Kohl’s(US:KSS) ZACKS·2025-11-25 16:51Core Insights - Kohl's Corporation reported third-quarter fiscal 2025 results with earnings of 10 cents per share, down from 20 cents in the year-ago quarter, but exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 19 cents [1][7] - Total revenues were $3,575 million, a decrease of 3.6% from $3,710 million in the prior-year quarter, yet surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,486 million [2][7] - The company raised its fiscal 2025 outlook for net sales, comparable sales, and operating margin, with full-year EPS guidance increased to $1.25-$1.45, significantly higher than the previous estimate of 50 cents to 80 cents [5][7] Financial Performance - Net sales fell 2.8% to $3,407 million, while other revenues decreased by 17.2% to $168 million, with comparable sales dipping 1.7% year over year, better than the expected decline of 4.6% [2][7] - Gross margin expanded by 51 basis points to 39.6%, contrary to expectations of a decrease, while SG&A expenses dropped 2.1% to $1,263 million, although as a percentage of total revenues, they increased by 55 basis points to 35.3% [3][7] - Adjusted operating income was $77 million, down from $98 million in the year-ago period, with an operating income margin of 2.2% [3] Financial Health - Kohl's ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $144 million and shareholders' equity of $3,930 million [4] - For the nine months ending Nov. 1, 2025, net cash provided by operating activities was $630 million, with management expecting capital expenditures of $400 million for fiscal 2025 [4] Future Outlook - For fiscal 2025, Kohl's expects net sales to decline by 3.5-4%, an improvement from the prior forecast of a 5-6% drop, and comparable sales are projected to fall by 2.5-3% compared to the earlier outlook of a 4-5% decline [5] - The adjusted operating margin is anticipated to be in the range of 3.1-3.2%, up from the previously projected range of 2.5-2.7% [5]