NEW YORK, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Despite missing Wall Street's third-quarter earnings estimates last week, apparel maker VF Corp's (VFC.N) profit potential makes it attractive for longer-term investors, Barron's business weekly said on Sunday.
It noted stock in the company, whose brands include North Face, Nautica and Wrangler, is up only 29 percent this year, compared with 44 percent for the average peer and way off rivals like Liz Claiborne (LIZ.N) and J. Crew Group (JCG.N).
"VF has much to recommend it - beginning with a 3.4 percent dividend yield that's well-supported by nearly $2.59 a share in free cash flow," Barron's said.
It quoted Credit Suisse analyst Omar Saad as saying the stock can rally "as investors get greater visibility into VF's 2010 earnings power."
He forecast earnings of $6 per share next year based on a conservative sales growth of 3 percent and lower raw material costs.
"We are approaching the point at which investors will be willing to pay more of a premium for high-quality long-term secular growth stories," Barron's quoted Saad as saying.
