ROST AI Stock Analysis – Buy, Hold, or Avoid?

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Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST)

$217.67+3.12 (+1.45%) today

Open
$214.80
High
$217.99
Low
$211.30
Volume
2.93M
Mkt Cap
$70.40B
52W High
$231.16
AI Verdict
Confidence 85%
ROSTRoss Stores, Inc.
AlphaCrew AI
HOLD
Overall
Summary

Ross Stores (ROST) is fundamentally strong with robust growth, high margins, and operational resilience, but its current valuation is elevated and limits near-term upside. Technicals are bullish and sentiment is positive, yet risk of valuation contraction and macro headwinds temper aggressive buying. The stock is best suited for patient investors or those seeking stable, defensive retail exposure.

By Timeframe
Hover for details
BUY
Short
HOLD
Medium
HOLD
Long
Agent Signals
131
Fund
Tech
Val
Sent
Risk

Fundamentals

Essentia
Essentia
Fundamental Analysis
NEUTRAL

Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST) is a leading off-price retailer with a history of strong execution and resilience across retail cycles. While current fundamentals and recent stock performance highlight robust growth and profitability, the present valuation appears elevated, warranting cautious optimism. Investors should consider both the company's operational strengths and the risks embedded at current price levels.

Financial Highlights

Q4 2024Q1 2025Q2 2025Q3 2025Q4 2025$0$2.0B$4.0B$6.0B$8.0BRevenue & Net Income ($)9%9.25%9.5%9.75%10%Net Margin (%)
  • Revenue
  • Net Income
  • Net Margin (%)

Revenue

$6.64B

12.23% YoY

Q4 2025

Net Income

$645.87M

10.07% YoY

Q4 2025

Net Margin

9.73%

Q4 2025

Growth Metrics

Revenue Growth YoY

12.23%

Latest Quarter: Q4 2025

Net Income Growth YoY

10.07%

Latest Quarter: Q4 2025

Revenue Per Share Growth YoY

14.44%

Latest Quarter: Q4 2025

EPS Growth YoY

12.22%

Latest Quarter: Q4 2025

Book Value Per Share Growth YoY

14.52%

Latest Quarter: Q4 2025

 Q4 2025Q3 2025Q2 2025Q1 2025Q4 2024Q3 2024Q2 2024Q1 2024
Revenue6.6B5.6B5.5B5.0B5.9B5.1B5.3B4.9B
Revenue Growth YoY+12.23%+10.44%+4.57%+2.61%-1.83%+2.97%+7.15%+8.08%
Net Income645.9M511.9M508.0M479.2M586.8M488.8M527.1M488.0M
Net Income Growth YoY+10.07%+4.73%-3.63%-1.79%-3.76%+9.27%+18.11%+31.47%
EPS$2.02$1.59$1.57$1.48$1.80$1.48$1.60$1.47
EPS Growth YoY+12.22%+7.43%-1.88%+0.68%-1.64%+10.45%+20.30%+33.64%

Profitability Metrics

Gross Margin

28.02%

TTM

Operating Margin

12.27%

TTM

Net Margin

9.73%

TTM

Return on Equity

36.70%

TTM

Return on Assets

13.80%

TTM

 Q4 2025Q3 2025Q2 2025Q1 2025Q4 2024Q3 2024Q2 2024Q1 2024
Gross Margin28.02%28.00%27.62%28.16%26.53%28.34%28.29%28.15%
Operating Margin12.27%11.58%11.54%12.17%12.36%11.91%12.47%12.17%
Net Margin9.73%9.14%9.19%9.61%9.92%9.64%9.97%10.04%
Return on Equity (ROE)10.44%8.70%8.86%8.59%10.65%9.29%10.27%9.86%
Return on Assets (ROA)4.15%3.32%3.50%3.35%3.94%3.28%3.59%3.37%

Technical Analysis

Candela
Candela
Technical Analysis
BULLISH

ROST is currently in a strong uptrend with price well above key moving averages and a golden cross in place, indicating sustained bullish momentum. RSI is neutral, suggesting no immediate overbought or oversold conditions, while the ADX points to a period of mild trend strength or consolidation within this overarching bullish environment. The stock is near its 52-week high, consolidating gains with incremental strength building in the advancing phase.

RSI
Hold
Neutral43

No extreme reading

03070100
Trend
Hold
Mixed

Mixed signals

+20.6% from 200 SMA
ADX
Hold
Weak/No Trend18

Range-bound market

Weak
MA Cross
Hold
Golden Cross

Watching for cross

50
200

Key Technical Values

Price
$217.67
50 SMA
$218.65
150 SMA
$191.44
200 SMA
$180.45
52W High
$231.16
52W Low
$124.49

Price with Moving Averages

50-day, 150-day and 200-day simple moving averages

Price
50 SMA
150 SMA
200 SMA

Relative Strength Index

Momentum oscillator measuring speed and magnitude of price changes

RSI (14)

≤30 Oversold
≥70 Overbought
43Neutral

Earnings

Essentia
Essentia
Fundamental Analysis
NEUTRAL

Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST) is a leading off-price retailer with a history of strong execution and resilience across retail cycles. While current fundamentals and recent stock performance highlight robust growth and profitability, the present valuation appears elevated, warranting cautious optimism. Investors should consider both the company's operational strengths and the risks embedded at current price levels.

Latest Earnings

Q4 2025 Earnings (Jan 31, 2026)

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Beat

Actual

$2.00

Estimated

$1.90

Surprise

+$0.10

Surprise %

+5.26%

Revenue

Beat

Actual

$6.64B

Estimated

$6.41B

Surprise

+$220.52M

Surprise %

+3.44%

Historical Earnings

 Q4 2025Q3 2025Q2 2025Q1 2025Q4 2024Q3 2024Q2 2024Q1 2024
Earnings Per Share
EPS (Actual)$2.00$1.58$1.56$1.47$1.79$1.48$1.59$1.46
EPS (Estimated)$1.90$1.42$1.53$1.44$1.66$1.41$1.50$1.35
EPS Surprise+$0.10+$0.16+$0.03+$0.03+$0.13+$0.07+$0.09+$0.11
% Diff+5.3%+11.3%+2.0%+2.1%+7.8%+5.0%+6.0%+8.1%
Revenue
Revenue (Actual)$6.64B$5.6B$5.53B$4.98B$5.91B$5.07B$5.29B$4.86B
Revenue (Estimated)$6.41B$5.42B$5.54B$4.96B$5.94B$5.15B$5.25B$4.83B
Revenue Surprise+$220.52M+$182.01M-$14.52M+$24.73M-$31.19M-$77.11M+$39.7M+$25.57M
% Diff+3.4%+3.4%-0.3%+0.5%-0.5%-1.5%+0.8%+0.5%

Valuation

Valorem
Valorem
Valuation Analysis
OVERVALUED

Ross Stores (ROST) currently trades at a premium valuation relative to its sector and historical norms, supported by solid financial health and steady earnings growth. While the stock’s valuation multiples suggest premium pricing, market consensus reflects mixed price targets with moderate upside potential, influenced by consistent revenue and profitability metrics.

Valuation Metrics

Price to Earnings

32.45

TTM

Price to Sales

3.09

TTM

Price to Book

11.25

TTM

Enterprise Value to EBITDA

19.82

TTM

Enterprise Value to Revenue

3.12

TTM

 Q4 2025Q3 2025Q2 2025Q1 2025Q4 2024Q3 2024Q2 2024Q1 2024
Price to Earnings23.3525.0721.8423.8120.9123.6321.9122.20
Price to Sales9.099.178.039.168.309.118.748.92
Price to Book9.758.737.748.198.918.789.008.76
Enterprise Value to EBITDA64.2053.6851.3360.9355.4961.5057.2358.31
Enterprise Value to Revenue9.189.378.259.408.469.398.969.16

Sentiment & Analyst Ratings

Pulse
Pulse
Sentiment Analysis
MIXED

Ross Stores (ROST) is currently viewed with moderately positive sentiment driven by strong recent financial results and strategic positioning in the off-price retail sector. Analyst consensus leans towards a "Moderate Buy" with price targets slightly mixed but generally supportive, while retail investors reflect optimism fueled by robust earnings and revenue growth. Despite some valuation concerns, the stock benefits from favorable industry trends and growing institutional interest.

Analyst Recommendations

As of May 1, 2026
Strong SellSellHoldBuyStrong Buy
Buy
3.8 / 5.0
Based on 18 analyst ratings
Strong Sell
0
Sell
1
Hold
3
Buy
12
Strong Buy
2

Risk Assessment

Sentinel
Sentinel
Risk Assessment
MODERATE

Ross Stores (ROST) presents a moderate financial risk profile with a stable liquidity position and manageable leverage, supported by consistent sales growth and operational resilience. The company faces sector-specific risks such as tariff volatility, rising labor costs, and competitive pressures but benefits from a strong off-price retail niche and regional market strength. While the valuation is modestly elevated, the firm's fundamentals and prudent capital management underpin a balanced risk perspective for investors.

Liquidity & Solvency

Current Ratio

1.58

Latest Quarter: Q4 2025

Quick Ratio

1.04

Latest Quarter: Q4 2025

Debt-to-Equity

0.84

Latest Quarter: Q4 2025

Debt-to-Assets

0.34

Latest Quarter: Q4 2025

 Q4 2025Q3 2025Q2 2025Q1 2025Q4 2024Q3 2024Q2 2024Q1 2024
Liquidity Metrics
Current Ratio1.581.521.581.551.621.571.561.54
Quick Ratio1.040.900.980.951.090.981.051.03
Solvency Metrics
Debt-to-Equity0.840.880.880.901.031.091.141.18
Debt-to-Assets0.340.340.350.350.380.380.400.40

Liquidity Assessment

Current Ratio: 1.58(Strong)

Quick Ratio: 1.04(Strong)

The company has strong liquidity with sufficient short-term assets to cover liabilities.

Solvency Assessment

Debt-to-Equity: 0.84(Moderate)

Debt-to-Assets: 0.34(Moderate)

The company maintains a balanced capital structure with manageable debt levels.

Frequently Asked Questions about ROST

AI Answers: Common Questions About ROST

Get AI-powered answers to the questions investors ask most about Ross Stores, Inc.

ROST is a fundamentally strong company, but with a P/E of 34.16 and EV/EBITDA well above sector averages, the stock is currently overvalued. Technicals support a tactical buy on a breakout above $231, but for long-term investors, waiting for a pullback or improved valuation is prudent.

There is no urgent reason to sell if you already own ROST, as fundamentals remain robust and technicals are bullish. However, if you are concerned about valuation risk or need to rebalance, trimming at current levels is reasonable given limited near-term upside.

The biggest risks are valuation contraction if growth slows, with a current P/E of 34.16 and debt-to-equity of 0.84. Rising labor costs, tariffs, and potential regional economic slowdowns (especially in key markets like California and the Sunbelt) could pressure margins and sales.

Near-term technical resistance is at $231.16, with support at $218 and $179. Analyst price targets cluster near current prices, suggesting limited upside unless a breakout occurs. A decisive move above $231 could open the path to new highs, but failure to break out may lead to a pullback toward support.

ROST is overvalued relative to both its sector and its own historical averages, with a P/E of 34.16 and high EV/EBITDA multiples. The premium is justified by strong fundamentals, but leaves little margin for error if growth slows.

ROST is fundamentally strong, with double-digit revenue and EPS growth, high and stable margins, a current ratio of 1.58, and disciplined capital allocation. Its business model is resilient, and return metrics (ROE high-teens to low-20%) are sector-leading.

Technicals are bullish: price is above all major moving averages, a golden cross is in place, and RSI is neutral at 54.7. The stock is consolidating near its 52-week high ($231.16); a breakout could trigger further upside, while support at $218 offers a favorable entry zone.

Key catalysts include upcoming earnings reports (which have recently beaten expectations), potential upward guidance revisions, and a technical breakout above $231.16. Watch for macroeconomic data on consumer spending and any changes in labor or tariff costs.

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