Citi Trends, Inc. (CTRN) vs Escalade, Incorporated (ESCA)

A side-by-side comparison of Citi Trends, Inc. and Escalade, Incorporated 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.

Compare

Total return — CTRN vs ESCA

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CTRN +157.5% (+9.9%/yr)ESCA +128.1% (+8.6%/yr)CTRN compounded faster over this window
0200400600Start $10020182020202220242026$257$228
CTRN ESCA

CTRN vs ESCA: by the numbers

  • •CTRN is the larger company ($409M vs $258M market cap).
  • •ESCA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (11.28 vs 59.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •ESCA converts more revenue to profit (9.46% vs 0.84% net margin).
  • •Both shrank revenue over the past five years; CTRN's decline was smaller (-2.23% vs -3.58% CAGR).
  • •ESCA pays a dividend (3.18% yield), while CTRN is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCTRNESCA
P/E ratio59.8711.28
Forward P/E25.4412.01
P/S ratio0.471.06
P/B ratio3.281.41
EV / EBITDA22.887.44
FCF yield1.59%10.05%

Profitability

MetricCTRNESCA
Gross margin39.22%27.45%
Operating margin0.59%12.39%
Net margin0.84%9.46%
ROE5.89%12.63%
ROIC1.64%11.34%

Dividends

MetricCTRNESCA
Dividend yieldN/A3.18%
Payout ratioN/A36.45%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCTRNESCA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-2.23%-3.58%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-22.53%-11.48%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-40.76%N/A
Total return CAGR (5Y)-8.32%4.44%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CTRN or ESCA?
ESCA has the lower trailing P/E: CTRN trades at 59.87 and ESCA at 11.28. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CTRN or ESCA?
Neither grew: over the past five years both shrank revenue, with CTRN's decline the smaller — CTRN at a -2.23% CAGR versus ESCA at -3.58%.
Does CTRN or ESCA pay a bigger dividend?
ESCA pays a dividend (3.18% yield), while CTRN is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Is CTRN or ESCA more profitable?
ESCA runs the higher net margin — CTRN at 0.84% versus ESCA at 9.46%.
How have CTRN and ESCA total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CTRN delivered 9.92% and ESCA delivered 8.62% annualized total return. 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 October 6, 2026.