CATO vs. ZUMZ

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about The Cato Corporation (CATO) and Zumiez Inc. (ZUMZ).

Performance

CATO vs. ZUMZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Cato Corporation (CATO) and Zumiez Inc. (ZUMZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

CATO vs. ZUMZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CATO The Cato Corporation	-8.09%	-20.77%	-39.83%	-16.51%	-42.20%	84.02%	-43.53%	32.97%	-2.99%	-42.89%
ZUMZ Zumiez Inc.	-15.36%	35.89%	-5.75%	-6.44%	-54.70%	30.48%	6.49%	80.18%	-7.95%	-4.69%

Fundamentals

Market Cap CATO : $56.08M ZUMZ : $380.32M
EPS CATO : -$0.34 ZUMZ : $0.78
PS Ratio CATO : 0.08 ZUMZ : 0.41
PB Ratio CATO : 0.36 ZUMZ : 1.17
Total Revenue (TTM) CATO : $653.81M ZUMZ : $929.06M
Gross Profit (TTM) CATO : $212.27M ZUMZ : $332.54M
EBITDA (TTM) CATO : $575.00K ZUMZ : $17.04M

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CATO achieves a -8.09% return, which is significantly higher than ZUMZ's -15.36% return. Over the past 10 years, CATO has underperformed ZUMZ with an annualized return of -18.46%, while ZUMZ has yielded a comparatively higher 0.73% annualized return.

CATO

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: -5.33%
• YTD: -8.09%
• 6M: -32.54%
• 1Y: -12.35%
• 3Y*: -27.66%
• 5Y*: -21.22%
• 10Y*: -18.46%

ZUMZ

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: -13.93%
• YTD: -15.36%
• 6M: 8.62%
• 1Y: 50.31%
• 3Y*: 6.14%
• 5Y*: -12.71%
• 10Y*: 0.73%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Return for Risk

CATO vs. ZUMZ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CATO

CATO Risk / Return Rank: 32
CATO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
CATO Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
CATO Omega Ratio Rank: 34
CATO Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
CATO Martin Ratio Rank: 31

ZUMZ

ZUMZ Risk / Return Rank: 69
ZUMZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
ZUMZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
ZUMZ Omega Ratio Rank: 66
ZUMZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
ZUMZ Martin Ratio Rank: 68

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CATO vs. ZUMZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Cato Corporation (CATO) and Zumiez Inc. (ZUMZ). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	CATO	ZUMZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.18	0.95	-1.12
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.25	1.67	-1.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.20	-0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.34	1.51	-1.85
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.61	3.32	-3.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CATO vs. ZUMZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CATO Sharpe Ratio is -0.18, which is lower than the ZUMZ Sharpe Ratio of 0.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CATO and ZUMZ, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CATO	ZUMZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.18	0.95	-1.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.41	-0.25	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.37	0.01	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.03	0.05	-0.02

Correlation

The correlation between CATO and ZUMZ is 0.44, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

CATO vs. ZUMZ - Dividend Comparison

Neither CATO nor ZUMZ has paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CATO The Cato Corporation	0.00%	0.00%	13.08%	9.52%	7.29%	2.62%	3.44%	7.59%	9.25%	8.29%	4.29%	3.26%
ZUMZ Zumiez Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

CATO vs. ZUMZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CATO drawdown since its inception was -95.29%, which is greater than ZUMZ's maximum drawdown of -88.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CATO and ZUMZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	CATO	ZUMZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-95.29%	-88.06%	-7.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-43.64%	-31.87%	-11.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-85.17%	-78.80%	-6.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-89.73%	-78.80%	-10.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-88.30%	-59.64%	-28.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-39.46%	-48.74%	+9.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	24.10%	14.49%	+9.61%

Volatility

CATO vs. ZUMZ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for The Cato Corporation (CATO) is 14.65%, while Zumiez Inc. (ZUMZ) has a volatility of 16.06%. This indicates that CATO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZUMZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CATO	ZUMZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.65%	16.06%	-1.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.38%	32.11%	+4.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	70.60%	53.44%	+17.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	51.59%	50.82%	+0.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	50.31%	51.00%	-0.69%

Financials

CATO vs. ZUMZ - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between The Cato Corporation and Zumiez Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

CATO - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, The Cato Corporation reported a gross profit of 42.96M and revenue of 151.66M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 28.3%.

ZUMZ - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Zumiez Inc. reported a gross profit of 111.40M and revenue of 291.31M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 38.2%.

CATO - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, The Cato Corporation reported an operating income of -13.84M and revenue of 151.66M, resulting in an operating margin of -9.1%.

ZUMZ - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Zumiez Inc. reported an operating income of 24.53M and revenue of 291.31M, resulting in an operating margin of 8.4%.

CATO - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, The Cato Corporation reported a net income of -10.86M and revenue of 151.66M, resulting in a net margin of -7.2%.

ZUMZ - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Zumiez Inc. reported a net income of 19.55M and revenue of 291.31M, resulting in a net margin of 6.7%.