ROST AI Stock Analysis – Buy, Hold, or Avoid?
Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST)
Fundamentals
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
- Revenue
- Net Income
- Net Margin (%)
Revenue
20.57% YoY
Q1 2026
Net Income
35.62% YoY
Q1 2026
Net Margin
Q1 2026
Growth Metrics
Revenue Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Net Income Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Revenue Per Share Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
EPS Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Book Value Per Share Growth YoY
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
| Q1 2026 | Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 6.0B | 6.6B | 5.6B | 5.5B | 5.0B | 5.9B | 5.1B | 5.3B |
| Revenue Growth YoY | +20.57% | +12.23% | +10.44% | +4.57% | +2.61% | -1.83% | +2.97% | +7.15% |
| Net Income | 650.0M | 645.9M | 511.9M | 508.0M | 479.2M | 586.8M | 488.8M | 527.1M |
| 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
Technical Analysis
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
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)
Actual
$2.02
Estimated
$1.73
Surprise
+$0.29
Surprise %
+16.76%
Revenue
Actual
$6.01B
Estimated
$5.64B
Surprise
+$369.09M
Surprise %
+6.54%
Historical Earnings
| Q1 2026 | Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 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
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
TTM
Price to Sales
TTM
Price to Book
TTM
Enterprise Value to EBITDA
TTM
Enterprise Value to Revenue
TTM
| Q1 2026 | Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price to Earnings | 28.04 | 23.35 | 24.99 | 21.82 | 23.73 | 20.91 | 23.66 | 21.91 |
| Price to Sales | 12.14 | 9.09 | 9.17 | 8.03 | 9.16 | 8.30 | 9.11 | 8.74 |
| Price to Book | 11.58 | 9.75 | 8.73 | 7.74 | 8.19 | 8.91 | 8.78 | 9.00 |
| Enterprise Value to EBITDA | 75.26 | 61.97 | 53.68 | 51.33 | 60.93 | 55.49 | 61.50 | 57.23 |
| Enterprise Value to Revenue | 12.24 | 9.18 | 9.37 | 8.25 | 9.40 | 8.46 | 9.39 | 8.96 |
Sentiment & Analyst Ratings
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
Risk Assessment
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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