Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) AI Stock Analysis
RL AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchRalph Lauren Corporation designs and markets apparel, accessories, and home goods under brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren. In FY2026, revenue increased 14.6% to $8.11B, supported by an operating margin of 14.5% and net income of $941.1M. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $8.36B with an operating margin of 18.4%.
- Market cap
- $22.97B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $8.36B
- P/E
- 24.3x fwd 18.4x
- 1Y return
- 20.6% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $446.71 15.9% vs last close
Bull case
- Revenue growth accelerated to 14.6% in FY2026, lifting trailing twelve-month revenue to $8.36B.
- Quarterly earnings grew 21.6% year-over-year in the period ended June 30, 2026, alongside quarterly revenue growth of 14.0%.
- Ralph Lauren generated a 5-year return of 257.7%, substantially outpacing the S&P 500 return of 83.0%.
Bear case
- Ralph Lauren trades at a trailing P/E of 24.3x, above the median of its S&P 500 Consumer Cyclical peers of 19.7x.
- Free cash flow fell from $1.02B in FY2025 to $746.1M in FY2026 as capital expenditures reached $408.1M.
- The company carries $3.00B in total debt and $1.06B in net debt, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10.
What Ralph Lauren does
Ralph Lauren Corporation is a global lifestyle brand founded in 1967 and based in New York City. The company designs, markets, and distributes apparel, footwear, accessories, fine jewelry, home furnishings, and fragrances. Its portfolio includes Ralph Lauren Collection, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Lauren Ralph Lauren. Products are sold through department stores, specialty boutiques, and direct-to-consumer channels including digital platforms and retail stores. The company operates 504 retail stores and 684 concession-based shop-within-shops globally across North America, Europe, and Asia. It also operates hospitality establishments including The Polo Bar in New York City and RL Restaurant in Chicago.
Growth and profitability
Ralph Lauren grew revenue from $6.22B in FY2022 to $8.11B in FY2026, recording a 5-year revenue CAGR of 13.0% from FY2021 to FY2026. Annual revenue growth improved from 3.6% in FY2023 and 2.9% in FY2024 to 6.7% in FY2025 and 14.6% in FY2026. Gross margin rose from 66.7% in FY2022 to 69.9% in FY2026, while operating margin expanded from 12.8% to 14.5%. Net income rose to $941.1M in FY2026, generating diluted EPS of $16.58. In the quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue increased 14.0% year-over-year and quarterly earnings grew 21.6%. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue stood at $8.36B with a profit margin of 11.8%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, Ralph Lauren held $1.94B in cash and short-term investments alongside $3.00B in total debt, leaving net debt at $1.06B. Total assets stood at $7.66B against shareholders' equity of $2.72B. The company recorded a current ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. In FY2026, operating cash flow totaled $1.15B, funding capital expenditures of $408.1M to yield free cash flow of $746.1M. Cash returned to shareholders included $623.8M in share buybacks and $216.5M in dividends paid.
Valuation and performance
At a market cap of $22.97B and enterprise value of $21.68B, Ralph Lauren trades at a trailing P/E of 24.3x and a forward P/E of 18.4x. These compare to a trailing P/E of 19.7x and forward P/E of 15.6x for the median of its S&P 500 Consumer Cyclical peers. The stock carries an EV to EBITDA multiple of 14.1x versus the peer median of 13.2x, and a price-to-sales ratio of 2.7x versus the peer median of 2.0x. Over the past year, Ralph Lauren gained 20.6% compared to 16.8% for the S&P 500. Over five years, the stock rose 257.7% versus 83.0% for the index.
RL dividend
Ralph Lauren pays a quarterly dividend with an annualized forward payout of $4.00, representing a dividend yield of 1.04% and a payout ratio of 22.0%. The company has paid consecutive dividends for 24 years. Its annualized 5-year dividend growth rate stands at 39.0%, with the most recent ex-dividend date on September 25, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street analyst coverage includes 12 Strong Buy, 5 Buy, 1 Hold, and 1 Sell ratings. The mean price target is $446.71, representing 15.9% upside from the last close of $385.50. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, consensus estimates project revenue of $8.69B and EPS of $18.91, reflecting 14.0% EPS growth. For the subsequent fiscal year, 18 analysts forecast revenue of $9.15B and EPS of $20.97. Ralph Lauren beat EPS estimates in each of the last 4 quarters, with the next earnings announcement scheduled for November 5, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- A beta of 1.35 indicates the stock exhibits higher price volatility than the broader equity market.
- Short interest represents 7.2% of the float, reflecting notable market positioning against the stock.
- Consensus estimates project revenue growth to moderate to 5.3% in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2028.
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 RL AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL). 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: RL income statement, RL balance sheet, RL key metrics, RL analyst forecast, RL chart. See the RL stock overview for the latest quote and news.
RL AI stock analysis FAQ
What is Ralph Lauren's dividend yield and payment frequency?
Ralph Lauren pays a quarterly dividend totaling $4.00 annually, yielding 1.04% with a payout ratio of 22.0%.
When does Ralph Lauren report its next earnings?
The company's next earnings report is scheduled for November 5, 2026.
How much debt does Ralph Lauren have?
As of June 30, 2026, Ralph Lauren held $3.00B in total debt and $1.94B in cash and short-term investments, resulting in net debt of $1.06B.
What is the consensus analyst target for RL stock?
The mean analyst price target is $446.71, which is 15.9% above the last closing price of $385.50 as of October 16, 2026.