ROST AI Stock Analysis – Buy, Hold, or Avoid?
Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST)
Fundamentals
Ross Stores, Inc. exhibits solid fundamental strength with consistent revenue and earnings growth supported by steady margin expansion. The company maintains robust profitability metrics and has surpassed earnings expectations in recent quarters, reflecting effective operational management and resilience in the discount retail sector.
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
Ross Stores (ROST) is currently in a strong uptrend supported by bullish moving average positions and an ADX indicating a strong trend. The stock is close to its 52-week high and shows positive momentum with an RSI in neutral territory but near overbought levels. Technical signals and analyst consensus suggest a generally bullish trading outlook with potential resistance near $255-$256 and support around $253 and $230 levels.
Watch for pullback
Price in uptrend
Strong trend active
50 above 200 - bullish
Key Technical Values
Price with Moving Averages
50-day, 150-day and 200-day simple moving averages
Relative Strength Index
Momentum oscillator measuring speed and magnitude of price changes
RSI (14)
Earnings
Ross Stores, Inc. exhibits solid fundamental strength with consistent revenue and earnings growth supported by steady margin expansion. The company maintains robust profitability metrics and has surpassed earnings expectations in recent quarters, reflecting effective operational management and resilience in the discount retail sector.
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) is trading at elevated valuation multiples compared to its historical averages and industry peers, reflecting market optimism about its growth and strong financial performance. Despite solid revenue and earnings growth, the current premium valuation warrants cautious interpretation given macroeconomic risks and sector challenges. Analyst sentiment is generally positive, albeit with some concerns about limited upside due to stretched multiples.
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) exhibits broadly positive market sentiment driven by strong recent financial performance, favorable analyst ratings, and growing social media traction. Analysts overwhelmingly recommend buying the stock, reflecting confidence in earnings growth and market positioning, although some caution arises from valuation concerns relative to historical norms. The retail investor mood aligns positively, buoyed by recent price gains and increased media attention.
Analyst Recommendations
Risk Assessment
Ross Stores (ROST) exhibits a solid financial profile with strong liquidity and manageable leverage, supported by robust recent sales growth and earnings expansion. However, valuation appears stretched relative to intrinsic value, and the company faces risks from competitive pressures, rising labor costs, and macroeconomic volatility. While market sentiment is generally positive, downside risks from sector competition and economic downturns warrant caution for investors.
Liquidity & Solvency
Current Ratio
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Quick Ratio
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Debt-to-Equity
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
Debt-to-Assets
Latest Quarter: Q1 2026
| Q1 2026 | Q4 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquidity Metrics | ||||||||
| Current Ratio | 1.54 | 1.58 | 1.52 | 1.58 | 1.55 | 1.62 | 1.57 | 1.56 |
| Quick Ratio | 0.94 | 1.04 | 0.90 | 0.98 | 0.95 | 1.09 | 0.98 | 1.05 |
| Solvency Metrics | ||||||||
| Debt-to-Equity | 0.75 | 0.84 | 0.88 | 0.88 | 0.90 | 1.03 | 1.09 | 1.14 |
| Debt-to-Assets | 0.30 | 0.34 | 0.34 | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.38 | 0.38 | 0.40 |
Liquidity Assessment
Current Ratio: 1.54(Strong)
Quick Ratio: 0.94(Adequate)
The company has adequate liquidity but may face challenges in a downturn.
Solvency Assessment
Debt-to-Equity: 0.75(Moderate)
Debt-to-Assets: 0.30(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.
Yes, Ross Stores is a good buy given its consistent 7.6% revenue growth, improving margins near 30%, and recent EPS beats (2.02 vs 1.73). Technical momentum and positive analyst sentiment further support buying opportunities.
Selling is not recommended currently as fundamentals remain strong, technicals show bullish trends, and sentiment is positive. However, investors should monitor for valuation-driven pullbacks or macroeconomic downturns.
Key risks include macroeconomic downturns reducing consumer spending, increased competition from e-commerce and discount retailers, and supply chain or labor cost pressures that could compress margins.
Analyst price targets range from $230 up to $290, with immediate resistance near $255-$256 and extended upside potential if momentum continues.
The stock trades at a high P/E of approximately 35x, above sector averages (~27x), reflecting a premium valuation justified by growth and profitability but requiring sustained performance to maintain.
Ross Stores shows solid fundamentals with steady revenue growth, margin expansion (gross margin near 30%, operating margin 13.4%), and strong earnings quality with EPS growth and consistent beats.
Technically, ROST is in a strong uptrend with bullish moving averages, RSI near 70 indicating strong momentum, and MACD positive. Support levels at $253 and $230 provide entry points; resistance near $255-$256 is key to watch.
Catalysts include continued strong quarterly earnings, geographic expansion, digital channel growth, and positive analyst upgrades driving sentiment and price appreciation.
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