On Wednesday, Telsey Advisory Group maintained a Market Perform rating on Foot Locker , Inc. (NYSE:FL), with a steady price target of $30.00. The firm anticipates that Foot Locker will report its second consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales, forecasting a 3.5% increase, slightly above the FactSet consensus of 3.2%.
This performance is attributed to a diversified product mix, with non-Nike sales now accounting for approximately 40% of total sales, benefits from a revamped loyalty program introduced in June, and improved omnichannel and in-store experiences aimed at boosting customer conversion rates.
The analysis suggests that Foot Locker experienced a strong start to the quarter with a robust Back-to-School season in August, although a slowdown is expected in October. This projection aligns with recent observations from JD (NASDAQ:JD) Sports, which reported softer October trends in the U.S. market and an increase in promotional activities. These were primarily due to Nike (NYSE:NKE)'s efforts to clear inventory of its Nike and Jordan lifestyle lines. Despite the competitive environment, Foot Locker is expected to have lower year-over-year promotions due to reduced inventory levels.
Looking forward to the critical holiday season, Telsey anticipates that Foot Locker will reaffirm its full-year 2024 earnings per share (EPS) guidance. The Market Perform rating and 12-month price target are based on a price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 13 times Telsey's 2025 EPS estimate of $2.30 for Foot Locker.
During Foot Locker's earnings call, Telsey will be seeking further insights into several areas. These include demand trends throughout the quarter by brand, concept, and product category; the level of promotional activity across the marketplace; consumer response to the relaunch of the FLX loyalty program in the U.S.; the performance of newly opened and remodeled stores; and developments in the transformation of the Champs sports banner.
In other recent news, Foot Locker has been the focus of several significant developments. The sportswear retailer saw a slight beat in sales, EBIT, and EPS for the second quarter of 2024, largely due to robust comparable store sales in North America and the EMEA region. However, the company revised its gross margin forecast for the full fiscal year 2024 downward due to increased promotional activities.
Foot Locker has also announced a multi-year partnership with the Chicago Bulls, aimed at enhancing fan engagement through community events and exclusive content. Analysts from Evercore ISI, Needham, Citi, and Barclays (LON:BARC) have provided various ratings and price targets for the company, with Evercore ISI cutting its target to $32 but maintaining an Outperform rating, Needham initiating coverage with a Buy rating, and Citi maintaining a Neutral stance.
Barclays reiterated an Overweight rating, showing confidence in Foot Locker's LaceUp Plan aimed at driving a turnaround. However, Baird reduced its price target from $35.00 to $27.00, maintaining a Neutral stance due to concerns over the retailer's short-term prospects.
InvestingPro Insights
Recent data from InvestingPro adds depth to the analysis of Foot Locker's financial position and market performance. The company's market capitalization stands at $2.32 billion, reflecting its current market valuation. Despite recent challenges, InvestingPro Tips indicate that Foot Locker has maintained dividend payments for 21 consecutive years, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns. This consistency aligns with the company's efforts to maintain investor confidence amidst market fluctuations.
The company's P/E ratio (adjusted) for the last twelve months as of Q2 2025 is 36.37, which may be considered high compared to industry averages. This valuation metric suggests that investors are pricing in expectations for future growth, possibly in line with Telsey Advisory Group's anticipation of positive comparable sales.
Interestingly, an InvestingPro Tip notes that Foot Locker has seen a significant return over the last week, with data showing a 9.09% price total return. This recent uptick could be indicative of growing investor optimism ahead of the upcoming earnings report and holiday season.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips and insights that could provide valuable context for Foot Locker's financial outlook and market position.
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