Kohl's said Monday that Michael Bender, who has served as its interim CEO, will become its permanent chief executive as the department store tries to get back to sales growth. He becomes the third CEO for the department store in three years. The move is effective as of Sunday.Bender, who has been director of Kohl's board since July 2019, became the company's interim CEO in May. The retailer appointed Bender to the position after firing CEO Ashley Buchanan after just a few months into his tenure.Kohl's fired ...

Core Insights - Kohl's Corporation is a prominent American department store chain, competing with major retailers like Burlington and Best Buy [1] - The company is expected to report a quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of -$0.19 and projected revenue of $3.37 billion on November 25, 2025, amid economic concerns [2] - Analysts are closely monitoring Kohl's financial metrics, including a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 8.46 and a price-to-sales ratio of about 0.11, indicating potential for sales generation [3][4] Financial Metrics - The enterprise value to sales ratio stands at 0.53, while the enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is approximately 9.31, reflecting cash flow efficiency [3] - An earnings yield of 11.82% suggests a substantial return on earnings relative to the share price, appealing to investors [4] - Kohl's debt-to-equity ratio is 1.75, indicating financial leverage, and a current ratio of 1.36 shows the ability to cover short-term liabilities with short-term assets [4]

US stocks surged on Monday, heading toward a rebound to start the shortened Thanksgiving trading week as US policymakers buoyed hopes for an interest-rate cut in December. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) was up roughly 2%, and the S&P 500 (^GSPC) advanced more than 1.2%, as Wall Street stocks started to extend Friday's bounce. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI), which includes fewer tech stocks, put on 0.6%. Stocks are aiming for further recovery from the pullback that has cooled this year’ ...

Core Viewpoint - Kohl's Corp. is set to appoint Michael Bender as its permanent CEO, following a series of leadership changes and challenges within the company [1][3]. Group 1: Leadership Changes - Michael Bender has been serving as the interim CEO since May, after the dismissal of former CEO Ashley Buchanan due to undisclosed personal relationships with a vendor [3][4]. - This marks the third CEO change for Kohl's in three years, highlighting ongoing struggles with sales against online and big-box competitors [3][5]. Group 2: Candidate Background - Bender has been a director on Kohl's board since July 2019 and possesses over 30 years of senior leadership experience in major retail companies, including Walmart and Victoria's Secret [4].

Consumer Sentiment - There is a cautious optimism among consumers, but some believe they are financially strained with limited pricing power for retailers [1][2] - The retail landscape is described as very promotional, with significant discounts being offered, indicating a competitive market [2][6] Retail Strategies - Discount retailers like TJ Maxx do not participate in Black Friday events, maintaining their pricing strategy without succumbing to widespread price cuts [3][4] - Retailers need a clear vision of their business model to succeed, as seen with Costco and TJ Maxx, which are recognized for their strong retail strategies [4][5] Pricing Dynamics - High prices persist in the market, and while some retailers maintain their pricing, the expectation for promotions can lead to long-term challenges [7][8] - Consumers are becoming savvy, often comparing prices online and expecting discounts, which can pressure retailers to adjust their pricing strategies [9][12] Future of Retail - The traditional department store model is under scrutiny, with many struggling to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and preferences [10][11] - There is speculation that physical stores may evolve into showrooms where consumers try products before purchasing online for better prices [15][16] Product Integrity - Owning and controlling product quality is emphasized as crucial for retailers, with examples like Costco's private label brand demonstrating success in this area [13][18] - The emotional connection consumers have with products and brands is highlighted as a significant factor in retail success [16][19]

Core Viewpoint - Macy's Inc. is facing stock price fluctuations and is under scrutiny ahead of its upcoming earnings report, with Citigroup adjusting its rating to Neutral and revising the price target to $19 [1][5]. Stock Performance - Macy's stock closed at $19.15, reflecting a 4.2% decline from the previous day, which is more significant than the broader market declines of the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq [2][5]. - Over the past month, Macy's shares have increased by 12.18%, outperforming the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 0.48% and the S&P 500's increase of 1.48% [2]. Earnings Expectations - The company is expected to report an earnings per share (EPS) of -$0.14, representing a 450% decrease from the same quarter last year [3]. - The consensus estimate for quarterly revenue is $4.59 billion, indicating a 3.25% decline from the previous year [3][5]. - Full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $2 per share [3]. Stock Metrics - Currently, Macy's stock is priced at $19.51, with a daily increase of 1.88% or $0.36, and has fluctuated between a low of $19 and a high of $19.68 during the trading day [4]. - Over the past year, the stock has reached a high of $21.25 and a low of $9.76, with a market capitalization of approximately $5.24 billion and a trading volume of 4,723,131 shares [4].

Core Insights - John Lewis has introduced innovative digital screens in its Bluewater store, marking a significant investment in enhancing customer engagement and brand visibility [2][4][6] - The company is investing £800 million across its stores, with nearly £10 million allocated specifically for the Bluewater project, which is its largest upgrade in four years [6][7] Digital Screens and Advertising - The store features eight digital screens, including a prominent seven-meter by four-meter screen in the atrium, designed to showcase curated content and drive sales [2][4] - There are three types of screens: four bespoke pillar screens and two digital windows, strategically placed in high-traffic areas such as beauty, technology, and fashion departments to enhance brand awareness [3][4] - Brands like Neff, Lego, Sony, Samsung, and Waterstones have already signed up to advertise on these screens, indicating strong interest from major companies [4][6] Customer Experience and Feedback - The digital installations aim to excite customers while maintaining the aesthetic of the John Lewis brand, allowing for meaningful connections between brands and shoppers [5][6] - Initial feedback on the new digital features has been overwhelmingly positive, suggesting a successful integration of technology into the retail environment [6] Additional Store Enhancements - Alongside the digital signage, the Bluewater store has introduced a new 'gifting emporium' to enhance the shopping experience for customers looking for gifts [7]

Group 1 - The consumer landscape this holiday season is diverse, with low-income consumers facing challenges while high-income earners and the wealthy continue to spend aggressively [1] - The spending patterns observed during this holiday season may significantly influence economic conditions leading into 2026 [1] Group 2 - The article emphasizes the importance of understanding different consumer segments rather than viewing "the consumer" as a single entity [1]

Market Performance - Major U.S. indexes showed mixed performance last week, with the Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, and Dow Jones Industrial Average declining by 2.7%, 1.4%, and 0.5% respectively [1] - Investors are shifting focus from high-valuation technology and AI stocks to more defensive sectors due to market volatility [1] Federal Reserve and Economic Data - The end of a 43-day government standoff has reduced political risks, but delays in key economic data releases have created uncertainty for the Federal Reserve and investors [2] - The Fed is balancing economic growth and inflation, with inflation remaining above the 2% target and a resilient labor market casting doubt on December rate cut expectations [2] Zacks Research Performance - Zacks Research has provided guidance that led to significant stock performance, with Macy's shares increasing by 14.9% since its upgrade to Zacks Rank 1 on September 18, outperforming the S&P 500's 2.2% increase [3][4] - Fresnillo plc also saw a 7.2% return since its upgrade to Zacks Rank 1 on September 19, compared to the S&P 500's 1.8% increase [4] Zacks Model Portfolio Returns - A hypothetical portfolio of Zacks Rank 1 stocks returned +8.64% in 2025 through September 1, outperforming the S&P 500's +7.60% [4] - The Zacks Model Portfolio has outperformed the S&P 500 index by over 12 percentage points since 1988, with an annualized average return of +23.8% compared to +11.3% for the S&P 500 [5] Specific Stock Performances - United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) shares increased by 32.4% after its Zacks Recommendation was upgraded to Outperform [7] - Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) gained 35.9% over the past 12 weeks, while CACI International Inc. (CACI) returned 20.1% during the same period [10] Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP) - The ECAP returned -1.30% in Q3 2025, underperforming the S&P 500's +8.1% gain, and +2.72% year-to-date compared to the S&P 500's +14.84% [15] - The portfolio aims to minimize capital loss by holding shares of companies with a proven track record of earnings stability [16] Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP) - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) returned 10.9% over the past 12 weeks, while UnitedHealth Group (UNH) increased by 5.9% [18] - The ECDP returned -0.01% in Q3 2025, underperforming the S&P 500's +8.1% gain [20] Top 10 Stock Portfolio - MasTec, Inc. (MTZ) has jumped 41.2% year-to-date, outperforming the S&P 500's 14.7% increase [22] - The Top 10 portfolio has produced a cumulative return of +2,553.1% since 2012, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's +545.2% [24]

Key Takeaways Walmart launches wider low-price offers and faster fulfillment to boost holiday demand.WMT emphasizes items under $20 and early online access for Walmart members to drive loyalty. Walmart spreads out web-only discounts and enhances rapid delivery to maintain shopper engagement. Walmart Inc. (WMT) , which named John Furner as the new president and CEO (from Feb. 1, 2026), is entering the holiday season with a more aggressive value strategy. The company is rolling out more deals and faster fulfi ...