Ross Stores Projects Strong Earnings Growth for Fiscal 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 18 hours ago
0mins
Should l Buy ROST?
Source: stocktwits
- Earnings Forecast: Ross Stores anticipates earnings per share for fiscal 2026 to range between $7.02 and $7.36, significantly up from $6.61 in fiscal 2025, indicating a robust growth trajectory that boosts investor confidence.
- Share Buyback Program: The Board of Directors has approved a $2.55 billion share buyback program for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, representing a 21% increase from the $2.1 billion repurchase completed in 2024 and 2025, showcasing the company's strong belief in its future performance.
- Q4 Performance Exceeds Expectations: The company reported a 12% increase in total sales for Q4 to $6.6 billion, surpassing the expected $6.37 billion, with earnings per share hitting $2, well above the analyst estimate of $1.9, highlighting its strong market position.
- Market Sentiment Shift: On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around ROST shifted from 'bullish' to 'extremely bullish' in the past 24 hours, with message volume rising from 'normal' to 'extremely high', reflecting heightened investor optimism regarding the company's growth prospects.
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Analyst Views on ROST
Wall Street analysts forecast ROST stock price to rise
16 Analyst Rating
13 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 197.640
Low
142.00
Averages
198.93
High
224.00
Current: 197.640
Low
142.00
Averages
198.93
High
224.00
About ROST
Ross Stores, Inc. is engaged in operating two brands of off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores-Ross Dress for Less (Ross) and dds DISCOUNTS. Ross is the off-price apparel and home fashion chain in the United States, with approximately 1,831 locations in 43 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam. Ross offers in-season, name brand and designer apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions for the entire family at savings of 20% to 60% off department and specialty store regular prices every day. Ross target customers are primarily from middle-income households. It also operates approximately 355 dds DISCOUNTS stores in 22 states. dds DISCOUNTS features more moderately-priced in- season, name brand apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions for the entire family at savings of 20% to 70% off moderate department and discount store regular prices every day. It operates a total of approximately 2,186 stores.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Ross Stores Projects Strong Earnings Growth for Fiscal 2026
- Earnings Forecast: Ross Stores anticipates earnings per share for fiscal 2026 to range between $7.02 and $7.36, significantly up from $6.61 in fiscal 2025, indicating a robust growth trajectory that boosts investor confidence.
- Share Buyback Program: The Board of Directors has approved a $2.55 billion share buyback program for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, representing a 21% increase from the $2.1 billion repurchase completed in 2024 and 2025, showcasing the company's strong belief in its future performance.
- Q4 Performance Exceeds Expectations: The company reported a 12% increase in total sales for Q4 to $6.6 billion, surpassing the expected $6.37 billion, with earnings per share hitting $2, well above the analyst estimate of $1.9, highlighting its strong market position.
- Market Sentiment Shift: On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around ROST shifted from 'bullish' to 'extremely bullish' in the past 24 hours, with message volume rising from 'normal' to 'extremely high', reflecting heightened investor optimism regarding the company's growth prospects.
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US Stocks Rise on Economic Strength Amid Iran War Concerns
- Strong Economic Data: The February ADP employment report revealed an addition of 63,000 jobs, surpassing expectations of 50,000, indicating continued growth in the labor market and bolstering investor confidence in economic recovery.
- Service Sector Expansion: The US services index unexpectedly rose to 56.1, marking the fastest expansion in 3.5 years, while service price pressures fell to an 11-month low, demonstrating economic resilience that could further drive stock market gains.
- International Situation Impact: Reports of Iran making indirect contact with the US to negotiate an end to the war boosted market sentiment, although Iranian media denied the claims, the hope for an early resolution to the conflict remains.
- Oil Price Volatility: Despite crude oil prices being affected by the Iranian drone attack and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz leading to production cuts in Iraq, the market estimates a risk premium of $18 per barrel, reflecting heightened concerns over energy supply.
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- Market Rebound: Following a volatile session driven by escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, the stock market advanced on Wednesday as oil prices eased, with the Treasury Secretary indicating a series of measures to support oil trade, potentially paving the way for a sustained market rally.
- Amazon Share Surge: Amazon's shares rose over 3% after a report indicated Anthropic is on track to generate $20 billion in annual revenue, up from $9 billion, with investor enthusiasm around Amazon's custom chips improving sentiment and alleviating previous concerns over a $200 billion capital expenditure plan.
- Broadcom Earnings Expectations: Broadcom shares gained nearly 2% as investors anticipate AI revenue exceeding $8 billion for the reported quarter, with a focus on customer commentary and deployment progress, despite previous concerns regarding lower gross margins in fiscal year 2026.
- Rapid Trade Review: In a quick recap at the end of the video, Cramer highlighted stocks including Ross, Intel, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Brown-Forman, emphasizing the importance of timely information for investors to react effectively before trades are executed.
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Wall Street Rallies on Optimism Over US-Iran Diplomatic Talks
- Market Rally: Wall Street experienced a relief rally on Wednesday, driven by optimism surrounding potential US-Iran diplomatic talks, with the Nasdaq 100 gaining 1.5% to 25,100, indicating investor confidence in future economic stability.
- Oil Price Decline: Following two consecutive days of gains, Brent crude fell 0.5% to $81.00 per barrel and WTI crude slipped 0.8% to $74.07, reflecting the impact of diplomatic optimism on the energy market.
- Volatility Index Drop: The CBOE Volatility Index plunged 11.6% to 20.84, indicating a rise in market risk appetite and a decrease in demand for safe-haven assets, further fueling the stock market's upward momentum.
- Stable Treasury Yields: The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield held steady at 4.07%, suggesting that as risk appetite increases, demand for safe assets is capped, reflecting a positive outlook on economic prospects.
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US Stocks Fluctuate Slightly Amid Oil Price Pressures
- Market Movements: The S&P 500 Index rose by 0.03%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.11%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index increased by 0.63%, reflecting a slight recovery in the market following reports of indirect contact between Iran and the US to negotiate an end to the conflict, despite ongoing global trade tensions.
- Employment Data Impact: The February ADP employment report indicated an increase of 63,000 jobs, surpassing expectations of 50,000, suggesting a resilient labor market that may support the stock market, while also raising concerns about Federal Reserve policy direction.
- Oil Price Fluctuations: Crude oil prices fell by over 1% after Iran proposed discussions with the US to end the conflict, compounded by Treasury Secretary's comments on potential 15% tariffs on imports, adding to market uncertainty.
- Economic Outlook: This week, the market will focus on US-Iran war news, corporate earnings, and economic data, with expectations for a slight decline in the February ISM services index and an increase of 3,000 in initial unemployment claims to 215,000, highlighting the complexities of economic recovery.
See More
Market Dynamics and Investment Opportunities Analysis
- Oil Price Volatility: Global benchmark Brent crude has fallen from yesterday's high of $85.12 to around $81, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicating that the Trump administration plans to announce measures to stabilize oil flows in the Persian Gulf, highlighting the need for policy intervention.
- CrowdStrike's Strong Earnings: CrowdStrike exceeded expectations across key financial metrics, with CEO George Kurtz emphasizing that AI serves as a tailwind for data protection rather than a hindrance, and despite cautious market sentiment, the stock remains flat, indicating investor confidence in its long-term prospects.
- Ross Stores' Robust Performance: Ross Stores reported a 9% increase in same-store sales for the holiday quarter, significantly surpassing the 5.1% consensus, leading to a nearly 7% premarket stock rise, demonstrating strong consumer acceptance of its off-price retail model.
- Target Stock Upgrades: Following a surprisingly positive report, Target received two upgrades from analysts, with Bernstein moving from sell to hold and Telsey Advisory Group upgrading from hold to buy with a target price of $145, reflecting market optimism regarding the new CEO's potential impact.
See More
Ross Stores Projects Strong Earnings Growth for Fiscal 2026
- Earnings Forecast: Ross Stores anticipates earnings per share for fiscal 2026 to range between $7.02 and $7.36, significantly up from $6.61 in fiscal 2025, indicating a robust growth trajectory that boosts investor confidence.
- Share Buyback Program: The Board of Directors has approved a $2.55 billion share buyback program for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, representing a 21% increase from the $2.1 billion repurchase completed in 2024 and 2025, showcasing the company's strong belief in its future performance.
- Q4 Performance Exceeds Expectations: The company reported a 12% increase in total sales for Q4 to $6.6 billion, surpassing the expected $6.37 billion, with earnings per share hitting $2, well above the analyst estimate of $1.9, highlighting its strong market position.
- Market Sentiment Shift: On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around ROST shifted from 'bullish' to 'extremely bullish' in the past 24 hours, with message volume rising from 'normal' to 'extremely high', reflecting heightened investor optimism regarding the company's growth prospects.
See More
US Stocks Rise on Economic Strength Amid Iran War Concerns
- Strong Economic Data: The February ADP employment report revealed an addition of 63,000 jobs, surpassing expectations of 50,000, indicating continued growth in the labor market and bolstering investor confidence in economic recovery.
- Service Sector Expansion: The US services index unexpectedly rose to 56.1, marking the fastest expansion in 3.5 years, while service price pressures fell to an 11-month low, demonstrating economic resilience that could further drive stock market gains.
- International Situation Impact: Reports of Iran making indirect contact with the US to negotiate an end to the war boosted market sentiment, although Iranian media denied the claims, the hope for an early resolution to the conflict remains.
- Oil Price Volatility: Despite crude oil prices being affected by the Iranian drone attack and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz leading to production cuts in Iraq, the market estimates a risk premium of $18 per barrel, reflecting heightened concerns over energy supply.
See More
Market Rebounds as Amazon Shares Surge
- Market Rebound: Following a volatile session driven by escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, the stock market advanced on Wednesday as oil prices eased, with the Treasury Secretary indicating a series of measures to support oil trade, potentially paving the way for a sustained market rally.
- Amazon Share Surge: Amazon's shares rose over 3% after a report indicated Anthropic is on track to generate $20 billion in annual revenue, up from $9 billion, with investor enthusiasm around Amazon's custom chips improving sentiment and alleviating previous concerns over a $200 billion capital expenditure plan.
- Broadcom Earnings Expectations: Broadcom shares gained nearly 2% as investors anticipate AI revenue exceeding $8 billion for the reported quarter, with a focus on customer commentary and deployment progress, despite previous concerns regarding lower gross margins in fiscal year 2026.
- Rapid Trade Review: In a quick recap at the end of the video, Cramer highlighted stocks including Ross, Intel, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Brown-Forman, emphasizing the importance of timely information for investors to react effectively before trades are executed.
See More
Wall Street Rallies on Optimism Over US-Iran Diplomatic Talks
- Market Rally: Wall Street experienced a relief rally on Wednesday, driven by optimism surrounding potential US-Iran diplomatic talks, with the Nasdaq 100 gaining 1.5% to 25,100, indicating investor confidence in future economic stability.
- Oil Price Decline: Following two consecutive days of gains, Brent crude fell 0.5% to $81.00 per barrel and WTI crude slipped 0.8% to $74.07, reflecting the impact of diplomatic optimism on the energy market.
- Volatility Index Drop: The CBOE Volatility Index plunged 11.6% to 20.84, indicating a rise in market risk appetite and a decrease in demand for safe-haven assets, further fueling the stock market's upward momentum.
- Stable Treasury Yields: The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield held steady at 4.07%, suggesting that as risk appetite increases, demand for safe assets is capped, reflecting a positive outlook on economic prospects.
See More
US Stocks Fluctuate Slightly Amid Oil Price Pressures
- Market Movements: The S&P 500 Index rose by 0.03%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.11%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index increased by 0.63%, reflecting a slight recovery in the market following reports of indirect contact between Iran and the US to negotiate an end to the conflict, despite ongoing global trade tensions.
- Employment Data Impact: The February ADP employment report indicated an increase of 63,000 jobs, surpassing expectations of 50,000, suggesting a resilient labor market that may support the stock market, while also raising concerns about Federal Reserve policy direction.
- Oil Price Fluctuations: Crude oil prices fell by over 1% after Iran proposed discussions with the US to end the conflict, compounded by Treasury Secretary's comments on potential 15% tariffs on imports, adding to market uncertainty.
- Economic Outlook: This week, the market will focus on US-Iran war news, corporate earnings, and economic data, with expectations for a slight decline in the February ISM services index and an increase of 3,000 in initial unemployment claims to 215,000, highlighting the complexities of economic recovery.
See More
Market Dynamics and Investment Opportunities Analysis
- Oil Price Volatility: Global benchmark Brent crude has fallen from yesterday's high of $85.12 to around $81, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicating that the Trump administration plans to announce measures to stabilize oil flows in the Persian Gulf, highlighting the need for policy intervention.
- CrowdStrike's Strong Earnings: CrowdStrike exceeded expectations across key financial metrics, with CEO George Kurtz emphasizing that AI serves as a tailwind for data protection rather than a hindrance, and despite cautious market sentiment, the stock remains flat, indicating investor confidence in its long-term prospects.
- Ross Stores' Robust Performance: Ross Stores reported a 9% increase in same-store sales for the holiday quarter, significantly surpassing the 5.1% consensus, leading to a nearly 7% premarket stock rise, demonstrating strong consumer acceptance of its off-price retail model.
- Target Stock Upgrades: Following a surprisingly positive report, Target received two upgrades from analysts, with Bernstein moving from sell to hold and Telsey Advisory Group upgrading from hold to buy with a target price of $145, reflecting market optimism regarding the new CEO's potential impact.
See More
