Q3 2025 Performance - Net sales decreased by (2.8%) compared to Q3 2024[53] - Comparable sales decreased by (1.7%)[53] - Gross margin increased by 51 bps compared to Q3 2024, reaching 39.6%[53, 57] - SG&A expense decreased by (2.1%) compared to Q3 2024[53] - Adjusted operating income was $77 million[53] - Adjusted net income was $11 million, or $0.10 of adjusted earnings per diluted share[53] Balance Sheet and Leverage - Net debt + leases to adjusted EBITDAR leverage ratio is 2.6x when adjusting for actual lease periods exercised, compared to an unadjusted ratio of 4.5x[62, 64] 2025 Outlook - Net sales are expected to decline by (3.5%) to (4%) compared to 2024[81] - Comparable sales are expected to decline by (2.5%) to (3%)[81] - Adjusted operating margin is projected to be 3.1% to 3.2%[81] - Adjusted diluted EPS is expected to be $1.25 to $1.45[81]

Core Viewpoint - The company raised its guidance for the fiscal year [1] Summary by Relevant Categories - Financial Performance - The company has increased its financial guidance for the fiscal year, indicating a positive outlook on revenue and earnings growth [1]

Core Insights - Kohl's reported strong results coinciding with Michael Bender's second day as the official CEO, indicating a positive start for his leadership [1] - Discount retailers, including Kohl's, are experiencing an uptick in sales, suggesting a favorable market environment for value-oriented shopping [1] Company Summary - Kohl's performance reflects a broader trend among discount retailers, which are benefiting from increased consumer spending in the current economic climate [1] - The leadership transition to Michael Bender may signal a strategic shift or renewed focus on enhancing sales and customer engagement [1] Industry Summary - The discount retail sector is witnessing a resurgence, with sales growth indicating a shift in consumer preferences towards value-driven purchases [1] - The overall retail landscape is adapting to changing economic conditions, with discount retailers positioned to capture a larger market share [1]

Core Insights - Kohl's Corporation reported better-than-expected Q3 earnings, indicating a positive turnaround under new CEO Michael Bender's leadership [1][2] - The company raised its fiscal 2025 adjusted EPS guidance significantly, reflecting improved performance despite ongoing challenges [1][2] Financial Performance - Q3 sales decreased by 2.8% year-over-year to $3.41 billion, surpassing analyst expectations of $3.32 billion [1] - Same-store sales fell by 1.7%, better than the anticipated decline of 3.9% [1] - Gross margin improved by 51 basis points compared to the previous year, with operating profit at $73 million, down from $98 million year-over-year [1] - Adjusted net income was $11 million, translating to an EPS of $0.10, significantly exceeding the market expectation of a loss of $0.17 [1] Future Outlook - The adjusted EPS forecast for fiscal 2025 was raised from $0.50-$0.80 to $1.25-$1.45, while the annual sales decline expectation was narrowed from 5%-6% to 3.5%-4% [1] - The company emphasized that its value proposition is gaining consumer recognition, despite facing challenges with 15 consecutive quarters of year-over-year revenue decline [2] Strategic Initiatives - Bender is continuing the strategic initiatives set by his predecessor, focusing on revitalizing the jewelry business and increasing the supply of small-sized apparel [2] - The company has strengthened partnerships with brands like Sephora, introducing trendy products to attract younger consumers [2] Market Trends - The retail industry is witnessing a trend where some consumers are cutting back on spending, while higher-income shoppers are shifting towards affordable products, which may benefit Kohl's due to its competitive pricing [2] Competitor Response - Following Kohl's positive earnings report, competitor Macy's saw its stock price rise by over 5% in pre-market trading [3]

Core Insights - Kohl's raised its full-year outlook following a surprise profit in the fiscal third quarter, indicating that the company's turnaround efforts are gaining momentum [1] Financial Performance - The company reported a surprise profit in the fiscal third quarter, which contributed to the positive revision of its full-year outlook [1] Strategic Direction - Kohl's management emphasized that the turnaround strategy is showing signs of progress, suggesting effective implementation of their plans [1]

AI Chip Market - Meta Platforms is reportedly in multi-billion-dollar discussions with Google to acquire its custom AI chips, known as Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), starting in 2027 [2] - Google may also rent TPUs to Meta from Google Cloud as early as next year, marking a strategic shift in competition with Nvidia [2] - Broadcom shares rose by as much as 4.6% due to its partnership with Google on TPU development [2] - Michael Burry has drawn parallels between Nvidia and Cisco during the dot-com era, suggesting a potential bubble in the AI market [3] Retail Sector Performance - Kohl's reported Q3 2025 net sales of $3.4 billion, exceeding estimates of $3.33 billion, with shares surging by as much as 25% [4] - Kohl's adjusted EPS was $0.07 against an estimated loss per share of $0.16, raising its full-year adjusted EPS outlook to $1.25 to $1.45 [4] - Best Buy's Q3 2025 revenue reached $9.67 billion, surpassing the estimated $9.58 billion, with adjusted EPS of $1.40 compared to an estimated $1.30 [5] - Best Buy experienced a 2.4% increase in U.S. comparable sales and a 2.7% rise in enterprise comparable sales [5] Economic Indicators - Deutsche Bank forecasts a 25 basis point Federal Reserve rate cut in December, followed by an extended pause in rate adjustments through 2025 [6] - The proportion of unemployed Americans with four-year college degrees has reached a record 25.3% of total unemployment, doubling since the 2008 financial crisis [7] Geopolitical and Energy Market Developments - The UK has expressed willingness to deploy military support for a ceasefire and lasting peace deal in Ukraine [10] - Russia's Black Sea Novorossiisk and CPC oil terminals have resumed loadings after drone attacks, indicating a swift recovery in operations [11] - Iranian crude held on tankers at sea has reached a two-and-a-half-year high, suggesting shifts in global crude demand and supply dynamics [11] Corporate and Policy Updates - Tesla's price target was cut by Mizuho to $475 from $485 [12] - Volkswagen plans to reduce electric vehicle development costs in China by up to 50% [12] - Deutsche Bank downgraded DuPont's price target to $46 from $90 [12] - The China Space Agency is developing new policies for commercial satellite launches, indicating a structured approach to its commercial space sector [12] - French prosecutors have initiated an investigation into eBay [12]

Kohl’s Corp. raised its full-year outlook for the second straight quarter, a sign that Chief Executive Officer Michael Bender is helping to stabilize performance at the struggling retailer. https://t.co/6MBC3g6SKF ...

This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Kohl’s Q3 net sales fell nearly 3% year over year to $3.4 billion, with comps down 1.7%, the department store reported Tuesday. Gross margin expanded by 51 basis points to 39.6%. Inventory of $3.9 billion was down 5% compared to last year. Net income plunged 64% to $8 million. The company has no plans to close locations beyond its usual annual review ...

Kohl's on Tuesday raised its annual forecasts for the second time this year, as the company banks on new collections and promotions across categories to drive demand during the holiday season while na... ...

India's Tata Motors is betting its newly launched sport-utility vehicle will help step up competition to rivals like Hyundai Motor and Maruti Suzuki in a fiercely fought and fast-growing part of the m... ...