Kohl's (KSS)
Market Price (12/8/2025): $23.2 | Market Cap: $2.6 BilSector: Consumer Discretionary | Industry: Broadline Retail
Kohl's (KSS)
Market Price (12/8/2025): $23.2Market 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 11%, Dividend Yield is 3.8%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 7.2%, FCF Yield is 32% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -38%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -77% | Debt is significantNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 258% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include E-commerce & Digital Retail, Experience Economy & Premiumization, and Sustainable Consumption. Themes include Online Marketplaces, Show more. | Stock price has recently run up significantly6M Rtn6 month market price return is 169% | |
| Weak revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -6.1%, Rev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is -5.4%, Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -3.6% | ||
| Valuation getting more expensiveP/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 93% | ||
| 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 11%, Dividend Yield is 3.8%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 7.2%, FCF Yield is 32% |
| 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 -77% |
| Debt is significantNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 258% |
| Stock price has recently run up significantly6M Rtn6 month market price return is 169% |
| Weak revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -6.1%, Rev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is -5.4%, Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -3.6% |
| Valuation getting more expensiveP/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 93% |
| 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 54.2% stock movement for Kohl's (KSS) between August 31, 2025, and December 8, 2025, can be attributed to several key factors:
1. Strong Q3 2025 Earnings Beat and Raised Full-Year Outlook: Kohl's reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.10 for Q3 2025, significantly surpassing analyst estimates of a loss, with revenue also exceeding expectations. Following these results, management substantially raised its full-year 2025 adjusted EPS guidance, indicating renewed confidence in the company's financial trajectory. This strong performance and optimistic outlook led to a significant surge in the stock, with reports of jumps between 21.5% and 36.41% on the day of the announcement, November 25, 2025.
2. Appointment of Michael J. Bender as Permanent CEO: Michael Bender, who had been serving as the interim Chief Executive Officer, was formally appointed to the permanent role on November 24, 2025. This decision was met with positive investor sentiment, as Bender was perceived to provide the necessary leadership and vision for the company. The stock responded favorably, soaring by nearly 60% in the week following his confirmation, marking its best weekly performance of the year.
Show more
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% | 67% | -38% |
| Peers Return | 3% | 96% | -1% | 15% | 8% | 22% | 202% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 17% | 112% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| KSS Win Rate | 58% | 50% | 33% | 50% | 33% | 60% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 57% | 65% | 43% | 57% | 55% | 54% | |
| 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 | -52% | -8% | -33% | -22% | -13% | -26% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: TGT, M, TJX, ROST, DDS. 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 12/5/2025 (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
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Latest Trefis Analyses
| Title | Topic | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DASHBOARDS | |||
| Kohl's Earnings Notes | |||
| Is Kohl's Stock Outperforming Its Rivals? | |||
| Kohl's Stock Up 31% in One Month, Now Is Not The Time To Buy The Stock | Buy or Fear | ||
| Kohl's Stock Drop Looks Sharp, But How Deep Can It Go? | Return | ||
| KSS Dip Buy Analysis | |||
| Kohl's Total Shareholder Return (TSR): -36.3% in 2025 and -24.0% 3-yr compounded annual returns (below peer average) | |||
| Kohl's vs. S&P500 Correlation | Correlation | ||
| Kohl's Price Volatility | Volatility | ||
| Fundamental Metrics: ... | |||
| Kohl's During 2008 Recession vs. 2022 Inflation Shock: KSS Stock Has 109% Upside If It Recovers To Pre-Inflation Shock Levels | Return | ||
| ARTICLES | |||
| Small Cap Stocks Trading At 52-Week High | December 3rd, 2025 | ||
| Small Cap Stocks Trading At 52-Week High | December 3rd, 2025 | ||
| Kohl’s Stock vs Competition: Who Wins? | November 26th, 2025 | ||
| Kohl’s Stock To $16? | November 26th, 2025 | ||
| Market Movers | Winners: PHGE, CETY, KSS | Losers: INHD, CLSD, GP | November 25th, 2025 |
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 | 8.2% | 8.2% | 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 | 1.9% | 1.9% | 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 | -1.8% | -1.8% | -4.4% |
| 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 | 8.8% | 8.8% | 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 | 5.3% | 5.3% | -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. | 114.2% | 114.2% | -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% | 80.8% | -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 | 8.2% | 8.2% | 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 | 1.9% | 1.9% | 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 | -1.8% | -1.8% | -4.4% |
| 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 | 8.8% | 8.8% | 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 | 5.3% | 5.3% | -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. | 114.2% | 114.2% | -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% | 80.8% | -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 | 122.73 |
| Mkt Cap | 26.4 |
| Rev LTM | 22,100 |
| Op Inc LTM | 1,714 |
| FCF LTM | 1,249 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 1,273 |
| CFO LTM | 1,935 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 1,974 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | -2.0% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | -1.2% |
| Rev Chg Q | 0.2% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 0.0% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 8.0% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 7.9% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | -0.1% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 9.0% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 9.1% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 6.1% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 5.7% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 26.4 |
| P/S | 0.7 |
| P/EBIT | 8.4 |
| P/E | 12.4 |
| P/CFO | 7.3 |
| Total Yield | 12.3% |
| Dividend Yield | 4.2% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 8.1% |
| D/E | 0.3 |
| Net D/E | 0.2 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 11.4% |
| 3M Rtn | 19.6% |
| 6M Rtn | 49.0% |
| 12M Rtn | 34.7% |
| 3Y Rtn | 34.8% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | 8.8% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | 13.4% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | 34.5% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | 21.5% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -34.9% |
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 | 937 | 962 | 924 | 1,089 | |
| Total | 16,586 | 18,098 | 19,433 | 15,955 | 19,974 |
Returns Analyses
Earnings Returns History
Expand for More| Forward Returns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Date | 1D Returns | 5D Returns | 21D Returns |
| 11/25/2025 | 42.5% | 46.0% | |
| 8/27/2025 | 24.0% | 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% |
| 8/28/2024 | 0.3% | 5.0% | 6.0% |
| 5/30/2024 | -22.9% | -17.6% | -13.7% |
| 3/12/2024 | -6.7% | -7.9% | -12.9% |
| ... | |||
| SUMMARY STATS | |||
| # Positive | 12 | 10 | 12 |
| # Negative | 12 | 14 | 12 |
| Median Positive | 7.3% | 11.5% | 12.1% |
| Median Negative | -8.1% | -8.0% | -15.8% |
| Max Positive | 42.5% | 46.0% | 49.1% |
| Max Negative | -24.1% | -29.0% | -60.6% |
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 10312025 | 12032025 | 10-Q 11/1/2025 |
| 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 |
External Quote Links
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| SeekingAlpha | ValueLine |
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| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |