JPMorgan Chase & Co. Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Ross Stores (NASDAQ:ROST) Stock

Ross Stores (NASDAQ:ROST) had its price target upped by equities researchers at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $262.00 to $272.00 in a note issued to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an “overweight” rating on the apparel retailer’s stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.‘s price objective suggests a potential upside of 13.37% from the company’s previous close.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $270.00 price objective on shares of Ross Stores in a research report on Friday, May 22nd. Barclays raised their price target on Ross Stores from $260.00 to $298.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday. Guggenheim reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $290.00 price target on shares of Ross Stores in a report on Monday, April 27th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $285.00 price objective on shares of Ross Stores in a research report on Friday. Finally, Truist Financial set a $310.00 price target on shares of Ross Stores in a research note on Friday. Fifteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $260.41.

Ross Stores Stock Up 4.8%

Shares of ROST traded up $10.94 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $239.93. The company had a trading volume of 3,267,102 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,739,254. Ross Stores has a 1 year low of $143.39 and a 1 year high of $257.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $76.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.51, a P/E/G ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 0.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a current ratio of 1.54. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $233.83 and its 200-day simple moving average is $221.74.

Ross Stores (NASDAQ:ROST) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 20th. The apparel retailer reported $2.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.95 by $0.71. The firm had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.16 billion. Ross Stores had a net margin of 9.74% and a return on equity of 38.42%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 13.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.56 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Ross Stores will post 7.81 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ross Stores

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in Ross Stores in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Bard Associates Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Ross Stores in the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Virtus Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ross Stores in the second quarter valued at about $38,000. Twin Lakes Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ross Stores in the second quarter valued at about $41,000. Finally, Bell Investment Advisors Inc acquired a new position in shares of Ross Stores during the second quarter worth about $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.86% of the company’s stock.

Ross Stores News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Ross Stores this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Results significantly exceeded expectations: Fiscal Q2 revenue rose approximately 13% year over year to $6.26 billion, while diluted EPS reached $2.66 versus the $1.95 consensus estimate and $1.56 a year earlier. Comparable-store sales increased 10%, supported by stronger customer traffic. Ross Stores Reports Strong Second Quarter Sales and Earnings Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised guidance: Fiscal 2026 EPS is now expected at $8.61-$8.77, well above the prior outlook and the approximately $7.31 analyst consensus cited in company guidance data. Third-quarter and fourth-quarter EPS forecasts also exceed consensus expectations. Ross Stores raises annual profit forecast again on discounted apparel demand
• Positive Sentiment: Momentum appears broad-based: Ross cited traffic gains, improved merchandising and store enhancements, while the CEO said the retailer is gaining market share from competitors. The company raised its fiscal 2026 store-opening plan to 115 locations after opening 47 during the quarter. ROST Q2 Earnings Call Highlights Momentum and Higher Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support strengthened: Robert W. Baird raised its price target from $250 to $270 and maintained an Outperform rating. Other analysts also increased forecasts following the earnings beat. Analysts boost forecasts on Ross Stores
• Neutral Sentiment: About $253 million of second-quarter operating income came from IEEPA tariff refunds, which may not recur and could make the earnings beat less representative of underlying profitability.
• Negative Sentiment: BTIG reiterated a Hold rating, citing ROST’s premium valuation despite strong execution. Recent insider activity also shows selling rather than purchases, although these transactions do not necessarily indicate a change in the business outlook. Analyst reiterates Hold on Ross Stores

Ross Stores Company Profile

Ross Stores, Inc (NASDAQ: ROST) is an American off‑price retailer headquartered in Dublin, California, that operates the Ross Dress for Less and dd’s DISCOUNTS store formats. The company sells a broad assortment of apparel, footwear, home fashions, accessories and other soft goods, positioning itself as a value-oriented destination for brand‑name and fashion merchandise at reduced prices.

Ross’s business model centers on opportunistic buying of excess inventory, closeouts, cancelled orders and overstocks from manufacturers, department stores and other suppliers.