Carter's (CRI) vs Gildan Activewear (GIL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Carter's (CRI) has outperformed Gildan Activewear (GIL) over the past year, gaining 7.7% versus a loss of 31.9%. Over five years, GIL leads with a +14.5% price change compared with -67.0% for CRI. Gildan Activewear is the larger company by market cap ($7.76 billion vs $1.19 billion), about 6.5 times the size.
On valuation, Gildan Activewear trades at a lower forward P/E (7.7x vs 8.8x for Carter's). Carter's offers the higher dividend yield (3.08% vs 2.27%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CRI | GIL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $32.52 | $41.90 |
| Market cap | $1.19B | $7.76B |
| 1-day change | +0.22% | +1.55% |
| YTD return | +0.28% | -32.92% |
| 1-year return | +7.72% | -31.89% |
| 5-year return | -67.02% | +14.51% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 6.07 | 31.98 |
| Forward P/E | 8.81 | 7.70 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.36 | $1.31 |
| Dividend yield | 3.08% | 2.27% |
| Annual dividend | $1.00 | $0.95 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $3.62B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +10.66% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $398.88M |
| Gross margin | — | 31.22% |
| Operating margin | — | 17.13% |
| Net margin | — | 11.02% |
| 52-week high | $44.44 | $73.70 |
| 52-week low | $27.15 | $39.93 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -26.82% | -43.15% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +30.04% | +95.70% |
| Average volume | 1.29M | 1.52M |
| Shares outstanding | 36.71M | 185.19M |
| Employees | 15,400 | 75,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Apparel | Apparel |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Gildan Activewear is about 6.5 times larger than Carter's by market value ($7.76B vs $1.19B).
- CRI has outperformed GIL by 39.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Gildan Activewear trades at a higher earnings multiple (32.0x vs 6.1x trailing P/E).
About Carter's
CRI stock →Carter's, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, sources, and markets branded childrenswear in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: U.S.
Consumer Discretionary · Apparel · 15,400 employees
About Gildan Activewear
GIL stock →Gildan Activewear Inc. manufactures and sells various apparel products.
Consumer Discretionary · Apparel · 75,000 employees
CRI vs GIL FAQ
Which is bigger, Carter's or Gildan Activewear?
Gildan Activewear (GIL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.76B compared with $1.19B for Carter's (CRI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CRI or GIL?
CRI returned +7.72% over the past 12 months, compared with -31.89% for GIL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CRI or GIL?
CRI has the lower trailing P/E at 6.1, versus 32.0 for GIL. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Carter's or Gildan Activewear?
Carter's has the higher yield at 3.08%, compared with 2.27% for Gildan Activewear.
Are Carter's and Gildan Activewear in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Apparel industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.