Expert says this ASX retail stock has significantly more upside than Lovisa shares

Several experts have recently named this ASX retailer a top buy.

| More on:
Beautiful young couple enjoying in shopping, symbolising passive income.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • Lovisa has surged over 400% in five years but is now seen as fully valued by Macquarie. 
  • Universal Store, highlighted as a post-earnings top pick by Macquarie, offers 17% upside. 
  • Universal Store's strong market performance and growth trajectory have also caught the attention of other analysts, including being featured on Bell Potter's top picks list.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) shares have been one of the best performing ASX retailers over the past few years.

Lovisa has soared more than 400% over 5 years. 

In the past year, Lovisa is up 16%.

The company jumped 16% when it released its FY25 result, showing solid execution of its international expansion. 

In FY25, the company opened 131 net new stores, bringing its total store count to 1,031 stores as of 30 June 2025.

While Lovisa's story is far from over, several experts now believe the ASX 200 retailer is fully valued. 

In its post-earnings season research note, Emerging Leaders Reporting season wrap & best picks, Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) revised its rating on Lovisa shares. 

The broker downgraded Lovisa shares from outperform to neutral and placed a price target of $40.90 on the stock. 

Given that Lovisa shares closed at $39.03 on Friday, this suggests a 5% upside over the next 12 months. 

Lovisa also currently offers a dividend yield of 1.38%.

While a combined capital growth and dividend return of 6.38% is higher than a term deposit, it is below the long-term average of the Australian share market. 

According to Vanguard, Australian shares have returned an average of 9.3% per annum over the past 30 years. 

Given this trajectory, investors may be looking for an ASX retailer with greater upside.

Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI)

In the same research note, Macquarie named Universal Store as one of its top stock picks post earnings season. 

Universal Store operates a number of popular businesses, including Universal Store, Perfect Stranger, and CTC (THRILLS and Worship).

With a market capitalisation of $670 million, Universal Store is a much smaller company than Lovisa.

The ASX retailer has been a strong performer over the past 5 years, climbing more than 100%.

Like Lovisa, it has been opening stores at a rapid rate. During the last financial year, nine net new stores were opened. In FY26, between 11 and 17 new stores are expected to open.

Macquarie has an outperform rating on Universal Store shares and a price target of $10.20.

Given that shares closed at $8.74 on Friday, that suggests 17% upside from here. 

The company also currently offers a dividend yield of 3.78%, bringing the total potential return to above 20% over the next 12 months. 

And it's not just Macquarie that is tipping Universal Store shares to deliver strong returns over the next 12 months.

Last week, The Motley Fool's James Mickleboro reported that Universal Store had made Bell Potter's list of top picks to buy in September. 

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Lovisa and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa and Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Broker Notes

person holding hat
Broker Notes

3 ASX 200 large-cap shares just re-rated by analysts

We reveal the latest views on an ASX 200 large-cap miner, retailer, and consumer staples leader.

Read more »

A young man goes over his finances and investment portfolio at home.
Broker Notes

Down 80% in 2025: Is it time to buy this beaten down ASX stock?

Let's see what Bell Potter is saying about this stock after its heavy decline.

Read more »

A white and black robot in the form of a human being stands in front of a green graphic holding a laptop and discussing robotics and automation ASX shares
Broker Notes

NextDC shares jump 11% on major OpenAI deal

This data centre operator will be home to the AI giant in Australia.

Read more »

A large clear wine glass on the left of the image filled with fifty dollar notes on a timber table with a wine cellar or cabinet with bottles in the background.
Broker Notes

Macquarie names 3 top dividend-paying ASX 200 shares to buy today

Macquarie expects these three dividend paying ASX 200 shares to outperform in 2026. Let’s see why.

Read more »

Confident male executive dressed in a dark blue suit leans against a doorway with his arms crossed in the corporate office
Broker Notes

Broker reveals ratings on 4 ASX 200 sector leaders

Prefer ASX 200 large-cap stocks? Here are some new ratings and price targets for four sector leaders.

Read more »

A young boy points and smiles as he eats fried chicken.
Broker Notes

Why brokers are bullish on this rapidly-growing ASX 200 share

This business is delivering tasty earnings growth…

Read more »

Three excited business people cheer around a laptop in the office
Broker Notes

Bell Potter names the best ASX 200 shares to buy in December

Let's see what the broker is recommending to clients this month.

Read more »

Australian dollar notes in the pocket of a man's jeans, symbolising dividends.
Broker Notes

Why this dividend paying ASX All Ords share is tipped to outperform again in 2026

A leading broker forecasts more outperformance to come from this dividend-paying ASX share.

Read more »