Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST)

In the past six months, Ross Stores' stock reached a 52-week high of $159.47 in October 2025. In August 2025, the company released mixed Q2 results, with sales and earnings not taking as significant a hit as anticipated. In July 2025, Jefferies Financial Group Inc. upgraded the stock from a "Hold" to a "Buy" rating, raising its price target to $150. Insider selling has been reported, with insiders selling over $7.7 million in company stock in the past three months. Analysts have maintained a generally optimistic outlook, with Wells Fargo raising its price target to $180 in October 2025, and Citigroup raising its target to $171 in October 2025. In early 2025, the company flagged a "softening" in consumer demand, with comparable store sales remaining flat in Q1 2025 and a decrease in net income.

Ross Stores experiences demand seasonality influenced by various factors, including the holiday season, which typically sees increased comparable store sales. The company noted a "slower start to the spring selling season in February" in 2025. Early back-to-school and initial holiday purchases can boost summer sales. Customer traffic and demand are also influenced by advertising, brand recognition, store location, macroeconomic conditions, and unseasonable weather trends.

Ross Stores, Inc. operates within the Specialty Retail industry, selling excess inventory at discounted prices. Ross Dress for Less stores cater to middle-income households, while dd's DISCOUNTS stores offer more moderately-priced assortments for households with moderate incomes.

As of the end of 2023, Ross Stores operated 1,764 Ross Dress for Less stores across 43 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Guam, along with 345 dd's DISCOUNTS locations in 22 states. The company opened 40 new stores in September and October 2025, completing its fiscal 2025 store growth plans with a total of 90 new stores.

Ross Stores maintains a reputation as a thriving off-price retailer, known for offering strong values and attracting bargain-hunting shoppers. In early 2025, the brand faced challenges with softening consumer demand and a lower increase in customer visits at Ross Dress for Less stores when compared to competitors.

Institutional investors hold 86.86% of Ross Stores' stock, while insiders hold 2.20%. Major institutional owners include Jpmorgan Chase, holding 16.566 million shares (5.09% ownership), Price T Rowe Associates, with 12.976 million shares (3.99% ownership), and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares, holding 10.576 million shares (3.25% ownership).