Posted on Monday, March 25th, 2019 by MarketBeat StaffThere are more than 500 national retailers traded on the NYSE and the NASDAQ. Given the sheer number of big box stores, warehouse clubs, restaurant chains and other retail stores listed on public markets, it can be hard to identify which retailers are going to outperform the market.
Fortunately, some of Wall Street's top analysts have already done most of the work for us.
Every year, analyst issue approximately 4,200 distinct recommendations for retail companies. Analysts may not always get their "buy" ratings right, but it's worth taking a hard look when several analysts from different brokerages and research firm are giving "strong buy" and "buy" ratings to the same retailer.
This slide show lists the 8 retail companies that have the highest average analyst recommendations from Wall Street's equities research analysts over the last 12 months.
#1 - Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 3.0
Ratings Breakdown: 43 Buy Ratings, 2 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $2,139.4872 (21.6% Upside)
Amazon.com, Inc. engages in the retail sale of consumer products and subscriptions in North America and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) segments. It sells merchandise and content purchased for resale from third-party sellers through physical stores and online stores. The company also manufactures and sells electronic devices, including Kindle e-readers, Fire tablets, Fire TVs, and Echo devices; provides Kindle Direct Publishing, an online service that allows independent authors and publishers to make their books available in the Kindle Store; and develops and produces media content. In addition, it offers programs that enable sellers to sell their products on its Websites, as well as their own branded Websites; and programs that allow authors, musicians, filmmakers, skill and app developers, and others to publish and sell content. Further, the company provides compute, storage, database, and other AWS services, as well as compute, storage, database offerings, fulfillment, publishing, digital content subscriptions, advertising, and co-branded credit card agreement services. Additionally, it offers Amazon Prime, a membership program, which provides free shipping of various items; access to streaming of movies and TV episodes; and other services. It serves consumers, sellers, developers, enterprises, and content creators. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
#2 - Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 3.0
Ratings Breakdown: 26 Buy Ratings, 0 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $212.16 (20.7% Upside)
Alibaba Group Holding Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates as an online and mobile commerce company in the People's Republic of China and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Core Commerce, Cloud Computing, Digital Media and Entertainment, and Innovation Initiatives and Others. It operates Taobao Marketplace, a mobile commerce destination; Tmall, a third-party platform for brands and retailers; Rural Taobao program that enables rural residents and businesses to sell agricultural products to urban consumers; 1688.com, an online wholesale marketplace; Alibaba.com, an online wholesale marketplace; AliExpress, a retail marketplace; Lazada, an e-commerce platform; and Lingshoutong, a digital sourcing platform. The company also provides pay-for-performance and display marketing services; and Taobao Ad Network and Exchange, a real-time bidding online marketing exchange in China; and digital payment and financial technology platform services. In addition, it offers cloud computing services, including elastic computing, database, storage, virtualization network, large scale computing, security, and management and application services, big data analytics, a machine learning platform, and Internet of Things and other service for enterprises; and payment and escrow services; and movies, TV drama series, online dramas, variety shows, news feeds, games, literature and music, and other areas through various content platforms, as well as develops and operates mobile browsers. Further, the company provides AutoNavi, a mobile digital map, navigation, and real-time traffic information; DingTalk, a proprietary enterprise communication and collaboration platform; and Tmall Genie, an AI-powered voice assistant, which helps consumers to shop, order local services, search for information, control smart appliances, and play interactive content. The company was founded in 1999 and is based in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
#3 - Movado Group (NYSE:MOV)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 3.0
Ratings Breakdown: 2 Buy Ratings, 0 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $42.00 (33.0% Upside)
Movado Group, Inc. designs, develops, sources, markets, and distributes fine watches in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Wholesale and Retail. The company offers its watches under the Coach, Concord, Ebel, Olivia Burton, Rebecca Minkoff and Uri Minkoff, Scuderia Ferrari, HUGO BOSS, Juicy Couture, Lacoste, Movado, and Tommy Hilfiger brand names. It also provides after-sales and shipping service. As of January 31, 2018, the company operated 40 retail outlet locations. Its customers include jewelry store chains, department stores, independent regional jewelers, licensors' retail stores, and a network of independent distributors. The company was formerly known as North American Watch Corporation and changed its name to Movado Group, Inc. in 1996. Movado Group, Inc. was founded in 1961 and is based in Paramus, New Jersey.
#4 - Insight Enterprises (NASDAQ:NSIT)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 3.0
Ratings Breakdown: 1 Buy Ratings, 0 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $59.00 (6.6% Upside)
Insight Enterprises, Inc. provides information technology (IT) hardware, software, and service solutions for small and medium sized firms, enterprises, governments, schools, and health care organizations in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. It sources, stages, configures, integrates, tests, deploys, and maintains its products spanning endpoints to infrastructure; and provides infrastructure management solutions. The company also provides insight managed office that offers desktop and notebook devices coupled with cloud-based productivity solutions; insight managed mobility, which provides tablet and cellular-based devices paired with cloud-based applications and its service desk; insight managed collaboration that allows clients to outsource their complex voice, conferencing, collaboration/team applications, and cloud-based redeployment of technologies; and insight managed deployment, which offers service level agreement-based outsourcing of distributed devices and technology, or edge, deployment, and support. In addition, it offers hybrid cloud, an on premise converged infrastructure augmented by off-premise public cloud integrated, managed, and secured; and intelligent network that provides WAN, LAN, wireless, and security solutions to connect hybrid cloud, branch infrastructure, and end users. Further, the company provides digital signage, kiosk, tablet, and smartphone endpoints integrated with off-the-shelf software applications; custom-developed applications to enable client-to-customer engagement; and custom-developed mobile, cloud, and IoT applications, as well as cloud, mobility, big data, and security solutions. Additionally, it distributes hardware products; offers software licensing optimization and implementation consulting services; and provides enterprise data center solutions. Insight Enterprises, Inc. was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona.
#5 - IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ:IAC)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 2.8
Ratings Breakdown: 17 Buy Ratings, 2 Hold Ratings, 1 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $240.9278 (10.4% Upside)
IAC/InterActiveCorp, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a media and Internet company in the United States and internationally. The company's Match Group segment provides subscription dating products under the Tinder, Match, PlentyOfFish, Meetic, OkCupid, OurTime, Pairs and Hinge, and other brands. Its ANGI Homeservices segment connects homeowners to home service professionals, collects reviews, and allows homeowners to research, match, and connect on-demand to network of service professionals online, through mobile apps, or by voice assistants under the HomeAdvisor, Angie's List, and Handy brand names. The company's Vimeo segment operates a video platform for professionals, marketers, and enterprises to connect with audiences, customers, and employees; provides cloud-based software products to stream, host, distribute, and monetize videos online and across devices, as well as video tools on a subscription basis; and sells live streaming accessories. Its Dotdash segment offers a portfolio of digital brands providing information and inspiration in various vertical content categories. The company's Applications segment owns and operates a portfolio of desktop browser applications that provide users with access to various online content, tools, and services; develops, distributes, and offers a suite of Slimware desktop-support software and services. This segment also offers subscription-based mobile applications. Its Emerging & Other segment operates a collection of Websites, which offers general search services and information; on-demand staffing platform that connect workers for warehouse, delivery and moving, data entry, and customer service; operates news, commentary, culture, and entertainment Website; offers digital content; and offers production and producer services for feature films. IAC/InterActiveCorp was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
#6 - Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 2.7
Ratings Breakdown: 16 Buy Ratings, 7 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $244.65 (3.6% Upside)
Costco Wholesale Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates membership warehouses. It offers branded and private-label products in a range of merchandise categories. The company provides dry and packaged foods, and groceries; snack foods, candies, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, and cleaning supplies; appliances, electronics, health and beauty aids, hardware, and garden and patio products; meat, bakery, deli, and produces; and apparel and small appliances. It also operates gas stations, pharmacies, optical dispensing centers, food courts, and hearing-aid centers; and engages in the travel business. In addition, the company provides gold star individual and business membership services. As of September 2, 2018, it operated 762 membership warehouses, including 527 warehouses in the United States, 100 in Canada, 39 in Mexico, 28 in the United Kingdom, 26 in Japan, 15 in Korea, 13 in Taiwan, 10 in Australia, 2 in Spain, 1 in Iceland, and 1 in France. Further, the company sells its products through online. The company was formerly known as Costco Companies, Inc. Costco Wholesale Corporation was founded in 1976 and is based in Issaquah, Washington.
#7 - Mcdonald's (NYSE:MCD)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 2.8
Ratings Breakdown: 22 Buy Ratings, 5 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $194.16 (5.0% Upside)
McDonald's Corporation operates and franchises McDonald's restaurants in the United States and internationally. Its restaurants offer various food products, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages, as well as breakfast menu. As of December 31, 2018, the company operated 37,855 restaurants, including 35,085 franchised restaurants comprising 21,685 franchised to conventional franchisees, 7,225 licensed to developmental licensees, and 6,175 licensed to foreign affiliates; and 2,770 company-operated restaurants. McDonald's Corporation was founded in 1940 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.
#8 - Ross Stores (NASDAQ:ROST)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 2.7
Ratings Breakdown: 17 Buy Ratings, 9 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $97.1739 (8.1% Upside)
Ross Stores, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores under the Ross Dress for Less and dd's DISCOUNTS brands in the United States. It primarily offers apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions. The company's Ross Dress for Less stores sell its products at department and specialty stores primarily to middle income households; and dd's DISCOUNTS stores sell its products at department and discount stores regular prices to customers from households with moderate income. As of February 20, 2019, it operated approximately 1,700 Ross Dress for Less and dd's DISCOUNTS stores in 38 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Dublin, California.
#9 - Loblaw Companies (OTCMKTS:LBLCF)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 2.7
Ratings Breakdown: 4 Buy Ratings, 2 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: N/A
Loblaw Companies Limited, a food and pharmacy company, engages in the grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, financial services, and wireless mobile products and services businesses in Canada. It operates in two segments, Retail and Financial Services. The Retail segment operates corporate and franchise-owned retail food, and associate-owned drug stores comprising in-store pharmacies, other health and beauty product stores, apparel stores, and other general merchandise stores, as well as supports the PC Optimum reward program. The Financial Services segment provides credit card services, the PC Optimum reward program, insurance brokerage services, deposit taking services, and telecommunication services. Loblaw Companies Limited provides its products and services under the President's Choice, Life Brand, and no name brands. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Brampton, Canada. Loblaw Companies Limited is a subsidiary of George Weston Limited.
#10 - Pinduoduo (NASDAQ:PDD)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 2.8
Ratings Breakdown: 4 Buy Ratings, 1 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $30.9750 (31.5% Upside)
Pinduoduo Inc. operates an e-commerce platform in the People's Republic of China. It also operates Pinduoduo, a mobile platform that offers a range of priced merchandise. The company was formerly known as Walnut Street Group Holding Limited and changed its name to Pinduoduo Inc. in July 2018. Pinduoduo Inc. was founded in 2015 and is based in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China.
#11 - Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 2.6
Ratings Breakdown: 13 Buy Ratings, 5 Hold Ratings, 1 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $175.5294 (19.7% Upside)
Burlington Stores, Inc. operates as a retailer of branded apparel products in the United States. The company offers fashion-focused merchandise, including women's ready-to-wear apparel, accessories, footwear, menswear, youth apparel, coats, and gifts, as well as baby, home, and beauty products. As of February 3, 2018, it operated 629 stores, including an Internet store in 45 states and Puerto Rico. Burlington Stores, Inc. was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Burlington, New Jersey.
#12 - Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ:ULTA)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 2.7
Ratings Breakdown: 15 Buy Ratings, 6 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $321.3158 (-3.6% Upside)
Ulta Beauty, Inc. operates as a beauty retailer in the United States. The company's stores offer cosmetics, fragrances, haircare and skincare products, bath and body products, and salon styling tools; salon services, including hair, skin, and brow services; and others, including nail products and accessories. It provides private label products, such as the Ulta Beauty Collection branded cosmetics, skincare, and bath products, as well as Ulta Beauty branded products. As of November 3, 2018, the company operated 1,163 retail stores across 50 states. It also distributes its products through its Website, ulta.com, which includes a collection of tips, tutorials, and social content. The company was formerly known as Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. and changed its name to Ulta Beauty, Inc. in January 2017. Ulta Beauty, Inc. was founded in 1990 and is based in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
#13 - Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 2.7
Ratings Breakdown: 17 Buy Ratings, 7 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $113.6087 (7.2% Upside)
Lowe's Companies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a home improvement retailer in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It offers a line of products for maintenance, repair, remodeling, and decorating. The company provides home improvement products in various categories, such as lumber and building materials, tools and hardware, appliances, fashion fixtures, rough plumbing and electrical, seasonal and outdoor living, lawn and garden, paint, millwork, flooring, and kitchens, as well as outdoor power equipment. It also offers installation services through independent contractors in various product categories; extended protection plans; and in-warranty and out-of-warranty repair services. The company sells its national brand-name merchandise and private branded products to homeowners, renters, and professional customers. As of November 5, 2018, it operated 2,390 home improvement and hardware stores. The company also sells its products through online sites comprising Lowes.com and Lowesforpros.com; and through mobile applications. Lowe's Companies, Inc. was founded in 1946 and is based in Mooresville, North Carolina.
#14 - Canada Goose (NYSE:GOOS)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 2.7
Ratings Breakdown: 8 Buy Ratings, 3 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $78.9450 (67.7% Upside)
Canada Goose Holdings Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells premium outdoor apparel for men, women, youth, children, and babies. The company operates in two segments, Wholesale and Direct to Consumer. It offers parkas, jackets, shells, vests, knitwear, and accessories for fall, winter, and spring seasons. As of March 31, 2018, it operated 6 retail stores; wholesale channels, which consist of luxury and outdoor retailers and distributors in 38 countries; and its partner-operated retail location in Tokyo, Japan, as well as operated through e-commerce in 12 countries. Canada Goose Holdings Inc. was founded in 1957 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
#15 - America's Car-Mart (NASDAQ:CRMT)
Consensus Rating: Buy
Rating Score: 2.5
Ratings Breakdown: 2 Buy Ratings, 2 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
Consensus Price Target: $94.25 (9.7% Upside)
America's Car-Mart, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. The company primarily sells older model used vehicles and provides financing for its customers. As of June 28, 2018, it operated 140 dealerships. America's Car-Mart, Inc. was founded in 1981 and is based in Bentonville, Arkansas.
