old Navy, which accounts for more than half of Gap Inc.'s sales, saw comparable sales fall 4% and ailing athleisure brand Athleta declined 12%.
Gap has already recognised the problem and has announced that Michael Francis will become Old Navy's CEO come November, replacing Haio Barbeito. Francis spent 26 years at Target, including more than a decade as chief marketing officer, and subsequently advised Walmart. His remit is explicitly to make Old Navy more culturally relevant.
But that can’t be manufactured entirely through advertising and the lesson from Abercrombie’s playbook is to get the merchandise right first, then use the marketing to amplify.
Abercrombie Goes Beyond One Good QuarterAbercrombie’s recovery has also been helped by a disciplined strategic framework that the company calls ‘Focused Brand Growth’, alongside its digital strategy and financial discipline. As a result, Abercrombie has built that authority around a relatively tight group of fashion propositions and then expanded its relevance through new occasions, categories and channels.
Investors remain rightly cautious about treating the Abercrombie surge as proof that the turnaround is complete and the shares now carry higher expectations, while the tariff benefit has artificially inflated second-quarter profitability, Hollister's comparable sales remain soft and EMEA has been uneven.
But for Gap the message may be uncomfortable but could prove useful, because Abercrombie's resurgence is not a story about nostalgia but rather about what happens when a retailer stops trying to relive its past and instead becomes ruthlessly focused on what its customer wants next.
Gap's (GAP.N) shares jumped as much as 24.1% to a four-month high, after the apparel retailer named industry veteran Michael Francis as CEO of Old Navy, a move aimed at reinvigorating the brand in a challenging spending environment.
Old Navy, Gap's biggest brand, has struggled to gain traction in select women's apparel categories in recent quarters, a key hurdle in the company's turnaround.
Since CEO Richard Dickson took charge in 2023, Gap has revamped its leadership and marketing, boosting Gap and Banana Republic, but Old Navy continues to lag.
"It is true that the family demographic that Old Navy serves is under pressure, but Old Navy did not give them enough reasons to buy," said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, adding that the weakness points to a broader problem that Gap can no longer pass off as a "modest range misstep".
Gap shares were trading 15% higher at $23.95, and could add about $1.14 billion to the company's market value if gains hold.
Some retailers are bringing new leaders on board to revive their struggling brands. Tapestry's (TPR.N) Kate Spade last month appointed renowned designer Jonathan Saunders as executive creative director.
"The appointment of a new Old Navy leader underscores management's focus on stabilizing performance at the company's largest banner," Jefferies analysts said in a note.
Francis joined Gap in March as Old Navy's chief customer officer. He brings over four decades of marketing, commercial and business transformation experience, including roles at Target and Walmart.
Gap lifted its annual profit forecast after topping quarterly estimates. However, it narrowed its fiscal 2026 sales growth target, citing economic uncertainty.
Its quarterly comparable sales grew about 10%, while at Old Navy they were down 4%, the first decline in 12 quarters.
The company's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stood at 8.33, compared with American Eagle Outfitters' 8.94 and Urban Outfitters' 11.93.
"Gap should be able to end the full fiscal year on a positive sales note, but it needs to get the big engine of Old Navy whirring again to keep advancing at a convincing pace," Saunders said.
The Gap, Inc. is upgraded to a Buy as decisive management action and a strong balance sheet support further upside. Despite Old Navy's weakness, GAP's cost discipline, inventory control, and tariff refunds drive margin expansion and robust free cash flow. Brand divergence is pronounced: Gap and Banana Republic outperform, while Old Navy and Athleta face macro and sector-specific headwinds.
Stocks are pointing to a quiet open Friday as investors look ahead to a speech from Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh; the central bankers is scheduled to speak this morning at the annual Jackson Hole economics conference; tech stocks are pulling back from yesterday's big gains after Marvell's latest earnings just slightly topped estimates; PayPal shares are falling on a report that Advent and Stripe are dropping their $50 billion bid for the payments giant; and Gap shares are rallying after the retailer announced a change in leadership at its struggling Old Navy unit. Here's what you need to know today.
Gap GAP shares rose about 17% in premarket trading on Friday after the apparel retailer named industry veteran Michael Francis as president and CEO of Old Navy.
Francis will take over the company’s largest brand on November 2, replacing Haio Barbeito.
The leadership change comes as Old Navy struggles to regain momentum, particularly in women’s apparel categories.
The brand reported a 4% decline in comparable sales in the second quarter, marking its first comparable-sales decline in 12 quarters.
Seasonal merchandise and a sharper-than-expected slowdown in customer traffic weighed on results.
Gap CEO Richard Dickson said the company was entering the second half with mixed performance across its brands.
He acknowledged that the company did not achieve the revenue outcome it wanted, although operational discipline helped support gross margins.
The retailer has revamped its leadership and marketing since Dickson became CEO in 2023, with Gap and Banana Republic showing stronger performance. Old Navy, however, has remained a key area of weakness.
Gap plans to address Old Navy’s performance by focusing more heavily on denim, activewear, sweaters and knits. Dickson said seasonal pressures are expected to ease in the third quarter.
Old Navy is the third-largest denim brand in the US, according to Gap, and management sees opportunities in styles including low-rise and baggy jeans. The retailer also plans to expand its activewear offering with Old Navy Sport this fall.
Analysts have pointed to the importance of the leadership change for the broader turnaround. Jefferies said the appointment highlights management’s focus on stabilizing performance at Old Navy, given its importance to the company.
Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, said in a Reuters report that the brand’s customer base is under pressure but argued that Old Navy had also failed to provide consumers with enough reasons to shop.
Morgan Stanley also raised its price target on Gap to $23 from $21 while maintaining an Equalweight rating.
The firm cited better-than-expected second-quarter results, constructive trends at Old Navy and resilient margins, but said it wanted more evidence that the brand can improve during the second half.
Gap topped quarterly expectations, supported by stronger pricing and sales at its namesake brand, and raised its annual profit forecast.
However, it narrowed its fiscal 2026 revenue growth outlook to 1%-1.5% from the previous range of 1%-2%, citing economic uncertainty.
At the same time, adjusted earnings-per-share guidance was raised to $2.35-$2.45 from $2.30-$2.40.
The contrasting guidance highlights the challenges facing Gap as it seeks to improve profitability while rebuilding sales momentum at Old Navy.
Saunders said Gap could finish the year with positive sales, but argued that the retailer needs its largest brand to regain momentum for the broader turnaround to progress convincingly.
Gap’s forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stood at 8.33, below American Eagle Outfitters at 8.94 and Urban Outfitters at 11.93.
Gap Inc (NYSE:GAP) on Thursday reported better-than-expected second-quarter earnings and raised their FY26 EPS guidance above estimates.
Revenue came in at $3.65 billion, versus estimates of $3.69 billion. Adjusted EPS came in at 52 cents, versus estimates of 48 cents.
Gap sees third-quarter revenue of approximately $3.96 billion to $4 billion versus estimates of $3.98 billion. The company also guided for full-year revenue of $15.55 billion to $15.63 billion versus estimates of $15.53 billion.
Gap raised its full-year adjusted earnings guidance from a range of $2.30 to $2.40 per share to a new range of $2.35 to $2.45 per share versus estimates of $2.34 per share.
"While top-line results in the second quarter were modestly below expectations, continued operational and financial rigor contributed to gross margin strength resulting in the company exceeding profit expectations," said Richard Dickson, president and CEO of Gap.
Trending
Gap shares surged 14.3% to trade at $23.76 on Friday.
These analysts made changes to their price targets on Gap following earnings announcement.
BTIG analyst Robert Drbul maintained the stock with a Buy and raised the price target from $26 to $27. B of A Securities analyst Lorraine Hutchinson maintained the stock with a Neutral and raised the price target from $26 to $27. Considering buying GAP stock? Here’s what analysts think:
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A leadership change at Gap's largest brand came alongside a stronger profit outlook. Summary
Gap shares jumped about 15%
Gap Inc. (GAP, Financials) is changing leadership at its biggest brand as investors look for signs that its turnaround can spread beyond the Gap name.
The retailer appointed industry veteran Michael Francis as Old Navy's CEO and lifted its full-year profit forecast, sending shares up about 15 percent after hours. The change in leadership deals with one of the company's biggest weaknesses.
Gap brand comparable sales were up 10% in the latest quarter but Old Navy comparable sales fell 4%. Athleta fared even worse, with comparable sales falling 12%. That's a big challenge since Old Navy is still Gap's biggest brand.
CEO Richard Dickson has spent the past few years trying to rebuild the company with better merchandise, stronger marketing and more culturally relevant campaigns.
Gap now expects full-year adjusted earnings per share of $2.35 to $2.45. Quarterly adjusted earnings of 52 cents a share also beat expectations, even as revenue fell 2% to $3.65 billion.
The numbers suggest Gap's wider turnaround is starting to gain some traction. But investors will be watching Old Navy most closely.
If Francis can get sales back up at the company's largest banner, Gap could have a much more solid base for the next leg of its growth.
Disclosures I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and have no plans to buy any new positions in the stocks mentioned within the next 72 hours.
Key Takeaways Gap's comparable sales jumped 10%, while Old Navy fell 4% and Athleta declined 12%.Adjusted gross margin rose 20 basis points, aided by Gap's strength and tariff mitigation efforts.Gap raised adjusted EPS guidance to $2.35-$2.45 as margin expectations and repurchases support results. The Gap, Inc. (GAP - Free Report) reported adjusted earnings of 52 cents per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, down 8.8% year over year but came above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 50 cents. Revenues of $3.65 billion declined 2% year over year and missed the consensus mark of $3.72 billion by 1.9%. Comparable sales fell 1%, while gross margin strength helped the company exceed profit expectations.
Gap delivered a 10% comparable-sales increase, while Old Navy declined 4% and Athleta fell 12%. Management highlighted disciplined pricing, inventory management and stronger execution at key brands as drivers of profitability.
As a result, Gap’s shares have jumped nearly 15% in after-hours trading yesterday. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has dipped 0.8% in the past three months compared with the industry’s 9.5% decline.
GAP Expands Brand MomentumStore sales decreased 3%, while online sales declined 1% and represented 35% of total net sales.
The Gap brand remained the strongest performer in the portfolio. Net sales reached $844 million, up 9% year over year, while comparable sales increased 10%. Management attributed the performance to culturally relevant storytelling and strength in destination categories such as denim, fleece, and kids and baby. Our model had expected Gap brand's sales of $833.9 million for the reported quarter.
GAP Sees Mixed Brand TrendsOld Navy generated second-quarter net sales of $2.1 billion, down 4% year over year, with comparable sales also declining 4%. Management said weaker women’s seasonal assortments and an unexpected slowdown in traffic pressured results.
Banana Republic delivered improvement, with net sales of $478 million, up 1%, and comparable sales up 3%. The brand benefited from stronger assortment, marketing and storytelling, with balanced performance across men’s and women’s categories.
Athleta remained under pressure, with second-quarter net sales of $264 million declining 12% and comparable sales falling 12%. Management said the brand is focused on disciplined execution, improving inventory productivity and rebuilding customer engagement through stronger product and storytelling.
We had anticipated sales of $2.1 billion for Old Navy, $476.5 million for Banana Republic and $280.5 million for Athleta.
Gap Strengthens Margin PerformanceGap reported a gross margin of 52.8%, benefiting from adjustment related to the expected recovery of tariffs previously imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Adjusted gross margin, excluding this benefit, was 41.4%, up 20 basis points year over year.
Adjusted merchandise margin expanded 80 basis points, supported by the Gap brand and tariff mitigation strategies. However, higher promotional activity at Old Navy partially offset gains. Adjusted operating margin was 7.1%, while adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.52.
Gap Returns Cash to ShareholdersGap ended the quarter with $2.5 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, while year-to-date net cash from operating activities totaled $550 million. Free cash flow reached $261 million year to date.
The company returned $262 million to shareholders during the quarter through share repurchases and dividends. Year to date, Gap has returned $726 million to shareholders, including $601 million of share repurchases and $125 million of dividends.
GAP Updates Fiscal 2026 OutlookGap updated its fiscal 2026 outlook, expecting full-year net sales growth of 1-1.5%, compared with the prior forecast of 1-2%. The company now expects Gap comparable sales growth in the high-single to low-double-digit range and Old Navy comparable sales to be flat to down 1%.
The company raised its adjusted operating margin outlook to 7.4-7.6% from 7.3-7.5% previously. Adjusted earnings per share guidance increased to $2.35-$2.45, supported by improved gross margin expectations and a lower weighted average share count following repurchase activity.
Key Stocks to ConsiderWe have highlighted three better-ranked stocks, namely, Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) , American Eagle Outfitters (AEO - Free Report) and Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT - Free Report) .
Target offers guests fashionable, differentiated merchandise and everyday essentials at discounted prices. It currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Target’s current financial-year sales and EPS indicates growth of 4.4% and 11.4%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers. TGT delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.5%, on average.
American Eagle is a specialty retailer of casual apparel, accessories and footwear. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
The consensus estimate for AEO’s current financial-year sales and EPS indicates growth of 5.7% and 17.3%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers. AEO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 48.5%, on average.
Boot Barn is a leading lifestyle retailer in the United States, specializing in western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories. It currently has a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Boot Barn’s current financial-year sales and EPS is expected to rise 15.7% and 22.6%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures. BOOT delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11.4%, on average.
In the news release, GAP INC.'S ENCORE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM TAKES OVER NEW YORK FASHION WEEK WITH SIX DAYS OF MEMBER ACCESS AND EXPERIENCES, issued 24-Aug-2026 by Gap Inc. over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that the photo included has been updated. The complete, corrected release follows:
GAP INC.'S ENCORE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM TAKES OVER NEW YORK FASHION WEEK WITH SIX DAYS OF MEMBER ACCESS AND EXPERIENCESEncore members can unlock runway shows, designer experiences, live entertainment and
exclusive events across New York City, culminating in a live performance by Gigi Perez
, /PRNewswire/ -- Gap Inc. (NYSE: GAP) today announced a six-day New York Fashion Week takeover through Encore, its cross-brand membership program spanning Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta. From September 9–14, Encore will give members new ways to experience fashion, culture and entertainment through runway shows, designer experiences, live music and exclusive events across New York City.
The activation builds on Encore's February launch and brings its promise of access beyond retail to one of fashion's most anticipated weeks. Through a growing roster of partners in fashion, music and entertainment, Encore gives fashion lovers across the country a way into shows, designers and cultural moments that define Fashion Week, including experiences rarely open to the public. Beginning today, members can explore the experiences through a dedicated New York Fashion Week microsite, which will serve as the destination for the latest offerings, event details and entry to the Encore Market.
Members will be able to unlock a rotating lineup of experiences across the city, including access to fashion shows from Alice + Olivia, Grace Ling, Kim Shui, KidSuper and Sandy Liang; a behind-the-scenes atelier tour with Anna Sui; a Norma Kamali installation; a daytime dance party with VA$HTIE; and tickets to one of New York City's hottest concert residencies.
Encore will also unlock special opportunities for members at select Gap and Banana Republic moments taking place around Fashion Week, with additional experiences and details to be revealed by each brand.
The takeover will culminate September 14 with Encore After Hours, an intimate member event at the iconic Cherry Lane Theatre hosted by Gap Inc. EVP & Creative Director, Zac Posen, in partnership with Rolling Stone, featuring special guests, conversation and a live performance by singer-songwriter Gigi Perez.
"Encore gives members more value beyond traditional rewards, with access to coveted cultural moments, exclusive drops and experiences they can't get anywhere else," said Kevin Meiners, Head of Loyalty and Payments at Gap Inc. "For so many fashion lovers, Fashion Week is something they experience from afar. Encore gives our members a chance to be part of it. And as we build new partnerships, we'll continue unlocking even more unique experiences for our members. We're just getting started."
Encore is one of the largest membership programs in U.S. apparel retail, with nearly 40 million active members across Gap Inc.'s brands. The program combines traditional rewards and savings with early product access, exclusive drops, curated content and experiences, giving members more ways to use their points on what they love, from shopping their favorite brands to unlocking memorable experiences. New York Fashion Week is the latest example of how Encore is bringing Gap Inc.'s Fashiontainment platform to life for its customers.
The Encore credit card unlocks the program's All-Access tier, giving cardmembers priority access to select experiences and enhanced benefits. Encore Mastercard® cardmembers earn five times the points at Gap Inc. brands and three times the points on eligible retail apparel purchases elsewhere.
New York Fashion Week experiences will be available in limited quantities, with select cardmember experiences available through direct invitation. Members can explore the full lineup at encoremembership.com/nyfw and redeem experiences through the Encore Market on Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta apps and websites. Eligibility, availability and additional terms vary by experience.
About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc., a purpose-driven house of iconic brands, is the largest specialty apparel company in America. Its Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta brands offer clothing, accessories and lifestyle products for men, women and children worldwide through company-operated and franchise stores and e-commerce sites. Through Encore, its cross-brand membership program, Gap Inc. connects members across its portfolio to rewards, benefits and exclusive experiences. Since 1969, Gap Inc. has created products and experiences that shape culture while doing right by employees, communities and the planet. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gap-incs-encore-membership-program-takes-over-new-york-fashion-week-with-six-days-of-member-access-and-experiences-302857969.html
Encore members can unlock runway shows, designer experiences, live entertainment and
exclusive events across New York City, culminating in a live performance by Gigi Perez
, /PRNewswire/ -- Gap Inc. (NYSE: GAP) today announced a six-day New York Fashion Week takeover through Encore, its cross-brand membership program spanning Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta. From September 9–14, Encore will give members new ways to experience fashion, culture and entertainment through runway shows, designer experiences, live music and exclusive events across New York City.
The activation builds on Encore's February launch and brings its promise of access beyond retail to one of fashion's most anticipated weeks. Through a growing roster of partners in fashion, music and entertainment, Encore gives fashion lovers across the country a way into shows, designers and cultural moments that define Fashion Week, including experiences rarely open to the public. Beginning today, members can explore the experiences through a dedicated New York Fashion Week microsite, which will serve as the destination for the latest offerings, event details and entry to the Encore Market.
Members will be able to unlock a rotating lineup of experiences across the city, including access to fashion shows from Alice + Olivia, Grace Ling, Kim Shui, KidSuper and Sandy Liang; a behind-the-scenes atelier tour with Anna Sui; a Norma Kamali installation; a daytime dance party with VA$HTIE; and tickets to one of New York City's hottest concert residencies.
Encore will also unlock special opportunities for members at select Gap and Banana Republic moments taking place around Fashion Week, with additional experiences and details to be revealed by each brand.
The takeover will culminate September 14 with Encore After Hours, an intimate member event at the iconic Cherry Lane Theatre hosted by Gap Inc. EVP & Creative Director, Zac Posen, in partnership with Rolling Stone, featuring special guests, conversation and a live performance by singer-songwriter Gigi Perez.
"Encore gives members more value beyond traditional rewards, with access to coveted cultural moments, exclusive drops and experiences they can't get anywhere else," said Kevin Meiners, Head of Loyalty and Payments at Gap Inc. "For so many fashion lovers, Fashion Week is something they experience from afar. Encore gives our members a chance to be part of it. And as we build new partnerships, we'll continue unlocking even more unique experiences for our members. We're just getting started."
Encore is one of the largest membership programs in U.S. apparel retail, with nearly 40 million active members across Gap Inc.'s brands. The program combines traditional rewards and savings with early product access, exclusive drops, curated content and experiences, giving members more ways to use their points on what they love, from shopping their favorite brands to unlocking memorable experiences. New York Fashion Week is the latest example of how Encore is bringing Gap Inc.'s Fashiontainment platform to life for its customers.
The Encore credit card unlocks the program's All-Access tier, giving cardmembers priority access to select experiences and enhanced benefits. Encore Mastercard® cardmembers earn five times the points at Gap Inc. brands and three times the points on eligible retail apparel purchases elsewhere.
New York Fashion Week experiences will be available in limited quantities, with select cardmember experiences available through direct invitation. Members can explore the full lineup at encoremembership.com/nyfw and redeem experiences through the Encore Market on Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta apps and websites. Eligibility, availability and additional terms vary by experience.
About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc., a purpose-driven house of iconic brands, is the largest specialty apparel company in America. Its Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta brands offer clothing, accessories and lifestyle products for men, women and children worldwide through company-operated and franchise stores and e-commerce sites. Through Encore, its cross-brand membership program, Gap Inc. connects members across its portfolio to rewards, benefits and exclusive experiences. Since 1969, Gap Inc. has created products and experiences that shape culture while doing right by employees, communities and the planet. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.
In its upcoming report, Gap (GAP - Free Report) is predicted by Wall Street analysts to post quarterly earnings of $0.50 per share, reflecting a decline of 12.3% compared to the same period last year. Revenues are forecasted to be $3.72 billion, representing a year-over-year decrease of 0.1%.
Over the last 30 days, there has been a downward revision of 1.5% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter, leading to its current level. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts over the course of this timeframe.
Prior to a company's earnings announcement, it is crucial to consider revisions to earnings estimates. This serves as a significant indicator for predicting potential investor actions regarding the stock. Empirical research has consistently demonstrated a robust correlation between trends in earnings estimate revision and the short-term price performance of a stock.
While investors typically use consensus earnings and revenue estimates as a yardstick to evaluate the company's quarterly performance, scrutinizing analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics can offer a more comprehensive perspective.
That said, let's delve into the average estimates of some Gap metrics that Wall Street analysts commonly model and monitor.
The consensus among analysts is that 'Net Sales- Old Navy Global- Total' will reach $2.11 billion. The estimate suggests a change of -2.1% year over year.
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Net Sales- Banana Republic Global- Total' of $475.09 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of 0%.
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Net Sales- Gap Global- Total' should come in at $843.10 million. The estimate indicates a change of +9.2% from the prior-year quarter.
Analysts forecast 'Number of Store Locations - Gap - Total' to reach 589 . Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 578 in the same quarter last year.
The consensus estimate for 'Number of Store Locations - Banana Republic - Total' stands at 396 . Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 413 in the same quarter last year.
Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Number of Store Locations - Old Navy North America' should arrive at 1,241 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 1,240 .
It is projected by analysts that the 'Comparable Sales - Banana Republic - YoY change' will reach 1.6%. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 4.0% in the same quarter last year.
Analysts' assessment points toward 'Comparable Sales - Gap - YoY change' reaching 8.3%. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 4.0% in the same quarter last year.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Number of Store Locations - Company-operated stores' at 2,477 . The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 2,486 .
Analysts expect 'Square Footage - Banana Republic North America' to come in at 3 millions of square feet. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 3 millions of square feet in the same quarter last year.
Analysts predict that the 'Number of Store Locations - Athleta North America' will reach 252 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 255 .
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Square Footage - Company-operated stores total' will likely reach 30 millions of square feet. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 30 millions of square feet.
View all Key Company Metrics for Gap here>>>
Over the past month, Gap shares have recorded returns of +4.2% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.3% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), GAP will likely exhibit a performance that aligns with the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Key Takeaways Gap is expected to post lower Q2 revenues and earnings, with sales seen down 0.6% and EPS down 12.3% YoY.Old Navy's seasonal-category weakness and promotions are expected to weigh on Gap's Q2 sales and margins.Gap sees Q2 sales flat to down 1%, gross margin flat to down 50 bps and operating expense deleverage. The Gap, Inc. (GAP - Free Report) is expected to post year-over-year declines in both revenues and earnings when it reports second-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Aug. 27, after the closing bell. For revenues, the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $3.7 billion, indicating a 0.6% decline from the year-ago quarter’s figure.
The consensus estimate for the bottom line is pegged at 50 cents per share, indicating a 12.3% decline from the year-ago quarter’s figure. The consensus estimate for fiscal second-quarter earnings has been stable in the past 30 days.
The San Francisco, CA-based company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2%, on average. In the last reported quarter, the company’s earnings delivered a negative earnings surprise of 2.6%.
Factors Likely to Impact Gap’s Q2 ResultsGap’s fiscal second-quarter performance is likely to have benefited from continued momentum at the Gap brand, supported by stronger product relevance and effective brand storytelling. The company has been leaning into trend-right assortments across denim, fleece, women’s apparel and kids and baby, while maintaining consistency in men’s. Collaborations and culturally relevant marketing have also helped Gap strengthen its connection with younger consumers without losing its broader multigenerational appeal. Management indicated that customer engagement remained healthy entering the quarter, suggesting that product innovation, clearer brand messaging and improving customer experiences may have continued to support demand.
Old Navy, however, is likely to have been a key drag on the company’s fiscal second-quarter sales performance. While core categories such as denim, active and kids and baby continued to resonate with shoppers, seasonal categories remained challenged. In particular, the women’s dress assortment did not deliver the right combination of fashion and value, while weakness was also seen in other seasonal offerings such as swim and shorts. Management responded with sharper price points and stronger customer messaging, and noted some improvement as these actions took hold. Nevertheless, the need to work through weaker seasonal merchandise likely weighed on conversion and increased promotional activity during the quarter.
Performance across Banana Republic and Athleta is also likely to have shaped the overall quarter. Banana Republic entered the period with improving consistency across men’s and women’s apparel, supported by stronger merchandising and storytelling around its modern-explorer positioning. Athleta, on the other hand, remained in a rebuilding phase. The brand continued clearing less productive legacy merchandise while gradually introducing a cleaner assortment designed to better reflect changing customer preferences in the active category. Although early customer response to selected new products was encouraging, management acknowledged that the transition would take time, making Athleta a likely headwind to consolidated sales during the second quarter.
For the second quarter of fiscal 2026, GAP expects net sales to be flat to down 1% year over year and gross margin to be flat to down 50 basis points, with Old Navy pressured by seasonal-category softness that management attributed primarily to execution in dresses and certain other seasonal assortments Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, to deleverage about 110-120 basis points from 33.4% seen in the year-earlier quarter.
Profitability is likely to have reflected a mix of disciplined inventory management and continued cost pressures. Gap has remained focused on reducing discounting where demand is healthy and using data and technology to improve merchandising, allocation and inventory productivity. However, higher promotions needed to clear seasonal merchandise at Old Navy may have limited some of these benefits. Elevated fuel costs and the timing of investments in initiatives such as loyalty, beauty and accessories, technology and the company’s Fashiontainment platform could also have weighed on operating leverage. Thus, despite continued operational discipline and pockets of strong brand momentum, a softer sales mix and elevated investment spending may have pressured second-quarter earnings performance.
What the Zacks Model Unveils for GAPOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Gap this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. But that’s not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Gap currently has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank of 3.
Valuation Picture of GAP StockGoing by the price/earnings ratio, the stock is currently trading at 8.09 on a forward 12-month basis, lower than 13.15 for the Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry. Also, it is trading lower than its median of 10.48.
The recent market movements show that Gap’s shares have lost 25.6% in the past six months compared with the industry's 16.3% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks With the Favorable CombinationHere are some companies, which, according to our model, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +4.49% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is likely to register growth in the top line when it reports second-quarter fiscal 2026 numbers. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ANF’s quarterly EPS is pegged at $1.90, suggesting an 18.1% decline from the year-ago period’s actual. The consensus mark has been stable in the past 30 days.
The consensus estimate for ANF’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $1.24 billion, which implies growth of 2.7% from the prior-year quarter’s actual. Abercrombie has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8.1%, on average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Five Below Inc. (FIVE - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +20.8% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is likely to register growth in the top and bottom lines when it reports second-quarter fiscal 2026 numbers. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FIVE’s quarterly EPS is pegged at $1.28, suggesting 58% growth from the year-ago period’s actual. The consensus mark has been stable in the past 30 days.
The consensus estimate for FIVE’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $1.2 billion, which implies growth of 17.9% from the prior-year quarter’s actual. Five Below has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 70.1%, on average.
Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.20% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The consensus estimate for the quarterly revenues is pegged at $2.97 billion, which indicates a rise of 6.5% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ulta Beauty’s upcoming quarter’s EPS is pegged at $6.17, which implies a 6.8% increase year over year. ULTA delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of roughly 10%, on average.
Investors looking for stocks in the Retail - Apparel and Shoes sector might want to consider either Gap (GAP) or Tapestry (TPR). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now?
Gap's turnaround effort may be progressing at its namesake stores, but worries about weakness at Old Navy have one group of analysts downgrading the stock.
Resources Investor Relations Journalists Agencies Client Login Send a Release News Products Contact , /PRNewswire/ -- Gap Inc. (NYSE: GAP) today announced that its board of directors has authorized a third quarter fiscal year 2026 dividend of $0.175 per share, payable on or after October 28, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 7, 2026.
About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc., a purpose-driven house of iconic brands, is the largest specialty apparel company in America. Its Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta brands offer clothing, accessories, and lifestyle products for men, women and children available worldwide through company-operated and franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. Since 1969, Gap Inc. has created products and experiences that shape culture, while doing right by employees, communities and the planet through its commitment to bridge gaps to create a better world. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.
Investor Relations Contact:
Shirley Martin
[email protected]
Gap Inc (NYSE:GPS) shares fell 3.8% on Wednesday after Jefferies downgraded the retailer to "Hold" from "Buy," citing growing concerns over softening trends at its Old Navy division.
The brokerage cut its price target to $23, rolling forward a roughly 9x price-to-earnings multiple on its fiscal 2028 earnings estimate of $2.56 per share.
“We are increasingly concerned about softer trends at Old Navy (data pointing to higher promos & weakening survey metrics),” analysts wrote.
“Importantly, 2Q represents the easiest comparison of the year, yet trends have lagged;;;and only become tougher in 2H.”
Gap guided to low-single-digit percentage comp growth for Old Navy in the quarter, while Jefferies is modeling a 4% decline.
Comparisons get tougher in the back half of the year, with Old Navy lapping a 6% comp gain in the third quarter and a 3% gain in the fourth, according to the note.
Morning Consult survey data cited by Jefferies showed purchase consideration for Old Navy fell 13% year-over-year in July and has weakened sequentially in recent months, while value perception has also deteriorated. The analysts said discounting has increased at the brand alongside several months of pressure on average selling prices. “We are concerned these trends could persist longer than anticipated,” they wrote.
Still, Jefferies said it remains encouraged by the turnaround underway at the Gap brand itself under CEO Richard Dickson, pointing to nine consecutive quarters of positive comps and strong sell-through from initiatives including the Gap x Hailey Bieber partnership. The firm also cited early customer engagement with Gap's beauty and accessories rollout, including fragrance products that have sold out online, though it said it no longer expects a low-single-digit percentage lift to 2027 sales and EBITDA from those initiatives.
The proven Zacks Rank system focuses on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find winning stocks. Nevertheless, we know that our readers all have their own perspectives, so we are always looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong picks.
Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. Value investors use tried-and-true metrics and fundamental analysis to find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.
In addition to the Zacks Rank, investors looking for stocks with specific traits can utilize our Style Scores system. Of course, value investors will be most interested in the system's "Value" category. Stocks with "A" grades for Value and high Zacks Ranks are among the best value stocks available at any given moment.
One company to watch right now is The Gap (GAP - Free Report) . GAP is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. The stock is trading with P/E ratio of 10.3 right now. For comparison, its industry sports an average P/E of 15.06. GAP's Forward P/E has been as high as 12.41 and as low as 7.35, with a median of 10.44, all within the past year.
Investors should also recognize that GAP has a P/B ratio of 2.41. 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. This company's current P/B looks solid when compared to its industry's average P/B of 6.51. Over the past 12 months, GAP's P/B has been as high as 3.28 and as low as 2.04, with a median of 2.60.
Value investors also use the P/S ratio. The P/S ratio is calculated as price divided by sales. This is a preferred metric because revenue can't really be manipulated, so sales are often a truer performance indicator. GAP has a P/S ratio of 0.5. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 0.51.
Finally, our model also underscores that GAP has a P/CF ratio of 6.07. This metric takes into account a company's operating cash flow and can be used to find stocks that are undervalued based on their solid cash outlook. This stock's P/CF looks attractive against its industry's average P/CF of 14.49. GAP's P/CF has been as high as 8.00 and as low as 5.03, with a median of 6.28, all within the past year.
These are only a few of the key metrics included in The Gap's strong Value grade, but they help show that the stock is likely undervalued right now. When factoring in the strength of its earnings outlook, GAP looks like an impressive value stock at the moment.
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 popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.
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.
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 ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see 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 The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.
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.
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 maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure 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.
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: Gap (GAP - Free Report) The Gap, Inc. is a premier international specialty retailer offering a diverse range of clothing, accessories, and personal care products. It offers products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta brands. Moreover, the company’s products include denim, tees, button-downs, khakis, and other trendy assortments as well as fitness and lifestyle products for training, sports, travel, yoga and other activities. Notably, the company offers its products through company-operated stores, franchise stores, websites, third-party arrangements, as well as catalogs. As of May 2, 2026, Gap had around 3,500 store locations in 35 countries, of which 2,477 were company-operated.
GAP is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 9.18; 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 $0.00 to $2.34 per share. GAP boasts an average earnings surprise of +2%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, GAP should be on investors' short list.
For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.
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 ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build 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.
But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.
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.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Gap (GAP - Free Report) The Gap, Inc. is a premier international specialty retailer offering a diverse range of clothing, accessories, and personal care products. It offers products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta brands. Moreover, the company’s products include denim, tees, button-downs, khakis, and other trendy assortments as well as fitness and lifestyle products for training, sports, travel, yoga and other activities. Notably, the company offers its products through company-operated stores, franchise stores, websites, third-party arrangements, as well as catalogs. As of May 2, 2026, Gap had around 3,500 store locations in 35 countries, of which 2,477 were company-operated.
GAP is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Momentum investors should take note of this Retail-Wholesale stock. GAP has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 8.1% over the past four weeks.
Two analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.01 to $2.34 per share. GAP also boasts an average earnings surprise of +2%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, GAP should be on investors' short list.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Gap Inc. (NYSE: GAP) will report its second quarter fiscal 2026 financial results by press release on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at approximately 1:15 p.m. Pacific Time.
In addition, the company will host a conference call to review its second quarter fiscal 2026 results on Thursday, August 27, 2026, beginning at approximately 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
A live webcast of the conference call will be available online at investors.gapinc.com. A replay of the webcast will be available at the same location.
About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc., a purpose-driven house of iconic brands, is the largest specialty apparel company in America. Its Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta brands offer clothing, accessories, and lifestyle products for men, women and children available worldwide through company-operated and franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. Since 1969, Gap Inc. has created products and experiences that shape culture, while doing right by employees, communities and the planet through its commitment to bridge gaps to create a better world. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.
Investor Relations Contact:
Shirley Martin
[email protected]
For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest 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 ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out 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 The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.
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.
But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.
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.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking 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: Gap (GAP - Free Report) The Gap, Inc. is a premier international specialty retailer offering a diverse range of clothing, accessories, and personal care products. It offers products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta brands. Moreover, the company’s products include denim, tees, button-downs, khakis, and other trendy assortments as well as fitness and lifestyle products for training, sports, travel, yoga and other activities. Notably, the company offers its products through company-operated stores, franchise stores, websites, third-party arrangements, as well as catalogs. As of May 2, 2026, Gap had around 3,500 store locations in 35 countries, of which 2,477 were company-operated.
GAP is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 8.37; value investors should take notice.
Six analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.05 to $2.34 per share. GAP boasts an average earnings surprise of +2%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, GAP should be on investors' short list.
Bank of New York Mellon Corp reduced its stake in The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP – Free Report) by 2.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,132,774 shares of the company’s stock after selling 63,160 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp owned about 0.86% of GAP worth $75,813,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of GAP during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Plato Investment Management Ltd purchased a new position in shares of GAP in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of GAP in the fourth quarter worth $31,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of GAP by 177.0% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 7,016 shares of the company’s stock worth $153,000 after buying an additional 4,483 shares during the period. Finally, Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in GAP during the 4th quarter valued at $203,000. Institutional investors own 58.81% of the company’s stock.
GAP Stock Performance Shares of GAP stock opened at $19.56 on Wednesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $20.90 and a 200 day moving average of $24.21. The Gap, Inc. has a 52 week low of $18.11 and a 52 week high of $29.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.70, a PEG ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 2.04. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41.
GAP (NYSE:GAP – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 28th. The company reported $0.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.39 by ($0.01). GAP had a net margin of 6.25% and a return on equity of 21.13%. The company had revenue of $3.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.52 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.51 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. GAP has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.300-2.400 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that The Gap, Inc. will post 2.34 earnings per share for the current year.
GAP Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 29th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.175 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 8th. This represents a $0.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.6%. GAP’s payout ratio is presently 27.56%.
Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen dropped their price target on shares of GAP from $32.00 to $26.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, May 18th. Evercore set a $20.00 price objective on shares of GAP and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research report on Friday, May 29th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of GAP from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of GAP from $32.00 to $28.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 29th. Finally, Bank of America cut their target price on GAP from $29.00 to $26.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $28.00.
Read Our Latest Report on GAP
GAP Company Profile (Free Report)
Gap Inc is a global specialty retailer renowned for its portfolio of apparel and accessories brands, including Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta. The company designs, sources and markets clothing across a broad price range and style spectrum, catering to men, women and children. Its offerings extend from everyday wardrobe essentials such as denim, tees and outerwear to performance and lifestyle pieces, reflecting each brand’s distinct identity and price point.
Founded in San Francisco in 1969 by Donald and Doris Fisher, Gap Inc has grown into one of the world’s largest apparel companies.
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On July 08, 2026, Gap Inc (GAP) shares fell 3.8%, bringing the current price to $18.35. The stock has been under pressure, with a 52-week range of $18.11 to $29
Key Takeaways Athleta's sales fell 12% to $270M, with comps down 11% as legacy inventory clearance weighed on Q1 results.Gap says 2026 is a transition year for Athleta, focused on product, positioning and merchandising.New Journey travel collection and Elation leg silhouettes showed strong engagement and sell-through. Gap Inc.’s (GAP - Free Report) turnaround has gained traction across much of its portfolio, but Athleta remains the notable exception. While Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic continue to post positive comparable sales growth, Athleta is still in the early stages of a multiyear rebuilding effort. Management has been clear that 2026 is a transition year for the brand, with the priority on rebuilding product, brand positioning and merchandising rather than pursuing near-term sales growth. The key question for investors is whether these foundational changes can translate into sustainable momentum over the coming quarters.
The first-quarter results highlighted the work still ahead. Athleta's net sales declined 12% year over year to $270 million, while comparable sales fell 11%, missing the company's expectations. Management attributed the weakness primarily to efforts to clear legacy inventory, a process that has taken longer than anticipated and weighed on top-line performance. Despite the sales pressure, Gap noted that introducing a cleaner assortment remains essential before the brand can return to more consistent growth.
Encouragingly, early signs suggest the strategy may be gaining traction beneath the surface. Gap reported positive customer response to Athleta's new Journey travel collection in select locations, with strong engagement and sell-through rates. New leg silhouettes across core franchises such as the Elation line have also performed well, giving management greater confidence in its future product direction. The company plans to continue clearing older inventory through the second quarter before introducing a broader assortment that better reflects Athleta's long-term positioning in the fall season.
While Athleta is likely to remain a drag on Gap's overall performance in the near term, management expects gradual improvement in the second half as new products gain a larger share of the assortment. Leadership continues to view Athleta as an important long-term growth engine and is investing in product, talent and creative capabilities to strengthen the brand's competitive position. The pace at which these initiatives translate into stronger comparable sales will likely determine whether Athleta can become a meaningful contributor to Gap's next phase of growth.
GAP’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have lost 31.9% in the past six months compared with the industry’s decline of 12.8%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, GAP trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 7.90X compared with the industry’s average of 14.44X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GAP’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 1.2% and 9.9%, respectively. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 1.9% rise in sales and 10.8% growth in earnings. The company’s EPS estimate for both fiscal years has remained stable in the past seven days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Key PicksRoss Stores (ROST - Free Report) , a leading U.S. off-price retailer operating Ross Dress for Less and dd's DISCOUNTS stores, sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. ROST delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.2%, on average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The consensus estimate for Ross Stores’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings suggests growth of 9.1% and 17.1%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
Five Below, Inc. (FIVE - Free Report) , which operates as a specialty value retailer, currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. FIVE delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 70.1%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Five Below’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings suggests growth of 14.36% and 34.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
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. TPR has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.6%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 13.8% and 36.3%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures.
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.
Zacks Premium also includes 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.
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 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 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 ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.
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: Gap (GAP - Free Report) The Gap, Inc. is a premier international specialty retailer offering a diverse range of clothing, accessories, and personal care products. It offers products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta brands. Moreover, the company’s products include denim, tees, button-downs, khakis, and other trendy assortments as well as fitness and lifestyle products for training, sports, travel, yoga and other activities. Notably, the company offers its products through company-operated stores, franchise stores, websites, third-party arrangements, as well as catalogs. As of May 2, 2026, Gap had around 3,500 store locations in 35 countries, of which 2,477 were company-operated.
GAP is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 8.22; value investors should take notice.
Six analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.04 to $2.34 per share. GAP boasts an average earnings surprise of +2%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, GAP should be on investors' short list.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of The Gap Inc. ("Gap" or the "Company") (NYSE: GAP). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether Gap and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On May 28, 2026, Gap reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2026, including revenue of $3.5 billion, which represented an increase of only 1% year-over-year and fell short of analyst expectations. The results fell short across key segments, including Old Navy and Athleta, and prompted management to cut 2026 full-year net sales guidance.
On this news, Gap's stock price fell $3.85 per share, or 15.4%, to close at $21.15 per share on May 29, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Key Takeaways GAP launched an AI-driven initiative to modernize marketing and enhance customer engagement.Gap partnered with Google Cloud to build a unified data foundation for personalization.GAP is using AI tools and Athena by Zeta to improve targeting, campaigns and marketing efficiency. The Gap, Inc. (GAP - Free Report) continues to benefit from strong brand momentum and growing market share across its key banners, driven by the steady execution of its brand reinvigoration strategy. The company’s transformation efforts are centered on four key priorities, including maintaining financial and operational discipline, revitalizing its brands, strengthening its platform and supply-chain capabilities, and fostering a high-performance culture.
GAP unveiled a major AI-driven initiative aimed at modernizing its marketing operations and enhancing customer engagement across its portfolio of brands. Through the adoption of Artificial Intelligence, advanced data analytics and agentic technologies, the company is reshaping its shared marketing organization into a more agile, scalable and real-time growth platform. The initiative seeks to deliver highly personalized customer experiences, strengthen owned marketing channels, improve customer retention and foster greater integration across the marketing ecosystem.
A key component of the initiative is Gap's collaboration with Google Cloud to create a unified, AI-ready data foundation that integrates customer and product intelligence. This platform is expected to support faster personalization, improved decision-making and continuous optimization across marketing content, customer activations and e-commerce operations.
Gap has teamed up with Publicis Sapient to build a consumer-focused, AI-driven operating model. The collaboration is aimed at integrating content development, campaign execution, commerce and customer intelligence into a more connected ecosystem, while improving efficiency across its workforce, processes, technology infrastructure and data capabilities. To power its AI capabilities, Gap is utilizing Google Cloud technologies such as Agent Studio, Agent Engine and Gemini models, along with advanced image and video-generation tools, including Nano Banana and Veo. These tools are intended to streamline workflows and support large-scale content creation.
Additionally, Gap is working with Zeta Global to build an AI-powered marketing stack centered on Athena by Zeta, an intelligence platform designed to connect customer data, decision-making and marketing execution. Athena's predictive and agentic capabilities will help coordinate audience targeting, creative development, campaign activation and optimization, enabling more personalized customer experiences and faster campaign deployment. By combining its established brand heritage with advanced AI infrastructure and data-driven capabilities, Gap aims to create a faster, more responsive and customer-centric marketing model that supports long-term growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company’s shares have lost 15.7% in the past three months against the industry’s 3.2% growth.
3 Retail Picks You Can’t MissWe have highlighted three better-ranked stocks, namely Genesco Inc. (GCO - Free Report) , Designer Brands Inc. (DBI - Free Report) and Levi Strauss & Co. (LEVI - Free Report) .
Genesco, a footwear and accessories dealer, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Genesco’s current financial-year EPS indicates growth of 55.2% from the year-ago figure. GCO delivered an average earnings surprise of 3.8% in the trailing four quarters.
Designer Brands, designer and producer of footwear and accessories, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 112.8%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Designer Brands’ current financial-year sales indicates growth of 0.5% from the year-ago figure.
Levi Strauss, designer and marketer of jeans, casual wear and related accessories, currently has a Zacks Rank of 2. LEVI delivered an average earnings surprise of 21.4% in the trailing four quarters.
The consensus estimate for Levi Strauss’ current financial-year sales indicates growth of 5.2% from the year-ago figure.
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.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means 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 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 traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in 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.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and 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.
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: Gap (GAP - Free Report) The Gap, Inc. is a premier international specialty retailer offering a diverse range of clothing, accessories, and personal care products. It offers products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta brands. Moreover, the company’s products include denim, tees, button-downs, khakis, and other trendy assortments as well as fitness and lifestyle products for training, sports, travel, yoga and other activities. Notably, the company offers its products through company-operated stores, franchise stores, websites, third-party arrangements, as well as catalogs. As of May 2, 2026, Gap had around 3,500 store locations in 35 countries, of which 2,477 were company-operated.
GAP is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 9.31; value investors should take notice.
For fiscal 2027, five analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.03 to $2.33 per share. GAP boasts an average earnings surprise of +2%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, GAP should be on investors' short list.