Zacks Research Upgrades Kohl’s (NYSE:KSS) to Strong-Buy

Kohl’s (NYSE:KSS) was upgraded by Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report issued on Wednesday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on the company. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Kohl’s from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday. Morgan Stanley restated an “underweight” rating and set a $15.00 price objective on shares of Kohl’s in a research report on Monday, July 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Kohl’s from $15.00 to $17.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 18th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Kohl’s from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, June 7th. Finally, TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Kohl’s from $13.50 to $16.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, June 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Kohl’s presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $16.17.

Kohl’s Stock Up 1.7%

KSS opened at $18.24 on Wednesday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $18.24 and a two-hundred day moving average of $16.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.96 and a beta of 1.40. Kohl’s has a fifty-two week low of $11.38 and a fifty-two week high of $25.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a current ratio of 1.49.

Kohl’s (NYSE:KSS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 26th. The company reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.70. The firm had revenue of $3.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.32 billion. Kohl’s had a return on equity of 6.75% and a net margin of 1.75%.Kohl’s’s revenue for the quarter was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.56 EPS. Kohl’s has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.800-2.400 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Kohl’s will post 1.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Kohl’s

In other Kohl’s news, EVP Jennifer J. Kent sold 22,942 shares of Kohl’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.00, for a total transaction of $458,840.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 234,452 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,689,040. The trade was a 8.91% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 1.55% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kohl’s

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in Kohl’s during the fourth quarter worth about $49,796,000. California State Teachers Retirement System boosted its holdings in shares of Kohl’s by 1,591.8% during the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 2,232,773 shares of the company’s stock worth $39,565,000 after purchasing an additional 2,100,798 shares during the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its position in shares of Kohl’s by 118.0% in the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 211,640 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,320,000 after purchasing an additional 1,388,707 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kohl’s in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,343,000. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its position in Kohl’s by 107.9% during the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 2,479,061 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,980,000 after buying an additional 1,286,710 shares in the last quarter. 98.04% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stories Impacting Kohl’s

Here are the key news stories impacting Kohl’s this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q2 earnings and guidance beat expectations: Kohl’s reported adjusted EPS of $1.28, well above estimates near $0.55–$0.58, while revenue of approximately $3.52 billion also exceeded forecasts. The company raised fiscal 2026 EPS guidance to $1.80–$2.40, versus consensus near $1.48, and provided revenue guidance above analysts’ expectations. KSS Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates on Margin Gains, Outlook Raised
• Positive Sentiment: Margins and liquidity improved: Gross-margin expansion, cost controls, inventory discipline and stronger liquidity supported profitability. Kohl’s also continues emphasizing proprietary brands and expense management, reinforcing the value case after the stock’s recent rebound. Kohl’s Q2 Earnings Beat Shifts Focus to Holiday Execution and Margins
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation offers support, but expectations are rising: Kohl’s trades at a relatively low earnings multiple, and analysts see potential if sales stabilize. However, the 15.6% three-month rally increases the need for convincing holiday-season execution. Telsey Advisory Group raised its price target to $18 but retained a “market perform” rating. Kohl’s Stock Is Up 15.6% in 3 Months: Is the Rebound Sustainable?
• Negative Sentiment: Sales remain the key concern: Net and comparable sales declined 0.9%, extending Kohl’s revenue-reduction streak as budget-conscious consumers prioritize essentials over discretionary merchandise. Investors also questioned whether the earnings beat reflected the underlying business or temporary benefits. Kohl’s Sales Dip As Consumers Prioritize Essentials
• Negative Sentiment: Tariff refunds may overstate the improvement: Approximately $150 million of tariff refunds materially boosted the quarter and outlook. Analysts warn that, excluding this benefit, earnings and gross-margin progress was more limited, while heavier fall promotions could pressure margins. Elevated leverage and Kohl’s large store base remain additional risks.

About Kohl’s

Kohl’s Corporation, founded in 1962 by Maxwell Kohl and headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, is a leading American department store retailer. The company operates approximately 1,100 stores across 49 states, offering a combination of value-oriented pricing, private-label brands and national labels. Since its initial public offering in 1992, Kohl’s has focused on broadening its product assortment and enhancing the in-store and online shopping experience.

The retailer’s merchandise portfolio spans apparel, footwear, accessories, and beauty products for women, men and children, as well as home goods, kitchenware and seasonal décor.