Zacks Research Forecasts Stronger Earnings for Ross Stores

Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST) – Analysts at Zacks Research increased their FY2026 earnings estimates for Ross Stores in a research note issued on Wednesday, December 3rd. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the apparel retailer will post earnings per share of $6.46 for the year, up from their prior forecast of $6.15. The consensus estimate for Ross Stores’ current full-year earnings is $6.17 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Ross Stores’ Q1 2027 earnings at $1.57 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $1.71 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $1.66 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $1.79 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $1.77 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $7.34 EPS.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on ROST. Guggenheim assumed coverage on Ross Stores in a research note on Tuesday. They set a “buy” rating and a $199.00 target price for the company. BTIG Research initiated coverage on Ross Stores in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. Telsey Advisory Group lifted their price objective on shares of Ross Stores from $160.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 21st. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Ross Stores from $171.00 to $188.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Ross Stores from $128.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, August 22nd. Fifteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Ross Stores currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $181.19.

Ross Stores Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ ROST opened at $177.02 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $162.59 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $148.25. The company has a market cap of $57.57 billion, a PE ratio of 27.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.92 and a beta of 1.03. Ross Stores has a twelve month low of $122.36 and a twelve month high of $179.42.

Ross Stores (NASDAQ:ROST) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 20th. The apparel retailer reported $1.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.38 by $0.20. Ross Stores had a net margin of 9.47% and a return on equity of 37.21%. The company had revenue of $5.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.38 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.48 EPS. Ross Stores’s quarterly revenue was up 10.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Ross Stores has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.380-6.46 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.770-1.85 EPS.

Institutional Trading of Ross Stores

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Aspect Partners LLC increased its stake in Ross Stores by 251.7% in the second quarter. Aspect Partners LLC now owns 204 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. American National Bank & Trust bought a new position in shares of Ross Stores in the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Banque Transatlantique SA bought a new position in shares of Ross Stores in the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ross Stores during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Bayforest Capital Ltd lifted its position in shares of Ross Stores by 372.5% during the 1st quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 241 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.86% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Ross Stores

In related news, insider Stephen C. Brinkley sold 6,437 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.97, for a total value of $971,793.89. Following the transaction, the insider owned 57,012 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,607,101.64. This trade represents a 10.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CMO Karen Fleming sold 2,932 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.09, for a total value of $437,131.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer directly owned 88,335 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $13,169,865.15. This trade represents a 3.21% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 48,720 shares of company stock valued at $7,154,172. 2.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Ross Stores Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 9th will be given a dividend of $0.405 per share. This represents a $1.62 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 9th. Ross Stores’s dividend payout ratio is presently 25.31%.

About Ross Stores

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.