Benzinga | Oct 15, 2021 11:24AM EDT

Benchmark Analyst Bullish On Kirkland's, Sees Huge Upside

* Benchmark analyst John Lawrence initiated coverage of Kirkland's Inc (NASDAQ:KIRK) with a Buy rating and $30 price target, suggesting a 31% upside.

* Lawrence said the specialty home decor retailer "represents a solid turnaround story."

* The analyst thinks the improving gross margin profile and cost structure support management's target to reach high-single-digit operating margins in one to two years and that achieving this plan should be a "significant catalyst for the shares."

* Price Action: KIRK shares are trading higher by 2.51% at $22.88 on the last check Friday.