BURL
Consumer CyclicalBurlington Stores, Inc. · Apparel - Retail · $20B
What is Burlington Stores, Inc.?
Burlington Stores operates a large chain of off-price retail locations across the United States, offering branded apparel and home goods at discounted prices. The company competes in the value-oriented segment of consumer retail, targeting budget-conscious shoppers seeking recognizable brands.
Burlington generates revenue by purchasing excess inventory and off-price merchandise from brands and selling it through its physical store network at meaningful discounts to full retail prices. The off-price model depends on opportunistic buying, lean inventory management, and high store traffic. Burlington operates hundreds of locations under the Burlington Stores banner, along with a small number of specialty-branded stores, serving customers across 45 states and Puerto Rico.
Burlington Stores was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Burlington, New Jersey.
- Women's ready-to-wear apparel and accessories
- Menswear and youth apparel
- Footwear including designer and everyday styles
- Home goods, gifts, and baby products
- Coats and outerwear — a historically core category
Is BURL a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates BURL as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key quality dimensions.
The Quality and Growth pillars both land at Neutral, suggesting Burlington is not deteriorating but has yet to demonstrate the kind of consistent operational excellence or expansion trajectory that would distinguish it from peers. The business model does generate recurring store traffic, which provides some revenue stability.
The Moat and Risk pillars are both rated Weak, indicating limited competitive differentiation and above-average vulnerability — concerns compounded by an Elevated Valuation that leaves little margin for error.
Pro members can view the complete pillar breakdown and underlying financial metrics to see exactly where Burlington stands relative to sector 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 BURL pay dividends?
No — Burlington Stores, Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.
Burlington Stores does not currently pay a dividend. For a capital-intensive off-price retailer focused on store expansion and operational improvement, reinvesting cash into the business — rather than distributing it to shareholders — is a common strategic choice. Income-focused investors should factor this into their assessment of BURL.
When does BURL report earnings?
Burlington Stores reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed retail equities.
Burlington's results tend to reflect broader consumer spending trends, inventory management discipline, and the health of the off-price retail channel. Comparable-store sales and gross margin trajectory are closely watched by the market given the Elevated Valuation the stock currently carries.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Burlington Stores' investor relations page directly.
BURL Price History
+5.7% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Burlington Stores, Inc.?
Based on Burlington Stores, 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.
BURL Long-term Outlook
Burlington's fundamental outlook is shaped by Neutral readings on both Growth and Quality, suggesting a business that is stable but not accelerating. The Weak Risk profile introduces meaningful downside sensitivity — particularly if consumer spending softens or inventory costs rise. An Elevated Valuation means the stock is priced for execution, leaving limited buffer if results disappoint.
Growth drivers
- Continued store count expansion into underpenetrated markets
- Off-price channel tailwinds as consumers trade down during economic uncertainty
- Improved inventory sourcing and merchandise mix optimization
Key risks
- Weak Moat rating signals limited pricing power and ease of competitive replication
- Elevated Valuation creates downside risk if growth expectations are not met
- Consumer cyclicality — discretionary spending pullbacks hit off-price retailers unevenly
BURL vs Peers
Burlington operates in a competitive retail landscape alongside brands that target overlapping but distinct consumer segments.
Lululemon focuses on premium athletic and lifestyle apparel with a direct-to-consumer model, contrasting sharply with Burlington's off-price, multi-category approach.
Aritzia targets fashion-forward women with a curated, full-price brand experience — a fundamentally different positioning from Burlington's value-driven, opportunistic buying model.
On Holding competes in performance footwear and apparel with strong brand equity and premium pricing, while Burlington sells footwear as one of many discounted categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Burlington Stores do?
Burlington Stores is an off-price retailer that sells branded apparel, footwear, accessories, home goods, and more at discounted prices. The company buys excess and opportunistic inventory from brands and passes savings to shoppers through its large network of physical stores across the United States.
Does BURL pay dividends?
Burlington Stores does not currently pay a dividend. The company reinvests available capital into store expansion and operational improvements rather than distributing cash to shareholders. Investors seeking dividend income should look elsewhere in the consumer retail sector.
When does BURL report earnings?
Burlington Stores follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence for US-listed retailers. Exact dates shift each cycle, so check the company's investor relations page for the most current schedule and recent results.
Is BURL a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates Burlington Stores as Below Average, driven by Weak readings on Moat and Risk alongside an Elevated Valuation. While Quality and Growth are Neutral, the overall profile suggests caution. Pro members can access the full pillar breakdown to make a more informed assessment.
Is BURL overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for BURL is rated Elevated, meaning the stock appears priced above what the underlying quality and growth profile would typically justify. This does not guarantee a price decline, but it does reduce the margin of safety for new investors entering at current levels.
How does BURL compare to its competitors?
Burlington competes in a different segment than peers like Lululemon or On Holding, which operate premium, brand-driven models. Burlington's off-price approach targets value-seeking shoppers, but its Weak Moat rating suggests the model is easier to replicate than a differentiated brand. See the competitor section above for more context.
What is BURL's market cap bracket?
Burlington Stores is classified as a large-cap company, placing it among the larger publicly traded retailers in the United States. Large-cap status generally implies greater liquidity and institutional coverage, though it does not guarantee quality or growth.
Who founded Burlington Stores?
Burlington Stores was founded in 1972. The company began as a coat retailer — a heritage that still shows up in its coats and outerwear category today. More detailed founding history is widely available through Burlington's corporate and investor relations materials.
Is BURL a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, the UQS Score rates BURL as Below Average. The Weak Moat and Risk pillars are particularly relevant for long-horizon investors, as durable competitive advantages and financial resilience tend to matter more over extended holding periods than short-term price movements.
What is the main competitive advantage of Burlington Stores?
Burlington's primary advantage is its scale in off-price retail and its established supplier relationships that enable opportunistic inventory purchasing. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this as Weak, suggesting these advantages are not deeply entrenched relative to the broader retail sector.
What sector does BURL belong to?
Burlington Stores is classified under the Consumer Cyclical sector. This means its performance is tied to consumer discretionary spending, which tends to fluctuate with economic conditions — a key consideration given the company's Weak Risk pillar rating.
Is BURL a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, Burlington sits in an awkward middle ground — Growth is Neutral and Valuation is Elevated. It does not clearly qualify as a value stock given the elevated pricing, nor does it show the strong growth trajectory typically associated with high-conviction growth stocks.
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Pro Analysis
BURL — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | 36.8 | 51.5 | 29.0 | 42.8 | 22.9 | 31.4 | -0.1 |
| May 22, 2026 | 36.9 | 51.5 | 29.0 | 42.8 | 22.9 | 32.0 | -0.1 |
| May 21, 2026 | 37.0 | 51.5 | 29.0 | 42.8 | 22.9 | 32.4 | -0.3 |
| May 20, 2026 | 37.3 | 51.5 | 29.0 | 42.8 | 22.9 | 34.3 | +0.1 |
| May 19, 2026 | 37.2 | 51.5 | 29.0 | 42.8 | 22.9 | 34.0 | 0.0 |
| May 17, 2026 | 37.2 | 51.5 | 29.0 | 42.8 | 22.9 | 33.7 | +0.1 |
| May 16, 2026 | 37.1 | 51.5 | 29.0 | 42.5 | 22.9 | 33.5 | 0.0 |
| May 15, 2026 | 37.1 | 51.5 | 29.0 | 42.5 | 22.9 | 33.6 | -0.1 |
| May 14, 2026 | 37.2 | 51.5 | 29.0 | 42.5 | 22.9 | 34.0 | +0.1 |
| May 13, 2026 | 37.1 | 51.5 | 29.0 | 42.5 | 22.9 | 33.8 | 0.0 |
BURL — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 51.5/100 (25%)Burlington Stores, Inc. has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
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
— 42.8/100 (20%)Burlington Stores, Inc. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
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
— 22.9/100 (15%)Burlington Stores, Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
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
— 30.7/100 (15%)Burlington Stores, Inc. appears expensively valued relative to its fundamentals and growth prospects.
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
— 29/100 (25%)Burlington Stores, 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 BURL.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the BURL UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Burlington Stores, 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 Burlington Stores, 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 Burlington Stores, 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.