Wolfe Research Initiates Ross Stores (ROST) at Outperform

On October 22, 2026, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Ross Stores, Inc. (NasdaqGS: ROST) with an Outperform rating. The research note included a price target of $279.00 for the apparel and home fashion retailer.

ROST Ross Stores, Inc.

$234.18 ▲ +28.93% year to date

1M 3M YTD

Daily close · Oct 21, 2026

Wolfe Research's Call on Ross Stores, Inc.

Wolfe Research started coverage of the off-price retail chain with a positive outlook on October 22, 2026, setting a $279.00 price target. Other firms on Wall Street have also weighed in ahead of this update. On August 21, 2026, Citigroup maintained a Buy rating while lifting its target from $270.00 to $290.00. On the same day, Jefferies maintained its Buy rating and raised its target from $265.00 to $285.00, and Truist Securities kept a Buy rating while adjusting its target from $290.00 to $310.00. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley maintained an Equal-Weight rating on August 21, 2026, moving its target from $231.00 to $234.00. Across the broader analyst community, the stock holds a consensus buy recommendation based on 17 opinions, with a mean price target of $267.35.

Other Institutional Activity in Ross Stores, Inc.

Large investment firms have adjusted their positions in the retailer recently. Traphagen Investment Advisors grew its holdings by 3,049 shares, ending with 3,049 shares worth about $711,611.00. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management reduced its position by 8,615 shares, or about 75.6%, leaving it with 2,777 shares valued at roughly $648,093.00. Primecap Management Company trimmed its stake by 65,108 shares, a 0.7% decrease, ending the period with 9,104,980 shares worth about $2.14 billion.

Ross Stores, Inc. Stock Down 0.6%

The stock closed at $235.54 on October 22, 2026, and recently traded at $235.84. That recent price sits roughly 1.5% above its 50-day moving average of $232.27 and about 6.7% above its 200-day moving average of $220.98. The shares trade about 8.2% below their 52-week high of $257.00 and roughly 52.3% above their 52-week low of $154.87.

Recent Earnings

Ross Stores generated trailing twelve-month revenue of $24.51 billion and earnings of $8.27 per share. The company reported a net profit margin of 10.8% and a return on equity of 42.6%. The company's next earnings report is scheduled for November 19, 2026.

Dividend

The company pays an annual dividend rate of $1.78 per share, which translates to a dividend yield of 0.76% based on recent trading levels. This payout represents 20.6% of the company's earnings.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ross Stores, Inc.

Company insiders have completed several stock transactions over recent months. Chief Operating Officer Michael J. Hartshorn sold 21,874 shares on March 25, 2026, valued at approximately $4.70 million. Chief Financial Officer William W Sheehan II sold 4,883 shares at $216.95 apiece on March 26, 2026, totaling about $1.06 million. Chief Executive Officer James Grant Conroy sold 49,205 shares at $229.48 each on September 14, 2026, for a total value of roughly $11.29 million. Additionally, officer Stephen C Brinkley sold 6,424 shares at $229.66 per share on September 14, 2026, worth about $1.48 million.

About Ross Stores, Inc.

Headquartered in Dublin, California, Ross Stores operates off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores under the Ross Dress for Less and dd's DISCOUNTS banners across the United States. The company provides designer clothing, footwear, accessories, and home items targeted toward middle-income and moderate-income households.

Bottom Line

Investors are keeping an eye on the company's upcoming earnings release on November 19, 2026, to gauge holiday quarter momentum and overall inventory management. Wolfe Research's new Outperform rating adds to Wall Street's coverage as the stock trades near its moving averages.