The Buckle, Inc. (BKE) vs Carter's Inc. (CRI)
BKE leads on 15 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of The Buckle, Inc. and Carter's Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 28, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — BKE vs CRI
growth of $100 · last 23yBKE +362.5%CRI +251.9%BKE compounded faster
BKE CRI
BKE vs CRI: by the numbers
- •BKE is the larger company ($2.23B vs $1.60B market cap).
- •BKE trades at the lower earnings multiple (9.92 vs 17.09 P/E).
- •BKE converts more revenue to profit (16.85% vs 3.07% net margin).
- •BKE grew revenue faster over the past five years (3.91% vs -1.35% CAGR).
- •BKE pays the higher dividend yield (3.24% vs 2.31%).
Which is better, BKE or CRI?
Metric tally: BKE 15 · CRI 2It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueBKE(lower P/E)
GrowthBKE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeBKE(higher dividend yield)
QualityBKE(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | BKE | CRI |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 9.92● | 17.09 |
| Forward P/E | 10.63● | 13.09 |
| P/S ratio | 1.68 | 0.52● |
| P/B ratio | 4.81 | 1.65● |
| PEG ratio | 1.78● | 27.13 |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.59● | 11.45 |
| FCF yield | 10.02%● | 8.27% |
Profitability
| Metric | BKE | CRI |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 48.87%● | 44.66% |
| Operating margin | 21.10%● | 4.80% |
| Net margin | 16.85%● | 3.07% |
| ROE | 48.26%● | 9.76% |
| ROIC | 23.63%● | 5.29% |
Dividends
| Metric | BKE | CRI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.24%● | 2.31% |
| Payout ratio | 33.57% | 38.61% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | BKE | CRI |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.91%● | -1.35% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 9.32%● | 0.63% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -8.21%● | -24.78% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 0.47%● | -12.93% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, BKE or CRI?
- It depends on your goal. value: BKE (lower P/E); growth: BKE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: BKE (higher dividend yield); quality: BKE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, BKE leads 15 to 2.
- Is BKE or CRI cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, BKE is cheaper: BKE trades at a 9.92 P/E and CRI at 17.09.
- Which has grown faster, BKE or CRI?
- Over the past five years, BKE grew revenue faster — BKE at a 3.91% CAGR versus CRI at -1.35%.
- Does BKE or CRI pay a bigger dividend?
- BKE yields 3.24% and CRI yields 2.31% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is BKE or CRI more profitable?
- BKE runs the higher net margin — BKE at 16.85% versus CRI at 3.07%.
- Which has been the better investment, BKE or CRI?
- Over the past 10-year, BKE delivered the higher annualized total return — BKE at 9.37% versus CRI at -5.80%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Buckle P/E ratioCarter's P/E ratioBuckle dividend yieldCarter's dividend yieldBuckle ROECarter's ROEBuckle operating marginCarter's operating marginBuckle revenue growthCarter's revenue growthBuckle free cash flowCarter's free cash flow
Buckle & Carter's appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 28, 2026.