Kohl’s Stock Plummets Amid Weak Holiday Sales and Cautious Outlook
Kohl’s shares tumbled as much as 9% in premarket trading following a disappointing holiday quarter. The retailer reported Q4 net sales of $4.97 billion, a 3.9% year-over-year decline, missing analyst estimates of $5.02–$5.03 billion. Comparable sales fell 2.8%, nearly double the expected 1.5% drop, signaling deeper challenges in attracting shoppers.
While adjusted EPS of $1.07 surpassed the 86-cent consensus, the revenue shortfall and weak full-year guidance overshadowed the earnings beat. Foot traffic at Kohl’s stores declined 5% during the quarter, a stark contrast to Ross Stores’ 11.9% surge. The company now forecasts comparable sales to range between a 2% decline and flat performance for FY26.
New CEO Michael Bender faces mounting pressure to revitalize the struggling retailer. The stock’s 28% year-to-date plunge reflects eroding investor confidence as Kohl’s loses ground to competitors.
