Baird is getting more optimistic on VF Corp. The firm upgraded the Vans parent to outperform from neutral and raised its price target to $20 from $14. Baird’s forecast calls for more than 46% upside from Monday’s close. Analyst Jonathan Komp said he is becoming more confident in VF Corp’s turnaround over a six-to-12 month horizon, noting he expects the Vans brand to reach an inflection point in the second half of next year. “While we do not see current signs of a new skate shoe trend broadly emerging (low profile, retro running styles remain strong within lifestyle), our late-July call with VFC management reinforced confidence that Vans’ self-inflicted headwinds (estimated ~6 point growth headwind in FQ1 and still for FQ2E after ~9 point headwind in FQ4-25) should ease substantially in FQ3 and normalize by FQ4, and also highlighted potential for Vans’ profit to inflect ahead of sales,” Komp said. VFC YTD mountain VF Corp stock in 2025. VF Corp last month reported a smaller-than-expected loss for the fiscal first quarter, thought it noted weakness in its Vans brand. “While we are not sure whether a healthier skate shoe trend emerges over the next 6-12 months (would be clearest path to VFC sentiment improving), we see good reason for sequentially improving financial performance as Vans reset action financial headwinds subside and more interesting product and social media activity potentially attract some consumer attention,” Komp said. Shares have pulled back more than 36% in 2025. However, they gained more than 2% in the premarket after the upgrade. Most analysts covering the stock are on the sidelines. Of the 24 who cover it, 15 have a hold rating, per LSEG. Another six rate shares as a buy or strong buy, while three others have underperform ratings.
