Q1 EPS Estimates for Ross Stores Lowered by Zacks Research

Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research lowered their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Ross Stores in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, March 13th. Zacks Research analyst R. Lohia now anticipates that the apparel retailer will post earnings per share of $1.42 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $1.54. The consensus estimate for Ross Stores’ current full-year earnings is $6.17 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Ross Stores’ Q2 2026 earnings at $1.62 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.54 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $1.80 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $6.38 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.54 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $1.79 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $1.69 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $1.90 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $6.91 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $7.17 EPS.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Ross Stores from $140.00 to $130.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on Ross Stores from $168.00 to $156.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Barclays set a $150.00 target price on Ross Stores in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on shares of Ross Stores from $175.00 to $170.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company restated a “negative” rating on shares of Ross Stores in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Ross Stores has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $161.40.

Ross Stores Price Performance

Shares of ROST opened at $124.21 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.56, a PEG ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.15. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $142.85 and its 200-day simple moving average is $146.53. Ross Stores has a twelve month low of $122.77 and a twelve month high of $163.60. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

Ross Stores (NASDAQ:ROST) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, March 4th. The apparel retailer reported $1.79 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.65 by $0.14. Ross Stores had a net margin of 9.95% and a return on equity of 41.83%. The firm had revenue of $5.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.95 billion.

Ross Stores Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.405 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 18th. This is an increase from Ross Stores’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. This represents a $1.62 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.30%. Ross Stores’s payout ratio is 25.63%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ross Stores

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in Ross Stores by 152.9% in the 4th quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 177 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Ross Stores during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. ORG Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Ross Stores by 434.1% in the fourth quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 235 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 191 shares during the last quarter. Putney Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Ross Stores in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Finally, Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new position in Ross Stores during the fourth quarter worth approximately $48,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.86% of the company’s stock.

About Ross Stores

Ross Stores, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores under the Ross Dress for Less and dd’s DISCOUNTS brand names in the United States. Its stores primarily offer apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions. The company’s Ross Dress for Less stores sell its products at department and specialty stores to middle income households; and dd’s DISCOUNTS stores sell its products at department and discount stores for households with moderate income.