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BNED 
Barnes & Noble Education Inc (BNED)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
12/29/2025: BNED (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Number of Analysts
1 Analysts rated it
Very few follow this stock; limited insights, higher-risk early investing.
1 Year Target Price $0.75
1 Year Target Price $0.75
| 0 | Strong Buy |
| 0 | Buy |
| 1 | Hold |
| 0 | Sell |
| 0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -66.47% | Avg. Invested days 20 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  1.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 12/29/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 250.98M USD | Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 0.75 |
Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 0.75 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 1 | Beta 1.47 | 52 Weeks Range 5.90 - 12.21 | Updated Date 12/27/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 5.90 - 12.21 | Updated Date 12/27/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) -12.1 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin -4.47% | Operating Margin (TTM) 3.65% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 1.85% | Return on Equity (TTM) -36.83% |
Valuation
Trailing PE - | Forward PE - | Enterprise Value 602680623 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.2 |
Enterprise Value 602680623 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.2 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.37 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 97.34 | Shares Outstanding 34053847 | Shares Floating 19203645 |
Shares Outstanding 34053847 | Shares Floating 19203645 | ||
Percent Insiders 9.54 | Percent Institutions 77.04 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Barnes & Noble Education Inc
Company Overview
History and Background
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (BNED) was established in 2000 as a subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, Inc. focusing on the collegiate bookstore market. It was spun off as an independent publicly traded company in August 2015. BNED operates as a major provider of educational products and services to college and university students and faculty in the United States.
Core Business Areas
- College Bookstore Operations: Operates physical and digital bookstores on college and university campuses, offering new and used textbooks, course materials, graduation regalia, university-branded apparel, and general merchandise.
- Wholesale Operations: Supplies textbooks and other course materials to independent bookstores and other channels.
- Digital Solutions: Provides digital learning platforms, content management, and related technology services to enhance the educational experience.
- Barnes & Noble College Services: Offers a range of services to partner institutions, including inventory management, textbook procurement, and custom publishing.
Leadership and Structure
Barnes & Noble Education Inc. is led by a Board of Directors and an executive management team. Key leadership roles typically include a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and heads of various operational divisions. The organizational structure is designed to support its multi-channel operations across campus bookstores, digital platforms, and wholesale distribution.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Textbooks and Course Materials: New, used, rental, and digital textbooks. This is the core offering. Competitors include Follett, Amazon, VitalSource, and Chegg. Market share data for individual products is not publicly disclosed but is estimated to be a significant portion of the company's revenue.
- University Branded Apparel and Merchandise: Clothing, accessories, and gifts bearing university logos. Competitors include various athletic apparel brands and campus retailers. Market share is fragmented.
- Digital Learning Solutions: E-readers, e-textbooks, and integrated learning platforms. Competitors include Cengage, Pearson, McGraw Hill, and other ed-tech providers. Specific market share for BNED's digital offerings is not granularly detailed.
- Graduation Regalia: Caps, gowns, and other academic regalia for commencement ceremonies. Competitors include Herff Jones and Jostens. This is a specialized market with a few dominant players.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The higher education retail and services industry is characterized by the shift towards digital learning, the increasing cost of textbooks, and the demand for affordable course material options. The industry is also influenced by the evolving needs of students and institutions, including the integration of technology and personalized learning experiences. Competition is present from both traditional brick-and-mortar stores and online retailers.
Positioning
Barnes & Noble Education Inc. is positioned as a leading provider of comprehensive bookstore and educational services to college campuses. Its key competitive advantages include its established relationships with educational institutions, its multi-channel approach (physical and digital), and its ability to offer a wide range of products and services tailored to the academic environment.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The TAM for the US college bookstore and educational services market is substantial, estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars, encompassing textbook sales, apparel, general merchandise, and digital learning solutions. Barnes & Noble Education Inc. holds a significant position within this market, particularly in the physical campus bookstore segment, but faces increasing competition from online and digital-first providers.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong brand recognition and established relationships with universities.
- Comprehensive product and service offering (new, used, rental, digital textbooks, apparel, tech).
- Extensive physical footprint on college campuses.
- Multi-channel distribution capabilities (physical stores and online).
- Experience in managing complex inventory and supply chains for academic materials.
Weaknesses
- Dependence on the higher education sector, which can be cyclical.
- Competition from online retailers offering lower prices and greater convenience.
- Challenges in adapting to rapid technological changes in education.
- Potential for declining textbook sales due to open educational resources (OER) and digital alternatives.
- Leverage and debt levels impacting financial flexibility.
Opportunities
- Expansion of digital learning solutions and platforms.
- Growth in rental and used textbook markets as cost-saving measures.
- Partnerships with educational technology companies.
- Development of new revenue streams through expanded services (e.g., tutoring, career services).
- International expansion opportunities.
Threats
- Increasing adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER) by institutions.
- Further disruption from online retail giants like Amazon.
- Declining student enrollment or completion rates.
- Changes in textbook pricing regulations or policies.
- Economic downturns affecting student spending power.
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- Follett Corporation
- Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN)
- Chegg, Inc. (CHGG)
- VitalSource Technologies LLC (part of Ingram Content Group)
Competitive Landscape
BNED's advantage lies in its deep integration with college campuses and its comprehensive service model. However, Amazon offers significant price competition and convenience for digital and new/used books. Chegg excels in textbook rentals and homework help services. Follett is a direct competitor with a similar campus bookstore model. VitalSource is a major player in digital textbook distribution.
Major Acquisitions
Publisher's Marketing Group (PMG)
- Year: 2019
- Acquisition Price (USD millions):
- Strategic Rationale: Acquisition to expand BNED's digital content and services offerings, strengthening its digital platform capabilities.
Schoology Learning
- Year: 2019
- Acquisition Price (USD millions):
- Strategic Rationale: Acquisition to bolster BNED's digital learning management system (LMS) offerings and expand its reach in the ed-tech space.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Historically, BNED has seen growth through acquisitions and by expanding its campus bookstore footprint. However, revenue has faced pressure due to shifts in the textbook market. Digital initiatives and services have been areas of focus for growth.
Future Projections: Future growth is projected to be driven by the expansion of its digital offerings, the optimization of its physical bookstore operations, and potential acquisitions. Analyst estimates would provide specific growth rate projections, often influenced by the demand for digital learning solutions and the company's ability to adapt to evolving educational models. (Specific projections require consulting analyst reports.)
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives likely focus on enhancing digital platforms, improving the omnichannel experience for students, and exploring new service offerings to support academic success and institutional needs. Streamlining operations and managing costs are also ongoing priorities.
Summary
Barnes & Noble Education Inc. is a significant player in the US college bookstore and educational services market, leveraging its campus presence and diverse offerings. Its strengths lie in established university partnerships and a multi-channel approach. However, it faces intense competition from online retailers and disruptive ed-tech solutions, alongside pressures from rising digital adoption and OER. The company needs to continue innovating its digital strategy and optimizing its physical footprint to maintain a competitive edge and ensure long-term growth.
Similar Stocks
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company Investor Relations Filings (SEC)
- Financial News Outlets (e.g., Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg)
- Industry Analysis Reports
- Market Research Firms
Disclaimers:
This analysis is based on publicly available information and general industry knowledge. Financial data and market share figures are estimates and subject to change. This JSON output is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investors should conduct their own due diligence before making any investment decisions.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Barnes & Noble Education Inc
Exchange NYSE | Headquaters Florham Park, NJ, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 2015-08-03 | CEO - | ||
Sector Consumer Cyclical | Industry Specialty Retail | Full time employees 2352 | Website https://www.bned.com |
Full time employees 2352 | Website https://www.bned.com | ||
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. operates bookstores for college and university campuses, and K-12 institutions primarily in the United States. The company sells and rents new and used print textbooks, digital textbooks, and publisher hosted digital courseware through physical and virtual bookstores, as well as directly to students through Textbooks.com. In addition, it offers First Day and First Day Complete access programs; and general merchandise, including collegiate and athletic apparel, school spirit products, lifestyle and wellness products, technology products, supplies, graduation products, and convenience items. Further, the company sources, sells, and distributes new and used textbooks; and sells hardware and a software suite of applications that provides inventory management and point-of-sale solutions to college bookstores. Additionally, it offers direct-to-student services. It operates physical college and university bookstores; virtual bookstores; True Spirit e apparel and spirit shop e-commerce websites; pop-up retail locations; customized cafés and stand-alone convenience stores; and a media channel for brands targeting the college demographic. Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey.
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