Ross vs Target

Ross Stores Inc. vs Target Corp. This page compares business models, financial performance, and market context for the two retailers, outlining how each operates, their strategic focus, and their roles within the wider consumer landscape. Educational content, not financial advice.

Ross Stores Inc. vs Target Corp. This page compares business models, financial performance, and market context for the two retailers, outlining how each operates, their strategic focus, and their role...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

ROST

Metric

TGT

$61.49B

Market Cap

$49.60B

0.17%

Potential Profit

-12.70%

Buy

Analyst Rating

Hold

Why It's Moving

Ross Stores Hits Record High as Earnings Beat Streak and Leadership Shift Fuel Momentum.

Q3 comps surged 7% with EPS of $1.58 beating estimates by 12.86%, signaling robust consumer demand for bargain apparel and home goods.
Zacks flags +3.09% Earnings ESP and Rank #2 (Buy) ahead of next report, highlighting potential for another beat after recent 7.74% average surprise.
Board Chair Michael Balmuth stepped down January 31 with new leadership eyeing store expansions, self-checkout rollouts, and comps growth of 4-7%.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Target Ushers in New Era with CEO Shift, Aggressive Store Expansion, and Wellness Push

New CEO Michael Fiddelke, former COO, takes helm to tackle ongoing challenges after years of lagging performance, with revenue and net income peaking in 2022.
Announced 30 new stores and $1 billion extra investment in 2026, boosting total capex to $5 billion to fuel physical footprint growth.
Wellness category surges 30% with thousands of under-$10 items, over 1,000 new apparel pieces, plus record spring beauty assortment of nearly 3,000 products to capture everyday demand.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Ross Stores Hits Record High as Earnings Beat Streak and Leadership Shift Fuel Momentum.

Q3 comps surged 7% with EPS of $1.58 beating estimates by 12.86%, signaling robust consumer demand for bargain apparel and home goods.
Zacks flags +3.09% Earnings ESP and Rank #2 (Buy) ahead of next report, highlighting potential for another beat after recent 7.74% average surprise.
Board Chair Michael Balmuth stepped down January 31 with new leadership eyeing store expansions, self-checkout rollouts, and comps growth of 4-7%.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Target Ushers in New Era with CEO Shift, Aggressive Store Expansion, and Wellness Push

New CEO Michael Fiddelke, former COO, takes helm to tackle ongoing challenges after years of lagging performance, with revenue and net income peaking in 2022.
Announced 30 new stores and $1 billion extra investment in 2026, boosting total capex to $5 billion to fuel physical footprint growth.
Wellness category surges 30% with thousands of under-$10 items, over 1,000 new apparel pieces, plus record spring beauty assortment of nearly 3,000 products to capture everyday demand.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Investment Analysis

Ross

ROST

Pros

Ross Stores achieved revenue growth of around 4.6% year-over-year in Q2 2025, exceeding Wall Street expectations with $5.53 billion in sales.
The company operates a unique off-price retail model that allows purchasing excess inventory from department stores at steep discounts, supporting competitive pricing.
Several major institutional investors increased stakes in Ross in 2025, indicating some confidence in its long-term value.

Considerations

Ross's earnings per share are forecasted to decline slightly in 2025, impacted by rising distribution costs and tariffs which may continue to pressure margins.
Key insiders, including the CEO and CMO, recently sold shares, signaling possible short-term uncertainty within management.
Ross Stores trades at a premium valuation with a forward P/E of about 25.7 and PEG ratio above industry average, raising concerns about valuation sustainability.

Target

TGT

Pros

Target has a broad and diverse product offering across multiple categories, supporting steady customer traffic and sales resilience.
The company has focused on enhancing its digital and supply chain capabilities, helping sustain growth amid changing retail dynamics.
Target's strong brand recognition and loyal customer base provide a competitive moat in the US retail market.

Considerations

Target faces margin pressure due to inflationary cost pressures and supply chain disruptions impacting profitability.
The retailer’s performance can be cyclical and sensitive to macroeconomic factors such as consumer spending trends and economic downturns.
Recent increased investments in promotions and price competitiveness may weigh on near-term earnings and cash flow.

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