Carter’s Inc (CRI)

Debt-to-capital ratio

		Dec 31, 2023	Sep 30, 2023	Jun 30, 2023	Mar 31, 2023	Dec 31, 2022	Sep 30, 2022	Jun 30, 2022	Mar 31, 2022	Dec 31, 2021	Sep 30, 2021	Jun 30, 2021	Mar 31, 2021	Dec 31, 2020	Sep 30, 2020	Jun 30, 2020	Mar 31, 2020	Dec 31, 2019	Sep 30, 2019	Jun 30, 2019	Mar 31, 2019
Long-term debt	US$ in thousands	497,354	567,168	496,984	576,803	616,624	736,448	616,275	496,104	991,370	990,900	990,437	989,980	989,530	989,086	1,232,650	1,238,820	594,672	769,525	604,377	625,278
Total stockholders’ equity	US$ in thousands	845,250	785,311	775,009	797,893	796,409	788,202	820,866	915,290	950,186	1,054,870	1,097,500	1,029,610	938,033	821,881	733,278	716,002	880,130	812,734	827,897	849,404
Debt-to-capital ratio		0.37	0.42	0.39	0.42	0.44	0.48	0.43	0.35	0.51	0.48	0.47	0.49	0.51	0.55	0.63	0.63	0.40	0.49	0.42	0.42

December 31, 2023 calculation

Debt-to-capital ratio = Long-term debt ÷ (Long-term debt + Total stockholders’ equity)
= $497,354K ÷ ($497,354K + $845,250K)
= 0.37

The debt-to-capital ratio for Carter’s Inc has fluctuated over the periods shown in the table. The ratio indicates the proportion of debt in the company's capital structure. A lower ratio signifies lower reliance on debt for financing, while a higher ratio suggests a higher level of debt relative to capital.

Carter’s Inc's debt-to-capital ratio ranged from 0.35 to 0.63 over the past five years, showing variability in the company's debt levels relative to its total capital. The ratio was at its lowest in Q1 2022 at 0.35, indicating a smaller proportion of debt compared to capital. It peaked at 0.63 in Q2 2020 and Q3 2020, indicating a higher reliance on debt for financing during those periods.

The trend in the debt-to-capital ratio suggests that Carter’s Inc has experienced fluctuations in its capital structure over the years, potentially influenced by factors such as borrowing decisions, economic conditions, and strategic initiatives. Further analysis of the company's financial performance and debt management strategies would provide additional insights into these fluctuations and their implications for the company's financial health.