Lululemon stock rose 4.6% Monday as at least one Wall Street analyst maintains faith in the struggling retailer. BTIG’s Janine Stichter kept her buy rating and $303 price target unchanged.
Lululemon Athletica Inc., LULU
The target implies nearly 80% upside from current trading levels. Shares closed at $177.42, still down over 55% for the year.
The timing matters. Lululemon reports third-quarter earnings December 4, and investors are hungry for signs of stabilization.
BTIG expects results to land in line with management’s previous guidance. Fourth-quarter forecasts will likely stay conservative but within existing ranges.
The analyst acknowledged the company faces headwinds. Data points remain inconsistent across product categories and regions.
Some items have performed well recently. These wins offer glimpses of what’s possible when products connect with customers.
But the broader picture stays murky. The Americas region continues to struggle with weak momentum.
Management held meetings with analysts in mid-October. Those conversations provided cautious optimism without changing the fundamental challenges.
Investors want to know if planned product innovations will work. The catch? Those improvements won’t hit stores until Spring 2026.
That creates a long wait without clear catalysts. The stock sits in what BTIG calls the “show me” camp.
Margin pressure adds to concerns. Increased promotional activity cuts into profitability while the company fights for market share.
Stichter’s optimism stems from valuation and positioning for 2026. The stock trades near its lowest levels in years relative to earnings.
Investor sentiment has turned deeply negative. When expectations sit this low, modest improvements can drive outsized reactions.
The analyst believes even small signs of growth acceleration in the Americas could shift the narrative. Current pricing reflects considerable pessimism.
Leadership transitions complicate the picture. Celeste Burgoyne, who led the Americas region since 2006, departs at year-end.
Maestrini takes over as the new president during this critical period. The company needs steady execution as it works toward its 2026 refresh.
Not everyone shares BTIG’s enthusiasm. UBS cut its target to $183, projecting negative 4.5% U.S. revenue growth for the quarter.
Jefferies holds an underperform rating with a $120 target. The firm criticized Lululemon’s early holiday sale launch and questioned its Fanatics partnership for NFL apparel.
The December 4 report will provide updated guidance and commentary on holiday shopping. Management’s tone matters as much as the numbers.
Investors will parse every word about Spring 2026 plans. Product details and confidence levels could move the stock.
Current valuation provides some cushion if results simply meet lowered expectations. The bar has dropped throughout 2025.
BTIG’s $303 target stands well above the current analyst consensus. Stichter’s conviction contrasts sharply with Wall Street’s broader caution on the name.
The post Lululemon (LULU) Stock: Why This Analyst Sees 80% Upside Ahead of Earnings December 04 appeared first on Blockonomi.


