Macy's: A Year in Review and a Look Ahead

Group 1 - Macy's stock has performed well in 2025, gaining 36.3% through December 16, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 14.8% increase [4] - Including dividends, Macy's total return for shareholders reached 43.3%, surpassing the S&P 500 by 27.6 percentage points [4] - Same-store sales growth has improved, with a 3.2% gain reported in the fiscal third quarter ending November 1 [5] Group 2 - Management is executing a turnaround plan that includes closing underperforming stores, revamping locations, and enhancing customer service [6] - The company is focusing on selling more to upper-income consumers, particularly through its Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury brands [6] - Bloomingdale's has shown strong performance, with a 9% increase in same-store sales in the latest quarter [9] Group 3 - The performance of Macy's is influenced by the economic conditions affecting different consumer demographics, particularly the higher-income segment [8] - A potential slowdown in housing price gains and stock market pullbacks could indicate challenges for upper-income consumers, which may impact Macy's sales [9]