Ross Stores Company Profile (NASDAQ:ROST)

Ross Stores trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "ROST."

Ross Stores announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, May 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 6th will be paid a dividend of $0.16 per share on Friday, June 30th. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.18%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 2nd. View Ross Stores' Dividend History.

Ross Stores declared that its board has authorized a share repurchase program on Sunday, April 9th 2017, which allows the company to repurchase $1,750,000,000.00 in outstanding shares, according to EventVestor. This repurchase authorization allows the company to buy up to 6.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually a sign that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST) announced its earnings results on Thursday, May, 18th. The company reported $0.82 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.80 by $0.02. The company earned $3.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.27 billion. Ross Stores had a return on equity of 42.56% and a net margin of 8.77%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.73 earnings per share. View Ross Stores' Earnings History.

Ross Stores is scheduled to release their next quarterly earnings announcement on Thursday, August, 17th 2017. View Earnings Estimates for Ross Stores.

Ross Stores updated its FY18 earnings guidance on Thursday, May, 18th. The company provided EPS guidance of $3.07-3.17 for the period, compared to the Thomson Reuters consensus earnings per share estimate of $3.15. Ross Stores also updated its Q2 guidance to $0.73-0.76 EPS.

23 equities research analysts have issued 12 month price targets for Ross Stores' stock. Their forecasts range from $60.00 to $80.00. On average, they expect Ross Stores' share price to reach $70.11 in the next year. View Analyst Ratings for Ross Stores.

Here are some recent quotes from research analysts about Ross Stores stock:

• 1. According to Zacks Investment Research, "Ross Stores has outperformed the broader industry in the past one year, given its positive record of earnings surprises in recent quarters. Notably, the company has recorded earnings beat in 11 of the past 12 quarters. Strong earnings trend stemmed from the favorable response of value-focused customers to Ross Stores’ extensive collection of brand bargains and solid cost controls. Moreover, its solid financial status, ongoing merchandise initiatives and consistent focus on-store expansion bode well. Further, the company provided an encouraging outlook for the second quarter and raised fiscal 2017 earnings per share view. However, the company expects to face challenges related to strong year-over-year earnings and sales comparisons amid macroeconomic uncertainty and a volatile retail landscape. Further, threats of stiff competition and cannibalization remain. Estimates have been stable ahead of the second quarter earnings release." (7/12/2017)
• 2. BMO Capital Markets analysts commented, "ROST reported a solid 4Q, with slightly conservative guidance citing macro and geopolitical uncertainties. We view ROST's strong quarter as a positive readthrough for BURL (OP, $96 PT), which reports 4Q earnings on March 2, as ROST reported a better-than-expected comp, and strong merch margin gains. Although we continue to like ROST's earnings profile, we believe the stock is fairly valued at our price target of $72, and therefore do not see much upside to the shares. We continue to rate the shares as Market Perform." (3/1/2017)
• 3. Instinet analysts commented, "Showing the strength of its business model despite the many conversations around a secularly challenged retail environment, ROST posted yet another beat, continuing to highlight the power of the off price model in the new norm of retail. And although we recognize we may never again be able to justify a PEG ratio as its val'n tacks on a "consistency premium," against what appears to be yet another conservative guide for 1Q/FY17, we reiterate our Buy rating. FY17E EPS at $3.19; FY18E EPS at $3.51." (3/1/2017)
• 4. Wedbush analysts commented, "Another strong quarter with guidance leaving room for steady beats/raises throughout 2017. We retain our favorable view of ROST post-4Q earnings, as the company delivered an impressive +4% SSS increase, strong gross margin rates, and upside to EPS. From here, we expect secular market share gains at the expense of weaker full price retailers to continue throughout 2017, and we view easy 1Q17 comparisons as a likely catalyst for upside to near-term earnings expectations." (3/1/2017)
• 5. Jefferies Group LLC analysts commented, "A strong 4Q solidified an impressive FY'17. The outlook for F'18 feels a bit conservative with management acknowledging a difficult retail environment. We view the increasingly value-oriented consumer as a tailwind for ROST, but acknowledge rising wages, challenging compares, and valuation as headwinds. Reiterate Hold. PT to $63." (3/1/2017)

Ross Stores saw a increase in short interest in the month of June. As of June 15th, there was short interest totalling 12,305,331 shares, an increase of 16.1% from the May 31st total of 10,598,357 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,741,857 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.5 days. Approximately 3.2% of the company's shares are short sold.

Some companies that are related to Ross Stores include L Brands (LB), Gap, Inc. (The) (GPS), Burberry Group plc (BRBY), Foot Locker (FL), Michael Kors Holdings Limited (KORS), ASOS plc (ASC), Carter's (CRI), American Eagle Outfitters (AEO), Urban Outfitters (URBN), Ted Baker plc (TED), Guess? (GES), N Brown Group plc (BWNG), Buckle, Inc. (The) (BKE), Abercrombie & Fitch Company (ANF), Genesco (GCO), Express (EXPR), Lands' End (LE) and Ascena Retail Group (ASNA).

Ross Stores' management team includes the folowing people:

• Michael Balmuth, Executive Chairman of the Board
• Michael B. O'Sullivan, President, Chief Operating Officer, Director
• James S. Fassio, President, Chief Development Officer
• Barbara Rentler, Chief Executive Officer, Director
• Billy J. Edwards, Chief Financial Officer
• Bernard Brautigan, President - Merchandising, Ross Dress for Less
• Brian R. Morrow, President and Chief Merchandising Officer, dd’s DISCOUNTS
• Lisa Panattoni, President - Merchandising, Ross Dress for Less
• John G. Call, Executive Vice President - Finance and Legal, Corporate Secretary
• Michael J. Hartshorn, Group Senior Vice President

Ross Stores' stock is owned by a number of of institutional and retail investors. Top institutional investors include Alecta Pensionsforsakring Omsesidigt (1.13%), Fenimore Asset Management Inc. (0.38%), APG Asset Management N.V. (0.27%), BTIM Corp. (0.24%), Forsta AP Fonden (0.14%) and First Quadrant L P CA (0.12%). Company insiders that own Ross Stores stock include Barbara Rentler, Bernard G Brautigan, Brian R Morrow, George Orban, Gregory L Quesnel, James S Fassio, John G Call, Lisa R Panattoni, Michael Balmuth, Michael J Bush, Michael J Hartshorn, Sharon D Garrett and Sullivan Michael B O. View Institutional Ownership Trends for Ross Stores.

Ross Stores' stock was sold by a variety of institutional investors in the last quarter, including NN Investment Partners Holdings N.V., Forsta AP Fonden, Aperio Group LLC, Mandatum Life Insurance Co Ltd, Copeland Capital Management LLC, BTIM Corp., Exxonmobil Investment Management Inc. TX and Huntington National Bank. Company insiders that have sold Ross Stores stock in the last year include Barbara Rentler, Bernard G Brautigan, Brian R Morrow, Gregory L Quesnel, James S Fassio, John G Call, Lisa R Panattoni, Michael Balmuth, Michael J Bush, Michael J Hartshorn and Sharon D Garrett. View Insider Buying and Selling for Ross Stores.

Ross Stores' stock was acquired by a variety of institutional investors in the last quarter, including Confluence Investment Management LLC, First Quadrant L P CA, Alecta Pensionsforsakring Omsesidigt, Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V., Bank of Montreal Can, Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd., Bedrijfstakpensioenfonds Voor DE Media PNO and National Pension Service. View Insider Buying and Selling for Ross Stores.

Shares of Ross Stores can be purchased through any online brokerage account. Popular online brokerages include Vanguard Brokerage Services, TD Ameritrade, E*TRADE, Scottrade, Fidelity and Charles Schwab.

One share of Ross Stores stock can currently be purchased for approximately $54.31.