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CTRNCiti Trends, Inc.Sell5.1·$72.50+3.35%
SellModerate Confidence
Investment thesis

Citi Trends shows a strong recent earnings-beat streak and a statistically cheap PEG ratio, but extreme insider selling of 9.2% of market cap, a failed momentum gate, and 17% short interest drive the engine's extreme-risk-factors exit call.

Thesis pillars

  • Extreme Insider Selling RiskImproving
  • Momentum Gate FailureStable
  • Peg Valuation CheapnessStable
  • +2 more pillars — see the Why tab for full reasoning

Full reasoning →

Open full analysis

Citi Trends, Inc. (CTRN) Stock Analysis

Range Bound setup

SellGrowthShortModerate Confidence

Consumer Cyclical · Apparel Retail

Earnings in 2 days (2026-08-25). Expect elevated volatility around the report — consider waiting for post-earnings price action before new entries.

Sell if holding. Engine safety override at $72.50: Risk below floor (2.9 < 3.0) triggers a hard block regardless of the otherwise-positive setup — overall score 5.1/10. Specifically: High short interest: 18%; Below-average business quality.

We are the leading off-price retailer specifically focused on Black customers, delivering the styles, brands, and trends at amazing prices that resonate with our primary and secondary customers. Our product offering is Women's, Men's and Children's apparel, family footwear,... Read more

$72.50-8.7% A.UpsideScore 5.1/10#16 of 17 Apparel Retail
QualityF-score6 / 9FCF yield5.32%
Stop $66.69Target $76.35(resistance)A.R:R -0.8:1
Analyst target$77.00+6.2%2 analysts
$76.35our TP
$72.50price
$77.00mean
$81

Sell if holding. Engine safety override at $72.50: Risk below floor (2.9 < 3.0) triggers a hard block regardless of the otherwise-positive setup — overall score 5.1/10. Specifically: High short interest: 18%; Below-average business quality. Chart setup: RSI 56 mid-range, Bollinger mid-band. Score 5.1/10, moderate confidence.

Passes 4/8 gates (no SEC red flags, news events none recent, semi cycle peak clear, materials cycle peak clear). Fails on weak momentum and favorable risk/reward ratio and earnings proximity 2d<=7d. Suitability: aggressive.

TrendMatrix Research · upcoming catalyst calendar

Upcoming dated catalysts

Tue, Aug 25, 20262d to earnings· next earnings call

Thesis

Rewards
No bull case signals
Risks
Target reached (-8.7% upside)
Risk below floor (2.9 < 3.0)

Key Metrics

P/E (TTM)49.5
P/E (Fwd)29.8
Mkt Cap$597M
EV/EBITDA38.2
Profit Mgn1.4%
ROE10.3%
Rev Growth14.4%
Beta1.82
DividendNone
Rating analysts8

Quality Signals

Piotroski F6/9MoatNarrow

Model-generated analysis — not investment advice. Not a registered investment advisor. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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About TrendMatrix. TrendMatrix is a publisher of general securities research and market commentary. We publish on a regular schedule. All content is the same for every subscriber in a tier — we do not provide personalized investment advice and we do not take into account any individual subscriber's financial situation, investment objectives, risk tolerance, tax situation, or holdings.

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Conflicts and positions. The TrendMatrix editorial team frequently holds personal long-term positions in securities discussed. We disclose positions held at the time of publication on each piece. We maintain a trading-window policy: we do not initiate or close positions in the same direction as a TrendMatrix publication within 24 hours before or 72 hours after publication.

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Performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Performance figures reflect the published model only and do not reflect any individual subscriber's actual results.

Methodology · Editorial policy & full disclaimer

Rating Breakdown

2 floor-breakers

Risk profile below the gate floor. Component breakdown shows what dragged the score down.static

Short Interest
1.1
Volatility
1.6
Debt Equity
3.4
Beta
3.9
Days To Cover
4.4
High short interest: 18%

Ranks in the bottom of its industry peers on the composite signal. Better names in the same sector exist.static

Quality Rank
1.8
Value Rank
3.5
Growth Rank
7.1
GatesMomentum 4.3<4.5A.R:R -0.8=NEGATIVEEARNINGS PROXIMITY 2d<=7dINSIDER 0.00%=MODERATENo SEC red flagsNEWS EVENTS NONE RECENTSEMI CYCLE PEAK CLEARMATERIALS CYCLE PEAK CLEARRange BoundSuitability: Aggressive
RSI
56 · Neutral
20D MA 50D MA 200D MAGOLDEN CROSSSupport $63.86Resistance $77.91

Price Targets

$67
$76
A.Upside-8.7%
A.R:R-0.8:1

Position Sizing

ConvictionNone
Suggested %0.5%
Max %1%
RegimeSteady

Risk Alerts

! Target reached (-8.7% upside)
! Risk below floor (2.9 < 3.0)
! momentum at 4.3 (below the engine's 4.5 threshold)

Earnings

B
B
B
M
3/4 beats
Next Earnings2026-08-25 (2d)

Verdict History

reverse chrono — latest first
Loading history...
Verdicts are recorded on every nightly pipeline run. Rows capture transitions (verdict flips, score deltas ≥0.3, entry/TP/SL changes). Rows with a ▶ can be expanded to see the change reason. Aggregate cohort performance is tracked in the recommendation ledger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CTRN stock a buy right now?

Sell if holding. Engine safety override at $72.50: Risk below floor (2.9 < 3.0) triggers a hard block regardless of the otherwise-positive setup — overall score 5.1/10. Specifically: High short interest: 18%; Below-average business quality. Chart setup: RSI 56 mid-range, Bollinger mid-band. Prior stop was $66.69. Score 5.1/10, moderate confidence.

What is the CTRN stock price target?

Take-profit target: $76.35 (-8.7% upside). Prior stop was $66.69. Stop-loss: $66.69.

What are the risks of investing in CTRN?

Target reached (-8.7% upside); Risk below floor (2.9 < 3.0).

Is CTRN overvalued or undervalued?

Citi Trends, Inc. trades at a P/E of 49.5 (forward 29.8). TrendMatrix value score: 5.9/10. Verdict: Sell.

What do analysts say about CTRN?

8 analysts cover CTRN with a consensus score of 4.1/5. Average price target: $77.

What does Citi Trends, Inc. do?We are the leading off-price retailer specifically focused on Black customers, delivering the styles, brands, and...

We are the leading off-price retailer specifically focused on Black customers, delivering the styles, brands, and trends at amazing prices that resonate with our primary and secondary customers. Our product offering is Women's, Men's and Children's apparel, family footwear, accessories and products for the home, with a three-tiered mix of product. At the opening price point, we offer value-focused basics for our most budget-conscious customers. The core of our business is our 'better

Related stocks: BKE (Buckle, Inc. (The)) · BOOT (Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.) · CRI (Carter's, Inc.) · AEO (American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.) · ANF (Abercrombie & Fitch Company)
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