Kohl’s(US:KSS) Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2025-11-25 13:20Core 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]