I think if I had an extra $500M or so laying around, I'd buy Shoe Carnival and take it private.
It is now trading at a PE of 5.5, and I really like their stores. Clean, well run, 10X better than FL.
$500M compounded at 4% (using current granny bank rates) makes me ~$132M over the next 6 years.
Shoe Carnival, assuming they can maintain this horrible quarter's 2023 updated guidance of $3.25/share, makes me $532M over the next 6 years. After that, I own the company free and clear. VZ sits back on his yacht and collects $90M yearly (assuming, all things equal, zero growth, and most importantly, not lifting a damn finger).
Can their $3.25/share be sustained going forward? I think so. There's still a place for a bricks and mortar shoe store. Their e-commerce did well too. Yeah there's competition, but in the markets they compete... it's a classier place.
SCVL---> $21.87.
Don't expect great things, but it was a steal at $19 earlier.