Vera Bradley Inc logo

Vera Bradley Inc(VRA)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL RECENCY
1-STAR RATING
Consider higher Upturn Star rating
BUY for 6 days
PROFIT SINCE LAST BUY
+2.01% ▲
LAST CLOSE
$5.08
10/08/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for VRA

10/08/2026: VRA (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.

Vera Bradley Inc is a long-standing lifestyle brand known for its signature patterned bags and accessories. The company is currently focused on a turnaround strategy aimed at improving margins and refreshing its brand appeal to attract younger customers. Its primary growth opportunity lies in leveraging its digital presence and the Pura Vida brand to diversify its product base. However, the company faces significant risks from intense retail competition, shifting consumer fashion trends, and general economic volatility impacting discretionary spending. VRA may suit investors interested in retail stabilization plays, though it remains a higher-risk choice due to its sensitivity to changing consumer preferences and the ongoing need for operational execution.

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 styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitThe company is in a turnaround/stabilization phase rather than rapid expansion.
Momentum investorWeak fitThe stock has not consistently demonstrated strong upward momentum signals recently.
Value investorMixed fitThe stock may appear attractively priced, but the company's long-term earnings growth remains to be proven.
Dividend investorWeak fitVera Bradley does not currently offer a dividend.
Low-risk investorWeak fitConsumer retail stocks often exhibit high volatility based on macroeconomic cycles.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighThe stock is susceptible to swings in retail demand and earnings reports.
Valuation riskMediumInvestors must assess if the current price accounts for stagnant growth.
Competition risk (Retail Accessories)HighMass-market and designer brands exert constant pressure on pricing and style.
Business qualityMediumWhile the brand has longevity, recent profitability has been inconsistent.
Dividend incomeLow / noneIncome-focused investors will not find yield here.
Execution riskMedium / highThe successful execution of brand renewal strategies is critical to future success.

Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Strong Uptrend

The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.

Extreme Price Shocks
PRICE STABILITY

Extreme Price Shocks

The stock has experienced exceptionally large and disruptive price movements during the period.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -78.64%
Avg. Invested days 20
Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 1.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/08/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
VRA receives a 3-star rating based on the available scored pillars. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, and limited analyst upside.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
VRA has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2026 versus FY2025, solid earnings growth (+23.1%) is partially offset by soft cash generation (FCF margin 3.7%), negative revenue growth (-27.5%), weak profitability (net margin -17.7%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
VRA's financial health is supported by solid liquidity, including working-capital and asset support (WC/assets 29.6%). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is VRA's strongest growth driver at +141.2% FY2026 versus FY2025 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, earnings growth (+23.1%, solid) is also solid, while revenue growth (-27.5%, negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 37.8% and approximately 65.9% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 29.97% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

Royce & Associates, LP 4.49%
Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership 3.60%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 2.98%
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. 2.83%
Peapod Lane Capital LLC 2.39%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
VRA generates approximately $464 of gross profit, $-102 of operating income, and $37 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2026 results. Operating losses explain the 1-star rating, with weak cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: -0.94% (Tax Credit)

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
VRA has a liquid profile. Elevated volatility is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedHigh VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 145.74M USD
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 5
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 5
Volume (30-day avg) 769.8K shares
Beta 1.5
52 Weeks Range 1.39 - 5.32
Updated Date 10/08/2026
52 Weeks Range 1.39 - 5.32
Updated Date 10/08/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) -0.36

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Vera Bradley DirectSales from full-line stores, factory outlet stores, and the company's e-commerce website.This is the primary way the company reaches customers directly and captures higher margins.
Vera Bradley IndirectWholesale distribution to specialty retailers, department stores, and third-party e-commerce sites.This provides reach but often at the cost of lower margins compared to direct sales.
Pura VidaSales of jewelry and accessories, primarily through digital channels.This is a smaller, high-growth-potential segment that diversifies the product mix.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

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Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-09-15
When Before Market
Estimate -0.08
Actual 0.11

Profitability

Profit Margin -3.66%
Operating Margin (TTM) 5.9%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) -2.14%
Return on Equity (TTM) -7.36%

Valuation

Trailing PE -
Forward PE 41.32
Enterprise Value 152.33M
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.53
Enterprise Value 152.33M
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.53
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.56
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 8.87
Shares Outstanding 28.69M
Shares Floating 18.89M
Shares Outstanding 28.69M
Shares Floating 18.89M
Percent Insiders 29.97
Percent Institutions 37.83

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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