Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST) Position Lessened by Balefire LLC

Balefire LLC decreased its holdings in Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST - Free Report) by 78.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,409 shares of the apparel retailer's stock after selling 12,581 shares during the quarter. Balefire LLC's holdings in Ross Stores were worth $436,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in Ross Stores by 152.9% in the fourth quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 177 shares of the apparel retailer's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the period. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Ross Stores during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Putney Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ross Stores in the 4th quarter worth approximately $44,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ross Stores in the 4th quarter worth approximately $48,000. Finally, Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Ross Stores in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Institutional investors own 86.86% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other Ross Stores news, CMO Karen Fleming sold 5,270 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.70, for a total transaction of $672,979.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 93,126 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,892,190.20. This trade represents a 5.36% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Michael Balmuth sold 11,261 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.60, for a total value of $1,481,947.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 59,790 shares in the company, valued at $7,868,364. This represents a 15.85% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 21,567 shares of company stock worth $2,812,024. 2.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Ross Stores Trading Down 0.5%

ROST stock traded down $0.66 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $126.62. 4,159,960 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,784,749. Ross Stores, Inc. has a 52-week low of $122.36 and a 52-week high of $163.60. The stock's fifty day moving average is $140.18 and its 200-day moving average is $141.11. The company has a market cap of $41.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18.

Ross Stores (NASDAQ:ROST - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 22nd. The apparel retailer reported $1.47 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.03. Ross Stores had a net margin of 9.79% and a return on equity of 38.77%. The business had revenue of $4.98 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.94 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.46 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Ross Stores, Inc. will post 6.17 earnings per share for the current year.

Ross Stores Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 10th will be given a $0.405 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 10th. This represents a $1.62 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.28%. Ross Stores's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.59%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Ross Stores from $141.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, June 13th. Loop Capital dropped their price objective on Ross Stores from $175.00 to $170.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Ross Stores from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 23rd. Wall Street Zen lowered Ross Stores from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Ross Stores from $128.00 to $126.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 23rd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $159.53.

Ross Stores Company Profile

Ross Stores, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores under the Ross Dress for Less and dd's DISCOUNTS brand names in the United States. Its stores primarily offer apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions. The company's Ross Dress for Less stores sell its products at department and specialty stores to middle income households; and dd's DISCOUNTS stores sell its products at department and discount stores for households with moderate income.