Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Key Points

• Ross Stores, Inc. has received an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from 16 brokerages, with 12 analysts giving it a buy rating and 4 a hold rating.
• The company's shares are currently traded at about $150.95, with a 1-year price objective set at approximately $160.67 by analysts.
• Ross Stores recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.405 per share, with an annualized yield of 1.1%, payable on September 30th.

Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST - Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of "Moderate Buy" by the sixteen ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $160.6667.

Several brokerages recently weighed in on ROST. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Ross Stores from $128.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, August 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Ross Stores from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and raised their price target for the company from $135.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 2nd. Cowen reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Ross Stores in a research report on Friday, August 22nd. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Ross Stores from $144.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, August 22nd. Finally, Loop Capital cut their target price on shares of Ross Stores from $175.00 to $170.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 23rd.

Ross Stores Price Performance

Shares of ROST opened at $150.95 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $49.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $140.36 and a 200 day moving average of $137.77. Ross Stores has a twelve month low of $122.36 and a twelve month high of $158.69.

Ross Stores (NASDAQ:ROST - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 21st. The apparel retailer reported $1.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.54 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $5.53 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.54 billion. Ross Stores had a net margin of 9.60% and a return on equity of 37.37%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.59 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Ross Stores will post 6.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ross Stores Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 9th will be given a $0.405 dividend. This represents a $1.62 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 9th. Ross Stores's payout ratio is 25.71%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ross Stores

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ROST. Aspect Partners LLC grew its position in Ross Stores by 251.7% in the 2nd quarter. Aspect Partners LLC now owns 204 shares of the apparel retailer's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Ross Stores by 50.7% in the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 217 shares of the apparel retailer's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the period. Banque Transatlantique SA bought a new stake in Ross Stores in the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Ross Stores by 372.5% during the 1st quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 241 shares of the apparel retailer's stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tradewinds Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Ross Stores by 36.6% during the 1st quarter. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC now owns 280 shares of the apparel retailer's stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.86% of the company's stock.

About Ross Stores

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.

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