Ross Stores (NASDAQ:ROST) Sets New 1-Year High Following Earnings Beat

Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock traded as high as $210.50 and last traded at $210.50, with a volume of 40077 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $197.64.

The apparel retailer reported $2.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.90 by $0.10. Ross Stores had a net margin of 9.43% and a return on equity of 37.43%. The firm had revenue of $6.64 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.42 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.65 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year.

Ross Stores News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Ross Stores this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results and comps beat — Ross reported ~$6.64B in revenue (up ~12% YoY), comparable-store sales +9%, and adjusted EPS of $2.00, topping estimates and showing sustained traffic gains. PR Newswire: Ross Stores Q4 release
• Positive Sentiment: Upbeat guidance — Management raised the FY26 EPS range (7.02–7.36) and issued a Q1 EPS guide whose midpoint sits above consensus, signaling momentum into spring. Reuters: Ross forecasts sales above estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Shareholder returns stepped up — Board approved a two‑year $2.55B repurchase program and raised the quarterly dividend by 10% (to $0.45), improving capital-return optionality and EPS leverage. QuiverQuant: buyback/dividend coverage
• Positive Sentiment: Wall Street reaction — Multiple firms raised forecasts and price targets (Goldman, Citi, Wells Fargo, Telsey, Guggenheim among them) and issued upgrades or “buy/overweight” views after the print. Benzinga: analysts boost forecasts
• Neutral Sentiment: Off-price thematic tailwind — Coverage notes Ross is capturing share from full-price peers and benefitting from a “treasure-hunt” shift to value, supporting durable demand but also higher expectations. MarketBeat: off-price trend analysis
• Neutral Sentiment: Mixed ownership activity and insider sales — Reports show heavy institutional turnover and some insider selling; these are worth monitoring but not an immediate red flag given the strong quarter. QuiverQuant: institutional & insider notes
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and pullback risk — Some analysts and commentary warn the strong print stretched near‑term valuation and that the stock could consolidate after the post-earnings move. Seeking Alpha: valuation caution
• Negative Sentiment: Minor sell-side divergence — Zacks trimmed its rating from strong‑buy to hold, a reminder some shops are dialing back near-term enthusiasm. Zacks: rating change

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ROST has been the topic of several research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Ross Stores from $215.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Ross Stores from $205.00 to $235.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Evercore upped their price target on shares of Ross Stores from $175.00 to $195.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 21st. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Ross Stores from $205.00 to $221.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $200.00 target price on shares of Ross Stores in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $207.76.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ross Stores

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ROST. Virtus Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ross Stores in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,265,000. Jump Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Ross Stores during the second quarter worth about $7,949,000. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans raised its stake in shares of Ross Stores by 84.7% in the third quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 227,340 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock valued at $34,645,000 after acquiring an additional 104,270 shares in the last quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Ross Stores during the third quarter worth approximately $1,411,000. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Ross Stores by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 130,610 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock worth $19,904,000 after purchasing an additional 7,338 shares during the last quarter. 86.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Ross Stores Trading Up 8.0%

The company has a current ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The firm has a market cap of $69.06 billion, a PE ratio of 32.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.97. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $192.02 and a 200 day moving average price of $171.24.

Ross Stores Company Profile

Ross Stores, Inc (NASDAQ: ROST) is an American off‑price retailer headquartered in Dublin, California, that operates the Ross Dress for Less and dd’s DISCOUNTS store formats. The company sells a broad assortment of apparel, footwear, home fashions, accessories and other soft goods, positioning itself as a value-oriented destination for brand‑name and fashion merchandise at reduced prices.

Ross’s business model centers on opportunistic buying of excess inventory, closeouts, cancelled orders and overstocks from manufacturers, department stores and other suppliers.