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

Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST)

Fundamentals

Essentia
Essentia
Fundamental Analysis
NEUTRAL

Ross Stores (ROST) demonstrates robust fundamental health, highlighted by consistent revenue and earnings growth, strong profitability, and a track record of beating earnings expectations. Its disciplined off-price retail model positions it well for ongoing expansion, though its valuation now reflects much of this strength. Near-term expectations remain positive, yet macro and competitive risks require careful monitoring.

Financial Highlights

Q1 2025Q2 2025Q3 2025Q4 2025Q1 2026$0$2.0B$4.0B$6.0B$8.0BRevenue & Net Income ($)9%9.5%10%10.5%11%Net Margin (%)
  • Revenue
  • Net Income
  • Net Margin (%)

Revenue

$6.01B

20.57% YoY

Q1 2026

Net Income

$649.96M

35.62% YoY

Q1 2026

Net Margin

10.81%

Q1 2026

Growth Metrics

Revenue Growth YoY

20.57%

Latest Quarter: Q1 2026

Net Income Growth YoY

35.62%

Latest Quarter: Q1 2026

Revenue Per Share Growth YoY

22.81%

Latest Quarter: Q1 2026

EPS Growth YoY

37.84%

Latest Quarter: Q1 2026

Book Value Per Share Growth YoY

15.16%

Latest Quarter: Q1 2026

 Q1 2026Q4 2025Q3 2025Q2 2025Q1 2025Q4 2024Q3 2024Q2 2024
Revenue6.0B6.6B5.6B5.5B5.0B5.9B5.1B5.3B
Revenue Growth YoY+20.57%+12.23%+10.44%+4.57%+2.61%-1.83%+2.97%+7.15%
Net Income650.0M645.9M511.9M508.0M479.2M586.8M488.8M527.1M
Net Income Growth YoY+35.62%+10.07%+4.73%-3.63%-1.79%-3.76%+9.27%+18.11%
EPS$2.04$2.02$1.59$1.57$1.48$1.80$1.48$1.60
EPS Growth YoY+37.84%+12.22%+7.43%-1.88%+0.68%-1.64%+10.45%+20.30%

Profitability Metrics

No profitability metrics available

Technical Analysis

Candela
Candela
Technical Analysis
BULLISH

ROST is currently in a strong advancing uptrend with price trading above key moving averages, supported by a golden cross. Momentum indicators such as RSI remain neutral, indicating no overbought or oversold extremes, while ADX suggests a weak trend strength, signaling potential range-bound conditions near current levels. The stock is positioned close to its 52-week high, showing resilience and institutional accumulation.

Earnings

Essentia
Essentia
Fundamental Analysis
NEUTRAL

Ross Stores (ROST) demonstrates robust fundamental health, highlighted by consistent revenue and earnings growth, strong profitability, and a track record of beating earnings expectations. Its disciplined off-price retail model positions it well for ongoing expansion, though its valuation now reflects much of this strength. Near-term expectations remain positive, yet macro and competitive risks require careful monitoring.

Latest Earnings

Q1 2026 Earnings (May 2, 2026)

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Beat

Actual

$2.02

Estimated

$1.73

Surprise

+$0.29

Surprise %

+16.76%

Revenue

Beat

Actual

$6.01B

Estimated

$5.64B

Surprise

+$369.09M

Surprise %

+6.54%

Historical Earnings

 Q1 2026Q4 2025Q3 2025Q2 2025Q1 2025Q4 2024Q3 2024Q2 2024
Earnings Per Share
EPS (Actual)$2.02$2.00$1.58$1.56$1.47$1.79$1.48$1.59
EPS (Estimated)$1.73$1.90$1.42$1.53$1.44$1.66$1.41$1.50
EPS Surprise+$0.29+$0.10+$0.16+$0.03+$0.03+$0.13+$0.07+$0.09
% Diff+16.8%+5.3%+11.3%+2.0%+2.1%+7.8%+5.0%+6.0%
Revenue
Revenue (Actual)$6.01B$6.64B$5.6B$5.53B$4.98B$5.91B$5.07B$5.29B
Revenue (Estimated)$5.64B$6.41B$5.42B$5.54B$4.96B$5.94B$5.15B$5.25B
Revenue Surprise+$369.09M+$220.52M+$182.01M-$14.52M+$24.73M-$31.19M-$77.11M+$39.7M
% Diff+6.5%+3.4%+3.4%-0.3%+0.5%-0.5%-1.5%+0.8%

Valuation

Valorem
Valorem
Valuation Analysis
FAIRLY VALUED

Ross Stores (ROST) currently trades at valuation multiples that are marginally higher than its historical averages and generally in line with key retail peers. Strong recent earnings growth, robust margins, and a positive growth outlook underpin a mild premium valuation, supported by a broad analyst consensus rating the stock as a moderate to strong buy with mid-term upside potential.

Valuation Metrics

Price to Earnings

31.72

TTM

Price to Sales

3.09

TTM

Price to Book

11.59

TTM

Enterprise Value to EBITDA

19.36

TTM

Enterprise Value to Revenue

3.12

TTM

 Q1 2026Q4 2025Q3 2025Q2 2025Q1 2025Q4 2024Q3 2024Q2 2024
Price to Earnings28.0423.3524.9921.8223.7320.9123.6621.91
Price to Sales12.149.099.178.039.168.309.118.74
Price to Book11.589.758.737.748.198.918.789.00
Enterprise Value to EBITDA75.2661.9753.6851.3360.9355.4961.5057.23
Enterprise Value to Revenue12.249.189.378.259.408.469.398.96

Sentiment & Analyst Ratings

Pulse
Pulse
Sentiment Analysis
POSITIVE

Ross Stores (ROST) is currently viewed positively across analysts and retail investors, bolstered by strong Q1 fiscal 2026 results, upgraded full-year guidance, and a robust share buyback program. News coverage highlights the company’s aggressive store expansion and solid earnings performance, while analyst consensus leans toward a moderate to strong buy, supporting a generally bullish outlook. Social media sentiment reflects optimism but with cautious undertones related to competitive pressures and potential macroeconomic risks.

Analyst Recommendations

As of Jun 1, 2026
Strong SellSellHoldBuyStrong Buy
Buy
3.8 / 5.0
Based on 20 analyst ratings
Strong Sell
1
Sell
0
Hold
4
Buy
13
Strong Buy
2

Risk Assessment

Sentinel
Sentinel
Risk Assessment
MODERATE

Ross Stores exhibits a solid financial foundation with notably strong liquidity metrics and manageable leverage, supporting its operational expansion plans. Despite a competitive retail landscape and macroeconomic pressures such as rising labor costs and tariffs, the company's resilient off-price model and strong sales growth underpin moderate financial risks. However, risks from inventory shrinkage, rising costs, and competitive shifts necessitate cautious monitoring from an investor perspective.

Liquidity & Solvency

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 with accelerating revenue (Q1 2026 up 20.6% YoY) and EPS (up 38% YoY), but trades at a P/E of 32.56, above its 10-year median and sector average. While long-term prospects are attractive, the current price near $233 is close to resistance and may limit near-term upside. Consider waiting for a pullback or a technical breakout before buying aggressively.

If you hold ROST, fundamentals remain robust and technicals do not show signs of a major reversal. However, with the stock near all-time highs and valuation elevated, trimming positions or taking profits on over-allocations may be prudent, especially if you are risk-averse or need liquidity. Otherwise, holding for long-term growth is justified.

Key risks include margin pressure from rising labor and tariff costs, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75 and debt-to-assets near 30%. Inventory shrinkage and competitive threats could erode profitability, while a downturn in U.S. discretionary spending would hit sales and earnings. Liquidity remains strong (current ratio >1.5), but sector volatility is a factor.

Technical resistance is at $242.81 (52-week high), with upside potential to $250 if a breakout occurs. Downside support is at $226 (50 SMA) and $191 (200 SMA). Analyst price targets are generally optimistic, but near-term consolidation is likely unless a catalyst drives a breakout.

ROST is fairly valued: its P/E of 32.56 and elevated EV/EBITDA reflect a premium for growth and margin leadership, but are not excessive relative to peers like TJX. The premium is justified by recent 20%+ revenue growth and high ROE (~38%), but leaves less margin of safety for new buyers.

ROST is fundamentally strong, with gross margin near 30%, net margin above 10%, and consistent double-digit EPS growth. The balance sheet is healthy, with a current ratio above 1.5 and manageable leverage, supporting ongoing expansion and buybacks.

Technicals are bullish but show signs of consolidation: price is above all major SMAs with a golden cross, RSI is neutral at 54, and ADX below 20 suggests weak trend strength. Watch for a breakout above $243 or a pullback to $226 for better entry points.

Key catalysts include upcoming earnings reports (watch for continued EPS and sales beats), execution of the 110 planned new store openings in 2026, and progress on digital/omnichannel initiatives. Macro events such as shifts in consumer spending or inflation trends could also impact the stock.

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