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CROX vs KTB
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Crocs, Inc. (CROX) vs. Kontoor Brands, Inc. (KTB) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Tickeron AI Verdict: CROX. Based on observable trend consistency, earnings momentum, and a clearer near-term catalyst path, the AI analysis currently favors CROX over KTB.
- CROX delivered a beat-and-raise quarter, with its HEYDUDE brand returning to growth and international sales accelerating, while KTB is navigating a portfolio transformation following its Lee divestiture.
- CROX trades at a notably lower forward earnings multiple, while KTB offers a higher dividend yield but carries elevated balance-sheet leverage.
- The two companies compete in different footwear and apparel niches, making their relative performance more about execution and brand momentum than direct market overlap.
- For more context, explore CROX Major News and CROX Today's Price Move, as well as KTB Major News and KTB Today's Price Move.
- To see how automated strategies are positioning across these and other names, visit Trending AI Robots.
Introduction
Investors comparing CROX (Crocs, Inc.) and KTB (Kontoor Brands, Inc.) are weighing two consumer-discretionary apparel businesses with very different growth profiles. Crocs is a casual footwear company centered on its namesake clogs and the HEYDUDE brand, while Kontoor Brands is a global denim, outdoor, and workwear operator behind Wrangler and Helly Hansen. This stock comparison is relevant for traders focused on relative performance and momentum, as well as longer-horizon investors assessing brand-turnaround stories and portfolio restructuring. Understanding how each name is positioned across momentum, valuation, and catalysts can clarify where the market is currently assigning opportunity versus execution risk.
CROX Overview and Recent Performance
CROX, the maker of Crocs clogs and HEYDUDE casual shoes, has been a standout in recent market activity. In its most recent quarterly report, the company beat Wall Street expectations, with revenue rising about 4.6% year over year to roughly $1.04 billion and adjusted earnings per share (EPS, or profit divided by shares outstanding) climbing more than 26% to $3.69, well above consensus estimates. Management also raised its full-year outlook, citing growth across brands, channels, and geographies.
Two developments have shaped sentiment. First, the HEYDUDE brand returned to growth, a milestone investors had been waiting for after several years of declines. Second, international sales for the core Crocs brand grew at a double-digit rate, with strength in markets such as China, India, and Japan, offsetting softer North American demand. Margin expansion, strong free cash flow, and continued share repurchases have reinforced the narrative. The stock responded with a sharp rally in recent weeks and now trades near its 52-week high, with analysts still noting a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, which compares share price to expected profits, below 10 times.
KTB Overview and Recent Performance
KTB is a global apparel company whose portfolio centers on the Wrangler denim and workwear brand and the Helly Hansen outdoor brand, following its acquisition of Helly Hansen. The company has been executing a strategic transformation, recently completing the sale of its Lee business for up to $1 billion to sharpen focus on higher-growth brands. The divestiture is expected to provide financial flexibility for debt reduction and share repurchases.
Recent market activity for KTB has been more mixed. Wrangler has posted a long streak of market-share gains, and Helly Hansen offers an underpenetrated U.S. growth opportunity. However, near-term revenue trends have been pressured by cautious wholesale ordering and a larger off-price presence for Helly Hansen, while the integration has initially carried thin segment margins. The company also carries elevated leverage relative to many peers, though it maintains a dividend yield above 3%. The shares have recovered from their recent lows but remain below their 52-week high, reflecting a market that is still assessing the post-divestiture earnings profile.
Trending AI Robots
For traders who want to compare stocks systematically rather than manually, Tickeron's Trending AI Robots page curates a selection of its AI trading bots. Tickeron hosts hundreds of automated bots that collectively trade thousands of different tickers, each with its own trading style, strategy, timeframe, performance statistics, and watchlist of securities. Because not every bot suits every market regime, only the most relevant and best-performing strategies for current conditions earn a place in this curated section. The page lets visitors review each bot's track record, traded tickers, and configuration before deciding whether to follow a signal. If you would like to see how automated systems are currently positioning across names like CROX and KTB, explore Trending AI Robots to browse the available options.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The core contrast between CROX and KTB lies in momentum versus transformation. CROX is showing accelerating growth, expanding margins, and a successful brand turnaround, with strong free cash flow funding buybacks. Its risk profile centers on concentration in casual footwear, reliance on international growth to offset a softer U.S. market, and the durability of the HEYDUDE recovery.
KTB, by contrast, is positioned as a restructuring and value story: a divestiture that simplifies the portfolio, an acquired premium brand still being integrated, and a reliable dividend. Its trade-offs include higher leverage, near-term revenue softness, and execution uncertainty around the Helly Hansen rollout. In terms of valuation, CROX trades at a lower forward earnings multiple, while KTB offers a meaningful dividend yield. Market sentiment currently rewards CROX's clearer, verifiable growth trajectory, while KTB's re-rating depends on delivering post-divestiture results.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors, Tickeron's AI analysis would currently lean toward CROX as the more favorable of the two. The reasoning reflects stronger and more consistent upward momentum, a beat-and-raise earnings profile, margin expansion, and a well-defined set of near-term catalysts, including the HEYDUDE recovery and international growth. KTB retains longer-term appeal as a value and income opportunity, but its outlook is more contingent on successful integration and post-divestiture execution. Because AI-based signals are probabilistic rather than definitive, this verdict represents a relative positioning assessment under current conditions, not a prediction of future returns.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CROX is a StrongBuy and KTB is a StrongBuy.
Momentum Indicator for CROX turns positive, indicating new upward trend
CROX saw its Momentum Indicator move above the 0 level on October 14, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new upward move. Traders may want to consider buying the stock or buying call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 79 similar instances where the indicator turned positive. In 65 of the 79 cases, the stock moved higher in the following days. The odds of a move higher are at 82%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for CROX just turned positive on October 15, 2026. Looking at past instances where CROX's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 35 of 45 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 78%.
CROX moved above its 50-day moving average on October 28, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for CROX crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 23, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 17 of 21 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 81%.
Following a +4.38% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where CROX advanced for three days, in 201 of 272 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 74%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 143 of 212 cases where CROX Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 67%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator demonstrates that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 8 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 7 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where CROX declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 77%.
CROX broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 29, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 25 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 35 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. CROX’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 41 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: CROX's P/B Ratio (5.258) is slightly higher than the industry average of (2.998). P/E Ratio (13.403) is within average values for comparable stocks, (12.296). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.030) is also within normal values, averaging (0.949). Dividend Yield (0.067) settles around the average of (0.057) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.460) is also within normal values, averaging (1.162).
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 84 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. CROX’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 88, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 90 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
KTB in upward trend: 10-day moving average moved above 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026
The 10-day moving average for KTB crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 12 of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 80%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 08, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on KTB as a result. In 60 of 84 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 71%.
KTB moved above its 50-day moving average on October 15, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +7.44% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where KTB advanced for three days, in 225 of 311 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 72%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 156 of 228 cases where KTB Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 68%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for KTB moved out of overbought territory on November 05, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 47 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 31 of the 47 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 66%.
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 45 of 63 cases where KTB's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 71%.
The 50-day moving average for KTB moved below the 200-day moving average on October 22, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where KTB declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 73%.
KTB broke above its upper Bollinger Band on November 09, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 21 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 38 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. KTB’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 43 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 90, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 62 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 65 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: KTB's P/B Ratio (6.809) is slightly higher than the industry average of (2.911). P/E Ratio (15.921) is within average values for comparable stocks, (14.016). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.010) is also within normal values, averaging (0.686). Dividend Yield (0.028) settles around the average of (0.328) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.114) is also within normal values, averaging (0.827).
CROX | KTB | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 43 | 85 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 41 Fair valued | 65 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 84 | 43 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 25 | 21 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 35 | 38 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 90 | 62 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
CROX's Valuation (41) in the Apparel Or Footwear industry is in the same range as KTB (65) in the null industry. This means that CROX’s stock grew similarly to KTB’s over the last 12 months.
KTB's Profit vs Risk Rating (43) in the null industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CROX (84) in the Apparel Or Footwear industry. This means that KTB’s stock grew somewhat faster than CROX’s over the last 12 months.
KTB's SMR Rating (21) in the null industry is in the same range as CROX (25) in the Apparel Or Footwear industry. This means that KTB’s stock grew similarly to CROX’s over the last 12 months.
CROX's Price Growth Rating (35) in the Apparel Or Footwear industry is in the same range as KTB (38) in the null industry. This means that CROX’s stock grew similarly to KTB’s over the last 12 months.
KTB's P/E Growth Rating (62) in the null industry is in the same range as CROX (90) in the Apparel Or Footwear industry. This means that KTB’s stock grew similarly to CROX’s over the last 12 months.
| CROX | KTB | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 84% | 2 days ago 66% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 76% | 2 days ago 71% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 82% | 3 days ago 71% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 78% | N/A |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 74% | 2 days ago 73% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 73% | 2 days ago 71% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 74% | 2 days ago 72% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 77% | 6 days ago 73% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 73% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 68% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CROX’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green while KTB’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- CROX’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- KTB’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CROX’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while KTB’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CROX’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- KTB’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
CROX (@Wholesale Distributors) experienced а +3.94% price change this week, while KTB (@Apparel/Footwear) price change was +7.63% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Wholesale Distributors industry was -5.38%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +8.44%, and the average quarterly price growth was +25.83%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Apparel/Footwear industry was +32.20%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +35.29%, and the average quarterly price growth was +15.75%.
Reported Earning Dates
CROX is expected to report earnings on Feb 18, 2027.
KTB is expected to report earnings on Mar 02, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Wholesale Distributors (-5.38% weekly)Companies in this industry handle the wholesale shipments for the manufacturer of a product. They have warehouses and distribution centers, and they ship products directly to the retailer. Digitization, increasing competition, emerging customer demand, and product innovation are some of shifts that the industry has been facing in recent times – something that is potentially creating needs/opportunities for business model revisions or transformations. Data, analytics, and technology are becoming increasingly important for whole distributors in anticipating and analyzing consumer needs, and therefore planning their business strategies accordingly. Fastenal Company, W.W. Grainger, Inc., Genuine Parts Company and Pool Corporation are some of the largest names in the business.
@Apparel/Footwear (+32.20% weekly)Apparel/footwear might be slightly more ‘cyclical’ in the largely non-cyclical category of non-durables. While digital giants like Amazon have been rapidly expanding their presence, traditional clothing/footwear retailers have also been bulking up their online presence in recent years, to milk the burgeoning trend of online shopping among consumers across the globe. The apparel and footwear retail market was valued at around $ 360 billion in 2018, and this figure was expected to reach about $386 billion by 2020 (according to a Statista report). NIKE, Inc, V.F. Corporation and Under Armour, Inc. are some of the companies with the largest U.S. stock market caps in this segment.
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KTB and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KTB has been loosely correlated with SHOO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 64% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if KTB jumps, then SHOO could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To KTB | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KTB | 100% | +0.99% | ||
| SHOO - KTB | 64% Loosely correlated | -0.72% | ||
| CROX - KTB | 53% Loosely correlated | -0.36% | ||
| NKE - KTB | 49% Loosely correlated | -3.03% | ||
| DECK - KTB | 49% Loosely correlated | -0.71% | ||
| ONON - KTB | 47% Loosely correlated | -7.54% | ||
More | ||||
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