Kohl’s (NYSE:KSS) Rating Increased to Strong-Buy at Zacks Research

Kohl’s (NYSE:KSS) was upgraded by investment analysts at Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a note issued to investors on Wednesday,Zacks.com reports.

KSS has been the topic of several other reports. Bank of America cut their price target on shares of Kohl’s from $15.00 to $14.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 29th. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on shares of Kohl’s from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday. Citigroup raised Kohl’s from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $14.00 to $22.00 in a report on Monday, June 1st. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “underweight” rating and set a $15.00 target price on shares of Kohl’s in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their target price on Kohl’s from $13.50 to $16.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, June 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Kohl’s currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $16.17.

Kohl’s Stock Performance

Shares of Kohl’s stock opened at $18.24 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. Kohl’s has a 52 week low of $11.38 and a 52 week high of $25.22. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $18.24 and its two-hundred day moving average is $16.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.96 and a beta of 1.40.

Kohl’s (NYSE:KSS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 26th. The company reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.70. Kohl’s had a net margin of 1.75% and a return on equity of 6.75%. The business had revenue of $3.52 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.32 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.56 EPS. The company’s revenue was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year. Kohl’s has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.800-2.400 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Kohl’s will post 1.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Kohl’s

In other news, EVP Jennifer J. Kent sold 22,942 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.00, for a total transaction of $458,840.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 234,452 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,689,040. This represents a 8.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders own 1.55% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kohl’s

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in KSS. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in Kohl’s by 233.9% during the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,666 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 1,167 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc increased its holdings in shares of Kohl’s by 3,777.6% in the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,900 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,851 shares during the period. Plato Investment Management Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Kohl’s in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in shares of Kohl’s by 164.7% during the fourth quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,102 shares of the company’s stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 1,308 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kohl’s during the fourth quarter worth approximately $45,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.04% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Kohl’s

Here are the key news stories impacting Kohl’s this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q2 earnings and guidance beat expectations: Kohl’s reported adjusted EPS of $1.28, well above estimates near $0.55–$0.58, while revenue of approximately $3.52 billion also exceeded forecasts. The company raised fiscal 2026 EPS guidance to $1.80–$2.40, versus consensus near $1.48, and provided revenue guidance above analysts’ expectations. KSS Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates on Margin Gains, Outlook Raised
• Positive Sentiment: Margins and liquidity improved: Gross-margin expansion, cost controls, inventory discipline and stronger liquidity supported profitability. Kohl’s also continues emphasizing proprietary brands and expense management, reinforcing the value case after the stock’s recent rebound. Kohl’s Q2 Earnings Beat Shifts Focus to Holiday Execution and Margins
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation offers support, but expectations are rising: Kohl’s trades at a relatively low earnings multiple, and analysts see potential if sales stabilize. However, the 15.6% three-month rally increases the need for convincing holiday-season execution. Telsey Advisory Group raised its price target to $18 but retained a “market perform” rating. Kohl’s Stock Is Up 15.6% in 3 Months: Is the Rebound Sustainable?
• Negative Sentiment: Sales remain the key concern: Net and comparable sales declined 0.9%, extending Kohl’s revenue-reduction streak as budget-conscious consumers prioritize essentials over discretionary merchandise. Investors also questioned whether the earnings beat reflected the underlying business or temporary benefits. Kohl’s Sales Dip As Consumers Prioritize Essentials
• Negative Sentiment: Tariff refunds may overstate the improvement: Approximately $150 million of tariff refunds materially boosted the quarter and outlook. Analysts warn that, excluding this benefit, earnings and gross-margin progress was more limited, while heavier fall promotions could pressure margins. Elevated leverage and Kohl’s large store base remain additional risks.

Kohl’s Company Profile

Kohl’s Corporation, founded in 1962 by Maxwell Kohl and headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, is a leading American department store retailer. The company operates approximately 1,100 stores across 49 states, offering a combination of value-oriented pricing, private-label brands and national labels. Since its initial public offering in 1992, Kohl’s has focused on broadening its product assortment and enhancing the in-store and online shopping experience.

The retailer’s merchandise portfolio spans apparel, footwear, accessories, and beauty products for women, men and children, as well as home goods, kitchenware and seasonal décor.