Kohl's (KSS) stock fell sharply out of the gate Tuesday after the department store chain came up short of top- and bottom-line expectations for its fiscal third quarter and cut its full-year outlook.
In the three months ended November 2, Kohl's reported net sales of $3.5 billion, a decrease of 8.8% year over year, as its comparable-store sales declined 9.3%. Its earnings per share (EPS) slumped 62.3% from the year-ago period to 20 cents.
"Our third-quarter results did not meet our expectations as sales remained soft in our apparel and footwear businesses," said Kohl's CEO Tom Kingsbury in a statement. "We are not satisfied with our performance in 2024 and are taking aggressive action to reverse the sales declines. We must execute at a higher level and ensure we are putting the customer first in everything we do."
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The results came up short of analysts' expectations. Wall Street was anticipating net sales of $3.6 billion and earnings of 28 cents per share, according to CNBC.
As a result of its weak quarter, Kohl's slashed its full-year outlook. Here's what the company now expects to accomplish versus its previous forecast:
| Metric | Current outlook | Previous outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Net sales | (7%) to (8%) | (4%) to (6%) |
| Comparable-store sales | (6%) to (7%) | (3%) to (5%) |
| EPS | $1.20 to $1.50 | $1.75 to $2.25 |
"We are approaching our financial outlook for the year more conservatively given the third-quarter underperformance and our expectation for a highly competitive holiday season," Kingsbury said.
Kohl's announces new CEO
In a separate announcement released Monday, Kohl's said that Tom Kingsbury will step down as CEO, effective January 15, 2025. He will be replaced by Ashley Buchanan, who previously served as chief executive officer of Michael's and held executive positions at Walmart (WMT) and Sam's Club.
"We are excited to welcome Ashley to Kohl's," said Board Chair Michael Bender. "His vast retail experience leading operations, merchandising, and e-commerce at Walmart and his past five years as CEO of Michaels will bring a steady, proven, innovative leader to Kohl's as we continue to transform the business and drive future growth."
Buchanan will be Kohl's third CEO since 2018.
Is Kohl's stock a buy, sell or hold?
Kohl's has had plenty of trouble on the price charts, too, and was down nearly 32% for the year to date heading into Tuesday's session. Unsurprisingly, Wall Street is on the sidelines when it comes to the consumer discretionary stock.
According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, the average analyst target price for KSS stock is $21.32, representing implied upside of more than 30% to current levels. Meanwhile, the consensus recommendation is a Hold. Analysts may very well reduce their ratings and price targets following the dismal quarterly results and C-suite shift.
Financial services firm UBS Global Research is one of the more bearish outfits on the small-cap stock with a Sell rating and $13.50 price target.
"We believe Kohl's lost big market share in Q3, and this gives us increased conviction in our Sell rating," wrote UBS analyst Jay Sole in a November 15 note.
Related Content
-
Are You a Retirement Millionaire Too Scared To Spend?If you are too scared to spend money in retirement, you may be saddled with regret. Here are three ways to safely enjoy your sizable retirement nest egg.
-
U.S. Treasury to Eliminate Paper Checks: What It Means for Tax Refunds, Social SecurityTreasury President Trump signed an executive order forcing the federal government to phase out paper check disbursements by the fall.
-
Seven Questions to Ask When Evaluating Personal Loan OptionsTaking out a personal loan too hastily could lock you into unfavorable terms with an untrustworthy lender. Ask these questions before signing anything.
-
How Much Does Being Rich Matter in Retirement?After a certain point, having more money in retirement won't make you any happier, new research shows. Instead, physical health, a sense of purpose, and a minimal amount of non-mortgage debt are more relevant.
-
The Three Biggest Fears Keeping Retirees Up at NightHere are the steps you can take to put those fears to rest and retire with confidence so you can relax and enjoy the life you've planned.
-
What Can a Donor-Advised Fund Do for You? (A Lot)DAFs and private foundations go about helping charities (and those who donate) in different ways. Each comes with its own benefits and restrictions to navigate.
-
Estate Planning When You Have International AssetsEstate planning gets tricky when you have assets and/or beneficiaries outside the U.S. To avoid costly inheritance mistakes, it pays to understand the basics.
-
Microsoft Stock: Innovation Spurs Its 100,000% ReturnMicrosoft's ability to recognize the "next big thing" has allowed sales – and its share price – to grow exponentially over the years.
-
Three Essential Estate Planning Steps to Protect Your Nest EggAfter dedicating years to building your wealth and securing your future, make sure your assets are protected and your loved ones are provided for in the future.
-
Is Chasing the American Dream Ruining Your Financial Life?Too many people focus on visible affluence as a marker of success. Here's how to avoid succumbing to the pressure and driving yourself into debt.
