Ross Stores, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores under the Ross Dress for Less and dd's DISCOUNTS brand names in the United States. Its stores primarily offer apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions. The company's Ross Dress for Less stores sell its products at department and specialty stores to middle income households; and dd's DISCOUNTS stores sell its products at department and discount stores for households with moderate income. Ross Stores, Inc. was incorporated in 1957 and is headquartered in Dublin, California.

Ross Stores, Inc. демонстрирует сильные финансовые показатели, значительно превышающие медианные значения в отрасли. ROE и ROA превышают медиану на 159.7% и 174.2% соответственно, что свидетельствует о высокой эффективности использования капитала. Тем не менее, мультипликаторы, такие как P/E и P/B, заметно выше медианных значений, что может указывать на переоцененность акции. Долговая нагрузка компании, выраженная через debt-equity ratio, остается низкой, что является положительным сигналом для инвесторов. Прогнозируемая прибыль на акцию также выше медианы, что создает дополнительные основания для оптимизма. Однако, снижение валовой маржи в сочетании с высокими мультипликаторами может вызвать опасения у инвесторов. В целом, несмотря на некоторые слабые стороны, финансовое состояние компании выглядит стабильным, что поддерживает положительный настрой по отношению к ее оценке.

Ross Stores, Inc.

Ulta Beauty, Inc. ULTA reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results, wherein both top and bottom lines beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. While net sales increased, earnings decreased from the year-ago period’s actuals.
The company reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings per share of $8.01, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.00. However, the bottom line declined 5.3% compared with the year-ago reported figure.
Ulta Beauty Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Net sales of this beauty product retailer increased 11.8% year over year to $3,898.4 million and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,814 million. This growth was driven by higher comparable sales, the acquisition of Space NK and new store contributions.
Comparable sales rose 5.8%, supported by a 4.2% increase in average ticket size and a 1.6% increase in transactions.
ULTA’s Quarterly Results: Key Metrics & Insights
Ulta Beauty’s gross profit totaled $1,483.6 million, up 11.2% from $1,333.7 million. However, as a percentage of net sales, gross profit decreased 38.1% from 38.2%. The decrease was mainly due to an unfavorable channel mix, deleverage of store fixed expenses and other revenues, partially offset by lower inventory shrink and supply-chain efficiencies.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased 23% to $1,003.1 million from $815.6 million reported in the prior-year quarter. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased to 25.7% from 23.4%. This rise was due to the higher corporate overhead related to strategic enterprise investments, increased advertising expenses and higher incentive compensation.
Operating income was $476.9 million compared with $516.3 million in the prior-year quarter. As a percentage of net sales, operating income was 12.2%, down from 14.8% in the year-ago period.
ULTA’s Financial Health Snapshot & Store Update
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $424.2 million. Net merchandise inventories were $2,181.1 million at the end of the reported quarter. Stockholders’ equity at the end of the quarter was $2,803.5 million. Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,502.8 million for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2026.
In fiscal 2025, the company repurchased 2 million shares of its common stock for $890.5 million, excluding excise taxes. As of Jan. 31, 2026, $1.8 billion remained available under the $3 billion share repurchase program announced in October 2024.
What to Expect From ULTA in FY26
Ulta Beauty expects fiscal 2026 net sales growth in the range of 6% to 7%. Comparable sales growth is expected to be 2.5% to 3.5% year over year.
Management expects an operating income growth between 6% and 9% in fiscal 2026. Earnings per share are envisioned to be in the range of $28.05 to $28.55.
The stock has risen 5.7% in the past three months compared with the industry’s growth of 0.6%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to Consider
Five Below, Inc. FIVE operates as a specialty value retailer in the United States and currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Five Below’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings calls for growth of 22.1% and 25%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers. FIVE delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 62.1%, on average.
Ross Stores, Inc. ROST, operates off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores under the Ross Dress for Less and dd's DISCOUNTS brands in the United States. It carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. ROST delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 6.2%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ross Stores’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies an increase of 5.6% and 9.4%, respectively, from the prior-year levels.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. WSM operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It carries a Zacks Rank #2 at present. WSM delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 8.6%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Williams-Sonoma’s current fiscal-year sales indicates growth of 1.9% from the previous year’s reported figure.
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Ulta Beauty Q4 Earnings & Revenues Beat Estimates, Sales Up 11.8% Y/Y

Costco Wholesale Corporation COST released its second-quarter fiscal 2026 results on March 5, after the closing bell, drawing fresh attention from investors tracking the retail sector’s performance. Given its stable growth and loyal membership base, Costco has historically weathered economic hiccups better than many competitors. Now that its latest earnings are out, investors are considering whether to increase their stake, hold tight to their current investments or sell shares in response to new data and market trends.
Sneak Peek Into Costco’s Q2 Performance
Shares of Costco have risen 2.1% since its second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings were released. Both revenues and earnings not only beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate but also improved year over year, driven by robust membership growth, resilient traffic, double-digit e-commerce gains and margin expansion. (Read: Costco Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates on Solid Sales and Membership Growth)
The company's ability to generate strong comparable sales across regions highlights its effective pricing strategy and member loyalty. Comparable sales, excluding gasoline prices and foreign exchange impacts, rose 6.7%. In the United States, comparable sales increased 6.4%, while Canada and Other International markets saw gains of 7.6% and 7.1%, respectively.
Costco ended the quarter with 82.1 million paid members, representing a 4.8% increase from the prior year. Executive memberships, a more profitable category for Costco, increased 9.5% year over year to reach 40.4 million. The company's commitment to value and quality has fostered strong loyalty among members.
How Consensus Estimates Stack Up for Costco Post Q2 Earnings
Over the past seven days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current fiscal year has moved up by 7 cents to $20.29, while the estimate for the next fiscal year has increased 13 cents to $22.28. These estimates indicate expected year-over-year growth rates of 12.8% and 9.8%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Costco’s Winning Formula: Membership and Digital Expansion
Costco’s resilient business model, centered around a membership-based structure, creates a recurring revenue stream while encouraging customers to shop frequently. Members pay an annual fee for access to Costco's warehouses, where they can purchase goods at significant discounts. This model not only ensures a steady inflow of revenues but also creates a sense of exclusivity and value among its members. Membership fee income rose 13.6% year over year in the second quarter, benefiting from strong renewal rates. The renewal rate remained healthy at 92.1% in the United States and Canada and 89.7% worldwide.
The company focuses on offering quality merchandise at prices that are often lower than its competitors and continuously invests in lowering prices for its members when conditions allow. This approach strengthens customer loyalty and encourages repeat visits. Costco’s merchandising strategy also keeps the shopping experience fresh through a curated assortment of products, seasonal offerings, and unique items that attract customers and drive impulse purchases. By combining everyday essentials with compelling offerings, Costco maintains strong consumer engagement.
Costco’s private label brand is another important driver. The Kirkland Signature brand has become widely recognized for delivering premium quality at a lower price compared with national brands. This private label not only reinforces Costco’s reputation for value but also gives the company greater control over sourcing and product quality. As the assortment continues to expand across food, household essentials and general merchandise, Kirkland strengthens Costco’s brand identity and customer loyalty. At the same time, it supports profitability because the company can capture more value within its own supply chain while still offering compelling prices to members. Costco launched roughly 30 new Kirkland items in the second quarter.
The company is also benefiting from strategic investments in digital capabilities and operational efficiency. Costco has been expanding its online platform, improving its mobile app and using technology to personalize product recommendations and streamline the shopping experience. These initiatives complement the warehouse model by allowing customers to shop across multiple channels. Digitally enabled comparable sales surged 22.6% year over year, supported by 32% growth in e-commerce site traffic and 63% growth in app visits. Initiatives such as mobile wallet enhancements, pharmacy pay-ahead, employee pre-scan technology and a pilot of automated pay stations are improving traffic flow and enhancing the member experience.
Costco’s long-term growth outlook remains strong due to its disciplined expansion strategy and global opportunities. The company continues to open new warehouses in attractive markets. During the quarter under discussion, Costco opened four warehouses, including a relocation in the United States, one net new U.S. location and two Canadian business centers. For fiscal 2026, the company expects to open 28 net new warehouses and is targeting 30-plus warehouse openings annually over the longer term to support continued global expansion. This measured expansion approach has led to strong productivity from new locations and sustained growth in membership.
Costco Navigates Competitive Landscape as Peers Scale Up
Costco's impressive sales figures are part of a larger retail picture where competition is intensifying. Rivals like Ross Stores, Inc. ROST, Dollar General Corporation DG and Target Corporation TGT are investing in expanding their product assortments, enhancing supply-chain efficiency, and upgrading in-store and digital experiences to capture greater market share. These retailers are also sharpening their value propositions through competitive pricing, private-label expansion and targeted promotional strategies.
Margins remain a critical area to monitor, with potential concerns stemming from any deleverage in the selling, general and administrative rate. Foreign exchange volatility and potential tariffs on key imports create uncertainty.
Does Costco Tick the Boxes for Value Investing?
Costco stock has rallied 16.6% over the past three months compared with the industry’s rise of 11.1%. A sneak peek into key retail peers' performance reveals that shares of Dollar General have risen 2.3% during the said time frame, while Ross Stores and Target have climbed 13.9% and 18.7%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock is trading at a significant premium to its peers. Costco's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 47.05, higher than the industry’s ratio of 32.98 and the S&P 500's 21.95. Costco is trading at a premium to Target (with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 14.46), Ross Stores (28.74) and Dollar General (18.83).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Costco continues to trade at a notable premium to its peers, reflecting investor confidence in its strong brand image, loyal membership base and long-term growth potential.
How to Play Costco Stock: Buy, Hold or Sell?
Costco’s latest quarterly results reinforce the strength of its core business model, built on a loyal membership base, consistent traffic, disciplined pricing and expanding digital capabilities. The company continues to execute well by balancing value for members with operational efficiency while steadily expanding its warehouse footprint and strengthening its private-label portfolio. These factors support a stable long-term growth outlook. However, the stock’s premium valuation suggests that much of this strength is already reflected in the share price. For existing investors, holding the stock appears reasonable, while potential investors may consider waiting for more attractive entry points while keeping Costco on their watchlist.
Costco currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Should Investors Buy Costco Stock After Its Q2 Earnings Beat?

Kohl's Corporation KSS reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results, wherein the bottom line improved year over year and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The top line declined year over year and missed the consensus mark.
Kohl's posted quarterly earnings of $1.07 per share, up from 95 cents in the year-ago quarter. The bottom line also outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 85 cents.
Kohl's Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Total revenues were $5,173 million, down 4.2% from the prior-year quarter’s $5,397 million. The top line also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5,228 million. The company’s net sales fell 3.9% to $4,972 million, while other revenues fell 9.5% to $201 million. We note that comparable sales dipped 2.8% year over year, primarily due to the decline in store transactions. We expected comparable sales to decrease 2.5%.
Kohl’s Quarterly Margin Highlights
Kohl's gross margin expanded 25 basis points (bps) to 33.1% in the reported quarter. The improvement was primarily driven by strong inventory management, which led to lower clearance markdowns. However, the benefit was partially offset by higher shipping costs, as digital penetration increased 220 bps to 35% of total sales for the quarter. We expected a gross margin increase of 20 bps.
SG&A expenses dropped 4.9% to $1,463 million. As a percentage of total revenues, SG&A expenses decreased 23 bps to 28.3%. We anticipated SG&A expenses, as a percentage of net sales, to be 28.5%.
Operating income increased to $212 million, up from $126 million in the prior year. The prior year’s adjusted operating income was $202 million. Operating margin was 4.1%, reflecting an increase of 176 bps year over year, and a 35-bps improvement compared with the prior year’s adjusted operating margin.
KSS’ Financial Health Snapshot & Other Updates
Kohl's ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $674 million and shareholders’ equity of $4,048 million.
For fiscal 2025, net cash provided by operating activities was $1,380 million. Management expects capital expenditures in the range of $350 million to $400 million for fiscal 2026.
On Feb. 25, 2026, Kohl’s declared a quarterly cash dividend of 12.50 cents per share, payable April 1, to its shareholders of record as of March 18.
What to Expect From KSS in FY26?
For fiscal 2026, Kohl’s expects net sales and comparable sales to decline 2% to flat, with an adjusted operating margin of 2.8% to 3.4% and adjusted earnings per share in the range of $1.00 to $1.60.
This Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company’s shares have lost 37.3% in the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 20.5%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to Consider
Five Below, Inc. FIVE operates as a specialty value retailer in the United States and currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Five Below’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings calls for growth of 22.1% and 25%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers. FIVE delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 62.1%, on average.
Ross Stores, Inc. ROST, operates off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores under the Ross Dress for Less and dd's DISCOUNTS brands in the United States. It carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. ROST delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 6.1%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ross Stores’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies an increase of 5.6% and 9.4%, respectively, from the prior-year levels.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. WSM operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It carries a Zacks Rank #2 at present. WSM delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 8.6%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Williams-Sonoma’s current fiscal-year sales indicates growth of 1.9% from the previous year’s reported figure.
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Kohl's Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, Comparable Sales Dip 2.8% Y/Y

Ross Stores, Inc. ROST continues to advance its store expansion strategy, reinforcing its position in the off-price retail space. The company recently announced the opening of 17 new locations across the United States during February and March 2026, marking the first phase of its fiscal 2026 expansion plan. The latest additions include 13 Ross Dress for Less stores and four dd's DISCOUNTS outlets, reflecting the retailer’s ongoing efforts to broaden its value-focused retail footprint and capture incremental market share.
The new stores span 11 states, highlighting the company’s targeted geographic expansion strategy. Ross Dress for Less locations were added across the Mountain, Midwest and Northeast regions while strengthening the company’s presence in key Sunbelt markets. Meanwhile, dd’s DISCOUNTS expanded within its core states of California and Texas and debuted its first location in Utah. The company indicated that these openings represent the initial wave of its broader fiscal 2026 plan to launch approximately 110 stores, including around 85 Ross locations and 25 dd’s DISCOUNTS outlets, implying total unit growth of roughly 5% this year.
Management remains encouraged by the strong performance of stores opened in 2025, which has supported continued investment in new locations. According to the executive vice president of Property Development Richard Lietz, the latest openings are expected to bring both value-oriented shopping options to customers and new employment opportunities to local communities. The company also continued its long-standing philanthropic efforts by donating to local Boys & Girls Clubs of America chapters or First Book literacy partners in conjunction with each new store opening, supporting programs aimed at underserved youth.
Looking ahead, Ross Stores remains confident in its long-term store growth trajectory. Management sees significant whitespace for expansion and believes that the U.S. market can ultimately support about 2,900 Ross Dress for Less locations and 700 dd’s DISCOUNTS stores. With disciplined expansion and strong value positioning, the company appears well placed to sustain growth while reinforcing its leadership in the off-price retail segment.
What’s More?
Ross Stores operates a successful off-price retail model that focuses on offering branded apparel and home accessories at value-driven prices to middle-income shoppers. The company continues to benefit from consumers’ strong preference for value, which keeps traffic healthy across economic cycles. Its merchandising strategy, including micro-merchandising and well-curated assortments, helps improve product allocation and maintain attractive margins. Strong customer response to merchandise across categories, combined with effective marketing campaigns and in-store initiatives, has supported positive comparable sales trends and stronger customer engagement across regions.
The company is also expanding its store footprint while maintaining a solid financial position. Growth plans focus on increasing penetration in existing markets and entering new regions, with continued expansion across both the Ross Dress for Less and dd’s DISCOUNTS banners. At the same time, Ross Stores maintains a strong balance sheet with ample cash, manageable debt levels and disciplined capital allocation. Along with investing in store growth and operations, the company continues to reward shareholders through share repurchases and higher dividends, reflecting confidence in its long-term growth strategy and cash-generation capabilities.
Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 15.9% in the past three months compared with the industry’s growth of 10.7%.
ROST Stock's Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Key Picks
Some better-ranked stocks are American Eagle Outfitters Inc. AEO, Williams-Sonoma Inc. WSM and Boot Barn Holdings Inc. BOOT.
American Eagle is a specialty retailer of casual apparel, accessories and footwear for men and women aged 15-25 years. It currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for American Eagle’s fiscal 2026 sales indicates growth of 3.6% from the year-ago reported number, while earnings suggest a year-over-year decline of 16%. AEO has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 37.6%, on average.
Williams-Sonoma is a multichannel specialty retailer of premium-quality home products. It carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Williams-Sonoma’s fiscal 2025 sales indicates growth of 1.9% from the previous year’s reported figure, while the estimate for earnings suggests a year-over-year decline of 1%. WSM has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 8.6%.
Boot Barn operates as a lifestyle retail chain devoted to western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories. It currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Boot Barn’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 17.6% and 26%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers. BOOT has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.9%, on average.
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ROST Expands With 17 New Locations, Signals 2026 Growth Pipeline

Key Points
Walmart is a quality retail stock, but its valuation is a bit rich.
Ross Stores is doing better than expected, and it may be a more attractive value option for investors.
Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT) is a solid stock to invest in, as its business is diverse and robust. The company is able to generate steady growth, regardless of economic conditions, as its big-box stores offer something for everyone. In the past five years, shares of Walmart have risen by around 190%.
However, amid those impressive gains, its stock has reached elevated levels. Buying a stock that trades at a high premium comes with risk, regardless of how good the business may appear to be. And so while Walmart may be a quality long-term stock to own, there's one stock that may be an even better buy right now, and that's Ross Stores (NASDAQ: ROST).
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Ross Stores delivers strong growth in Q4
Retail company Ross Stores released its fourth-quarter numbers last week, which exceeded its guidance. The business had a terrific quarter for the holiday season with sales for the three-month period ending Jan. 31 totaling $6.6 billion, rising by 12% year over year. The company's comparable store sales rose by 9%. The comparable number is key as it only factors in stores that were open a year ago, and thus, excludes the effect of stores being closed and opened within that time frame.
It was a terrific performance for the company that enabled it to generate a per-share profit of $2.00, which was well above its guidance range of $1.77 to $1.85. Ross Stores says it is seeing a "strong start" for the current quarter and projects its comparable store sales to be up between 7% and 8%. It is a bit more modest in its full-year growth, however, projecting just 3% to 4% same-store growth over the 12-month period.
Why Ross Stores looks like an underrated buy today
Ross Stores' stock spiked on the strong earnings numbers, and it's now up around 18% for the year. It's currently trading at 33 times its trailing earnings, which may be a bit high, but that's well below the 45 times earnings that Walmart trades at.
While Walmart offers a more diversified shopping option, Ross can appeal to shoppers who are looking for a budget-friendly bargain-hunting experience. And at a time when economic conditions are proving to be challenging, Ross Stores could be in a great position to do better than other retailers, as consumers are clearly seeing a lot of value in its stores these days.
If you're a long-term investor, it's hard to go wrong with Walmart or Ross Stores, as both have great underlying businesses. But with a more attractive valuation and potentially greater growth potential ahead, Ross Stores may be the better of the two retail stocks to buy today.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Like Walmart Stock? This Retailer May Be an Even Better Buy Right Now

Target Corporation TGT is stepping up investments to strengthen its physical and digital capabilities. The retailer recently announced plans to reinvest more than $2 billion into its business in 2026, reflecting a strategic push to enhance customer experience, modernize stores and accelerate technology-driven growth. Management believes these investments will help the company regain momentum and return to profitable growth, following a challenging retail environment.
A major portion of the investment will support store expansion and remodeling. Target plans to allocate $1 billion to additional capital spending, including opening more than 30 stores and completing 130 full-store remodels. These initiatives are designed to enhance the in-store experience and strengthen key traffic-driving categories, such as food and beverage, which have grown by more than $9 billion since 2019.
Technology is another key pillar of Target’s strategy. The company is investing in AI-driven personalization, digital tools and operational technology to improve the customer and employee experience. These tools help deliver more relevant offers through the Target app while enabling store teams to operate more efficiently and focus on serving guests.
Stores also remain central to Target’s omnichannel model. Nearly 97% of sales are fulfilled through stores, which act as hubs for services like Drive Up, order pickup and same-day delivery. With nearly 2,000 stores located within 10 miles of about 75% of the U.S. population, the retailer continues to leverage its store network to support both physical and digital growth.
Management expects low-single-digit sales growth in 2026, with acceleration to low to mid-single-digit growth over time, supported by technology investments, store upgrades and higher-margin revenue streams, such as Roundel and Target Plus. These initiatives are also expected to help expand the operating margin in the coming years, reinforcing Target’s long-term growth outlook.
Here’s What Latest Metrics Say About Target
The TGT stock has gained 28.9% in the past three months compared with the industry’s growth of 12%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Target’s forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 15.10 reflects a lower valuation than the industry’s average of 33.31. TGT has a Value Score of A.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TGT’s fiscal 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 4.9%, while the same for fiscal 2027 indicates growth of 7.5%. Earnings estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 have been upbound by 21 cents and 26 cents per share, respectively, in the past seven days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Target currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Key Picks
We have highlighted three better-ranked stocks, namely, Deckers Outdoor Corporation DECK, Ross Stores Inc. ROST and Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. OLLI.
Deckers is a leading designer, producer and brand manager of innovative, niche footwear and accessories. It flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Deckers’ current fiscal-year earnings and sales indicates growth of 8.5% and 8.9%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. DECK delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 36.9%.
Ross Stores operates as an off-price retailer of apparel and home accessories. It currently has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ross Stores’ current fiscal-year earnings and sales implies growth of 9.4% and 5.6%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. ROST delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 6.2%.
Ollie's Bargain is a leading off-price retailer of brand-name household products, and it currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. OLLI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 5.2%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ollie's Bargain’s current financial-year sales and EPS indicates growth of 16.8% and 17.7%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the coming year. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +112%, +171%, +209% and +232%.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Target's $2B Investment Drives Store Upgrades & Digital Momentum

The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price. Do they really matter, though?
Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about Ross Stores (ROST) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.
Ross Stores currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.40, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 20 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.40 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.
Of the 20 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 16 are Strong Buy, representing 80% of all recommendations.
Brokerage Recommendation Trends for ROST
The ABR suggests buying Ross Stores, but making an investment decision solely on the basis of this information might not be a good idea. According to several studies, brokerage recommendations have little to no success guiding investors to choose stocks with the most potential for price appreciation.
Are you wondering why? The vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover often results in a strong positive bias of their analysts in rating it. Our research shows that for every "Strong Sell" recommendation, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations.
In other words, their interests aren't always aligned with retail investors, rarely indicating where the price of a stock could actually be heading. Therefore, the best use of this information could be validating your own research or an indicator that has proven to be highly successful in predicting a stock's price movement.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, which classifies stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), is a reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance. So, validating the Zacks Rank with ABR could go a long way in making a profitable investment decision.
ABR Should Not Be Confused With Zacks Rank
In spite of the fact that Zacks Rank and ABR both appear on a scale from 1 to 5, they are two completely different measures.
Broker recommendations are the sole basis for calculating the ABR, which is typically displayed in decimals (such as 1.28). The Zacks Rank, on the other hand, is a quantitative model designed to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.
It has been and continues to be the case that analysts employed by brokerage firms are overly optimistic with their recommendations. Because of their employers' vested interests, these analysts issue more favorable ratings than their research would support, misguiding investors far more often than helping them.
In contrast, the Zacks Rank is driven by earnings estimate revisions. And near-term stock price movements are strongly correlated with trends in earnings estimate revisions, according to empirical research.
In addition, the different Zacks Rank grades are applied proportionately to all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide current-year earnings estimates. In other words, this tool always maintains a balance among its five ranks.
Another key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank is freshness. The ABR is not necessarily up-to-date when you look at it. But, since brokerage analysts keep revising their earnings estimates to account for a company's changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in indicating future price movements.
Is ROST Worth Investing In?
In terms of earnings estimate revisions for Ross Stores, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 2.7% over the past month to $7.23.
Analysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to soar in the near term.
The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for Ross Stores. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>
Therefore, the Buy-equivalent ABR for Ross Stores may serve as a useful guide for investors.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the coming year. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +112%, +171%, +209% and +232%.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Wall Street Analysts Think Ross Stores (ROST) Is a Good Investment: Is It?

Fintel reports that on March 4, 2026, Telsey Advisory Group upgraded their outlook for Ross Stores (NasdaqGS:ROST) from Market Perform to Outperform.
Analyst Price Forecast Suggests 2.55% Upside
As of February 25, 2026, the average one-year price target for Ross Stores is $202.67/share. The forecasts range from a low of $134.78 to a high of $235.20. The average price target represents an increase of 2.55% from its latest reported closing price of $197.64 / share.
See our leaderboard of companies with the largest price target upside.
The projected annual revenue for Ross Stores is 23,514MM, an increase of 3.36%. The projected annual non-GAAP EPS is 7.53, an increase of 14.43% from the prior forecast.
What is the Fund Sentiment?
There are 1,450 funds or institutions reporting positions in Ross Stores. This is an decrease of 534 owner(s) or 26.92% in the last quarter. Average portfolio weight of all funds dedicated to ROST is 0.25%, an increase of 13.14%. Total shares owned by institutions decreased in the last three months by 10.83% to 301,915K shares. The put/call ratio of ROST is 1.19, indicating a bearish outlook.
What are Other Shareholders Doing?
Bank Of America holds 9,781K shares representing 3.02% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 9,763K shares , representing an increase of 0.19%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in ROST by 20.95% over the last quarter.
Jpmorgan Chase holds 9,721K shares representing 3.01% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 12,873K shares , representing a decrease of 32.42%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in ROST by 6.46% over the last quarter.
Primecap Management holds 9,207K shares representing 2.85% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 9,955K shares , representing a decrease of 8.12%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in ROST by 8.06% over the last quarter.
Geode Capital Management holds 8,762K shares representing 2.71% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 8,741K shares , representing an increase of 0.23%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in ROST by 38.89% over the last quarter.
Price T Rowe Associates holds 7,013K shares representing 2.17% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 7,272K shares , representing a decrease of 3.70%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in ROST by 14.88% over the last quarter.
Fintel is one of the most comprehensive investing research platforms available to individual investors, traders, financial advisors, and small hedge funds.
Our data covers the world, and includes fundamentals, analyst reports, ownership data and fund sentiment, options sentiment, insider trading, options flow, unusual options trades, and much more. Additionally, our exclusive stock picks are powered by advanced, backtested quantitative models for improved profits.
This story originally appeared on Fintel.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Telsey Advisory Group Upgrades Ross Stores (ROST)

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) on Wednesday closed up +0.78%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) closed up +0.49%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed up +1.51%. March E-mini S&P futures (ESH26) rose +0.77%, and March E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQH26) rose +1.53%.
Stock indexes rallied on Wednesday as signs of US economic resilience and cooling inflationary pressures outweighed concerns about the Iran war. The US labor market continues to grow after the Feb ADP employment report showed employers added more jobs than expected. Also, the US service economy expanded at the fastest pace in 3.5 years last month, while service price pressures fell to an 11-month low.
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Stocks also found support on Wednesday on hopes that the Iran conflict could end sooner than expected. The NY Times reported that operatives from Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence used backchannels to contact the CIA a day after US-Israeli attacks began. However, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency called the report “pure falsehood and psychological warfare.”
Stock gains were limited amid heightened global trade tensions after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said proposed 15% tariffs on goods imported into the US may take effect this week.
Crude oil prices briefly fell from sharp overnight gains on Wednesday after a NY Times report said that Iranian operatives made an offer to the US to discuss terms for ending the conflict. Crude oil prices were also undercut by carryover from Tuesday, when President Trump said the US will ensure the free flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz with insurance guarantees and even naval escorts.
However, crude prices rose by more than 1% on Wednesday as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, halting most energy shipments from the Persian Gulf. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned ships not to sail through the passageway, saying that vessels "could be at risk from missiles or rogue drones." The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles a fifth of the world's oil, has forced Gulf producers unable to export their oil to stockpile the crude in storage tanks. Iraq, OPEC's second-largest producer, shut down oil production at its largest oil fields in Rumalia as storage tanks filled up. Also, Kayrros reported on Wednesday that four of six tanks at Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura refinery were full, and the Ju'aymah terminal on the country's east coast is quickly running out of spare capacity. Goldman Sachs estimates the real-time risk premium for crude oil at $18/bbl, corresponding to its estimate of the impact of a six-week full halt to tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
In addition, damage from an intercepted Iranian drone caused a major fire on Tuesday at the United Arab Emirates' major oil-trading hub, Fujairah, one of the largest oil storage centers in the Middle East. European natural gas prices surged to a 3-year high on Tuesday after Qatar shut its Ras Laffan plant, the world's largest natural gas export facility, after it was targeted by an Iranian drone attack. The Ras Laffan plant accounts for about 20% of the global liquefied natural gas supply.
US MBA mortgage applications rose by +11% in the week ended February 27, with the purchase mortgage sub-index up +6.1% and the refinance mortgage sub-index up +14.3%. The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage was unchanged from the prior week at 6.09%.
US Feb ADP employment increased by +63,000, stronger than expectations of +50,000.
The US Feb ISM services index unexpectedly rose +2.3 to 56.1, better than expectations of a decline to 53.5 and the strongest pace of expansion in 3.5 years. The Feb ISM services prices paid sub-index unexpectedly fell -3.6 to an 11-month low of 63.0, weaker than expectations of an increase to 68.3.
The Fed Beige Book said that for the period ending February 23, seven of the twelve Fed districts reported that economic activity increased at a slight to moderate pace, with prices increasing moderately and employment levels generally stable.
Comments on Wednesday from Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack were hawkish, with Hammack saying it's important to drive inflation back to target and that "Fed policy could be on hold for quite some time."
This week's market focus will be on US-Iran war news, corporate earnings, and economic news. On Thursday, weekly initial unemployment claims are expected to increase by +3,000 to 215,000. Also, Q4 nonfarm productivity is expected to be up +1.9%, and Q4 unit labor costs are expected to be up +2.0%. On Friday, Feb nonfarm payrolls are expected to increase by +60,000, and the Feb unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged at 4.3%. Also, Feb average hourly earnings are expected to increase by +0.3% m/m and +3.7% y/y. In addition, Feb retail sales are expected to fall -0.3% m/m and Feb retail sales ex-autos are expected to remain unchanged m/m.
Q4 earnings season is nearing its end, with more than 90% of the S&P 500 companies having reported earnings results. Earnings have been a positive factor for stocks, with 73% of the 481 S&P 500 companies that have reported beating expectations. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, S&P earnings growth is expected to climb by +8.4% in Q4, marking the tenth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth. Excluding the Magnificent Seven megacap technology stocks, Q4 earnings are expected to increase by +4.6%.
The markets are discounting a 4% chance for a -25 bp rate cut at the next policy meeting on March 17-18.
Overseas stock markets settled mixed on Wednesday. The Euro Stoxx 50 closed up +1.72%. China’s Shanghai Composite fell to a 3.5-week low and closed down -0.98%. Japan’s Nikkei Stock 225 dropped to a 3.5-week low and closed down -3.61%.
Interest Rates
June 10-year T-notes (ZNM6) on Wednesday closed down by -6.5 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield rose +2.2 bp to 4.081%. Wednesday’s stock rally reduced safe-haven demand for government debt, weighing on T-notes. Also, Wednesday’s stronger-than-expected reports on Feb ADP employment and Feb ISM services were bearish for T-notes. In addition, hawkish comments on Wednesday from Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack undermined T-notes when she said, "Fed policy could be on hold for quite some time." Losses in T-notes were limited after the Feb ISM services prices paid sub-index unexpectedly fell to an 11-month low, a supportive factor for T-notes.
European government bond yields moved lower on Wednesday. The 10-year German bund yield fell -0.2 bp to 2.750%. The 10-year UK gilt yield fell -3.0 bp to 4.411%.
Eurozone Jan PPI rose +0.7% m/m and fell -2.1% y/y, stronger than expectations of +0.2% m/m and -2.6% y/y.
The Eurozone Jan unemployment rate fell -0.2 to a record low of 6.1%, showing a stronger labor market than expectations of 6.2%.
Swaps are discounting a 2% chance of a -25 bp rate hike by the ECB at its next policy meeting on March 19.
US Stock Movers
Chipmakers and AI-infrastructure stocks moved higher on Wednesday, supporting gains in the broader market. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Intel (INTC), and Micron Technology (MU) closed up more than +5%, and Seagate Technology Holdings Plc (STX) and Western Digital (WDC) closed up more than +4%. Also, ASML Holding Plc (ASML), ARM Holdings Plc (ARM), KLA Corp (KLAC), and Lam Research (LRCX) closed up more than +2%. In addition, Nvidia (NVDA), Applied Materials (AMAT), and Broadcom (AVGO) closed up more than +1%.
Cryptocurrency-exposed stocks rallied on Wednesday as Bitcoin (^BTCUSD) surged more than +7% to a 3.5-week high. Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY) closed up more than +17%, and Coinbase Global (COIN) closed up more than +14%. Also, Strategy (MSTR) closed up more than +10% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100. In addition, Riot Platforms (RIOT) closed up more than +8%, and MARA Holdings (MARA) closed up more than +7%.
Energy producers and energy service providers were under pressure on Wednesday, giving back some of this week’s sharp gains. Baker Hughes (BKR) closed down more than -2% to lead losers in the Nasdaq 100. Also, APA Corp (APA), ConocoPhillips (COP), and Halliburton (HAL) closed down more than -2%. In addition, Devon Energy (DVN), Exxon Mobil (XOM), Chevron (CVX), and SLB Ltd (SLB) closed down more than -1%.
Moderna (MRNA) closed up more than +15% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 after it agreed to pay Genevant $950 million to settle litigation related to the delivery technology behind its Covid shot, a deal some analysts said was better than feared.
Ross Stores (ROST) closed up more than +8% after reporting Q4 sales of $6.64 billion, better than the consensus of $6.40 billion.
LyondellBasell Industries NV (LYB) closed up more than +6% after KeyBanc Capital Markets upgraded the stock to overweight from sector weight with a price target of $73.
nLight Inc. (LASR) closed up more than +6% after Baird initiated coverage on the stock with a recommendation of outperform and a price target of $95.
Dow Inc. (DOW) closed up more than +5% after KeyBanc Capital Markets upgraded the stock to overweight from sector weight with a price target of $38.
Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN) closed down more than -9% after reporting Q4 EPS loss of -$2.36, a much wider loss than the consensus of -12 cents.
Brown-Forman (BF.B) closed down more than -6% to lead losers in the S&P 500 despite reporting better-than-expected Q3 net sales after saying on anearnings callthat it sees a “two-year headwind” on costs and gross margin.
Gitlab (GTLB) closed down more than -6% after forecasting 2027 revenue of $1.10 billion to $1.12 billion, the midpoint below the consensus of $1.12 billion.
Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) closed down more than -3% after forecasting Q1 net sales to grow +1% to +3%, below the consensus of +4.5%.
Frontline Plc (FRO) closed down more than -2% after Arctic Securities ASA downgraded the stock to hold from buy.
Earnings Reports(3/5/2026)
BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings Inc (BJ), Burlington Stores Inc (BURL), Ciena Corp (CIEN), Cooper Cos Inc/The (COO), Costco Wholesale Corp (COST), Gap Inc/The (GAP), Guidewire Software Inc (GWRE), Kroger Co/The (KR), Marvell Technology Inc (MRVL), Samsara Inc (IOT), Toro Co/The (TTC).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Stocks Settle Higher as US Economic Resilience Overshadows Iran Conflict

Key Points
Cash-strapped consumers are flocking to Ross Stores in search of bargains.
Management sees further profit gains in 2026.
Shares of Ross Stores (NASDAQ: ROST) popped on Wednesday after the off-price retailer reported strong holiday season results.
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Value is in vogue
Ross Stores' sales rose 12% year over year to $6.6 billion in its fiscal 2025 fourth quarter, which ended on Jan. 31. Store openings and higher sales at existing locations drove the gains.
The discount retailer ended January with 2,267 stores, up from 2,186 in the year-ago period. Revenue at locations open for at least 14 months -- a metric known as comparable store sales -- grew an impressive 9%.
"Throughout the holiday season, we delivered compelling merchandise assortments to our stores, benefited from higher customer engagement through our new marketing campaigns, and executed in-store initiatives that enhanced the customer experience," CEO Jim Conroy said.
All told, Ross Stores' adjusted earnings surged 21% to $2.00 per share. That bested Wall Street's estimates, which had called for per-share profits of $1.91.
Dividend raise
By offering savings of up to 60% on name-brand apparel compared to department stores, Ross Stores' value-focused strategy is clearly resonating with shoppers.
Management projects same-store sales growth of 3% to 4% in fiscal 2026. The company also expects its earnings per share to increase to $7.02 to $7.36, up from $6.61 in fiscal 2025.
This anticipated profit growth prompted Ross Stores to boost its quarterly cash dividend by 10% to $0.445 per share. Its board of directors also authorized a new $2.55 billion stock buyback program.
"With a healthy balance sheet, disciplined execution, and a clear focus on delivering compelling value to our customers, we believe we are well-positioned to capture additional market share and drive sustainable, profitable growth in the year ahead and beyond," Conroy said.
Should you buy stock in Ross Stores right now?
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Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.