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Kohl's (KSS)
NYSE:KSS
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Kohl's (KSS) AI Stock Analysis

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KSS

Kohl's

(NYSE:KSS)

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Neutral 68 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:68Neutral
Price Target:
$26.00
▲(7.75% Upside)
Kohl's overall stock score reflects a balance of mixed financial performance and strong technical indicators. The company's improved leverage and cash flow are positives, but declining revenue and profitability margins are concerns. Technical analysis suggests bullish momentum, though overbought conditions could lead to a correction. The valuation is fair, and the earnings call highlights both strategic improvements and ongoing challenges.
Positive Factors
Leadership Change
The appointment of Michael Bender as CEO brings experienced leadership, potentially driving strategic initiatives and long-term growth.
Digital Sales Growth
Growth in digital sales indicates successful adaptation to e-commerce trends, enhancing market reach and customer engagement.
Cash Flow Generation
Robust cash flow growth enhances financial flexibility, supporting investments in strategic initiatives and debt reduction.
Negative Factors
Revenue Decline
Continued decline in net sales reflects challenges in consumer demand and competitive pressures, impacting long-term growth.
Margin Pressure
Significant margin pressure indicates challenges in cost management and pricing power, affecting profitability sustainability.
Discretionary Income Pressure
Pressure on discretionary income affects spending on non-essential items, potentially limiting revenue growth in key categories.

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

Kohl's Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionKohl's Corporation is a leading American department store retail chain, headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. It operates over 1,100 stores across the United States, offering a wide range of products including apparel, footwear, accessories, home goods, and beauty products. Kohl's targets a diverse customer base, providing both national and exclusive brand merchandise, and emphasizing value through promotions and loyalty programs. The company also features an e-commerce platform, enhancing its reach and customer engagement.
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 saw a notable decline in early 2025, dropping to 1,153 stores, which aligns with strategic shifts mentioned in the earnings call. Despite a challenging retail environment, the company is focusing on optimizing store layouts and enhancing in-store experiences, particularly with the expansion of Sephora. While net sales are declining, the emphasis on proprietary brands and Sephora's success suggests a strategic pivot towards leveraging physical locations to drive growth, even as digital channels underperform. This could indicate a recalibration towards in-store customer engagement amid macroeconomic pressures.
Data provided by:The Fly

Kohl's Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 25, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 03, 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
Kohl's financial performance is mixed. The income statement shows declining revenue and low net profit margins, but there are improvements in EBIT and EBITDA margins. The balance sheet indicates better leverage management with a lower debt-to-equity ratio, though return on equity is modest. Strong cash flow performance is a positive, with significant free cash flow growth, suggesting efficient cash conversion.
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.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue15.75B16.22B17.48B18.10B19.43B15.96B
Gross Profit3.01B6.56B6.23B6.64B8.00B5.59B
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
Positive
Last Price24.13
Price Trends
50DMA
16.84
Positive
100DMA
15.12
Positive
200DMA
11.76
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.65
Negative
RSI
75.94
Negative
STOCH
92.75
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KSS, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 24.13 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 18.04, above the 50-day MA of 16.84, and above the 200-day MA of 11.76, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.65 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 75.94 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 92.75 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive 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
76
Outperform
$10.46B18.1828.98%4.37%-1.07%-5.21%
69
Neutral
$3.54B24.6926.29%2.30%8.85%
68
Neutral
$2.70B14.155.02%5.00%-6.13%-22.57%
66
Neutral
$3.04B53.066.68%2.25%6.26%-66.51%
62
Neutral
$6.13B12.9611.31%3.85%-3.43%169.28%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
52
Neutral
$2.29B5.77140.06%-19.47%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KSS
Kohl's
24.13
9.90
69.57%
DDS
Dillard's
682.18
265.30
63.64%
HBI
Hanesbrands
6.47
-2.20
-25.37%
M
Macy's
22.82
7.15
45.63%
SHOO
Steven Madden
42.93
-1.85
-4.13%
VSCO
Victoria's Secret
44.12
2.22
5.30%

Kohl's Corporate Events

Kohl’s Corporation Reports Q3 2025 Earnings and CEO Appointment
Nov 26, 2025

Kohl’s Corporation is a prominent omnichannel retailer in the United States, known for offering a wide range of brands and products through its extensive network of over 1,100 stores and online platforms. The company is dedicated to providing value and convenience to its customers while maintaining a strong presence in the retail sector.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board ChangesFinancial Disclosures
Kohl’s Appoints Michael J. Bender as CEO
Neutral
Nov 25, 2025

On November 25, 2025, Kohl’s reported its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025, showing a decline in net sales by 2.8% and comparable sales by 1.7% compared to the previous year. Despite these declines, the company increased its gross margin by 51 basis points and reduced SG&A expenses by 2.1%. Additionally, Kohl’s appointed Michael J. Bender as its CEO, who has been serving as interim CEO since May 2025. The company also raised its full-year 2025 financial outlook, reflecting confidence in its strategic initiatives and operational discipline.

The most recent analyst rating on (KSS) stock is a Hold with a $17.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Kohl’s stock, see the KSS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Kohl’s Appoints Michael J. Bender as CEO
Positive
Nov 24, 2025

On November 23, 2025, Kohl’s Corporation appointed Michael J. Bender as the Chief Executive Officer, following his interim CEO role since May 2025. Bender, who has extensive leadership experience in retail and consumer goods, is expected to drive the company’s strategic and cultural transformation, benefiting associates, customers, and shareholders. His appointment comes after a comprehensive search by the Board, highlighting his proven leadership during his interim tenure. Bender’s leadership is anticipated to reestablish Kohl’s position in the retail industry, with a focus on customer-centric strategies.

The most recent analyst rating on (KSS) stock is a Hold with a $17.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Kohl’s stock, see the KSS Stock Forecast page.

Dividends
Kohl’s Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend
Positive
Nov 12, 2025

On November 12, 2025, Kohl’s Corporation announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 per share, payable on December 24, 2025, to shareholders recorded by December 10, 2025. This decision reflects Kohl’s ongoing commitment to returning value to its shareholders and may influence investor confidence positively.

The most recent analyst rating on (KSS) stock is a Buy with a $20.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Kohl’s stock, see the KSS Stock Forecast page.

Kohl’s Earnings Call: Mixed Sentiment Amid Challenges
Sep 1, 2025

Kohl’s Corporation’s recent earnings call presented a mixed sentiment, with some positive developments counterbalanced by ongoing challenges. The company showed progress in proprietary brand growth and inventory management, but it continues to face sales declines and uncertainties related to global trade policies, which are affecting its core customer base.

Kohl’s Corporation Reports Q2 2025 Financial Results
Aug 28, 2025

Kohl’s Corporation is a leading omnichannel retailer in the United States, known for offering a wide range of brands and products through its extensive network of over 1,100 stores and online platforms. The company is committed to providing value and convenience to its customers while making a positive impact in the communities it serves.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Kohl’s Raises Full-Year Outlook Despite Sales Decline
Positive
Aug 27, 2025

Kohl’s Corporation reported its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, ending on August 2, 2025. Despite a 5.1% decrease in net sales and a 4.2% decline in comparable sales, the company managed to increase its gross margin by 28 basis points. The company also reported a significant gain from a legal settlement and improved its operating income and cash flow compared to the previous year. Kohl’s raised its full-year financial outlook, indicating confidence in its ongoing initiatives and operational discipline, despite the challenging economic environment.

The most recent analyst rating on (KSS) stock is a Hold with a $9.00 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: Nov 27, 2025