Burlington Stores, Inc. (BURL) Stock: Surges on Strong Q4 Sales and 22% EPS Growth

TLDR

• Q4 sales up 11%, EPS beats expectations at $4.99, margins expand 100bps.
• FY25 net income rises 21%, adjusted EPS grows 22%, strong operational leverage.
• Inventory prepped for seasonal demand; liquidity remains solid at $2.16B.
• FY26 EPS guidance $10.95–$11.45, signaling continued growth momentum.
• Stock up 31% in 12 months, reflecting market confidence in Burlington’s strategy.

Burlington Stores, Inc. (BURL) reported robust fourth-quarter results, lifting its stock by 0.12%. Total sales rose 11% year-over-year, while comparable store sales increased 4%. Net income for the quarter reached $310 million, with diluted earnings per share of $4.84.

Burlington Stores, Inc., BURL
The company also reported adjusted earnings per share of $4.99, surpassing analyst expectations of $4.50 to $4.70. Adjusted EBIT margin expanded 100 basis points versus the same period last year. Overall, the quarterly results reflected strong operational execution and continued growth momentum.

Revenue growth drove higher margins, supported by merchandise margin expansion and improved freight efficiency. SG&A expenses remained well-controlled, decreasing 40 basis points as a percentage of net sales. Effective tax rate rose slightly to 25.7%, consistent with expected levels for the period.

Fiscal Year 2025 Performance Shows Solid Growth

Burlington Stores recorded full-year net income of $610 million, or $9.51 per share, a 21% increase. Total sales for FY25 increased 9%, and comparable store sales grew 2% from the prior year. Adjusted EPS rose 22% to $10.17, reflecting strong earnings growth and operational leverage.

Adjusted EBIT for the year reached $923 million, up 80 basis points as a percentage of sales. Excluding costs from bankruptcy-acquired leases, adjusted net income totaled $652 million, compared to $540 million the prior year.  The company improved profitability despite external pressures, including tariffs implemented during the fiscal year.

Inventory levels increased slightly to $1.31 billion, with reserve inventory representing 40% of the total. Comparable store inventories rose 12%, indicating preparation for future seasonal sales. Liquidity remained strong at $2.16 billion, with $1.23 billion in unrestricted cash and $926 million available on its ABL facility.

Outlook for Fiscal 2026 Remains Positive

For the first quarter ending in April, Burlington expects earnings per share between $1.60 and $1.75. Full-year EPS guidance ranges from $10.95 to $11.45, reflecting continued growth expectations. The company positioned operations to capitalize on sales opportunities and margin improvement initiatives.

Burlington ended FY25 with $2.08 billion in total debt, including term loans and convertible notes. The company repurchased 223,863 shares during Q4, spending $59 million under its share repurchase program. Shareholder returns remain a priority as the company balances growth and financial discipline.

The stock has risen 31% over the past 12 months, reflecting strong operational performance and market confidence. Analysts had forecasted slightly lower revenue and earnings, which the company exceeded in both measures. Strong Q4 results and FY25 growth underscore Burlington’s position as a leading off-price retailer in the U.S.

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