Carter's Inc. (CRI) vs National Vision Holdings, Inc. (EYE)
A side-by-side comparison of Carter's Inc. and National Vision Holdings, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CRI
Carter's Inc.
$32.36Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 9:40 AM EDT
EYE
National Vision Holdings, Inc.
$16.58Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 9:40 AM EDT
Total return — CRI vs EYE
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 9yCRI -55.4% (-8.6%/yr)EYE -40.6% (-5.6%/yr)EYE compounded faster over this window
CRI EYE
CRI vs EYE: by the numbers
- •EYE is the larger company ($1.33B vs $1.19B market cap).
- •CRI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (5.89 vs 27.08 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CRI converts more revenue to profit (6.55% vs 2.47% net margin).
- •Both shrank revenue over the past five years; EYE's decline was smaller (-0.31% vs -2.54% CAGR).
- •CRI pays a dividend (3.09% yield), while EYE has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CRI | EYE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 5.89 | 27.08 |
| Forward P/E | 9.89 | 16.44 |
| P/S ratio | 0.40 | 0.65 |
| P/B ratio | 1.16 | 1.48 |
| EV / EBITDA | 5.22 | 11.29 |
| FCF yield | 24.57% | 3.70% |
Profitability
| Metric | CRI | EYE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 48.60% | 55.22% |
| Operating margin | 9.24% | 4.13% |
| Net margin | 6.55% | 2.47% |
| ROE | 18.99% | 5.61% |
| ROIC | 10.17% | 3.86% |
Dividends
| Metric | CRI | EYE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.09% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 18.21% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CRI | EYE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | -2.54% | -0.31% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -24.12% | -3.84% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -26.11% | -28.54% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -16.53% | -21.96% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CRI or EYE?
- CRI has the lower trailing P/E: CRI trades at 5.89 and EYE at 27.08. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CRI or EYE?
- Neither grew: over the past five years both shrank revenue, with EYE's decline the smaller — CRI at a -2.54% CAGR versus EYE at -0.31%.
- Does CRI or EYE pay a bigger dividend?
- CRI pays a dividend (3.09% yield), while EYE has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is CRI or EYE more profitable?
- CRI runs the higher net margin — CRI at 6.55% versus EYE at 2.47%.
- How have CRI and EYE total returns compared?
- Over the past 5 years, CRI delivered -16.53% and EYE delivered -21.96% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Carter's P/E ratioNational Vision P/E ratioCarter's dividend yieldCarter's ROENational Vision ROECarter's operating marginNational Vision operating marginCarter's revenue growthNational Vision revenue growthCarter's free cash flowNational Vision free cash flow
Carter's & National Vision 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 October 6, 2026.