BKE
Consumer CyclicalThe Buckle, Inc. · Apparel - Retail · $3B
What is The Buckle, Inc.?
The Buckle, Inc. is a specialty retailer focused on casual apparel, footwear, and accessories for young men and women across the United States. Operating hundreds of stores in dozens of states, it blends national brands with a growing portfolio of private-label lines.
Buckle generates revenue by selling casual apparel — denims, tops, outerwear, sportswear, and accessories — through its retail store network and buckle.com. A meaningful share of its assortment comes from proprietary private-label brands developed in-house. Beyond merchandise, the company monetizes customer relationships through a loyalty program, a private-label credit card, and in-store services such as hemming and personalized styling, which help differentiate the in-store experience from pure online competitors.
Incorporated in 1948 and headquartered in Kearney, Nebraska, the company adopted The Buckle name in April 1991.
- Casual denim, tops, and outerwear for young adults
- Private-label brands including BKE, Daytrip, and Buckle Black
- Personalized in-store styling and hemming services
- Guest loyalty program and Buckle private-label credit card
- Online shopping via buckle.com with in-store fulfillment support
Is BKE a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates BKE as Below Average overall, reflecting a mixed picture across its five quality pillars.
The Quality pillar stands out as a genuine bright spot — Buckle demonstrates financial discipline that ranks well relative to sector peers. Valuation is also rated Good, suggesting the stock is not priced at a premium relative to what the business delivers.
Moat and Growth are both rated Weak, pointing to limited competitive insulation and a lack of meaningful expansion momentum — two headwinds that weigh on the composite score.
Pro members can view the full pillar breakdown and underlying financial metrics to see exactly where Buckle stands against its retail peers. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does BKE pay dividends?
Yes — The Buckle, Inc. pays a dividend.
Buckle pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among specialty apparel retailers of its size. The company has historically supplemented its regular payout with special dividends, reflecting its capital-light model and consistent cash generation. Income-oriented investors often flag BKE for this reason, though dividend sustainability depends on ongoing business performance.
When does BKE report earnings?
The Buckle reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed retail equities.
Buckle's results tend to reflect broader consumer spending trends in the young-adult apparel segment. The Quality pillar suggests the company manages costs and cash flow with above-average discipline relative to sector peers, even in softer demand environments.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit The Buckle's investor relations page at buckle.com.
BKE Price History
+121.1% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in The Buckle, Inc.?
Based on The Buckle, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
BKE Long-term Outlook
The Weak Growth pillar signals that Buckle is not expected to expand its footprint or revenue base at a pace that would redefine its competitive position. The Neutral Risk rating suggests the business is not facing acute near-term financial stress, but the combination of limited growth and a Weak Moat rating means the long-term earnings trajectory depends heavily on consumer sentiment in the mid-market apparel space. The Good Valuation label indicates the market has already priced in much of this caution.
Growth drivers
- Private-label brand expansion deepening margin and customer loyalty
- E-commerce channel growth supplementing physical store traffic
- In-store service differentiation supporting repeat visits
Key risks
- Weak competitive moat leaves Buckle exposed to fast-fashion and online rivals
- Consumer cyclicality can compress same-store sales during economic downturns
- Limited geographic and demographic diversification constrains growth optionality
BKE vs Peers
Buckle operates in a crowded mid-market apparel space alongside several larger specialty retailers.
American Eagle targets a similar young-adult demographic but operates at a significantly larger scale with a stronger omnichannel infrastructure and the Aerie intimates sub-brand.
Abercrombie has repositioned itself toward older millennials and has pursued international expansion more aggressively than Buckle's largely domestic footprint.
Victoria's Secret competes in adjacent apparel and accessories categories with a brand-driven model, though its focus on intimates and beauty distinguishes it from Buckle's denim-led assortment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Buckle do?
The Buckle operates specialty retail stores selling casual apparel, footwear, and accessories aimed at young men and women. It carries a mix of national brands and its own private-label lines. The company also sells online through buckle.com and offers in-store services like hemming and personalized styling.
Does BKE pay dividends?
Yes, Buckle pays a regular dividend and has a history of issuing special dividends when cash generation allows. This makes BKE notable among mid-cap specialty retailers. Investors should review the company's investor relations page for the current dividend schedule and payout history.
When does BKE report earnings?
The Buckle reports financial results on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed retailers. Our data source does not provide specific upcoming earnings dates. For the latest schedule, check The Buckle's investor relations page at buckle.com.
Is BKE a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates BKE as Below Average overall. The Quality pillar is Strong and Valuation is Good, but Moat and Growth are both Weak — a combination that limits the composite score. Whether BKE fits a portfolio depends on individual goals; Pro members can access the full breakdown to make a more informed assessment.
Is BKE overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for BKE is rated Good, suggesting the stock is not trading at an elevated premium relative to the business fundamentals. That said, valuation should be considered alongside the Weak Growth and Weak Moat ratings. The full valuation metrics are available to Pro members.
How does BKE compare to its competitors?
Buckle is smaller and more regionally concentrated than peers like American Eagle Outfitters and Abercrombie & Fitch. Its private-label strategy and in-store service model offer some differentiation, but competitors generally have larger omnichannel platforms. UQS Score's side-by-side pillar comparisons are available to Pro members.
What is BKE's market cap bracket?
The Buckle is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it below the scale of large-cap apparel retailers but above smaller niche players. Mid-cap retailers can offer a balance of growth potential and established operations, though Buckle's Growth pillar is currently rated Weak.
Who founded The Buckle?
The Buckle traces its roots to a business incorporated in 1948, originally operating as Mills Clothing, Inc. The company adopted The Buckle name in April 1991. Detailed founding history is publicly available through the company's official communications and investor relations materials.
Is BKE a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, BKE's profile is mixed. The Strong Quality pillar reflects financial discipline, but the Weak Moat and Weak Growth ratings suggest the business lacks the durable competitive advantages and expansion trajectory typically associated with long-term compounders. Pro members can explore the full pillar data to assess fit for a long-term strategy.
What is the main competitive advantage of The Buckle?
Buckle's most defensible attributes are its private-label brand portfolio and its emphasis on personalized in-store service — including styling consultations and hemming. These elements support customer loyalty in a way that pure online retailers struggle to replicate. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, indicating these advantages have not yet translated into durable pricing power at scale.
What sector does BKE belong to?
BKE is classified in the Consumer Cyclical sector, specifically within specialty retail. This means its performance is closely tied to discretionary consumer spending, which tends to fluctuate with economic cycles. Investors in this sector should be aware of the sensitivity to consumer confidence and income trends.
Unlock Full BKE Analysis
Sign in to unlock the detailed analysis behind the UQS Score.
- ✓View exact UQS pillar scores across all five dimensions
- ✓Access detailed financial metrics behind the Quality rating
- ✓Compare BKE side-by-side with AEO, ANF, and VSCO
- ✓See the complete Valuation and Risk breakdown
- ✓Filter mid-cap retail stocks by pillar strength
- ✓Get the full analyst-style view in one dashboard
Pro Analysis
BKE — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | 48.0 | 89.6 | 20.0 | 14.5 | 54.0 | 63.8 | 0.0 |
| May 22, 2026 | 48.0 | 89.6 | 20.0 | 14.5 | 54.0 | 63.9 | -0.1 |
| May 21, 2026 | 48.1 | 89.6 | 20.0 | 14.5 | 54.0 | 64.5 | 0.0 |
| May 20, 2026 | 48.1 | 89.6 | 20.0 | 14.5 | 54.0 | 64.7 | 0.0 |
| May 16, 2026 | 48.1 | 89.6 | 20.0 | 14.5 | 54.0 | 64.4 | +0.1 |
| May 15, 2026 | 48.0 | 89.6 | 20.0 | 14.5 | 54.0 | 63.9 | -0.1 |
| May 14, 2026 | 48.1 | 89.6 | 20.0 | 14.5 | 54.0 | 64.3 | +0.1 |
| May 13, 2026 | 48.0 | 89.6 | 20.0 | 14.5 | 54.0 | 64.0 | +0.1 |
| May 12, 2026 | 47.9 | 89.6 | 20.0 | 14.5 | 54.0 | 63.4 | +0.5 |
| May 11, 2026 | 47.4 | 89.6 | 20.0 | 14.5 | 52.1 | 62.1 | +2.1 |
BKE — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 89.6/100 (25%)The Buckle, Inc. demonstrates outstanding capital efficiency and profitability, placing it among the highest-quality businesses in the market.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 14.5/100 (20%)The Buckle, Inc. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 54.0/100 (15%)The Buckle, Inc. has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 64.1/100 (15%)The Buckle, Inc. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 20/100 (25%)The Buckle, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for BKE.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the BKE UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for The Buckle, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses The Buckle, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether The Buckle, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.