Ross Stores Company Profile (NASDAQ:ROST)

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

Ross Stores declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, August 16th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.16 per share on Friday, September 29th. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 6th. View Ross Stores' Dividend History.

Ross Stores declared that its board has initiated a share buyback program on Sunday, April 9th 2017, which allows the company to repurchase $1,750,000,000.00 in shares, according to EventVestor. This repurchase authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 6.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically an indication that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST) released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August, 17th. The company reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.05. The firm earned $3.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.37 billion. Ross Stores had a net margin of 8.77% and a return on equity of 42.56%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.71 EPS. View Ross Stores' Earnings History.

Ross Stores updated its fourth quarter earnings guidance on Thursday, August, 17th. The company provided EPS guidance of $0.88-0.92 for the period, compared to the Thomson Reuters consensus earnings per share estimate of $0.91. Ross Stores also updated its Q3 guidance to $0.64-0.67 EPS.

23 analysts have issued 1 year target prices for Ross Stores' shares. Their predictions range from $63.00 to $80.00. On average, they anticipate Ross Stores' stock price to reach $70.32 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." (8/8/2017)
• 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 July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totalling 14,993,749 shares, an increase of 14.4% from the July 14th total of 13,109,135 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 3,770,265 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.0 days. Approximately 3.9% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Some companies that are related to Ross Stores include L Brands (LB), Gap, Inc. (The) (GPS), Burberry Group plc (BRBY), Michael Kors Holdings Ltd (KORS), Foot Locker (FL), ASOS plc (ASC), Carter's (CRI), Urban Outfitters (URBN), American Eagle Outfitters (AEO), 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
• Brian R. Morrow, President and Chief Merchandising Officer, dd’s Discounts
• Barbara Rentler, Chief Executive Officer, Director
• Michael J. Hartshorn, Group Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
• Bernard Brautigan, President - Merchandising, Ross Dress for Less
• Lisa Panattoni, President - Merchandising, Ross Dress for Less
• John G. Call, Executive Vice President - Finance and Legal, Corporate Secretary
• Norman A. Ferber, Chairman Emeritus

Ross Stores' stock is owned by a variety of of retail and institutional investors. Top institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group Inc. (9.29%), FMR LLC (6.87%), BlackRock Inc. (6.81%), State Street Corp (4.54%), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (1.95%) and Principal Financial Group Inc. (1.67%). 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 FMR LLC, Frontier Capital Management Co. LLC, Lazard Asset Management LLC, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Prudential Financial Inc., NN Investment Partners Holdings N.V., Nationwide Fund Advisors and UBS Asset Management Americas Inc.. 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 purchased by a variety of institutional investors in the last quarter, including Flossbach Von Storch AG, Janus Henderson Group PLC, Alliancebernstein L.P., Renaissance Technologies LLC, Vanguard Group Inc., PGGM Investments, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership and Pioneer Investment Management Inc.. 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 $53.33.