Value
7.3/10data confidence 100%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| P/E | 8.3 |
| P/S | 9.7 |
| EV/EBITDA | 6.4 |
| Fwd P/E | 9.2 |
| PEG | 5.8 |
| Analyst target | 5.0 |
- ▸Forward P/E: 10.5x
- ▸PEG: 1.31
- ▸Attractively valued
URBN · Why this verdict
Why Urban Outfitters (URBN) is rated SELL
Updated
Model-generated analysis — not investment advice. Not a registered investment advisor. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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VerdictSELL
Overall score5.3/10
ConfidenceMEDIUM
MacroNEUTRAL
Thesis pillars
| Pillar | Expectation | Trend |
|---|---|---|
Urban Outfitters trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11.5 and a PEG ratio of 1.34, but the current price is 5.1% above the analyst consensus target, leaving no margin of safety for new buyers. Warnings | Analyst price targets should be raised by at least 15% over the next 12 months to create a new entry opportunity with adequate upside. | →Stable |
| CounterA PEG ratio of 1.34 is reasonable for retail, and consensus targets frequently lag improving fundamentals, meaning the stock may have earned a higher valuation that targets have not yet reflected. | ||
Urban Outfitters delivered earnings above analyst expectations in all 4 most recent quarters, with a consistent average surprise of 10.6%, reflecting disciplined execution across its apparel retail brands. Earnings | The company should maintain its beat streak with positive earnings surprises in at least 3 of the next 4 quarters. | →Stable |
| CounterFree cash flow quality is extremely weak at only 1% of net income, indicating that reported earnings are not being converted into actual cash, which limits the quality of these beats. | ||
The stock is above its 200-day moving average with a bullish MACD signal, rising on-balance volume, and an RSI of 55, all indicating sustained buying interest and a healthy technical backdrop. Momentum breakdown | The price should remain above $71.65 and maintain its technical uptrend over the next 12 months. | →Stable |
| CounterThe technical uptrend sits in a sideways 200-day moving average, meaning it lacks directional conviction and may simply be range-bound rather than trending higher. | ||
Short interest at 12% of float is elevated for a traditional apparel retailer, reflecting skepticism about the durability of earnings beats in a sector facing ongoing consumer spending uncertainty. Key risks | Short interest should decline below 7% over 12 months as continued beat streaks erode the bear case. | →Stable |
| Counter12% short interest is not extreme for a consumer cyclical company and may simply reflect macro hedges by institutional investors rather than a fundamental thesis against Urban Outfitters specifically. | ||
Urban Outfitters trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11.5 and a PEG ratio of 1.34, but the current price is 5.1% above the analyst consensus target, leaving no margin of safety for new buyers.
→StableWarnings
- Expectation
- Analyst price targets should be raised by at least 15% over the next 12 months to create a new entry opportunity with adequate upside.
CounterA PEG ratio of 1.34 is reasonable for retail, and consensus targets frequently lag improving fundamentals, meaning the stock may have earned a higher valuation that targets have not yet reflected.
Urban Outfitters delivered earnings above analyst expectations in all 4 most recent quarters, with a consistent average surprise of 10.6%, reflecting disciplined execution across its apparel retail brands.
→StableEarnings
- Expectation
- The company should maintain its beat streak with positive earnings surprises in at least 3 of the next 4 quarters.
CounterFree cash flow quality is extremely weak at only 1% of net income, indicating that reported earnings are not being converted into actual cash, which limits the quality of these beats.
The stock is above its 200-day moving average with a bullish MACD signal, rising on-balance volume, and an RSI of 55, all indicating sustained buying interest and a healthy technical backdrop.
→StableMomentum breakdown
- Expectation
- The price should remain above $71.65 and maintain its technical uptrend over the next 12 months.
CounterThe technical uptrend sits in a sideways 200-day moving average, meaning it lacks directional conviction and may simply be range-bound rather than trending higher.
Short interest at 12% of float is elevated for a traditional apparel retailer, reflecting skepticism about the durability of earnings beats in a sector facing ongoing consumer spending uncertainty.
→StableKey risks
- Expectation
- Short interest should decline below 7% over 12 months as continued beat streaks erode the bear case.
Counter12% short interest is not extreme for a consumer cyclical company and may simply reflect macro hedges by institutional investors rather than a fundamental thesis against Urban Outfitters specifically.
TrendMatrix Research · core thesis
Engine thesis — one sentence
Urban Outfitters has beaten earnings estimates in all 4 of its last quarters with an average surprise of 10.6%, and the stock sits in a technical uptrend with positive price momentum, but the current price is essentially at the analyst consensus target with no meaningful upside remaining.
Falsifiable statement — pillar-level invalidators below. Engine-derived; not personalized advice.
Per-dimension breakdown
Quality
4.8/10data confidence 100%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| ROE | 6.2 |
| ROA | 5.6 |
| Gross margin | 3.2 |
| Op margin | 3.6 |
| Net margin | 3.7 |
| Current ratio | 5.4 |
| FCF quality | 0.1 |
| Moat | 6.9 |
| Piotroski F | 8.9 |
- ▸Earnings quality RED FLAG: 1% FCF/NI
- ▸Strong Piotroski F-Score: 8/9
Growth
4.9/10data confidence 67%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| Rev growth | 5.4 |
| EPS growth | 4.4 |
Momentum
2.8/10data confidence 100%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| RSI | 8.0 |
| MACD | 0.0 |
| OBV | 1.0 |
| MA position | 3.0 |
| Volume | 2.0 |
- ▸Uptrend pullback (RSI 35) - buy opportunity
- ▸Volume distribution (falling OBV)
- ▸Above 200-MA but MA slope flat
Sentiment
6.7/10data confidence 100%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| Analyst rating | 7.1 |
| Price target | 7.6 |
| erm sentiment | 5.0 |
Insider
3.9/10data confidence 75%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| materiality | 4.5 |
| insider conviction | 2.0 |
| holder change | 5.1 |
- ▸Modest insider selling — $1,696,131 (0.028% of mkt cap)
Peer rank
5.0/10data confidence 80%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| value rank | 4.5 |
| quality rank | 4.8 |
| growth rank | 5.6 |
Technical
7.6/10data confidence 100%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| bollinger | 7.6 |
| support resistance | 8.4 |
| 52w position | 6.8 |
Risk (lower is worse)
5.6/10data confidence 100%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| short interest | 4.2 |
| days to cover | 5.7 |
| volatility | 2.1 |
| put call | 8.5 |
| implied vol | 4.5 |
| beta | 6.1 |
| debt equity | 8.2 |
Catalyst
5.3/10data confidence 100%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| erm | 5.0 |
| earnings history | 6.7 |
| earnings timing | 5.0 |
| surprise avg | 4.6 |
- ▸Strong earnings: 3B/1M
How the verdict was assembled
Engine trigger
Multiple concerning factors. Consider reducing position.
Engine technical detail
verdict_path:
L4:PATH_F_SELLPassed (6)
- INSIDER:OK
- 8K:CLEAN
- NEWS_EVENTS:NONE_RECENT
- EARNINGS_PROXIMITY:54d clear
- SEMI_CYCLE_PEAK:CLEAR
- MATERIALS_CYCLE_PEAK:CLEAR
Failed (2)
- MOMENTUM:2.8<4.5
- ASYMMETRY:0.5<1.5@spot
Warning (0)
none
Reward-to-Risk
0.47
Upside
+4.0%
Downside
8.3%
Sizing output
AVOID
Setup— — No clear chart pattern; technical signals are mixed
EdgeNo clear edge — No clear edge identified
SuitabilityModerate — Balanced profile
Investment implication
The F-path SELL output reflects an overall score of 5.3 below the 5.6 soft trigger — multiple weakening dimensions accumulated rather than a single hard-floor breach. The strongest dimension ( Technical at 7.6) was not enough to lift the adjusted overall above the threshold. Co-occurring failed gates ( MOMENTUM:2.8<4.5, ASYMMETRY:0.5<1.5@spot) reinforce the read. Current asymmetry R:R is 0.47 — supplementary context, not the trigger for this path.
The strongest dimensions are Technical at 7.6, Value at 7.3, and Sentiment at 6.7; the weakest are Momentum at 2.8, Insider at 3.9, and Quality at 4.8. The V9 engine flagged 2 failed gates, producing an asymmetric reward-to-risk of 0.47 and an engine sizing output of AVOID.
What would invalidate the thesis
Falsifying conditions — when triggered, the corresponding pillar's thesis is invalidated.
- P1Perfect Earnings Beat Streak
Trip ifEPS surprise falls below 0% in at least 2 of the next 4 quarters.
- P2Technical Momentum Uptrend
Trip ifPrice drops below $71.65, more than 7% below the current $77.01.
- P3Valuation Analyst Ceiling
Trip ifAnalyst consensus price target remains below $85 for more than 6 consecutive months.
- P4Short Interest Overhang
Trip ifShort interest rises above 18%, exceeding the current 12% level.