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GCO Stock Analysis 2026 - GENESCO INC AI Rating

GCO NYSE Retail-Shoe Stores TN CIK: 0000018498
Recently Updated • Analysis: Mar 25, 2026 • SEC Data: 2025-11-01
STRONG SELL
92% Conf
Pending
Analysis scheduled

📊 GCO Key Takeaways

Revenue: $1.6B
Net Margin: -2.1%
Free Cash Flow: $-79.8M
Current Ratio: 1.58x
Debt/Equity: 0.17x
EPS: $-3.31
AI Rating: STRONG SELL with 92% confidence

Is GCO a Good Investment? Thesis Analysis

Claude

Genesco exhibits severe operational distress with negative operating margins, negative free cash flow of -$79.8M, and declining profitability despite revenue growth that appears anomalous. The company is burning cash operationally (-$27.6M) while simultaneously investing heavily in capex ($52.2M), creating unsustainable burn dynamics that threaten financial viability.

Why Buy GCO? Key Strengths

Claude
  • + Gross margin of 46.4% demonstrates underlying product margin strength
  • + Current ratio of 1.58x suggests adequate short-term liquidity coverage
  • + Moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17x indicates conservative capital structure

GCO Investment Risks to Consider

Claude
  • ! Negative free cash flow of -$79.8M with negative operating cash flow indicates structural unprofitability and cash depletion
  • ! Operating margin of -2.1% and interest coverage of -9.9x demonstrate inability to cover fixed costs and debt service from operations
  • ! Quick ratio of only 0.30x reveals liquidity stress when excluding inventory, with only $27.0M cash against mounting operational demands
  • ! Negative ROE (-6.7%) and ROA (-2.3%) show destruction of shareholder value and poor asset utilization
  • ! Capital expenditure of $52.2M while operating cash flow is negative suggests misaligned investment priorities

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Operating cash flow trend - critical indicator of underlying business health
  • * Free cash flow sustainability and cash burn rate relative to cash reserves
  • * Operating margin recovery path and gross margin maintenance
  • * Debt refinancing requirements and covenant compliance given negative earnings
  • * Inventory efficiency and working capital management

GCO Financial Metrics

Revenue
$1.6B
Net Income
$-34.3M
EPS (Diluted)
$-3.31
Free Cash Flow
$-79.8M
Total Assets
$1.5B
Cash Position
$27.0M

💡 AI Analyst Insight

GENESCO INC presents a mixed fundamental picture. Review the detailed metrics above to form your own investment thesis.

GCO Profitability Ratios

Gross Margin 46.4%
Operating Margin -2.1%
Net Margin -2.1%
ROE -6.7%
ROA -2.3%
FCF Margin -4.9%

GCO vs Consumer Sector

How GENESCO INC compares to Consumer sector averages

Net Margin
GCO -2.1%
vs
Sector Avg 8.0%
GCO Sector
ROE
GCO -6.7%
vs
Sector Avg 18.0%
GCO Sector
Current Ratio
GCO 1.6x
vs
Sector Avg 1.5x
GCO Sector
Debt/Equity
GCO 0.2x
vs
Sector Avg 0.8x
GCO Sector

Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.

Is GCO Overvalued or Undervalued?

Based on fundamental analysis, GENESCO INC has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Consumer sector in 2026.

Return on Equity
-6.7%
Sector avg: 18%
Net Profit Margin
-2.1%
Sector avg: 8%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
0.17x
Sector avg: 0.8x

Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.

GCO Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Current Ratio
1.58x
Quick Ratio
0.30x
Debt/Equity
0.17x
Debt/Assets
65.1%
Interest Coverage
-9.86x
Long-term Debt
$89.5M

GCO 5-Year Financial Trend & Growth Analysis

GCO 5-year financial data: Year 2021: Revenue $2.2B, Net Income -$51.9M, EPS $-2.66. Year 2022: Revenue $2.4B, Net Income $61.4M, EPS $3.92. Year 2023: Revenue $2.4B, Net Income -$56.4M, EPS $-3.97. Year 2024: Revenue $2.4B, Net Income $114.9M, EPS $7.92. Year 2025: Revenue $2.4B, Net Income $71.9M, EPS $5.66.
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

5-Year Trend Summary: GENESCO INC's revenue has shown modest growth of 9% over the 5-year period. The most recent EPS of $5.66 reflects profitable operations.

GCO Growth Metrics (YoY)

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
-4.9%
Free cash flow / Revenue

GCO Quarterly Performance

Quarterly financial performance data for GENESCO INC including revenue, net income, and earnings per share.
Quarter Revenue Net Income EPS
Q3 2026 $596.3M $5.4M $0.50
Q2 2026 $525.2M -$10.0M $-0.91
Q1 2026 $457.6M -$21.2M $-2.02
Q3 2025 $579.3M $6.5M $0.60
Q2 2025 $523.0M -$10.0M $-0.91
Q1 2025 $457.6M -$18.9M $-1.60
Q3 2024 $579.3M $4.9M $0.60
Q2 2024 $523.0M $4.9M $0.59

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.

GCO Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
-$27.6M
Cash generated from operations
Stock Buybacks
$12.6M
Shares repurchased (TTM)
Capital Expenditures
$52.2M
Investment in assets
Dividends
None
No dividend program

GCO SEC 10-K & 10-Q Filing Analysis

Access official SEC EDGAR filings for GENESCO INC (CIK: 0000018498)

📋 Recent SEC Filings

Date Form Document Action
Mar 6, 2026 8-K gco-20260306.htm View →
Feb 6, 2026 4 xslF345X05/ownership.xml View →
Feb 2, 2026 4 xslF345X05/ownership.xml View →
Feb 2, 2026 4 xslF345X05/ownership.xml View →
Feb 2, 2026 4 xslF345X05/ownership.xml View →

Frequently Asked Questions about GCO

What is the AI rating for GCO?

GENESCO INC (GCO) has an AI rating of STRONG SELL with 92% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are GCO's key strengths?

Claude: Gross margin of 46.4% demonstrates underlying product margin strength. Current ratio of 1.58x suggests adequate short-term liquidity coverage.

What are the risks of investing in GCO?

Claude: Negative free cash flow of -$79.8M with negative operating cash flow indicates structural unprofitability and cash depletion. Operating margin of -2.1% and interest coverage of -9.9x demonstrate inability to cover fixed costs and debt service from operations.

What is GCO's revenue and growth?

GENESCO INC reported revenue of $1.6B.

Does GCO pay dividends?

GENESCO INC does not currently pay dividends.

Where can I find GCO SEC filings?

Official SEC filings for GENESCO INC (CIK: 0000018498) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.

What is GCO's EPS?

GENESCO INC has a diluted EPS of $-3.31.

How is the AI analysis conducted?

Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.

Is GCO a good stock to buy right now?

Based on our AI fundamental analysis in March 2026, GENESCO INC has a STRONG SELL rating with 92% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above before making a decision. This is not investment advice.

Is GCO stock overvalued or undervalued?

Valuation metrics for GCO: ROE of -6.7% (sector avg: 18%), net margin of -2.1% (sector avg: 8%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.

Should I buy GCO stock in 2026?

Our dual AI analysis gives GENESCO INC a combined STRONG SELL rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.

What is GCO's free cash flow?

GENESCO INC's operating cash flow is $-27.6M, with capital expenditures of $52.2M. FCF margin is -4.9%.

How does GCO compare to other Consumer stocks?

Vs Consumer sector averages: Net margin -2.1% (avg: 8%), ROE -6.7% (avg: 18%), current ratio 1.58 (avg: 1.5).

Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: Mar 25, 2026 | Data as of: 2025-11-01 | Powered by Claude AI