Group 1: Market Overview - The S&P 500 index has shown fluctuations, reflecting broader market trends and investor sentiment [1] - Recent performance of Kohl's Corp indicates challenges in retail, with a focus on adapting to changing consumer behaviors [1] - GoPro Inc continues to innovate in the action camera market, aiming to capture a larger share despite competitive pressures [1] Group 2: Company-Specific Insights - Kohl's Corp reported a decline in sales, prompting strategic reviews to enhance customer engagement and operational efficiency [1] - GoPro Inc's latest product launch has received positive feedback, suggesting potential for revenue growth in the upcoming quarters [1] - Tilray Inc is navigating regulatory changes in the cannabis industry, which may impact its market positioning and growth strategies [1]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on "buying high and selling higher" rather than traditional strategies of "buying low and selling high" [1] Group 1: Momentum Investing Strategy - Momentum investors often face challenges in determining the right entry point, as stocks may lose momentum when their valuations exceed future growth potential [2] - A safer approach involves investing in bargain stocks that exhibit recent price momentum, utilizing tools like the Zacks Momentum Style Score to identify such opportunities [3] Group 2: Kohl's (KSS) Stock Analysis - Kohl's (KSS) has shown significant recent price momentum, with a four-week price change of 30.5%, indicating growing investor interest [4] - Over the past 12 weeks, KSS has gained 108.6%, demonstrating its ability to deliver positive returns over a longer timeframe [5] - KSS has a high beta of 1.74, suggesting it moves 74% more than the market in either direction, indicating fast-paced momentum [5] - The stock has a Momentum Score of A, suggesting it is an opportune time to invest in KSS to capitalize on its momentum [6] Group 3: Earnings Estimates and Valuation - KSS has received upward revisions in earnings estimates, earning a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), which is associated with strong momentum effects [7] - The stock is currently trading at a Price-to-Sales ratio of 0.12, indicating it is attractively priced at only 12 cents for each dollar of sales, providing ample room for growth [7] Group 4: Additional Investment Opportunities - Besides KSS, there are other stocks that meet the criteria of the 'Fast-Paced Momentum at a Bargain' screen, suggesting further investment opportunities [8] - The Zacks Premium Screens offer over 45 different strategies tailored to help investors find winning stock picks [9]

Core Insights - Kohl's Corporation (KSS) is achieving growth through initiatives aimed at enhancing customer experience, optimizing inventory, and expanding its omnichannel presence [1][5] - The partnership with Sephora is proving successful, contributing to positive growth in net sales and positioning Kohl's as a beauty destination [2][10] - The company is on track to reach a $2 billion beauty business, with new product introductions and expansions planned [2][10] Financial Performance - In Q2 of fiscal 2025, Kohl's reported a 3% increase in net sales, with flat comparable sales [2][10] - The company anticipates a 5.4% year-over-year growth in accessories net sales for Q3 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year decline in earnings per share (EPS) of 66.7% for fiscal 2025 and 13.4% for fiscal 2026 [11] Strategic Initiatives - Kohl's is implementing 613 additional Impulse queuing lines across its stores, with over 300 already completed [3] - The company is focusing on a curated product assortment to meet the diverse needs of its customer base, with positive sales in the accessories category [4] - Digital sales are outperforming store sales, indicating a strong omnichannel strategy [5] Market Position - Kohl's shares have increased by 22.8% year to date, slightly below the industry's growth of 22.9% [8] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for KSS is 32.2X, significantly higher than the industry average of 15.62X [9]

Core Viewpoint - Kohl's stock experienced a nearly 4% increase due to an analyst's price target increase, contrasting with a slight decline in the S&P 500 index [1] Group 1: Analyst Insights - Baird's Mark Altschwager raised his fair value assessment for Kohl's from $15 to $17 per share while maintaining a neutral recommendation on the stock [2] - Altschwager's previous price target increase occurred at the end of August, where he raised it from $9 to $15 per share [3] - The recent price target adjustment was not explicitly explained but follows a trend of analysts becoming more positive on Kohl's after its second-quarter results [4] Group 2: Financial Performance - Kohl's second-quarter results showed a year-over-year decline in both net sales (down 5%) and comparable sales (down 4%), totaling $3.35 billion, which aligned with consensus estimates [4] - The company's non-GAAP net income slightly declined to $64 million ($0.56 per share) from $66 million, significantly exceeding the average analyst projection of $0.29 [4] Group 3: Market Sentiment - Following the earnings release, other analysts, including those from TD Cowen, UBS, and JPMorgan, have also raised their price targets for Kohl's [5] - The movement in Kohl's stock was attributed to non-meme stock reasons, indicating a shift in investor sentiment based on analyst evaluations rather than social media hype [7]

Core Viewpoint - Kohl's (NYSE: KSS) has experienced a significant increase in stock price, rising 7.2% to reach a new high for 2025, driven by heightened trading activity and social media engagement [2] Group 1: Stock Performance - The stock of Kohl's has seen a notable rally, with a 7.2% increase on Wednesday [2] - This surge has led to a new high for the year 2025 [2] Group 2: Market Activity - The department store stock gained attention from traders starting in June, coinciding with a rise in social media posts related to the company [2] - The ongoing rally in Kohl's stock price suggests strong market interest and potential investor confidence [2]

Core Insights - The article provides a comprehensive analysis of Amazon.com in comparison to its major competitors in the Broadline Retail industry, focusing on financial metrics, market position, and growth prospects [1] Company Overview - Amazon is the leading online retailer, with retail-related revenue accounting for approximately 75% of total revenue, followed by Amazon Web Services (15%), advertising services (5% to 10%), and other segments [2] - International sales contribute 25% to 30% of Amazon's non-AWS revenue, with Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan being the leading markets [2] Financial Metrics Comparison - Amazon's Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio is 35.28, which is 0.79x lower than the industry average, indicating potential undervaluation [5] - The Price to Book (P/B) ratio of 7.39 exceeds the industry average by 1.11x, suggesting the stock may be trading at a premium relative to its book value [5] - Amazon's Price to Sales (P/S) ratio of 3.72 is 1.62x the industry average, indicating it might be considered overvalued based on sales performance [5] - The Return on Equity (ROE) stands at 5.68%, which is 0.18% above the industry average, reflecting efficient use of equity to generate profits [5] - Amazon's Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) is $36.6 billion, which is 5.91x above the industry average, indicating stronger profitability [5] - The gross profit of $86.89 billion is 5.24x above the industry average, showcasing higher earnings from core operations [5] - Revenue growth of 13.33% exceeds the industry average of 11.18%, indicating strong sales performance [5] Debt to Equity Ratio - Amazon's debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio is 0.4, indicating a lower reliance on debt financing compared to its top 4 peers, which suggests a more favorable balance between debt and equity [10] - The D/E ratio comparison allows for a concise evaluation of financial health and risk profile within the industry [8] Summary of Performance - Overall, Amazon.com demonstrates strong financial performance and growth potential, outperforming its industry peers in key metrics such as ROE, EBITDA, gross profit, and revenue growth [8]

Group 1: Market Sentiment and Valuation Concerns - Emotional and trend-seeking investors often chase top performers, potentially missing out on momentum that has already passed [1][2] - Fundamental investors look for undervalued stocks with potential catalysts, contrasting with the trend-following approach [2] - Palantir Technologies has seen a significant price increase, with over 100% growth this year and over 400% in the past 12 months, making it a top performer in the S&P 500 [4][6] Group 2: Palantir Technologies Valuation - Palantir is currently the most expensive stock in the S&P 500 based on forward P/E ratio, trading at 218 times expected earnings, compared to 30 times for the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund [6] - The Price to Sales (P/S) ratio for Palantir is 74x, significantly higher than the average P/S ratio of the XLK [7] - The high valuation raises concerns about the risk-reward ratio for new investors considering entry at current levels [8] Group 3: Kohl's Performance and Outlook - Kohl's stock has increased by over 150% in the past five months despite a lackluster outlook, with year-on-year declines in revenues, same-store sales, and earnings [10][11] - The stock is currently trading about 14% above the average 12-month price target, with 86% of analysts rating it as hold or sell [12] - Despite recent gains, Kohl's remains down nearly 20% from a year ago, indicating potential overvaluation [11][12] Group 4: Investment Strategy Recommendations - Caution is advised regarding the sentiment and valuations of both Palantir and Kohl's, suggesting that new buyers should wait for a better entry point [14] - Investors may consider taking a stake in a fund or index ETF instead of directly investing in these high-valuation stocks [14]

Core Viewpoint - Investing in the retail sector presents challenges, but it may also create buying opportunities for long-term successful retailers that maintain a competitive edge [1] Group 1: Walmart - Walmart has a strong identity and has focused on low prices since its inception over six decades ago, which provides a competitive advantage [4] - The company has invested in technology to compete with e-commerce giants like Amazon, including omnichannel capabilities and a subscription program, Walmart+ [5] - Walmart U.S. division reported a 4.6% increase in same-store sales for the fiscal second quarter, with higher traffic contributing 1.5 percentage points [6] - Management raised the companywide sales growth outlook for the year from 3.5% to 4.25%, excluding foreign-currency exchange translations [7] - Walmart's stock appreciated 26.7% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500's 13.6%, with a P/E ratio contracting from 40 to 36 [8] Group 2: Kohl's - Kohl's offers a wide range of products at moderate prices but has struggled with traffic and sales, despite initiatives like Amazon returns at its stores [9] - The company's fiscal second-quarter same-store sales fell 4.2%, leading to a decrease in operating income from $165 million to $161 million [10] - Management projects a further decline in same-store sales by 4% to 5% for the year [10] - Kohl's has faced leadership instability, with a recent CEO dismissal, contributing to a 16.8% decline in share price over the past year [11] - The stock trades at a P/E ratio of 9, significantly lower than the S&P 500's P/E [11][12] Group 3: Investment Considerations - Kohl's may appear as a value stock due to its low P/E ratio, but declining sales and lack of a clear turnaround plan suggest caution [12] - Walmart is favored for its consistent customer attraction and future investments, even with a higher valuation, as it typically performs well in challenging economic conditions [13]

Form 10-Q Filing Information Outlines key administrative details for Kohl's Corporation's Form 10-Q, including registrant, period, trading symbol, and common stock outstanding - Registrant: **KOHL'S CORPORATION**[3](index=3&type=chunk) - Quarterly period ended: **August 2, 2025**[2](index=2&type=chunk) - Trading Symbol: **KSS** on New York Stock Exchange[4](index=4&type=chunk) - Filer Status: **Large Accelerated Filer**[5](index=5&type=chunk) - Common Stock Outstanding: **112,074,683 shares** as of August 29, 2025[6](index=6&type=chunk) PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION [Item 1. Financial Statements](index=3&type=section&id=Item%201.%20Financial%20Statements) Presents Kohl's unaudited consolidated financial statements for the interim period ended August 2, 2025, including balance sheets, statements of operations, cash flows, and detailed notes [Consolidated Balance Sheets](index=3&type=section&id=Consolidated%20Balance%20Sheets) Consolidated Balance Sheets (Dollars in Millions) | Item | August 2, 2025 | February 1, 2025 | August 3, 2024 | | :-------------------------------- | :------------- | :--------------- | :------------- | | Cash and cash equivalents | $174 | $134 | $231 | | Merchandise inventories | 2,994 | 2,945 | 3,151 | | Total current assets | 3,474 | 3,388 | 3,713 | | Total assets | $13,391 | $13,559 | $14,180 | | Total current liabilities | 2,548 | 3,131 | 3,438 | | Long-term debt | 1,520 | 1,174 | 1,173 | | Total shareholders' equity | $3,927 | $3,802 | $3,830 | | Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $13,391 | $13,559 | $14,180 | [Consolidated Statements of Operations](index=4&type=section&id=Consolidated%20Statements%20of%20Operations) Consolidated Statements of Operations (Dollars in Millions, Except per Share Data) | Item | Three Months Ended Aug 2, 2025 | Three Months Ended Aug 3, 2024 | Six Months Ended Aug 2, 2025 | Six Months Ended Aug 3, 2024 | | :-------------------------------- | :----------------------------- | :----------------------------- | :--------------------------- | :--------------------------- | | Net sales | $3,347 | $3,525 | $6,396 | $6,703 | | Other revenue | 199 | 207 | 383 | 411 | | Total revenue | 3,546 | 3,732 | 6,779 | 7,114 | | Cost of merchandise sold | 2,011 | 2,128 | 3,845 | 4,051 | | Operating income | 279 | 166 | 339 | 209 | | Net income | $153 | $66 | $139 | $39 | | Net income per share: Basic | $1.37 | $0.59 | $1.24 | $0.35 | | Net income per share: Diluted | $1.35 | $0.59 | $1.23 | $0.35 | [Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity](index=5&type=section&id=Consolidated%20Statements%20of%20Changes%20in%20Shareholders'%20Equity) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Dollars in Millions, Except per Share Data) | Item | Three Months Ended Aug 2, 2025 | Three Months Ended Aug 3, 2024 | Six Months Ended Aug 2, 2025 | Six Months Ended Aug 3, 2024 | | :-------------------------------- | :----------------------------- | :----------------------------- | :--------------------------- | :--------------------------- | | Total shareholders' equity, end of period | $3,927 | $3,830 | $3,927 | $3,830 | | Net income | 153 | 66 | 139 | 39 | | Dividends paid | (14) | (56) | (28) | (112) | | Dividends paid per common share | $0.125 | $0.50 | $0.25 | $1.00 | [Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows](index=6&type=section&id=Consolidated%20Statements%20of%20Cash%20Flows) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Dollars in Millions) | Item | Six Months Ended Aug 2, 2025 | Six Months Ended Aug 3, 2024 | | :-------------------------------- | :--------------------------- | :--------------------------- | | Net cash provided by operating activities | $506 | $247 | | Net cash used in investing activities | (179) | (237) | | Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (287) | 38 | | Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 40 | 48 | | Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $174 | $231 | [Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements](index=7&type=section&id=Notes%20to%20Consolidated%20Financial%20Statements) [1. Basis of Presentation](index=7&type=section&id=1.%20Basis%20of%20Presentation) - Financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim information and do not include all fiscal year-end footnotes[18](index=18&type=chunk) - Results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of full fiscal year results due to the **seasonality of the business**[19](index=19&type=chunk) - Kohl's operates as a **single reportable segment**[20](index=20&type=chunk) - Supplier finance program obligations recorded in Accounts Payable were **$226 million** as of August 2, 2025, up from **$97 million** as of February 1, 2025[21](index=21&type=chunk) - Recognized **$11 million** in Impairments, store closing, and other costs in Q2 2025, primarily related to the closure of the Monroe, Ohio E-commerce Fulfillment Center[22](index=22&type=chunk) - Recognized a **$129 million gain**, net of legal fees, from a credit card interchange fee lawsuit settlement in Q2 2025[25](index=25&type=chunk) - Assessing the impact of new FASB ASUs: ASU 2023-09 (Income Tax Disclosures, effective FY2025) and ASU 2024-03 (Expense Disaggregation Disclosures, effective FY2026)[26](index=26&type=chunk)[27](index=27&type=chunk) [2. Revenue Recognition](index=9&type=section&id=2.%20Revenue%20Recognition) Net Sales by Line of Business (Dollars in Millions) | Line of Business | Three Months Ended Aug 2, 2025 | Three Months Ended Aug 3, 2024 | Six Months Ended Aug 2, 2025 | Six Months Ended Aug 3, 2024 | | :----------------------- | :----------------------------- | :----------------------------- | :--------------------------- | :--------------------------- | | Women's | $943 | $1,004 | $1,794 | $1,927 | | Accessories (including Sephora) | 673 | 666 | 1,319 | 1,284 | | Men's | 689 | 740 | 1,273 | 1,340 | | Home | 406 | 436 | 776 | 828 | | Children's | 335 | 359 | 647 | 703 | | Footwear | 301 | 320 | 587 | 621 | | Net sales | $3,347 | $3,525 | $6,396 | $6,703 | - Unredeemed gift cards and merchandise return card liabilities totaled **$242 million** as of August 2, 2025, a decrease from **$308 million** as of February 1, 2025 and **$270 million** as of August 3, 2024[29](index=29&type=chunk) [3. Debt](index=9&type=section&id=3.%20Debt) - Outstanding borrowings under the **$1.5 billion** revolving credit facility decreased to **$75 million** as of August 2, 2025, from **$290 million** (Feb 1, 2025) and **$410 million** (Aug 3, 2024)[30](index=30&type=chunk) Long-term Debt Outstanding (Dollars in Millions) | Maturity | August 2, 2025 | February 1, 2025 | August 3, 2024 | | :------- | :------------- | :--------------- | :------------- | | 2025 | $— | $353 | $353 | | 2029 | 42 | 42 | 42 | | 2030 | 360 | — | — | | 2031 | 500 | 500 | 500 | | 2033 | 112 | 112 | 112 | | 2037 | 101 | 101 | 101 | | 2045 | 427 | 427 | 427 | | Outstanding secured and unsecured senior debt | 1,542 | 1,535 | 1,535 | | Long-term secured and unsecured senior debt | $1,520 | $1,174 | $1,

Core Insights - Kohl's reported second-quarter earnings that exceeded analyst expectations, with adjusted earnings per share of $0.56 compared to the projected $0.29, and revenue of $3.35 billion versus an expectation of $3.32 billion, leading to a 24% increase in stock price [1][2] Financial Performance - The company achieved an adjusted earnings per share of $0.56, nearly double the expected $0.29 [2] - Revenue totaled $3.35 billion, slightly above the expected $3.32 billion, but down 5.1% compared to the same quarter in 2024 [2][8] - Same-store sales fell by 4.2%, indicating a decline in customer engagement [8] Management and Strategic Direction - The board of directors has not yet appointed a permanent CEO after parting ways with the previous one, creating uncertainty regarding the company's future direction [4][7] - The lack of a permanent CEO raises concerns about the sustainability of the recent positive performance [7][12] Competitive Landscape - Compared to competitors like Dollar General, which saw a 5.1% increase in sales and a 2.8% rise in same-store sales, Kohl's is struggling to resonate with customers [9] - The turnaround efforts at Kohl's appear less robust than those at Dollar General, suggesting a challenging path ahead for Kohl's [9] Operational Efficiency - Kohl's improved its gross margin and managed to cut costs, but the overall performance indicates that it is merely doing less poorly rather than showing significant improvement [10] - Until customer traffic increases, the retailer may continue to face challenges in regaining its footing [10]