Dillard’s, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Dillard’s (NYSE: DDS) reported fiscal 2026 results with net income $570.2M and EPS $36.42, versus $593.5M and $36.82 a year earlier. Total retail sales were essentially unchanged year-over-year and retail gross margin held at 40.8%. The company returned cash via a $30.00 special dividend and repurchased $107.8M of stock; cash and short-term investments totaled about $1.07B at year-end. Fourth-quarter retail sales declined 1%, noting disruption in over one-third of stores from a January winter storm.
Positive
- $30.00 special dividend paid to employees and shareholders
- Cash and short-term investments of $1.07 billion at year-end
- Retail gross margin maintained at 40.8% for fiscal 2026
Negative
- Estimated 2026 capital expenditures $130M versus $93M in 2025
- Winter storm disrupted sales in over one-third of stores in late January
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
DDS fell 3.56% with department store peers also lower: M -3.97%, KSS -0.93%, GAP -4.25%, KMX -4.12%. This points to a broader retail pullback alongside company-specific earnings.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 23 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | -3.6% | Announcement of timing for Q4 and full-year FY26 results. |
| Feb 13 | Philanthropy update | Positive | -0.7% | Donation of <b>$253,000</b> to Ronald McDonald House from cookbook sales. |
| Nov 20 | Special dividend | Positive | +2.5% | Announcement of <b>$30.00</b> special dividend and <b>$0.30</b> quarterly dividend. |
| Nov 14 | Product launch | Neutral | -4.4% | Launch of Sydney Silverman x Gianni Bini capsule collection. |
| Nov 13 | Q3 earnings beat | Positive | +9.6% | Q3 sales and EPS growth with higher retail and consolidated margins. |
Positive financial updates like Q3 results and special dividends previously coincided with strong gains, while softer or neutral news has sometimes seen selling pressure.
Recent news shows a mix of operational and shareholder-focused developments. In November 2025, Q3 results with +3% comparable sales and higher EPS prompted a +9.59% move, while a large $30.00 special dividend in November 2025 saw a more modest +2.51% gain. Product and philanthropic announcements in November 2025 and February 2026 drew negative price reactions. Ahead of these FY and Q4 results, the earnings date notice on Feb 23, 2026 coincided with a -3.56% move, suggesting elevated sensitivity around earnings.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement details a year of stable sales but slightly lower profitability for Dillard’s. FY net sales were $6.474B with net income of $570.2M and EPS of $36.42, while retail gross margin eased to 40.8%. Operating expenses increased to 27.2% of sales, and Q4 total retail sales and comparable sales each fell 1%. At the same time, the company highlighted strong liquidity (about $1.1B in cash and short-term investments), a $30.00 special dividend, and $107.8M of share repurchases as key shareholder returns to monitor going forward.
Key Terms
special dividend financial
comparable store sales financial
selling, general and administrative expenses financial
deferred income taxes financial
capital expenditures financial
forward-looking statements regulatory
operating lease liabilities financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Feb. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dillard’s, Inc. (NYSE: DDS) (the “Company” or “Dillard’s”) announced operating results for the 13 and 52 weeks ended January 31, 2026. This release contains certain forward-looking statements. Please refer to the Company’s cautionary statements included below under “Forward-Looking Information.”
Dillard’s Chief Executive Officer William T. Dillard, II commented, “We reported a respectable year. We achieved retail gross margin of
Highlights of the Fiscal Year (compared to the prior fiscal year):
- Total retail sales were unchanged as a percentage
- Comparable store sales were unchanged as a percentage
- Net income of
$570.2 million compared to$593.5 million - Earnings per share of
$36.42 compared to$36.82 - Retail gross margin of
40.8% of sales compared to41.0% of sales - Operating expenses were
$1.75 9 billion (27.2% of sales) compared to$1.73 1 billion (26.7% of sales) - Ending inventory increased
2%
Fiscal Year Results
Dillard’s reported net income for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2026 of
Included in net income for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2026 are the following items:
- a pretax gain of
$20.4 million ($15.7 million after tax or$1.00 per share) primarily related to the sale of five properties - federal and state income tax benefits of
$35.0 million ($2.24 per share) due to a deduction related to that portion of the special dividend of$30.00 per share that was paid to the Dillard's, Inc. Investment and Employee Stock Ownership Plan during the year
Included in net income for the 52 weeks ended February 1, 2025 are federal and state income tax benefits of
Sales – Fiscal Year
Net sales for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2026 and February 1, 2025 were
Total retail sales (which excludes CDI) for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2026 and February 1, 2025 were
Gross Margin – Fiscal Year
Consolidated gross margin for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2026 was
Retail gross margin (which excludes CDI) for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2026 was
Inventory increased
Selling, General & Administrative Expenses – Fiscal Year
Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses (“operating expenses”) for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2026 were
Highlights of the Fourth Quarter (compared to the prior year fourth quarter):
- Total retail sales decreased
1% - Comparable store sales decreased
1% - Net income of
$203.7 million compared to$214.4 million - Earnings per share of
$13.05 compared to$13.48 - Retail gross margin of
36.1% of sales compared to36.1% of sales - Operating expenses were
$463.0 million (23.6% of sales) compared to$452.0 million (22.4% of sales)
Fourth Quarter Results
Dillard’s reported net income for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2026 of
- a pretax gain of
$14.9 million ($11.5 million after tax or$0.73 per share) primarily related to the sale of a store property - federal and state income tax benefits of
$35.0 million ($2.24 per share) due to a deduction related to that portion of the special dividend of$30.00 per share that was paid to the Dillard's, Inc. Investment and Employee Stock Ownership Plan during the quarter
Included in net income for the 13 weeks ended February 1, 2025 are federal and state income tax benefits of
Sales – Fourth Quarter
Net sales for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2026 and February 1, 2025 were
Total retail sales for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2026 and February 1, 2025 were
Compared to the prior year fourth quarter, sales increased moderately in ladies’ accessories and lingerie. Sales were unchanged as a percentage in shoes with moderate declines noted in ladies’ apparel, cosmetics, men’s apparel and accessories, juniors’ and children’s apparel and home and furniture.
Gross Margin – Fourth Quarter
Consolidated gross margin for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2026 was
Retail gross margin for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2026 was
Selling, General & Administrative Expenses – Fourth Quarter
Operating expenses for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2026 were
Share Repurchase
During the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2026, the Company purchased
As of January 31, 2026, authorization of
Total shares outstanding (Class A and Class B Common Stock) at January 31, 2026 and February 1, 2025 were 15.6 million and 15.9 million, respectively.
Store Information
The Company plans to open a 160,000 square foot location at The Mall at Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek, Ohio in March of this year.
The Company operates 271 Dillard’s stores, including 28 clearance centers, spanning 30 states (totaling 46.0 million square feet) and an Internet store at dillards.com.
| Dillard’s, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (In Millions, Except Per Share Data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 Weeks Ended | 13 Weeks Ended | 52 Weeks Ended | 52 Weeks Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 31, 2026 | February 1, 2025 | January 31, 2026 | February 1, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of | % of | % of | % of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net | Net | Net | Net | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Sales | Amount | Sales | Amount | Sales | Amount | Sales | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,962.2 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,016.6 | 100.0 | % | $ | 6,473.6 | 100.0 | % | $ | 6,482.6 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
| Service charges and other income | 27.2 | 1.4 | 35.0 | 1.7 | 89.7 | 1.4 | 107.6 | 1.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,989.4 | 101.4 | 2,051.6 | 101.7 | 6,563.3 | 101.4 | 6,590.2 | 101.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 1,268.2 | 64.6 | 1,312.1 | 65.1 | 3,916.9 | 60.5 | 3,919.5 | 60.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 463.0 | 23.6 | 452.0 | 22.4 | 1,759.2 | 27.2 | 1,731.2 | 26.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 45.8 | 2.3 | 41.3 | 2.0 | 179.3 | 2.8 | 177.9 | 2.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rentals | 5.7 | 0.3 | 6.5 | 0.3 | 19.2 | 0.3 | 21.4 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and debt (income) expense, net | (0.9 | ) | (0.0 | ) | (1.8 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (6.2 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (13.7 | ) | (0.2 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Other expense | 5.1 | 0.3 | 6.2 | 0.3 | 20.8 | 0.3 | 24.7 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of assets | 14.9 | 0.8 | — | — | 20.4 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of joint ventures | 217.4 | 11.1 | 235.3 | 11.7 | 694.5 | 10.7 | 729.7 | 11.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes | 14.1 | 20.9 | 124.7 | 136.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of joint ventures | 0.4 | — | 0.4 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 203.7 | 10.4 | % | $ | 214.4 | 10.6 | % | $ | 570.2 | 8.8 | % | $ | 593.5 | 9.2 | % | ||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted earnings per share | $ | 13.05 | $ | 13.48 | $ | 36.42 | $ | 36.82 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 15.6 | 15.9 | 15.7 | 16.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dillard’s, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (In Millions) | ||||||||
| January 31, | February 1, | |||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 861.5 | $ | 717.9 | ||||
| Accounts receivable | 39.7 | 55.7 | ||||||
| Short-term investments | 211.5 | 325.7 | ||||||
| Merchandise inventories | 1,201.1 | 1,172.0 | ||||||
| Other current assets | 72.8 | 96.8 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 2,386.6 | 2,368.1 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 911.8 | 1,002.2 | ||||||
| Operating lease assets | 36.2 | 33.6 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 77.4 | 69.1 | ||||||
| Other assets | 93.0 | 58.1 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 3,505.0 | $ | 3,531.1 | ||||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 772.4 | $ | 795.0 | ||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | 96.0 | — | ||||||
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 9.6 | 11.4 | ||||||
| Federal and state income taxes | 24.1 | 28.5 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 902.1 | 834.9 | ||||||
| Long-term debt | 225.7 | 321.6 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 26.3 | 22.3 | ||||||
| Other liabilities | 371.9 | 356.1 | ||||||
| Subordinated debentures | 200.0 | 200.0 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 1,779.0 | 1,796.2 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 3,505.0 | $ | 3,531.1 | ||||
| Dillard’s, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (In Millions) | ||||||||
| 52 Weeks Ended | 52 Weeks Ended | |||||||
| January 31, | February 1, | |||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 570.2 | $ | 593.5 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization of property and other deferred costs | 180.9 | 179.5 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | (7.3 | ) | (9.0 | ) | ||||
| Gain on disposal of assets | (20.4 | ) | (0.5 | ) | ||||
| Accrued interest on short-term investments | (8.8 | ) | (11.8 | ) | ||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Decrease in accounts receivable | 16.0 | 4.8 | ||||||
| Increase in merchandise inventories | (29.0 | ) | (78.0 | ) | ||||
| Decrease in other current assets | 21.7 | 2.3 | ||||||
| Decrease (increase) in other assets | 0.6 | (0.8 | ) | |||||
| (Decrease) increase in trade accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities | (2.3 | ) | 36.5 | |||||
| Decrease in income taxes payable | (4.6 | ) | (2.4 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 717.0 | 714.1 | ||||||
| Investing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment and capitalized software | (93.4 | ) | (104.6 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from disposal of assets | 25.7 | 0.7 | ||||||
| Proceeds from insurance | 1.5 | — | ||||||
| Investments related to joint ventures | (34.3 | ) | — | |||||
| Purchase of short-term investments | (534.6 | ) | (696.7 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments | 657.6 | 530.9 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 22.5 | (269.7 | ) | |||||
| Financing activities: | ||||||||
| Cash dividends paid | (484.8 | ) | (413.8 | ) | ||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | (107.8 | ) | (121.0 | ) | ||||
| Issuance cost of line of credit | (3.3 | ) | — | |||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (595.9 | ) | (534.8 | ) | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 143.6 | (90.4 | ) | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 717.9 | 808.3 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 861.5 | $ | 717.9 | ||||
| Non-cash transactions: | ||||||||
| Accrued capital expenditures | $ | 7.1 | $ | 6.8 | ||||
| Accrued purchase of treasury stock and excise taxes | 1.0 | 1.2 | ||||||
| Stock awards | 3.8 | 4.2 | ||||||
| Lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | 14.6 | 2.9 | ||||||
Estimates for 2026
The Company is providing the following estimates for certain financial statement items for the 52-week period ending January 30, 2027 based upon current conditions. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates as conditions and factors change – See “Forward-Looking Information.”
| In Millions | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Estimated | Actual | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | $ | 175 | $ | 179 | ||||
| Rentals | 18 | 19 | ||||||
| Interest and debt (income) expense, net | (5 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||
| Capital expenditures | 130 | 93 | ||||||
Forward-Looking Information
This report contains certain forward-looking statements. The following are or may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: (a) statements including words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “future,” “potential,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “continue,” or the negative or other variations thereof; (b) statements regarding matters that are not historical facts; and (c) statements about the Company’s future occurrences, plans and objectives, including those statements under the heading “Estimates for 2026” regarding certain financial statement items for the 52-week period ended January 30, 2027. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements contained in this report are based on estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions of management and information available to management at the time of such statements and are not guarantees of future performance. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements based on the occurrence of future events, the receipt of new information or otherwise. Forward-looking statements of the Company involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various important factors. Actual future performance, outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements made by the Company and its management as a result of a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Representative examples of those factors include (without limitation) general retail industry conditions and macro-economic conditions including inflation, economic recession and changes in traffic at malls and shopping centers; economic and weather conditions for regions in which the Company’s stores are located and the effect of these factors on the buying patterns of the Company’s customers, including the effect of changes in prices and availability of oil and natural gas; the availability of and interest rates on consumer credit; the impact of competitive pressures in the department store industry and other retail channels including specialty, off-price, discount and Internet retailers; changes in the Company’s ability to meet labor needs amid nationwide labor shortages and an intense competition for talent; changes in consumer spending patterns, debt levels and their ability to meet credit obligations; high levels of unemployment; changes in tax legislation; trade disputes and changes in trade policies including the imposition (or threat) of new or increased duties, taxes, tariffs and other charges impacting our products or supply chain; changes in legislation and governmental regulations; adequate and stable availability and pricing of materials, production facilities and labor from which the Company sources its merchandise; changes in operating expenses, including employee wages, commission structures and related benefits; system failures or data security breaches; possible future acquisitions of store properties from other department store operators; the continued availability of financing in amounts and at the terms necessary to support the Company’s future business; fluctuations in SOFR and other base borrowing rates; potential disruption from terrorist activity and the effect on ongoing consumer confidence; epidemic, pandemic or public health issues and their effects on public health, our supply chain, the health and well-being of our employees and customers and the retail industry in general; potential disruption of international trade and supply chain efficiencies; global conflicts (including the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine) and the possible impact on consumer spending patterns and other economic and demographic changes of similar or dissimilar nature, and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly those set forth under the caption “Item 1A, Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2025.
CONTACT:
Dillard’s, Inc.
Julie J. Guymon
501-376-5965
julie.guymon@dillards.com
FAQ
What were Dillard’s (DDS) fiscal 2026 net income and EPS results?
How did Dillard’s (DDS) retail sales and comparable store sales perform in fiscal 2026?
What dividend did Dillard’s (DDS) pay and how large was it?
What cash and liquidity did Dillard’s (DDS) report at year-end January 31, 2026?
How did the January 2026 winter storm affect Dillard’s (DDS) fourth-quarter sales?
What guidance did Dillard’s (DDS) give for 2026 capital expenditures and depreciation?
