Escalade, Incorporated (ESCA) AI Stock Analysis

NASDAQ: ESCAAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

ESCA AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

Escalade, Incorporated (NASDAQ: ESCA) manufactures and sells sporting goods and leisure products across brands such as Bear Archery, STIGA, and Goalrilla. The company maintains a conservative balance sheet with $250,000 in net cash and a current ratio of 3.21. For the trailing twelve months, Escalade generated $243.8M in revenue and $1.67 in EPS.

Market cap
$254.5M
Revenue (TTM)
$243.8M
P/E
11.1x
fwd 15.8x
1Y return
62.2%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$24.00
29.8% vs last close

Bull case

  • Quarterly earnings rose 423.1% year-over-year in the quarter ended June 30, 2026, supported by 6.2% revenue growth.
  • Escalade carries a strong balance sheet with $250,000 in net cash and a conservative debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09.
  • The stock trades at an EV/EBITDA of 7.3x, below the US-listed Consumer Cyclical peer median of 11.1x.

Bear case

  • Full-year revenue contracted from $313.6M in FY2021 to $240.2M in FY2025, resulting in a 5-year CAGR of -2.6%.
  • Analyst projections for the next fiscal year anticipate a 23.7% decline in EPS to $1.21.
  • The 5-year return of 14.8% lagged significantly behind the S&P 500 return of 83.0% over the same duration.

What Escalade does

Established in 1922 and based in Evansville, Indiana, Escalade, Incorporated manufactures, distributes, imports, and sells sporting goods across North America, Europe, and international markets. Its diverse portfolio includes archery, basketball goals, table tennis, pickleball, play systems, fitness equipment, billiards, darting, water sports, and outdoor games. Products are marketed under brands including Bear Archery, STIGA, Goalrilla, Onix, Woodplay, Lifeline, USWeight, Atomic, American Heritage Billiards, Unicorn, RAVE Sports, and Victory Tailgate. The company sells to sporting goods retailers, specialty dealers, online retailers, department stores, and mass merchants, catering to recreational users and professional athletes.

Growth and profitability

Escalade's revenue fell from $313.6M in FY2021 to $240.2M in FY2025, recording a 5-year revenue CAGR of -2.6%. Gross margin expanded over that span from 24.6% in FY2021 to 26.0% in FY2025, while operating margin declined from 10.2% to 7.8%. Net income was $13.7M in FY2025, down from $24.4M in FY2021 but up from $9.8M in FY2023. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $243.8M with an operating margin of 20.7% and a profit margin of 9.5%. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue increased 6.2% year-over-year, and quarterly earnings grew 423.1%.

ESCA income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, Escalade held $16.4M in cash and short-term investments against $16.1M in total debt, yielding net cash of $250,000. Shareholders' equity was $182.6M, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09 and a current ratio of 3.21. In FY2025, the company produced $31.0M in operating cash flow and $28.5M in free cash flow. Capital allocation in FY2025 included $2.5M for capital expenditures, $3.1M for share buybacks, and $8.3M for dividends paid.

ESCA balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

At $18.49 per share, Escalade trades at a trailing P/E of 11.1x, below the 18.0x median of its US-listed Consumer Cyclical peers. Its forward P/E stands at 15.8x compared to the peer median of 14.1x, while its EV/EBITDA of 7.3x is lower than the peer median of 11.1x. The company's price-to-sales multiple is 1.0x versus the peer median of 0.7x. Over the past year, the stock returned 62.2%, outperforming the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%.

ESCA key metrics →

ESCA dividend

Escalade pays an annualized forward dividend of $0.61 per share, representing a 3.30% dividend yield with a payout ratio of 36.4%. Dividends are distributed quarterly and have been paid for 17 consecutive years. The dividend has grown at an annualized rate of 2.5% over the past 5 years, with the last ex-dividend date on October 6, 2026.

ESCA dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street coverage includes 1 Strong Buy and 1 Hold rating. The mean price target is $24.00, representing 29.8% upside compared to the last close of $18.49. For the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project EPS of $1.58, representing 60.1% growth, on revenue of $245.8M. For the next fiscal year, 1 analyst projects revenue of $253.2M and EPS of $1.21. The company beat EPS estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters, with next earnings scheduled for October 29, 2026.

ESCA forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • Revenue growth has been negative in 3 of the last 4 fiscal years, dropping by 16.0% in FY2023, 4.6% in FY2024, and 4.5% in FY2025.
  • A projected 23.7% EPS contraction for next fiscal year highlights potential volatility in leisure goods demand.
  • Covered by only 1 analyst for next fiscal year estimates, the stock has limited Wall Street coverage.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this ESCA AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of Escalade, Incorporated (ESCA). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: ESCA income statement, ESCA balance sheet, ESCA key metrics, ESCA analyst forecast, ESCA chart. See the ESCA stock overview for the latest quote and news.

ESCA AI stock analysis FAQ

What dividend does Escalade pay?

Escalade pays an annual forward dividend of $0.61 per share, which equals a 3.30% dividend yield. The company has paid dividends for 17 consecutive years and maintains a payout ratio of 36.4%.

How leveraged is Escalade's balance sheet?

The balance sheet holds $16.4M in cash and short-term investments against $16.1M in total debt, leaving net cash of $250,000. It has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09 and a current ratio of 3.21 as of June 30, 2026.

What are analysts forecasting for Escalade?

Analysts have a mean price target of $24.00, implying 29.8% upside from $18.49. For the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, EPS is estimated at $1.58 on revenue of $245.8M.

Who owns Escalade stock?

Insiders own 39.8% of the company's shares, while institutional investors hold 31.3%. Short interest accounts for 3.0% of the float.

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