Core Insights - Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST) operates off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores, valued at $61.8 billion by market cap, offering designer products at discount prices [1] Performance Overview - ROST shares have outperformed the broader market, gaining 30% over the past year compared to the S&P 500 Index's 15.4% increase [2] - Year-to-date, ROST stock is up 6.1%, surpassing the S&P 500's 1.1% gains [2] - ROST has also outperformed the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT), which gained about 11.8% over the past year, with ROST's year-to-date returns exceeding the ETF's 3.3% gains [3] Financial Results - On November 20, 2025, ROST reported Q3 results with an EPS of $1.58, exceeding Wall Street expectations of $1.40, and revenue of $5.6 billion, surpassing forecasts of $5.4 billion [5] - ROST expects full-year EPS to be between $6.38 and $6.46 [5] Analyst Expectations - For the current fiscal year ending in January, analysts expect ROST's EPS to grow 2.4% to $6.47 on a diluted basis, with a strong earnings surprise history [6] - Among 19 analysts covering ROST, the consensus rating is a "Strong Buy," with 15 "Strong Buy" ratings and four "Holds" [6] Price Targets - Corey Tarlowe from Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "Buy" rating on ROST with a price target of $210, suggesting a potential upside of 9.9% [8] - The mean price target is $196.93, representing a 3% premium to current levels, while the highest price target of $221 indicates an upside potential of 15.6% [8]

Core Insights - Ross Stores Inc. reported better-than-expected third-quarter results, leading to a 5% increase in share price intra-day [1] - The company raised its full-year outlook, supported by strong comparable sales and disciplined cost control ahead of the holiday season [1] Financial Performance - Earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter were $1.58, exceeding analyst expectations of $1.41 and up from $1.48 a year earlier [2] - Revenue increased by 10% year-over-year to $5.6 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $5.42 billion, driven by a 7% rise in comparable store sales [2] - Operating margin expanded to 11.6%, aided by revenue strength and tighter expense management, despite a $0.05 per share negative impact from tariff-related costs [2] - Net income rose to $512 million, compared to $489 million in the previous year [2] Store Expansion and Share Buyback - The company ended the quarter with 2,273 stores, an increase from 2,192 stores last year [3] - Ross repurchased 1.7 million shares for $262 million during the quarter and is on track to complete a $2.1 billion buyback program by year-end [3] Future Outlook - For the fourth quarter, Ross projected EPS of $1.77–$1.85, above analyst expectations at the midpoint [4] - The company raised its holiday comparable sales outlook to 3%–4% [4] - Full-year EPS is now expected to range between $6.38 and $6.46, compared to $6.32 last year, despite a projected $0.16 per share tariff impact [4]

Core Insights - Ross Stores Inc. is expanding its footprint while many retailers are contracting, having opened 36 Ross Dress for Less locations and 4 dd's Discounts stores across 17 states in September and October, completing its growth plans for fiscal 2025 [1] - The company plans to open 90 new locations by the end of the year, reinforcing its brand presence in existing and new markets [2] - Ross is adding stores in the Midwest and Northeast, including Michigan, New Jersey, and New York, while also expanding in sunbelt states [3] Expansion Strategy - The company is focusing on expanding dd's in core markets like California and Texas, with a long-term goal of reaching at least 2,900 Ross Dress for Less and 700 dd's Discounts locations [5] - Ross Stores is seen as an outlier in the retail sector, which is experiencing significant store closures, as it continues to grow its presence [5] Market Context - The retail industry is facing a 274% spike in layoffs in 2025, with major retailers like Macy's and Kohl's closing underperforming stores to boost profitability [3][7] - Off-price retail has been a growth segment, with Ross competing effectively against other discount retailers like T.J. Maxx and Burlington, attracting a mix of lower-income shoppers and those trading down from mid-tier retailers [8][10] - Coresight Research indicates that six of the ten retail chains opening the most stores in 2025 are discount formats, with Ross, TJX, and Burlington expected to open a combined total of 289 stores this year [11] Business Model - Ross Stores operates on a business model that allows them to purchase excess inventory at low costs and sell it at significant discounts, enabling them to open new locations with minimal outside capital [12][13] - Currently, there are 2,273 Ross Dress for Less and dd's Discounts stores operating across 44 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico [13]

Core Insights - Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST) is enhancing its market presence through new store openings and operational improvements, having recently completed its fiscal 2025 expansion plan by opening 40 new stores [1][9] - The company has added a total of 90 new stores in the current fiscal year, operating 2,273 Ross Dress for Less and 364 dd's DISCOUNTS locations across various states [2][9] - ROST is experiencing positive customer responses across its merchandise categories, contributing to sales growth and profitability [3][4] Expansion and Growth - The recent store openings include 36 Ross Dress for Less and four dd's DISCOUNTS outlets in 17 states, with a focus on expanding in the Midwest, Northeast, California, and Texas [2][3] - ROST anticipates comparable store sales (comps) growth of 2-3% for the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2025, supported by broad-based merchandise strength [4][9] - The company has raised its long-term store-expansion targets, aiming for at least 2,900 Ross Dress for Less and 700 dd's DISCOUNTS stores [5] Financial Performance - In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, ROST's top line improved by 5% year over year, with a 2% gain in comps [4] - Projections indicate comparable sales growth of 2.9% in the third quarter and 2.0% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 [4] Market Position - ROST shares have increased by 21.3% over the past three months, contrasting with a 0.3% decline in the industry [6]

Group 1 - Ross Stores, Inc. has completed its store growth plans for fiscal 2025 by opening 36 Ross Dress for Less and four dd's DISCOUNTS stores across 17 states [1] - The company added a total of 90 new locations throughout the fiscal year, enhancing its brand presence in both existing and new markets [1] - Ross Dress for Less currently operates 1,909 locations, while dd's DISCOUNTS has 364 stores, totaling 2,273 locations across 44 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico [2] Group 2 - The company projects future growth, aiming to expand to at least 2,900 Ross Dress for Less and 700 dd's DISCOUNTS locations over time [1] - Ross Stores, Inc. reported fiscal 2024 revenues of $21.1 billion, positioning itself as a leading off-price apparel and home fashion chain in the United States [2]