The Gap, Inc. (GAP) AI Stock Analysis

NYSE: GAPAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

GAP AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

The Gap, Inc. (GAP) is a global specialty apparel retailer operating banners such as Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta. In FY2026, the company generated $15.37B in revenue and $816.0M in net income, delivering an operating margin of 7.3%. The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 7.0x and provides a dividend yield of 3.03%.

Market cap
$8.12B
Revenue (TTM)
$15.33B
P/E
7.0x
fwd 8.9x
1Y return
15.4%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$26.51
14.7% vs last close

Bull case

  • Gap generated $823.0M in free cash flow in FY2026, easily covering its $247.0M in annual dividend payments.
  • The stock trades at an EV/EBITDA of 4.7x and a trailing P/E of 7.0x, representing a discount to the median of its US-listed Consumer Cyclical peers of 11.1x and 18.0x.
  • Analysts expect EPS to increase 13.1% to $2.41 for the current fiscal year ending January 31, 2027.

Bear case

  • Top-line growth has remained slow, evidenced by a 5-year revenue CAGR of 2.2% through FY2026 and a quarterly revenue decline of 2.0% in the latest quarter.
  • The balance sheet carries $5.72B in total debt, resulting in net debt of $3.23B and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45.
  • Gap's 5-year return of 27.5% significantly trailed the broader market benchmark return of 83.0% for the S&P 500.

What Gap does

The Gap, Inc. operates as an apparel retail company in the United States, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, and internationally. The company offers apparel, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta brands. Products are sold through company-operated stores, franchise stores, e-commerce websites, third-party arrangements, and licensing partnerships. The company maintains franchise agreements to operate its four primary brands across Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Founded in 1969 and based in San Francisco, California, the company employs 79,000 people.

Growth and profitability

Gap's revenue grew at a 5-year CAGR of 2.2% from FY2021 to FY2026. Annual revenue shifted from $16.67B in FY2022 to $15.62B in FY2023, $14.89B in FY2024, and rebounded to $15.09B in FY2025 and $15.37B in FY2026. Gross margin rose to 40.8% in FY2026 from 34.3% in FY2023, supporting an operating margin of 7.3% and EPS of $2.15. For the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $15.33B with a net profit margin of 8.1%. In the quarter ended July 31, 2026, revenue fell 2.0% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings expanded 142.1%.

GAP income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of July 31, 2026, Gap held $2.48B in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $5.72B, leaving net debt at $3.23B. The current ratio stood at 1.82, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45 on shareholders' equity of $3.95B. In FY2026, operating cash flow was $1.29B and free cash flow reached $823.0M. Capital deployment in FY2026 included $470.0M in capital expenditures, $247.0M in dividends paid, and $155.0M spent on share buybacks.

GAP balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

Gap trades at a trailing P/E of 7.0x and a forward P/E of 8.9x, both below the median of its US-listed Consumer Cyclical peers of 18.0x and 14.1x, respectively. The company's enterprise value of $10.77B represents an EV/EBITDA multiple of 4.7x, compared to the peer median of 11.1x. Its price-to-sales ratio is 0.5x, below the peer median of 0.7x. Over the past 12 months, GAP gained 15.4%, trailing the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%. Over five years, the stock gained 27.5% compared to 83.0% for the S&P 500.

GAP key metrics →

GAP dividend

Gap distributes a quarterly dividend with an annualized forward payout of $0.70 per share, yielding 3.03%. The dividend is supported by a payout ratio of 35.0% and an uninterrupted payment history spanning 41 consecutive years. Over the past 5 years, the dividend increased at an annualized rate of 21.6%. The most recent ex-dividend date was October 7, 2026.

GAP dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street analysts hold 7 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, and 13 Hold ratings on the stock, with zero Sell or Strong Sell ratings. The mean price target of $26.51 represents 14.7% upside compared to the October 16, 2026 closing price of $23.12. For the fiscal year ending January 31, 2027, consensus estimates project EPS of $2.41 on revenue of $15.54B. Gap exceeded EPS estimates in 2 of the past 4 quarters, and its next earnings release is scheduled for November 19, 2026.

GAP forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • A beta of 2.03 and short interest at 13.7% of float point to elevated equity price volatility.
  • Total debt of $5.72B relative to $2.48B in cash and short-term investments leaves the firm leveraged.
  • Execution has been mixed, with the company beating consensus EPS estimates in only 2 of the last 4 quarters.
  • Quarterly revenue fell 2.0% year-over-year in the period ended July 31, 2026, reflecting potential sales headwinds across its brand portfolio.

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 GAP AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of The Gap, Inc. (GAP). 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: GAP income statement, GAP balance sheet, GAP key metrics, GAP analyst forecast, GAP chart. See the GAP stock overview for the latest quote and news.

GAP AI stock analysis FAQ

What is Gap's dividend yield and payout schedule?

Gap pays a quarterly dividend that equals $0.70 annually, representing a forward dividend yield of 3.03%. It has paid dividends for 41 consecutive years with a payout ratio of 35.0%.

What is the consensus analyst target price for GAP?

The mean analyst price target is $26.51, which is 14.7% above the last closing price of $23.12.

How leveraged is Gap's balance sheet?

As of July 31, 2026, Gap had $2.48B in cash and short-term investments alongside $5.72B in total debt, leading to net debt of $3.23B and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45.

When is Gap's next earnings report date?

Gap is scheduled to release its next financial results on November 19, 2026.

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