Ross Stores (ROST) Q1 2026 Earnings
How Did ROST Stock React to Q1 2026 Earnings?
S&P 500 over the same 30 days: −1.52%.
Did ROST Beat Earnings? Q1 2026 Results
Yes. Ross Stores reported Q1 2026 earnings of $2.02 a share on May 21, 2026, beating the $1.72 consensus estimate by 17.4%. Revenue was $6.0B against a $5.6B estimate.
Ross Stores delivered a blowout first quarter of fiscal 2026, with GAAP diluted EPS of $2.02 beating the $1.72 Wall Street consensus by 17.41% and revenue of $6.01 billion topping estimates by 6.42% on 20.6% year-over-year growth, as shares already trading near record levels reflected investor confidence in the off-price retail model. The standout driver was a 17% jump in comparable store sales, a dramatic swing from flat comps a year ago, fueled by strong customer traffic, a well-executed Spring merchandise transition, and a lift from elevated tax-refund spending. Operating margin reached 13.4%, well ahead of the company's own guidance range of 11.8% to 12.1%, while operating cash flow more than doubled to $836.01 million. Management raised its full-year fiscal 2026 EPS outlook to $7.50 to $7.74, implying 13% to 17% growth over fiscal 2025, and guided Q2 EPS to $1.85 to $1.93, as CEO Jim Conroy noted the company exited the quarter with solid momentum and is positioned to capture additional market share.
- Comparable store sales up 17% driven primarily by customer traffic
- Compelling merchandise assortments and successful Spring assortment transition
- Higher customer acquisition and engagement from ongoing marketing initiatives
- Improved in-store experience resonating with shoppers
- Higher consumer spending related to tax refunds
- Operating margin of 13.4% exceeded plan of 11.8% to 12.1% due to strong sales outperformance
“We achieved outstanding sales and earnings results in the first quarter with superb execution throughout the business, especially the transition of our Spring assortment. Momentum was solid throughout the quarter, with broad-based strength across the business. Customer traffic was the primary driver of the strong sales trend as compelling merchandise assortments, higher customer acquisition and engagement from our ongoing marketing initiatives, and an improved in-store experience are resonating with shoppers. We believe our results also benefited from higher consumer spending related to tax refunds.”
Ross Stores CEO, on the earnings call
What Was Ross Stores's Outlook in Q1 2026?
For Q2 fiscal 2026 (13 weeks ending August 1, 2026), Ross Stores forecasts comparable store sales growth of 6% to 7%, with EPS projected at $1.85 to $1.93, representing 19% to 24% growth over $1.56 in Q2 fiscal 2025. For full-year fiscal 2026, the company raised its outlook: same-store sales growth is now projected at 6% to 7% on top of a 5% gain in fiscal 2025, with EPS expected in the range of $7.50 to $7.74, or 13% to 17% growth compared to $6.61 in fiscal 2025.
ROST YoY Financials
| Metric | Q1 2026 | Q1 2025 | Year over year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $6.0B | $5.0B | +20.6% |
| Gross Profit | $1.8B | $1.4B | +26.8% |
| Operating Income | $804.0M | $606.5M | +32.6% |
| Net Income | $650.0M | $479.3M | +35.6% |
Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.