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).

Compare

Total return — BKE vs CRI

growth of $100 · last 23y
BKE +362.5%CRI +251.9%BKE compounded faster
2004006008001kStart $10020072011201520192023$462$352
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 2

It 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

MetricBKECRI
P/E ratio9.9217.09
Forward P/E10.6313.09
P/S ratio1.680.52
P/B ratio4.811.65
PEG ratio1.7827.13
EV / EBITDA7.5911.45
FCF yield10.02%8.27%

Profitability

MetricBKECRI
Gross margin48.87%44.66%
Operating margin21.10%4.80%
Net margin16.85%3.07%
ROE48.26%9.76%
ROIC23.63%5.29%

Dividends

MetricBKECRI
Dividend yield3.24%2.31%
Payout ratio33.57%38.61%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBKECRI
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.

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.