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Upturn AI Summary - About
Designer Brands Inc(DBI)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for DBI
09/25/2026: DBI (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Designer Brands Inc is a retail-focused company that operates the DSW warehouse chain and manages a portfolio of footwear brands. The company's main strength lies in its extensive retail network and its shift toward controlling more proprietary brands, which aims to improve long-term margins. Its primary investment story hinges on successfully executing this hybrid business model to offset retail-sector pressures. However, investors must consider risks like intense competition, changing consumer discretionary spending, and operational complexity. The stock may suit value-oriented investors, though it requires monitoring developments in inventory management and the successful integration of its owned brand wholesale segment.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | Growth is largely dependent on the successful execution of the owned brand strategy rather than rapid retail store expansion. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | The stock often lacks strong upward momentum and is subject to broader retail sector volatility. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | The stock frequently trades at valuations that reflect the cyclical risks and challenges of the retail sector. |
| Dividend investor | Mixed fit | Dividends have fluctuated, making it less suitable for investors prioritizing consistent, growing income. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | Retail exposure and the volatility inherent in apparel/footwear demand increase the risk profile. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium / high | The stock is susceptible to sharp swings based on quarterly earnings reports and consumer sentiment data. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | While often inexpensive, the valuation depends on the market's assessment of long-term brand equity. |
| Competition risk (Retail and Footwear) | High | Intense pressure from e-commerce and specialized retailers threatens market share. |
| Business quality | Medium | The transition to a hybrid retail-wholesale model adds complexity to operational execution. |
| Dividend income | Medium / high | Dividend payouts are variable and not guaranteed, impacting income stability for shareholders. |
| Execution risk | Medium / high | Success depends on effectively managing inventory across two distinct business channels. |
Price Behavior
Downtrend
The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.
Choppy
The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -75.04% | Avg. Invested days 15 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  1.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 09/25/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 320.54M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 19.59 | 1Y Target Price 6.75 |
Price to earnings Ratio 19.59 | 1Y Target Price 6.75 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 690.1K shares | Beta 1.25 | 52 Weeks Range 3.00 - 9.02 | Updated Date 09/25/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 3.00 - 9.02 | Updated Date 09/25/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 3.24% | Basic EPS (TTM) 0.32 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| DSW Retail | In-store and online sales of third-party and owned footwear brands in North America. | Retail revenue depends heavily on consumer discretionary spending and store traffic. |
| Wholesale / Brands | Design, development, and sale of owned brands like Vince Camuto to external retailers. | This provides higher margin potential but requires staying relevant in changing fashion trends. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date 2026-09-10 | When Before Market | Estimate 0.25 | Actual 0.34 |
Profitability
Profit Margin 0.61% | Operating Margin (TTM) 2.25% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 2.02% | Return on Equity (TTM) 8.49% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 19.59 | Forward PE 9.51 | Enterprise Value 1.48B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.11 |
Enterprise Value 1.48B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.11 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.51 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 9.07 | Shares Outstanding 43.39M | Shares Floating 27.58M |
Shares Outstanding 43.39M | Shares Floating 27.58M | ||
Percent Insiders 17.44 | Percent Institutions 91.25 |
Upturn AI Summary
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.
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
About Designer Brands Inc
Exchange NYSE | Headquarters Columbus, OH, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1991-06-10 | CEO & Director Mr. Douglas M. Howe | ||
Sector Consumer Cyclical | Industry Footwear & Accessories | Full time employees 13000 | Website https://www.designerbrands.com |
Full time employees 13000 | Website https://www.designerbrands.com | ||
Designer Brands Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, production, and retailing of footwear and accessories in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through two segments: Retail and Brand Portfolio. The company offers dress, casual, and athletic footwear and accessories, as well as handbags for women, men, and kids. It sells its products under the Vince Camuto, Keds, Topo, as well as Jessica Simpson, Lucky Brand, Le Tigre, and Hush Puppies brands. The company offers its products through its direct-to-consumer stores and e-commerce sites; and a portfolio of banners, including DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Co, and Rubino; and mobiles applications. The company was founded in 1991 and is based in Columbus, Ohio.
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