FTXD - Retail to shine after pandemic - Barclays

Barclays upgrades the broad retail sector to a Positive rating for the first time in over ten years as it looks beyond the pandemic. "In the wake of COVID, the Retail segment is: 1) reducing supply on multiple levels and 2) forcing store closures as e-commerce growth accelerates. In 2021, we foresee a return to brick-and-mortar sales growth and lean inventory supporting EBIT margin expansion. As such, we believe the Retail Deleverage or Death Curve will, in fact, become the Retail Leverage or Life Curve," update analyst Adrienne Yih and team.Upgrades were also doled out on American Eagle Outfitters ([[AEO]] +6.1%), Foot Locker ([[FL]] +5.0%), Gap ([[GPS]] +5.0%) and Urban Outfitters ([[URBN]] +6.4%) (see more details) specifically, while Kontoor Brands ([[KTB]] +8.6%) is called a defensive play on a COVID surge and an offensive play on global growth.Not part of the rosy outlook, Ralph Lauren ([[RL]] +3.2%) is downgraded by

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Retail to shine after pandemic - Barclays