Kohl’s Shows Signs of Comeback as Holidays Near

Core Insights - Kohl's shares surged by up to 36% after reporting a surprise profit of $8 million and raising its annual guidance, despite still expecting a sales decline of up to 4% for the year, an improvement from the previous forecast of 5% to 6% [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - Kohl's reported a net income of $8 million, indicating a positive shift in sales growth last month [1] - The company had a record earnings year in 2021 but faced significant challenges afterward, leading to a decline in stock value [3] Group 2: Management and Strategy - New CEO Michael Bender, appointed permanently this week, is focusing on a turnaround plan that includes expanding product offerings and cost-cutting measures [2][5] - The company has closed underperforming stores and reduced its corporate workforce by 10% as part of its reinvention strategy [3][5] Group 3: Market Context - Kohl's stock has more than doubled since hitting an all-time low in April, although it remains over 60% down from its 2022 levels [2] - The retail environment remains challenging, with predictions of a 10% decrease in holiday spending from Deloitte and a 5% drop from PwC, which could impact Kohl's profit margins [3]