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Ross Stores Raises Outlook After Blowout First Quarter

Stronger sales and wider margins show steady demand for discounted goods and free up cash for store growth plus a new quarterly dividend.

Overview

  • Ross reported first-quarter results that beat expectations, with revenue of $6.01 billion, comparable-store sales up 17%, and diluted EPS of $2.02, results the company released this week.
  • Management lifted full-year guidance to same-store sales growth of 6%–7% and EPS of $7.50–$7.74 from prior, higher targets that reflect the quarter’s momentum.
  • The board declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.445 per share payable June 30, marking a return of cash alongside the raised guidance.
  • Company leaders credited broad-based traffic gains, stronger transactions tied in part to tax refunds, and merchandise-margin improvement that pushed operating margin to 13.4%.
  • Ross plans roughly 110 net new store openings in fiscal 2026 and its stock jumped about 5%–7% on the news, a response that underscores investor confidence in off-price retail demand and margin leverage.