---
title: "Discount Retailer Citi Trends Stock Hits 52-Week High - Here's Why"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/279465729.md"
description: "Citi Trends (CTRN) shares reached a 52-week high after reporting strong Q4 earnings, with adjusted EPS of 85 cents, surpassing estimates. Quarterly sales rose 9.1% year-over-year to $230.393 million. The company anticipates fiscal 2026 sales between $869.16 million and $885.56 million, with comparable-store sales growth of 5% to 7%. Shares surged nearly 20% to $52.90, reflecting positive market sentiment following the earnings report and optimistic guidance."
datetime: "2026-03-17T16:16:51.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/279465729.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/279465729.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/279465729.md)
---

# Discount Retailer Citi Trends Stock Hits 52-Week High - Here's Why

**Citi Trends, Inc.** (NASDAQ:CTRN) shares surged Tuesday after the discount retailer posted a strong quarterly beat and issued upbeat full-year guidance.

The company reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share of 85 cents, beating the analyst consensus estimate of 78 cents.

## **Quarter In Detail**

Quarterly sales of $230.393 million (+9.1% year over year) outpaced the Street view of $227.424 million.

“Our fourth quarter results cap a transformational year for CITITRENDS. We delivered 8.9% comparable store sales growth in the fourth quarter, or 15.3% on a two-year basis, marking our sixth consecutive quarter of positive comps,” said **Ken Seipel**, Chief Executive Officer.

Comparable store sales increased 8.9% compared to the fourth quarter 2024, driven by increases in both traffic and basket, as a result of the improved three-tiered merchandise assortment.

Quarterly gross margin of 39.9% increased 20 basis points due to lower markdowns, benefiting from our improved merchandise assortment and value proposition.

Adjusted EBITDA rose to $11.9 million, up from $7.1 million in the prior-year period.

Citi Trends exited the quarter with cash and equivalents worth $66.092 million. Merchandise inventory was $113.5 million at the end of the quarter, a decrease of 7.4%.

## **Outlook**

Citi Trends expects fiscal 2026 sales between $869.16 million and $885.56 million, topping the analyst estimate of $859.29 million.

For fiscal 2026, Citi Trends expects comparable-store sales growth of 5% to 7%, gross margin expansion of about 100 basis points, and adjusted SG&A leverage of 70 to 100 basis points.

The company also projects adjusted EBITDA of $34 million to $38 million, plans to open about 25 stores, remodel 50 locations, close four stores, and spend $35 million to $40 million in capital expenditures, mostly on new stores and remodels.

**CTRN Price Action:** Citi Trends shares were up 19.76% at $52.90 at the time of publication on Tuesday. The stock is trading at a new 52-week high, according to Benzinga Pro data.

_Photo by Bruce VanLoon via Shutterstock_

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