Tearsheet

Kohl's (KSS)


Market Price (11/13/2025): $18.04 | Market Cap: $2.0 Bil
Sector: Consumer Discretionary | Industry: Broadline Retail

Kohl's (KSS)


Market Price (11/13/2025): $18.04
Market Cap: $2.0 Bil
Sector: Consumer Discretionary
Industry: 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


0 Attractive yield
Total YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 17%, Dividend Yield is 6.9%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 13%, FCF Yield is 24%
Trading close to highs
Dist 52W High is 0.0%
Debt is significant
Net D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 330%
1 Valuation becoming less expensive
P/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is -38%
Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -68%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -94%
Stock price has recently run up significantly
6M Rtn6 month market price return is 127%
2 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include E-commerce & Digital Retail, Experience Economy & Premiumization, and Sustainable Consumption. Themes include Online Marketplaces, Show more.
  Weak revenue growth
Rev 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%
3   Significant short interest
Short 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 26%
0 Attractive yield
Total YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 17%, Dividend Yield is 6.9%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 13%, FCF Yield is 24%
1 Valuation becoming less expensive
P/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is -38%
2 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include E-commerce & Digital Retail, Experience Economy & Premiumization, and Sustainable Consumption. Themes include Online Marketplaces, Show more.
3 Trading close to highs
Dist 52W High is 0.0%
4 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -68%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -94%
5 Debt is significant
Net D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 330%
6 Stock price has recently run up significantly
6M Rtn6 month market price return is 127%
7 Weak revenue growth
Rev 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%
8 Significant short interest
Short 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 26%

Market Valuation & Key Metrics

KSS Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

**1. Stronger-than-expected Q2 2025 Earnings and Optimistic FY25 Outlook.** Kohl's stock experienced a significant surge following its second-quarter 2025 earnings report and an enhanced profitability outlook for the full fiscal year 2025. The company's stock value reportedly "doubled over the past 90 days" leading up to September 17, 2025, with a 7.2% single-day rise.

**2. Strategic Business Expansions and Back-to-School Performance.** Leading into the specified period, by July 22, 2025, Kohl's stock was observed to be "trending up by 26.92%" due to "strategic partnerships and optimistic analyst forecasts." Key drivers included "strategic expansions into coupon-eligible brands" and "notable advances in back-to-college essentials," indicating strong consumer engagement and effective market positioning.

**3. Resolution of CEO Transition and Better-than-Expected Q1 Results.** The firing of CEO Ashley Buchanan "for cause" on May 1, 2025, followed by the announcement of a smaller-than-expected Q1 2025 loss on May 29, 2025, likely removed a significant leadership uncertainty and corporate governance concern. This positive resolution, occurring just before the specified period, could have contributed to renewed investor confidence and a sustained upward trend in the stock.

**4. Improved Inventory Management and Cost Control.** Kohl's Q2 2025 results highlighted an improved gross margin by 30 basis points due to "category mix benefits and strong inventory management." Additionally, SG&A (selling, general & administrative) expenses decreased by 4.1%, reflecting "disciplined cost management." These operational efficiencies contributed to better-than-expected earnings, positively impacting stock performance.

**5. Shifting Analyst Sentiment and Ratings.** While analyst consensus ratings for Kohl's (KSS) showed a mixed outlook by November 13, 2025, there was an indication of improving sentiment. For instance, 8% of analysts recommended a "Strong Buy," and 46% suggested "Holding," with one analyst upgrade over the previous 90 days, contributing to a more positive perception of the stock's future.

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Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
KSS Return-17%24%-46%24%-46%33%-51%
Peers Return-1%103%1%13%9%17%194%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%16%112%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
KSS Win Rate58%50%33%50%33%60% 
Peers Win Rate47%58%35%45%48%54% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%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, BBBY. 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 11/12/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventKSSS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-71.8%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven254.1%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-77.4%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven342.7%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven311 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-46.0%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven85.2%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days120 days
2008 Global Financial Crisis2008 Global Financial Crisis  
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Loss% Loss-68.3%-56.8%
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven215.8%131.3%
2008 Global Financial CrisisTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven2324 days1480 days

Compare to HD, TJX, DDS, M, BBBY


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

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.

Asset Allocation

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About Kohl's (KSS)

Better Bets than Kohl's (KSS)

Latest Trefis Analyses

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to KSS. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
LRN_10312025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy10312025LRNStrideDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
-2.1%-2.1%-4.2%
DECK_10312025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE10312025DECKDeckers OutdoorDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
1.5%1.5%-2.4%
ATGE_10312025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%10312025ATGEAdtalem Global EducationQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
-1.5%-1.5%-5.9%
GNTX_10242025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield10242025GNTXGentexDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
-1.4%-1.4%-2.5%
LNW_10172025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield10172025LNWLight & WonderDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
17.6%17.6%-6.2%
KSS_7312025_Short_Squeeze07312025KSSKohl'sSpecialShort Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze Potential
Has potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt.
67.1%67.1%-1.0%
KSS_1312025_Short_Squeeze01312025KSSKohl'sSpecialShort Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze Potential
Has potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt.
-16.5%41.1%-52.9%
KSS_7312024_Short_Squeeze07312024KSSKohl'sSpecialShort Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze Potential
Has potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt.
-35.4%-45.4%-69.5%
KSS_1312024_Short_Squeeze01312024KSSKohl'sSpecialShort Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze Potential
Has potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt.
-12.3%-42.3%-45.4%
KSS_2282023_Short_Squeeze02282023KSSKohl'sSpecialShort Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze Potential
Has potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt.
-0.6%9.0%-34.4%
KSS_7312022_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG07312022KSSKohl'sDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
11.8%5.9%-34.7%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
LRN_10312025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy10312025LRNStrideDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
-2.1%-2.1%-4.2%
DECK_10312025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE10312025DECKDeckers OutdoorDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
1.5%1.5%-2.4%
ATGE_10312025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%10312025ATGEAdtalem Global EducationQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
-1.5%-1.5%-5.9%
GNTX_10242025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield10242025GNTXGentexDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
-1.4%-1.4%-2.5%
LNW_10172025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield10172025LNWLight & WonderDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
17.6%17.6%-6.2%
KSS_7312025_Short_Squeeze07312025KSSKohl'sSpecialShort Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze Potential
Has potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt.
67.1%67.1%-1.0%
KSS_1312025_Short_Squeeze01312025KSSKohl'sSpecialShort Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze Potential
Has potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt.
-16.5%41.1%-52.9%
KSS_7312024_Short_Squeeze07312024KSSKohl'sSpecialShort Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze Potential
Has potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt.
-35.4%-45.4%-69.5%
KSS_1312024_Short_Squeeze01312024KSSKohl'sSpecialShort Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze Potential
Has potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt.
-12.3%-42.3%-45.4%
KSS_2282023_Short_Squeeze02282023KSSKohl'sSpecialShort Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze Potential
Has potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt.
-0.6%9.0%-34.4%
KSS_7312022_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG07312022KSSKohl'sDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
11.8%5.9%-34.7%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Kohl's

Financials

KSSHDTJXDDSMBBBYMedian
NameKohl's Home Dep.TJX Comp.Dillard'sMacy's Bed Bath. 
Mkt Price18.06371.13147.21605.9620.586.7683.89
Mkt Cap2.0368.2164.19.55.60.47.5
Rev LTM15,886165,05457,9256,58622,7021,07419,294
Op Inc LTM52121,6016,476716849-105782
FCF LTM48014,2304,041771603-95687
FCF 3Y Avg54315,7594,358749406-121646
CFO LTM90717,8725,9358581,396-721,152
CFO 3Y Avg1,05019,1286,1458621,383-911,217

Growth & Margins

KSSHDTJXDDSMBBBYMedian
NameKohl's Home Dep.TJX Comp.Dillard'sMacy's Bed Bath. 
Rev Chg LTM-7.2%8.5%4.1%-2.4%-3.4%-27.2%-2.9%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg-5.6%2.2%5.3%-1.7%-4.5%-20.0%-3.1%
Rev Chg Q-5.0%4.9%6.9%1.4%-1.9%-17.4%-0.2%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM-1.2%1.3%1.6%0.3%-0.4%-4.8%-0.1%
Op Mgn LTM3.3%13.1%11.2%10.9%3.7%-9.8%7.3%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg2.7%14.0%10.7%12.5%4.6%-9.3%7.7%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM0.0%-0.2%0.2%-0.1%-0.1%2.4%-0.1%
CFO/Rev LTM5.7%10.8%10.2%13.0%6.1%-6.7%8.2%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg6.2%12.2%11.2%12.7%5.9%-6.7%8.7%
FCF/Rev LTM3.0%8.6%7.0%11.7%2.7%-8.9%5.0%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg3.2%10.1%8.0%11.1%1.7%-8.9%5.6%

Valuation

KSSHDTJXDDSMBBBYMedian
NameKohl's Home Dep.TJX Comp.Dillard'sMacy's Bed Bath. 
Mkt Cap2.0368.2164.19.55.60.47.5
P/S0.12.22.81.40.20.40.9
P/EBIT3.617.024.512.77.4-2.410.0
P/E9.725.233.016.411.3-2.813.9
P/CFO2.220.627.711.04.0-5.77.5
Total Yield17.2%6.4%4.1%10.4%12.4%-35.6%8.4%
Dividend Yield6.9%2.5%1.1%4.4%3.5%0.0%3.0%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg31.9%4.7%3.7%12.3%10.6%-10.6%
D/E3.40.20.10.11.00.10.1
Net D/E3.30.20.1-0.10.8-0.30.1

Returns

KSSHDTJXDDSMBBBYMedian
NameKohl's Home Dep.TJX Comp.Dillard'sMacy's Bed Bath. 
1M Rtn16.3%-2.2%4.1%-0.9%17.9%-21.8%1.6%
3M Rtn30.0%-8.3%9.8%21.8%57.5%-21.8%
6M Rtn127.4%0.7%12.9%56.7%74.6%-56.7%
12M Rtn6.0%-5.7%24.4%67.3%43.5%-24.4%
3Y Rtn-26.5%27.1%107.0%101.9%11.5%-27.1%
1M Excs Rtn13.5%-7.4%-1.0%-5.6%12.3%-28.2%-3.3%
3M Excs Rtn19.9%-12.7%4.8%15.6%54.6%-15.6%
6M Excs Rtn111.1%-15.5%-3.4%40.5%58.3%-40.5%
12M Excs Rtn-3.7%-20.7%12.2%45.4%23.9%-12.2%
3Y Excs Rtn-94.5%-42.0%33.1%39.7%-60.3%--42.0%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20252024202320222021
Women's4,2814,6544,9273,7965,302
Men's3,4553,6793,8672,7533,827
Accessories (including Sephora)2,8132,2792,1001,6382,217
Home2,5332,7913,3443,3813,249
Children's2,0602,1762,4352,0822,460
Footwear1,4441,5821,7981,3811,830
Other revenue  9629241,089
Total16,58617,16119,43315,95519,974


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date10312025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity29,292,522
Short Interest: % Change Since 10152025-15.2%
Average Daily Volume3,848,850
Days-to-Cover Short Interest7.61
Basic Shares Quantity112,000,000
Short % of Basic Shares26.2%

Earnings Returns History

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 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
8/27/202524.0%22.5%24.0%
5/29/2025-0.7%0.4%5.6%
3/11/2025-24.1%-29.0%-48.0%
11/26/2024-17.0%-16.8%-16.3%
8/28/20240.3%5.0%6.0%
5/30/2024-22.9%-17.6%-13.7%
3/12/2024-6.7%-7.9%-12.9%
11/21/2023-8.6%-5.4%11.6%
...
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive11912
# Negative131512
Median Positive7.3%7.1%12.1%
Median Negative-8.6%-8.0%-15.4%
Max Positive24.0%22.5%49.1%
Max Negative-24.1%-29.0%-60.6%

SEC Filings

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Report DateFiling DateFiling
7312025904202510-Q 8/2/2025
4302025606202510-Q 5/3/2025
1312025320202510-K 2/1/2025
103120241205202410-Q 11/2/2024
7312024905202410-Q 8/3/2024
4302024606202410-Q 5/4/2024
1312024321202410-K 2/3/2024
103120231130202310-Q 10/28/2023
7312023831202310-Q 7/29/2023
4302023601202310-Q 4/29/2023
1312023316202310-K 1/28/2023
103120221201202210-Q 10/29/2022
7312022901202210-Q 7/30/2022
4302022602202210-Q 4/30/2022
1312022317202210-K 1/29/2022
103120211202202110-Q 10/30/2021

Insider Activity

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