Kohl's (KSS)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $22.79 | Market Cap: $2.6 BilSector: Consumer Discretionary | Industry: Broadline Retail
Kohl's (KSS)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $22.79Market Cap: $2.6 BilSector: Consumer DiscretionaryIndustry: Broadline Retail
Investment Highlights
Why It Matters
Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?
1. Generates cash flow
The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.
2. Riding a trend
Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 37%, Dividend Yield is 15%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 32%, FCF Yield is 51% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -38%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -80% | Debt is significantNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 704% |
| Valuation becoming less expensiveP/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is -38% | Stock price has recently run up significantly6M Rtn6 month market price return is 189% | |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include E-commerce & Digital Retail, Experience Economy & Premiumization, and Sustainable Consumption. Themes include Online Marketplaces, Show more. | Weak revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -7.2%, Rev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is -5.6%, Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -5.0% | |
| Significant short interestShort Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 25% |
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 37%, Dividend Yield is 15%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 32%, FCF Yield is 51% |
| Valuation becoming less expensiveP/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is -38% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include E-commerce & Digital Retail, Experience Economy & Premiumization, and Sustainable Consumption. Themes include Online Marketplaces, Show more. |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -38%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -80% |
| Debt is significantNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 704% |
| Stock price has recently run up significantly6M Rtn6 month market price return is 189% |
| Weak revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -7.2%, Rev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is -5.6%, Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -5.0% |
| Significant short interestShort Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 25% |
Valuation, Metrics & Events
KSS Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
The public company Kohl's (KSS) experienced a significant positive movement in its stock price during the approximate time period from August 31, 2025, to early December 2025. This upward trend, which saw the stock rise by around 53.7% within the context of recent positive performance, can be attributed to several key factors.
1. Stronger-than-Expected Q3 2025 Earnings. Kohl's reported a surprise profit for its third quarter of 2025, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.10, significantly exceeding the forecasted loss of $0.18. Additionally, revenue of $3.4 billion surpassed expectations, leading to a substantial pre-market stock increase of 32.49% and a 43% gain on November 25, 2025.
2. Appointment of a Permanent CEO. The official appointment of Michael Bender as the permanent Chief Executive Officer after serving as interim CEO since May 1, 2025, boosted investor confidence. This move was perceived as providing a clear direction for the company's turnaround strategy and operational improvements.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| KSS Return | -17% | 24% | -46% | 24% | -46% | 82% | -32% |
| Peers Return | -1% | 103% | 1% | 13% | 9% | 23% | 208% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 112% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| KSS Win Rate | 58% | 50% | 33% | 50% | 33% | 60% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 47% | 58% | 35% | 45% | 48% | 44% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| KSS Max Drawdown | -77% | -5% | -49% | -27% | -47% | -56% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -42% | -5% | -24% | -16% | -11% | -18% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: HD, TJX, DDS, M, BGO. See KSS Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | KSS | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -71.8% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 254.1% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -77.4% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 342.7% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 311 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -46.0% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 85.2% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -68.3% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 215.8% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 2324 days | 1480 days |
Compare to HD, TJX, DDS, M, BGO
In The Past
Kohl's's stock fell -71.8% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 1/24/2022. A -71.8% loss requires a 254.1% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
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Asset Allocation
Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.
Latest Trefis Analyses
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to KSS. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11302025 | BBWI | Bath & Body Works | Dip Buy | DB | Insider Buys | Low D/EDip Buy with Strong Insider BuyingBuying dips for companies with strong insider buying in the last 1 month, positive operating income and reasonable debt / market cap | 6.8% | 6.8% | 0.0% |
| 11262025 | HRB | H&R Block | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.0% |
| 11262025 | LRN | Stride | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | -2.6% | -2.6% | -2.6% |
| 11212025 | ABNB | Airbnb | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 3.7% | 3.7% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | MTN | Vail Resorts | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 1.3% | 1.3% | -1.6% |
| 07312025 | KSS | Kohl's | Special | Short Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze PotentialHas potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt. | 129.7% | 129.7% | -1.0% |
| 01312025 | KSS | Kohl's | Special | Short Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze PotentialHas potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt. | -16.5% | 93.8% | -52.9% |
| 07312024 | KSS | Kohl's | Special | Short Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze PotentialHas potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt. | -35.4% | -45.4% | -69.5% |
| 01312024 | KSS | Kohl's | Special | Short Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze PotentialHas potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt. | -12.3% | -42.3% | -45.4% |
| 02282023 | KSS | Kohl's | Special | Short Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze PotentialHas potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt. | -0.6% | 9.0% | -34.4% |
| 07312022 | KSS | Kohl's | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 11.8% | 5.9% | -34.7% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11302025 | BBWI | Bath & Body Works | Dip Buy | DB | Insider Buys | Low D/EDip Buy with Strong Insider BuyingBuying dips for companies with strong insider buying in the last 1 month, positive operating income and reasonable debt / market cap | 6.8% | 6.8% | 0.0% |
| 11262025 | HRB | H&R Block | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.0% |
| 11262025 | LRN | Stride | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | -2.6% | -2.6% | -2.6% |
| 11212025 | ABNB | Airbnb | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 3.7% | 3.7% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | MTN | Vail Resorts | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 1.3% | 1.3% | -1.6% |
| 07312025 | KSS | Kohl's | Special | Short Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze PotentialHas potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt. | 129.7% | 129.7% | -1.0% |
| 01312025 | KSS | Kohl's | Special | Short Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze PotentialHas potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt. | -16.5% | 93.8% | -52.9% |
| 07312024 | KSS | Kohl's | Special | Short Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze PotentialHas potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt. | -35.4% | -45.4% | -69.5% |
| 01312024 | KSS | Kohl's | Special | Short Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze PotentialHas potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt. | -12.3% | -42.3% | -45.4% |
| 02282023 | KSS | Kohl's | Special | Short Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze PotentialHas potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt. | -0.6% | 9.0% | -34.4% |
| 07312022 | KSS | Kohl's | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 11.8% | 5.9% | -34.7% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for Kohl's
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 150.06 |
| Mkt Cap | 10.7 |
| Rev LTM | 22,702 |
| Op Inc LTM | 849 |
| FCF LTM | 771 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 749 |
| CFO LTM | 1,396 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 1,383 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | -2.4% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | -1.7% |
| Rev Chg Q | 1.4% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 0.3% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 10.9% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 10.7% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | -0.1% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 10.2% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 11.2% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 7.0% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 8.0% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 10.7 |
| P/S | 1.0 |
| P/EBIT | 8.8 |
| P/E | 11.3 |
| P/CFO | 7.6 |
| Total Yield | 15.2% |
| Dividend Yield | 6.2% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 10.6% |
| D/E | 0.2 |
| Net D/E | 0.2 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 12.6% |
| 3M Rtn | 22.4% |
| 6M Rtn | 71.6% |
| 12M Rtn | 43.3% |
| 3Y Rtn | 17.0% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | 12.7% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | 14.6% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | 56.9% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | 31.9% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -51.7% |
Comparison Analyses
Segment Financials
Revenue by Segment
| $ Mil | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's | 4,281 | 4,654 | 4,927 | 3,796 | 5,302 |
| Men's | 3,455 | 3,679 | 3,867 | 2,753 | 3,827 |
| Accessories (including Sephora) | 2,813 | 2,279 | 2,100 | 1,638 | 2,217 |
| Home | 2,533 | 2,791 | 3,344 | 3,381 | 3,249 |
| Children's | 2,060 | 2,176 | 2,435 | 2,082 | 2,460 |
| Footwear | 1,444 | 1,582 | 1,798 | 1,381 | 1,830 |
| Other revenue | 962 | 924 | 1,089 | ||
| Total | 16,586 | 17,161 | 19,433 | 15,955 | 19,974 |
Returns Analyses
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 7312025 | 9042025 | 10-Q 8/2/2025 |
| 4302025 | 6062025 | 10-Q 5/3/2025 |
| 1312025 | 3202025 | 10-K 2/1/2025 |
| 10312024 | 12052024 | 10-Q 11/2/2024 |
| 7312024 | 9052024 | 10-Q 8/3/2024 |
| 4302024 | 6062024 | 10-Q 5/4/2024 |
| 1312024 | 3212024 | 10-K 2/3/2024 |
| 10312023 | 11302023 | 10-Q 10/28/2023 |
| 7312023 | 8312023 | 10-Q 7/29/2023 |
| 4302023 | 6012023 | 10-Q 4/29/2023 |
| 1312023 | 3162023 | 10-K 1/28/2023 |
| 10312022 | 12012022 | 10-Q 10/29/2022 |
| 7312022 | 9012022 | 10-Q 7/30/2022 |
| 4302022 | 6022022 | 10-Q 4/30/2022 |
| 1312022 | 3172022 | 10-K 1/29/2022 |
| 10312021 | 12022021 | 10-Q 10/30/2021 |
External Quote Links
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| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |