STOCK TITAN

Ross Stores (NASDAQ: ROST) hikes 2026 outlook after tariff-boosted Q2

(Moderate)
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

ROSS STORES, INC. (ROST) reported very strong results for the 13‑week quarter ended August 1, 2026, and raised its outlook for the second half and full fiscal year 2026. Second quarter sales rose 13% to $6.26 billion, with comparable store sales up a very strong 10%, primarily driven by higher customer traffic.

Operating income was $1.10 billion, including about $253 million of IEEPA tariff refunds, and operating margin expanded by 610 bps year over year; excluding refunds, operating margin still improved by 205 bps, above the company’s plan. Net earnings were $851 million and diluted EPS were $2.66, including roughly $0.60 per share from tariff refunds, well above guidance of $1.85–$1.93.

For the first six months of fiscal 2026, sales increased 17% to $12.28 billion, with comparable store sales up 13% and diluted EPS of $4.69 versus $3.03 a year ago. Ross opened 47 new stores in the quarter and raised its 2026 new store plan to 115 locations. The company repurchased 1.4 million shares for $319 million in the quarter and continues to target $1.275 billion of buybacks for fiscal 2026. Management now expects third- and fourth-quarter comparable store sales growth of 6%–7% and 4%–5%, respectively, and increased full-year 2026 EPS guidance to $8.61–$8.77, which includes the approximate $0.60 per-share benefit from tariff refunds.

Positive

  • Q2 sales up 13% to $6.26 billion with comparable store sales rising 10%, showing strong topline momentum driven mainly by customer traffic.
  • Profitability sharply higher: operating income reached $1.10 billion and EPS were $2.66, including a $0.60 per-share tariff refund benefit, well above prior EPS guidance of $1.85–$1.93.
  • First-half 2026 EPS grew to $4.69 from $3.03 a year earlier on 17% sales growth to $12.28 billion, reflecting strong year‑to‑date performance.
  • Raised full-year 2026 EPS guidance to $8.61–$8.77 and lifted comparable sales outlook for both Q3 and Q4, signaling improved expectations for the back half.
  • Accelerated expansion and capital return: 47 new stores opened in Q2, full‑year openings increased to 115, and $319 million of stock was repurchased in the quarter toward a $1.275 billion 2026 buyback target.

Negative

  • None.
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, or exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Q2 2026 Sales $6,264,886,000 Three months ended August 1, 2026; up 13% from 2025
Q2 2026 Comparable Store Sales Growth 10% Quarter ended August 1, 2026; on top of 2% gain last year
Q2 2026 Net Earnings $851,299,000 Three months ended August 1, 2026
Q2 2026 Diluted EPS $2.66 Includes approximately $0.60 per share from IEEPA tariff refunds
IEEPA Tariff Refunds $253,000,000 Recognized in Q2 and first six months of fiscal 2026
First-Half 2026 Sales $12,275,362,000 Six months ended August 1, 2026; up 17% from 2025
Q2 2026 Share Repurchases $319,000,000 1.4 million shares bought in the 2026 second quarter
2026 New Store Openings Plan 115 stores Approx. 90 Ross Dress for Less and 25 dd’s DISCOUNTS
comparable store sales financial
"Comparable store sales rose a very strong 10% for the quarter"
Comparable store sales measure the change in revenue generated by stores that have been open for a certain period, typically at least one year. It helps assess how well a business is growing by showing whether existing stores are attracting more customers and sales, rather than just counting new store openings. Investors use this figure to gauge the true health and performance of a company's core operations over time.
IEEPA tariff refunds financial
"results include about $253 million in IEEPA tariff refunds"
Refunds under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are repayments of import duties, fees, or penalties that were charged because of trade restrictions or sanctions put in place under emergency authority and later reversed, modified, or found inapplicable. For investors, these refunds can change a company’s past cash outflows and future cost structure—similar to getting a billed charge returned after a rule change—affecting reported earnings or cash available for other uses.
operating margin financial
"Operating margin increased 610 basis points, including 405 basis points"
Operating margin shows how much profit a company makes from its core business activities after paying for costs like wages and materials. It’s useful because it tells you how efficiently a company is running—higher margins mean it keeps more money from each dollar of sales, which can indicate better management or stronger products.
basis points financial
"Operating margin increased 610 basis points, including 405 basis points"
Basis points are a way to measure small changes in interest rates or percentages, where one basis point equals 0.01%. For example, if a loan's interest rate increases by 50 basis points, it's gone up by 0.50%. They help people understand tiny differences in rates that can add up over time, making financial comparisons clearer.
stock repurchase authorization financial
"two-year $2.55 billion authorization approved by its Board of Directors"
A stock repurchase authorization is board approval for a company to buy back its own shares up to a stated amount or time period, using its cash or borrowed funds. For investors it matters because reducing the number of shares outstanding can increase each remaining share’s claim on profits and often signals management’s confidence, but it also uses cash that could have been spent on other priorities — like shrinking a pie so each slice is bigger.
Q2 Sales $6,264,886,000 Up 13% versus Q2 2025
Q2 Diluted EPS $2.66 Up from $1.56 in Q2 2025; includes ~$0.60 from tariff refunds
First-Half Sales $12,275,362,000 Up 17% versus first half 2025
First-Half Diluted EPS $4.69 Up from $3.03 in first half 2025
Guidance

For Q3 and Q4 2026, comparable store sales growth is expected at 6%–7% and 4%–5%, respectively. EPS guidance is $1.75–$1.83 for Q3 and $2.17–$2.26 for Q4. Full-year 2026 EPS is projected at $8.61–$8.77, including ~$0.60 from tariff refunds.

FAQ

How did Ross Stores (ROST) perform in its second quarter of fiscal 2026?

Ross Stores reported Q2 2026 sales of $6.26 billion, up 13% year over year, with 10% comparable store sales growth. Net earnings were $851 million and diluted EPS were $2.66, including about $0.60 per share from IEEPA tariff refunds.

What were Ross Stores (ROST) first-half fiscal 2026 financial results?

For the first six months of fiscal 2026, Ross Stores generated $12.28 billion in sales, up 17% from 2025, with comparable store sales up 13%. Net earnings were $1.50 billion and diluted EPS were $4.69, versus $3.03 in the prior‑year period.

How did IEEPA tariff refunds affect Ross Stores (ROST) Q2 2026 results?

Ross Stores recognized about $253 million in IEEPA tariff refunds in Q2 2026, contributing roughly $0.60 to diluted EPS. These refunds added about 405 basis points to operating margin within a total margin expansion of 610 basis points year over year.

What guidance did Ross Stores (ROST) give for the second half of fiscal 2026?

Ross expects comparable store sales to grow 6%–7% in Q3 and 4%–5% in Q4 of fiscal 2026. Based on these projections, EPS guidance is $1.75–$1.83 for Q3 and $2.17–$2.26 for Q4.

What is Ross Stores (ROST) full-year fiscal 2026 EPS outlook?

Ross raised its full-year fiscal 2026 diluted EPS outlook to $8.61–$8.77. This range includes an approximate $0.60 per-share benefit from IEEPA tariff refunds recognized in the second quarter.

How many stores did Ross Stores (ROST) open and plan to open in 2026?

In Q2 2026, Ross opened 47 new stores, including 35 Ross and 12 dd’s DISCOUNTS. For fiscal 2026, the company increased its new store plan to 115 locations, with about 90 Ross Dress for Less and 25 dd’s DISCOUNTS.

What share repurchases did Ross Stores (ROST) complete in Q2 2026?

During Q2 2026, Ross repurchased 1.4 million shares of common stock for an aggregate $319 million under its two‑year $2.55 billion authorization. The company remains on track to repurchase $1.275 billion of stock in fiscal 2026.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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FALSE000074573200007457322026-08-202026-08-20



UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (date of earliest event reported):
August 20, 2026

ROSS STORES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
0-14678
94-1390387
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)(Commission File No.)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

5130 Hacienda Drive, Dublin, California 94568
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(925) 965-4400
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading symbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $.01ROSTNASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On August 20, 2026, the Company issued a press release regarding the Company’s financial results for its fiscal quarter ended August 1, 2026. The full text of the Company’s press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

The information furnished with this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)     Exhibits.                         
Exhibit No.Description
99.1
August 20, 2026, Press Release by Ross Stores, Inc.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File. (The cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: August 20, 2026
ROSS STORES, INC.
Registrant
By:/s/ William W. Sheehan II
William W. Sheehan II
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

2

Exhibit 99.1
image_0.jpg_______________________________________________________________


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:William W. Sheehan IIConnie Kao
Executive Vice President,Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
Chief Financial Officer(925) 965-4668
(925) 965-4150connie.kao@ros.com


Ross Stores Reports Strong Second Quarter Sales and Earnings Results

Raises Second Half and Fiscal 2026 Outlook


Dublin, California, August 20, 2026 -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported financial results for the 13‑week quarter ended August 1, 2026.

Highlights:
Total sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 increased 13% versus last year, with comparable store sales up a very strong 10%, primarily driven by customer traffic.

Second quarter operating profits were $1.1 billion, which includes approximately $253 million from IEEPA tariff refunds. Operating margin increased 610 basis points, including 405 basis points from the tariff refunds. Excluding this benefit, operating margin increased by 205 basis points, well above the Company’s plan for an increase of 130 to 150 basis points.

Earnings per share for the second quarter were $2.66, which includes an approximate $0.60 per share benefit from the tariff refunds, well above our guidance of $1.85 to $1.93.

Opened 47 new stores during the quarter, including 35 Ross and 12 dd’s DISCOUNTS. Increasing 2026 store opening plans to 115 new locations.

Jim Conroy, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We achieved stellar sales and earnings growth in the second quarter. I am incredibly proud of our teams across the Company, whose dedication and strong execution drove these outstanding results. Our performance was fueled by our compelling merchandise offerings, engaging marketing initiatives, and continued enhancements to the in-store experience. We were pleased to see strength throughout the quarter, with comparable store sales growth once again primarily driven by customer traffic. Importantly, that growth was supported by both an increase in new customers and higher engagement from existing customers. These trends

ROSS STORES, INC. 5130 Hacienda Drive, Dublin, CA 94568 (925) 965-4400
        


reinforce our belief that the actions we are taking are not only driving the current business performance but that we can continue to build on our early successes.”

Second Quarter and First Six Months Results

Sales for the second quarter increased 13% to $6.3 billion, up from $5.5 billion in 2025. Comparable store sales rose a very strong 10% for the quarter on top of a 2% gain last year. Net income was $851 million versus $508 million last year, while earnings per share were $2.66 compared to $1.56 per share in the prior year period.

For the first six months of fiscal 2026, sales increased a robust 17% to $12.3 billion, up from $10.5 billion in 2025. Comparable store sales for the six-month period were up 13%. Net income was $1.5 billion versus $987 million last year, while earnings per share were $4.69 compared to $3.03 per share in the prior year period.

Both the second quarter and first six months 2026 results include about $253 million in IEEPA tariff refunds, benefiting earnings per share by approximately $0.60.

Update on Shareholder Payouts

During the 2026 second quarter, a total of 1.4 million shares of common stock were repurchased for an aggregate price of $319 million under the Company’s two-year $2.55 billion authorization approved by its Board of Directors in March 2026. The Company remains on track to buy back a total of $1.275 billion in common stock during fiscal 2026.

Fiscal 2026 Guidance

Mr. Conroy commented, “Looking ahead, we exited the second quarter with building momentum and are excited for the plans we have in place entering the Fall season. Despite facing significantly more challenging year-over-year comparisons in the back half, we are raising our outlook for both the third and fourth quarters. Comparable store sales are now expected to increase 6% to 7% in the third quarter and 4% to 5% in the fourth quarter. If the second half of 2026 performs in line with these sales projections, our earnings per share ranges for the third and fourth quarters are projected to be $1.75 to $1.83 and $2.17 to $2.26, respectively.”

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Mr. Conroy continued, “Based on our strong first half results and our updated second half guidance, we are increasing our 2026 fiscal year earnings per share projections to be in the range of $8.61 to $8.77, which again includes an approximate $0.60 earnings per share benefit from IEEPA tariff refunds recognized in the second quarter. From a store growth perspective, we continue to be encouraged by the success of our expansion strategy across both new and existing markets. As a result, we are increasing our 2026 new store opening plan to 115 locations, consisting of approximately 90 Ross Dress for Less and 25 dd’s DISCOUNTS stores.”

Mr. Conroy concluded, “The year is off to a very strong start with the entire organization executing at a high level. As our efforts to improve topline growth continue, we remain focused on disciplined, consistent execution across the business. Moving forward, we believe we are well positioned to capture additional market share and drive profitable growth over the long term.”
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The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. Eastern time to provide additional details concerning its second quarter results and management’s outlook for the second half and fiscal year 2026. A real-time audio webcast of the conference call will be available in the Investors section of the Company’s website, located at www.rossstores.com. An audio playback will be available at 201-612-7415, PIN #13762049 until 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on August 27, 2026, as well as on the Company’s website.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release and the related conference call remarks contain forward-looking statements regarding, without limitation, projected sales, costs and earnings, planned new store growth, capital expenditures, liquidity and other matters. These forward-looking statements reflect our then-current beliefs, plans, and estimates with respect to future events and our projected financial performance, operations, and competitive position, and they are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results to differ materially from management’s current expectations. The words “plan,” “expect,” “target,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “projected,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “looking ahead,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Risk factors for Ross Dress for Less® (“Ross”) and dd’s DISCOUNTS® include without limitation, risk from adverse changes in the macroeconomic environment, government regulations and policies, geopolitical conditions and conflicts, and financial and credit markets; increased costs of fuel and other consumer necessities, continuing inflation and other external economic trends and events may have significant negative effects on consumer confidence, shopping behavior, and spending, and also on our costs; tariff increases (or threats of increases) and other changes and uncertainty in U.S. trade or tax policy regarding apparel, home-related merchandise, shoes, and other goods we sell that are produced in other countries; competitive pressures and the pace of change in the retailing industry; unexpected changes in the level of consumer spending or preferences; adverse or unseasonable weather may affect shopping patterns and consumer demand for seasonal apparel and other merchandise, and may result in temporary store closures and disruptions in deliveries of merchandise to our stores; our dependence on the market availability, quantity, and quality of attractive brand name merchandise at desirable discounts, and on the ability of our buyers to source and purchase merchandise to enable us to offer customers a wide assortment of merchandise at competitive prices; our need to expand in existing markets and enter new geographic markets in order to achieve growth; our need to obtain acceptable new store sites with favorable consumer demographics in order to achieve growth; our need to continually attract, train, and retain associates with the retail talent necessary to execute our off-price retail strategies, as well as labor shortages, increased turnover, or increased labor costs; our need to effectively manage our inventories, markdowns, and inventory shortage in order to achieve our planned gross margins; information or data security breaches, including cyberattacks on our transaction processing and computer information systems, including malware intrusion, data exfiltration, identity theft, and other types of cybersecurity threats, could disrupt our operations, result in theft or unauthorized disclosure of our confidential and valuable business information or credit card and other customer information, and could disrupt our operations, damage our reputation, increase our costs, and create significant legal exposure; disruptions in our supply chain or in our information systems could impact our ability to process sales and to deliver product to our stores in a timely and cost-effective manner; risks associated with importing and selling merchandise produced in other countries; damage to our corporate reputation or brands; a natural or man-made disaster in a region where we have a concentration of stores, offices, or a distribution center; consumer problems or legal issues involving the quality, safety, or authenticity of products we sell could harm our reputation, result in lost sales, and/or increase our costs; an adverse outcome in various legal, regulatory, or tax matters, could damage our reputation or brand and increase our costs. Other risk factors are set forth in our SEC filings including the Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026 Form 8-Ks and 10-Q on file with the SEC. The factors underlying our forecasts and plans are dynamic and subject to change. As a result, any forecasts or forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are given and do not necessarily reflect our outlook at any other point in time. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements.













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About Ross Stores, Inc.
Ross Stores, Inc. is an S&P 500, Fortune 500, and Nasdaq 100 (ROST) company headquartered in Dublin, California, with fiscal 2025 revenues of $22.8 billion. Currently, the Company operates Ross Dress for Less® ("Ross"), the largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain in the United States with 1,952 locations in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Ross offers first-quality, in-season, brand name 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. The Company also operates 376 dd's DISCOUNTS® stores in 23 states that feature a more moderately-priced assortment of first-quality, in-season 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. Additional information is available at www.rossstores.com.

5



Ross Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($000, except stores and per share data, unaudited)August 1, 2026August 2, 2025August 1, 2026August 2, 2025
Sales$6,264,886 $5,529,152 $12,275,362 $10,514,123 
Costs and Expenses
Cost of goods sold4,145,215 4,002,167 8,375,804 7,583,533 
Selling, general and administrative1,016,053 888,711 1,991,914 1,685,846 
Operating income1,103,618 638,274 1,907,644 1,244,744 
Interest income, net(31,144)(32,346)(64,593)(66,755)
Earnings before taxes1,134,762 670,620 1,972,237 1,311,499 
Provision for taxes on earnings283,463 162,625 470,974 324,255 
Net earnings$851,299 $507,995 $1,501,263 $987,244 
Earnings per share
Basic$2.68 $1.57 $4.72 $3.05 
Diluted$2.66 $1.56 $4.69 $3.03 
Weighted-average shares outstanding (000)
Basic317,687 323,000 318,322 323,938 
Diluted319,450 324,796 320,343 325,909 
Store count at end of period2,328 2,2332,3282,233
6


Ross Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
($000, unaudited)August 1, 2026August 2, 2025
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$4,288,124 $3,847,016 
Accounts receivable248,140 210,520 
Merchandise inventory3,087,370 2,608,485 
Prepaid expenses and other252,726 259,815 
Total current assets7,876,360 6,925,836 
Property and equipment, net4,257,806 3,906,340 
Operating lease assets3,545,351 3,374,582 
Other long-term assets302,763 288,761 
Total assets$15,982,280 $14,495,519 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable $2,621,740 $2,205,613 
Accrued expenses and other744,284 655,218 
Current operating lease liabilities752,302 716,162 
Accrued payroll and benefits440,837 315,893 
Income taxes payable84,916 — 
Current portion of long-term debt241,459 499,122 
Total current liabilities4,885,538 4,392,008 
Long-term debt777,053 1,017,218 
Non-current operating lease liabilities2,968,337 2,835,481 
Other long-term liabilities295,611 279,258 
Deferred income taxes312,557 238,985 
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity6,743,184 5,732,569 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$15,982,280 $14,495,519 

7


Ross Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Six Months Ended
($000, unaudited)August 1, 2026August 2, 2025
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net earnings$1,501,263 $987,244 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization272,790 242,337 
Stock-based compensation106,377 83,239 
Deferred income taxes51,130 51,945 
Change in assets and liabilities:
Merchandise inventory(456,400)(163,972)
Other current assets(85,729)(92,049)
Accounts payable226,307 101,937 
Other current liabilities 65,676 (83,135)
Income taxes29,788 (54,139)
Operating lease assets and liabilities, net166 4,301 
Other long-term, net 399 369 
Net cash provided by operating activities1,711,767 1,078,077 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Additions to property and equipment(460,217)(409,105)
Net cash used in investing activities(460,217)(409,105)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Issuance of common stock related to stock plans13,183 12,380 
Treasury stock purchased(136,595)(64,420)
Repurchase of common stock(637,500)(525,021)
Excise tax paid on repurchase of common stock(9,496)(9,443)
Dividends paid(286,191)(265,637)
Payment of long-term debt(500,000)(700,000)
Net cash used in financing activities(1,556,599)(1,552,141)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents(305,049)(883,169)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period4,661,973 4,796,462 
End of period$4,356,924 $3,913,293 
Reconciliations:
Cash and cash equivalents$4,288,124 $3,847,016 
Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in prepaid expenses and other21,328 17,232 
Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in other long-term assets47,472 49,045 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents:$4,356,924 $3,913,293 
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Interest paid$19,839 $35,939 
Income taxes paid, net$390,056 $326,449 
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