Kohl's Corporation (KSS)

In September 2025, S&P Global Ratings lowered Kohl's issuer credit rating to 'B+' from 'BB-'. In November 2025, Kohl's reported better-than-expected third-quarter earnings, leading to a stock surge, and Michael Bender was appointed as the permanent CEO. In December 2025, CFO Jill Timm sold shares, and analysts increased price targets. In February and March 2026, the stock experienced fluctuations due to market weakness and concerns about consumer spending.

Demand for Kohl's products is seasonal, with the fourth quarter being crucial due to the holiday shopping season. The company reported an improvement in comparable store sales in Q3 2025, its best result since 2021, and anticipates similar performance for the all-important Q4 2025 holiday season.

Kohl's Corporation operates as an omnichannel retailer in the United States, focusing on apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty products, and home products. They offer both national brands and private/exclusive brands through physical stores and e-commerce. The company aims to be a trusted retailer for families, providing an inspiring and easy shopping experience.

Kohl's has a substantial national presence with over 1,100 stores in 49 states, with approximately 80% of Americans living within a 15-mile radius of a store. They also operate nine distribution centers and four e-commerce fulfillment centers nationwide.

Kohl's brand reputation was negatively impacted by the ousting of its former CEO, Ashley Buchanan, for ethics violations. However, the company has a strong exclusive partnership with Sephora, which has been instrumental in driving new customer traffic to its stores.

Kohl's Corporation's ownership is primarily institutional, ranging from approximately 67.35% to 98.26%. Major institutional owners include BlackRock, Inc., Vanguard Group Inc, and Dimensional Fund Advisors Lp. Insider ownership typically ranges from 3.84% to 10.06%.