• Citi Trends, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTRN) reported an EPS of -$0.88, significantly below expectations, and revenue of $197.1 million against an estimated $219 million.
• The company's financial metrics, including a negative P/E ratio of -20.81 and a high debt-to-equity ratio of 1.92, highlight its current financial difficulties.
• Despite these challenges, CTRN's management remains optimistic, focusing on strategic directions to improve future performance.

Citi Trends, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTRN) is a well-known off-price value retailer in the United States, primarily serving African American families. Headquartered in Savannah, Georgia, the company offers a wide range of affordable apparel and accessories. Despite its strong market presence, CTRN faces stiff competition from other discount retailers like Ross Stores and TJX Companies.

On December 2, 2025, CTRN reported its earnings, revealing an EPS of -$0.88, which was significantly below the expected $0.47. The company's revenue also fell short, coming in at $197.1 million against an estimated $219 million. This underperformance highlights the challenges CTRN faces in meeting market expectations.

In its Q3 2026 earnings call, CTRN reported total sales of $197.1 million with a gross margin of 38.9%. Despite increased store traffic, the company experienced a net loss of $6.9 million. The negative price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of -20.81 further underscores the financial difficulties CTRN is currently navigating.

CTRN's financial metrics reveal a complex picture. The price-to-sales ratio of 0.58 suggests the stock is valued at 58 cents per dollar of sales, while the enterprise value to sales ratio is 0.85. The high enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio of 170 indicates potential overvaluation relative to cash flow, raising concerns for investors.

The company's debt-to-equity ratio stands at 1.92, indicating a high level of debt compared to equity. However, with a current ratio of 1.13, CTRN maintains a modest level of short-term financial health, having slightly more current assets than liabilities. Despite these challenges, management remains optimistic about the future, as highlighted by their strategic direction and positive outlook.