Does DESIGNER BRANDS INC. have an economic moat?

Based on its FY2026 SEC filings, the Moat Index scores DESIGNER BRANDS INC. (DBI) 48.3 out of 100 — a Shallow moat. The four filters behind that score (each 0–100): pricing power 27, returns on capital 73, balance-sheet safety 51, capital discipline 40.

Is DBI stock trading below its intrinsic value?

Against a deliberately conservative owner-earnings model (9% discount rate, 0% assumed growth, capped at 4%), estimated intrinsic value is $9.09 per share versus a recent price of $5.72 — 37% below value. This is an educational estimate computed from primary SEC filings, not investment advice.

How has DBI's Moat Score changed over time?

The record logs 2 readings since Jul 17, 2026; the latest reads 48.3 out of 100 (shallow moat). No tier changes on record yet. The history is append-only — readings are only ever added, never rewritten.

The Moat Index

DESIGNER BRANDS INC.

DBI · Consumer Discretionary · $281.1M mkt cap · FY2026 filings · Shallow moat ·

On the watchlist

Shallow moat

The four filters

Pricing power27

Median gross margin 31.5% over 10y, variable.

Returns on capital73

Median ROIC 17.9%, above the 9% hurdle in 50% of years.

Balance-sheet safety51

Net debt/EBITDA 3.5x, no material interest expense disclosed.

Capital discipline40

Owner earnings -18.8%/yr, share count shrinking (buybacks).

Margin of safety

Above valueOn sale

37% below value

Owner earnings (normalized): $40.2M
Est. intrinsic value / share: $9.09
Recent price: $5.72
Discount to value: 37% below value

Conservative model: 9% discount rate, 0% assumed growth (capped at 4%), maintenance capex ≈ min(capex, D&A).

Fundamentals

There's no normalized fundamentals series for DBI yet — it appears once ingest has processed its filings.

Moat Score history

Moat Score over timeLast scored reading of each day, on the 0–100 scale48.3 / 100

Score history begins Jul 17, 2026 — the record builds from here and can’t be backfilled.

Tier changesSame-methodology crossings of the Wide / Narrow / Shallow bars

None yet — DBI has read Shallow moat for every logged capture since Jul 17, 2026.

Scores are logged append-only and never overwritten — this record can’t be backfilled, which is exactly why it’s worth keeping.

Consumer Discretionary context

#161 of 340 scored Consumer Discretionary companies, ranked by Moat Score.

Nearest peers by Moat Score

#159MNRO Monro, Inc.48.5 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat
#160HURN HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC.48.5 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat
#162LAD Lithia Motors, Inc.48.0 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat
#163DAKT Daktronics, Inc.47.9 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat

Compare DBI with its nearest peers →All Consumer Discretionary companies on the Index →

Common questions about DBI

Does DESIGNER BRANDS INC. have an economic moat?: Based on its FY2026 SEC filings, the Moat Index scores DESIGNER BRANDS INC. (DBI) 48.3 out of 100 — a Shallow moat. The four filters behind that score (each 0–100): pricing power 27, returns on capital 73, balance-sheet safety 51, capital discipline 40.
Is DBI stock trading below its intrinsic value?: Against a deliberately conservative owner-earnings model (9% discount rate, 0% assumed growth, capped at 4%), estimated intrinsic value is $9.09 per share versus a recent price of $5.72 — 37% below value. This is an educational estimate computed from primary SEC filings, not investment advice.
How has DBI's Moat Score changed over time?: The record logs 2 readings since Jul 17, 2026; the latest reads 48.3 out of 100 (shallow moat). No tier changes on record yet. The history is append-only — readings are only ever added, never rewritten.

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Scored from primary SEC filings via the public methodology. Educational only — not a recommendation to buy or sell DBI. See the disclaimer.