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Kohl's Corporation (KSS)
NYSE:KSS

Kohl's (KSS) AI Stock Analysis

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KSS

Kohl's

(NYSE:KSS)

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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:58Neutral
Price Target:
$16.00
▲(3.36% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/26/26
The score is driven primarily by mixed financial performance—strong free cash flow and improved leverage offset by declining revenue and thin margins. Technicals are a meaningful detractor given a negative MACD and trading below key moving averages. Valuation (low P/E and a ~2.8% yield) provides support, while the latest earnings call was cautiously optimistic but still guided to continued sales declines despite planned margin and cost improvements.
Positive Factors
Improved Leverage / Balance Sheet Health
Material reduction in leverage meaningfully improves financial flexibility and lowers interest burden, enabling the company to fund operations, return capital, or invest in strategic initiatives during 2–6 months of continued softness without needing emergency financing.
Strong Cash Generation
Robust free cash flow and high cash conversion create durable liquidity to support dividends, share repurchase, debt reduction, and working capital. That cash resilience cushions the business while revenue remodels and funds long-term strategic programs.
Strategic Partnership & Proprietary Brand Strength
Expanding Sephora shop-in-shop and positive proprietary-brand comps strengthen differentiation and traffic drivers, structurally boosting omni-channel assortment and customer engagement over multiple quarters and supporting higher-margin beauty and private-label sales.
Negative Factors
Declining Revenue and Thin Margins
Sustained revenue declines and a sharp gross margin contraction indicate structural pricing or cost pressure and weaker product mix. Thin net margins limit reinvestment capacity and leave less room to absorb continued market or input-cost shocks over the next several quarters.
Guided Continued Sales Declines
Management expects further sales contraction, signaling that near-term operational fixes may not offset secular demand pressures. Continued top-line weakness constrains margin recovery, inventory turns, and the timeline to restore historical growth trajectories.
Underperforming Categories and Credit Revenue Pressure
Weakness in discretionary categories and falling credit-related revenue reduce basket sizes and ancillary income that historically boost profitability. These persistent category and loyalty-revenue headwinds can depress margins and slow structural recovery over multiple quarters.

Kohl's (KSS) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Kohl's Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionKohl's Corporation operates as a retail company in the United States. It offers branded apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty, and home products through its stores and website. The company provides its products primarily under the brand names of Apt. 9, Croft & Barrow, Jumping Beans, SO, and Sonoma Goods for Life, as well as Food Network, LC Lauren Conrad, Nine West, and Simply Vera Vera Wang. As of March 21, 2022, it operated approximately 1,100 Kohl's stores and a website www.Kohls.com. Kohl's Corporation was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
How the Company Makes MoneyKohl's generates revenue primarily through the sale of merchandise in its stores and online. The company's revenue model is centered around retail sales, with significant income derived from various product categories such as women's, men's, and children's apparel, as well as home goods and beauty products. Key revenue streams include regular sales, promotional sales, and seasonal sales events. Additionally, Kohl's benefits from its loyalty program, which encourages repeat purchases and increases customer retention. The company has also established partnerships with well-known brands, including exclusive collaborations that drive traffic and sales. Furthermore, Kohl's has leveraged its e-commerce capabilities to grow online sales, which have become increasingly important, especially in the face of changing consumer shopping behaviors.

Kohl's Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Store Count
Store Count
Indicates the total number of retail locations, reflecting the company's physical presence and potential reach to customers, which can impact sales and brand visibility.
Chart InsightsKohl's store count has experienced fluctuations, with a notable reduction in 2025. Despite strategic initiatives like expanding proprietary brands and improving digital sales, the company faces challenges such as declining net sales and pressure on core customers. The recent store closures may reflect efforts to streamline operations amid macroeconomic pressures and a pressured consumer environment. Kohl's remains focused on long-term growth through inventory management and promotional strategies, but the store count reduction suggests a cautious approach to physical retail expansion.
Data provided by:The Fly

Kohl's Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 25, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 10, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The call highlighted several positive developments, such as leadership changes, improved digital sales, and proprietary brand success. However, challenges remain with declining net and comparable sales, pressure on discretionary income, and underperforming categories like footwear and kids. The overall sentiment is cautiously optimistic with a focus on strategic improvements.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
CEO Appointment
Michael Bender appointed as Chief Executive Officer, bringing over 30 years of senior leadership experience in retail.
Improved Performance
Kohl's delivered both top and bottom-line performance ahead of expectations for the third consecutive quarter.
Digital Sales Growth
Digital sales grew by 2% compared to last year, driven by an increase in transactions.
Proprietary Brands Success
Proprietary brands ran a positive comp in the quarter, with notable growth in categories like women's apparel.
Inventory Management
Inventory decreased approximately 5% compared to last year, positioning Kohl's well for the holiday season.
Sephora Partnership
Sephora's performance contributed positively, with plans to introduce MAC in 850 stores by spring 2026.
Negative Updates
Net Sales Decline
Net sales declined by 2.8% in the quarter and 4% year-to-date.
Comparable Sales Decline
Comparable sales declined 1.7% in Q3 and 3.2% year-to-date.
Credit Business Revenue Decline
Other revenue, primarily from the credit business, declined 17% compared to last year.
Challenges with Discretionary Income
Middle to low-income customers continue to experience pressure, impacting discretionary spending.
Footwear and Kids Categories
Footwear and kids remained challenged in the quarter, with softness in active footwear and boots.
Company Guidance
During the Kohl's Corporation Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, guidance was provided indicating a net sales decline of 3.5% to 4% for the full year, with comparable sales expected to decline by 2.5% to 3%. The company anticipates other revenue to decrease by 11% to 12%, while gross margin is projected to expand by 30 to 35 basis points. SG&A expenses are expected to decline by 3.75% to 4%, and the adjusted diluted earnings per share is forecasted to be between $1.25 and $1.45. The company highlighted its progress in proprietary brands, improved inventory management, and digital sales growth as key factors driving performance. Additionally, Kohl's aims to generate $1.3 billion in operating cash flow and $900 million in free cash flow by the end of the fiscal year.

Kohl's Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Mixed fundamentals: revenue is declining (TTM revenue growth -0.85%) and profitability is thin (TTM net margin 1.23%) with a sharp drop in gross margin versus the prior annual period. Offsetting positives include materially improved leverage (TTM debt-to-equity 0.17 vs 1.88) and strong cash generation (TTM free cash flow growth 60.44%, high free cash flow-to-net income at 0.92).
Income Statement
60
Neutral
Kohl's income statement shows a mixed performance. The TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) gross profit margin is 19.09%, which is a significant decline from the previous annual report's 40.44%. The net profit margin is low at 1.23%, indicating challenges in converting revenue into profit. Revenue has been declining, with a TTM revenue growth rate of -0.85%. However, the EBIT and EBITDA margins have shown slight improvements, suggesting some operational efficiency gains.
Balance Sheet
55
Neutral
The balance sheet reflects a stable financial position with a TTM debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, which is a significant improvement from the previous year's 1.88. This indicates better leverage management. However, the return on equity is modest at 3.03%, suggesting limited profitability relative to shareholder equity. The equity ratio is not explicitly calculated, but the total assets and stockholders' equity indicate a stable asset base.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
Kohl's cash flow statement shows strong performance with a TTM free cash flow growth rate of 60.44%, indicating robust cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.37, suggesting good cash flow relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio is high at 0.92, highlighting efficient cash conversion from profits.
BreakdownTTMJan 2025Jan 2024Jan 2023Jan 2022Jan 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue15.75B16.22B17.48B18.10B19.43B15.96B
Gross Profit5.84B5.82B6.23B5.83B7.16B4.91B
EBITDA1.25B1.18B1.47B1.05B2.32B612.00M
Net Income194.00M109.00M317.00M-19.00M938.00M-163.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets14.14B13.56B14.01B14.35B15.05B15.34B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments144.00M134.00M183.00M153.00M1.59B2.27B
Total Debt6.80B7.16B7.38B7.57B6.79B6.74B
Total Liabilities10.21B9.76B10.12B10.58B10.39B10.14B
Stockholders Equity3.93B3.80B3.89B3.76B4.66B5.20B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.02B182.00M591.00M-544.00M1.67B1.00B
Operating Cash Flow1.23B648.00M1.17B282.00M2.27B1.34B
Investing Cash Flow-373.00M-467.00M-562.00M-783.00M-570.00M-137.00M
Financing Cash Flow-883.00M-230.00M-576.00M-933.00M-2.38B347.00M

Kohl's Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price15.48
Price Trends
50DMA
19.24
Negative
100DMA
18.75
Negative
200DMA
15.23
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.60
Positive
RSI
31.11
Neutral
STOCH
6.25
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KSS, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 15.48 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 18.10, below the 50-day MA of 19.24, and above the 200-day MA of 15.23, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.60 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 31.11 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 6.25 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for KSS.

Kohl's Risk Analysis

Kohl's disclosed 20 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Kohl's reported the most risks in the "Ability to Sell" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Kohl's Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
72
Outperform
$4.91B30.0031.50%2.97%9.85%
67
Neutral
$5.00B11.6311.28%3.23%-2.83%184.32%
65
Neutral
$9.48B16.6031.92%3.99%-1.07%-5.22%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
58
Neutral
$1.74B9.605.02%2.33%-6.13%-22.57%
56
Neutral
$2.59B57.305.21%1.97%6.26%-66.51%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KSS
Kohl's
15.48
4.57
41.86%
DDS
Dillard's
607.44
255.76
72.72%
M
Macy's
18.81
6.07
47.62%
SHOO
Steven Madden
35.62
6.96
24.29%
VSCO
Victoria's Secret
61.18
37.80
161.68%

Kohl's Corporate Events

Dividends
Kohl’s Declares Regular Quarterly Cash Dividend to Shareholders
Positive
Feb 25, 2026

On February 25, 2026, Kohl’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 per share on its common stock, reinforcing a pattern of returning capital to shareholders. The dividend will be paid on April 1, 2026, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 18, 2026, signaling continued confidence in the retailer’s financial position and cash generation capability.

The announcement underscores Kohl’s effort to maintain shareholder-friendly policies as it navigates the competitive retail landscape. For income-focused investors, the scheduled payout offers a predictable cash return that may support the stock’s appeal amid ongoing industry pressures and shifting consumer spending patterns.

The most recent analyst rating on (KSS) stock is a Buy with a $21.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Kohl’s stock, see the KSS Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Kohl’s Announces Planned Retirement of Senior Executive Leader
Neutral
Jan 28, 2026

On January 28, 2026, Kohl’s Corporation announced that Fred Hand will retire from his role as Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Stores, effective April 3, 2026, marking a planned leadership change in oversight of the company’s store operations. The company stated that there are no changes to Hand’s compensation or other employment terms in connection with his retirement, and any benefits he receives will be in line with his existing executive compensation agreement, indicating a routine transition without additional financial impact beyond established obligations.

The most recent analyst rating on (KSS) stock is a Buy with a $19.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Kohl’s stock, see the KSS Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 26, 2026