ROST vs TJX: Weighing Two Leading Off-Price Retailers
Key Takeaways
- Different scales and footprints: ROST (Ross Stores) is a U.S.-focused off-price retailer with roughly 2,273 stores, while TJX (The TJX Companies) operates a much larger global portfolio of about 5,214 locations.
- Momentum favors TJX: TJX shares have meaningfully outperformed the broader market this year, while ROST has lagged despite a strong recent earnings beat.
- ROST is re-accelerating: Ross Stores posted 7% comparable-store-sales (comps) growth and raised guidance, supported by a broad-based rebound across merchandise categories.
- Tariffs are a shared headwind: Both companies cited tariff-related cost pressure in recent quarters, though each has largely offset the impact through buying and pricing strategies.
- Capital returns differ: TJX pays a dividend and runs a large buyback program, whereas ROST emphasizes buybacks and holds a debt-light balance sheet.
- For more detail on each name, explore the ROST Major News and ROST Today's Price Move pages, as well as the TJX Major News and TJX Today's Price Move pages.
- For data-driven, automated market insight, explore Trending AI Robots.
Why These Two Names Matter
ROST and TJX stand out in the off-price retail space, a category that has shown resilience through different economic environments by offering brand-name goods at lower prices than traditional retailers. Both target value-seeking consumers and face overlapping pressures from spending trends, tariffs, and merchandise supply, so comparing them makes sense for anyone focused on the retail sector or looking at relative performance between a more domestic operator and a larger international player.
Ross Stores' Recent Results
Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST) runs the largest off-price apparel and home fashion operation in the United States through its Ross Dress for Less and dd's DISCOUNTS banners. In the latest quarter, total sales climbed roughly 10% year over year to about $5.6 billion, with comparable-store sales rising 7%—well ahead of guidance and estimates. Earnings per share came in at $1.58, beating expectations, and management lifted its fourth-quarter comps outlook to 3%–4% while raising full-year EPS guidance.
Recent sentiment has turned more positive after a broad recovery across categories, especially in ladies' apparel, cosmetics, and shoes, aided by new marketing and store efforts. Some analysts lifted price targets after the report. Even so, the stock has trailed the S&P 500 year to date, with tariff costs and higher distribution expenses weighing on margins, though management notes these have been mostly countered by vendor deals and pricing discipline. I also checked this using Tickeron’s AI Screener to see how the stock compares to others in the industry.
TJX Companies' Recent Results
The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX) oversees T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Homesense, and Sierra in the U.S., plus Winners, HomeSense, and T.K. Maxx abroad. Its most recent quarter brought sales of roughly $15.1 billion, up about 7.5% year over year, with 5% comparable-store-sales growth. EPS of $1.28 exceeded consensus, and the company raised its full-year EPS and pretax-margin outlook.
Performance has been steady across divisions, with each posting comps growth and management highlighting strong availability of quality merchandise. TJX maintains a dividend and has repurchased shares actively, returning about $3.1 billion to shareholders in the first nine months of its fiscal year. This has helped the stock outperform the broader market so far this year. Tariffs continue to be watched, but the company remains confident it can offset most of the impact. From what I see, the consistency here stands out when reviewing the data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Both firms rely on buying excess and closeout inventory opportunistically, yet their profiles differ in important ways. TJX benefits from wider geographic, brand, and home-furnishings diversification that can buffer against localized weakness. ROST, meanwhile, offers a more concentrated U.S. growth story with greater potential for new store openings and a lighter debt load.
On recent momentum, TJX has led in relative performance, though ROST's re-acceleration has started to close the gap. Shared risks include tariffs, freight and distribution costs, and pressure on lower-income consumers. TJX returns capital via dividends and buybacks, while ROST focuses mainly on repurchases. TJX's scale and global reach add stability, whereas ROST's smaller base could support faster growth if its comps trend holds. I’m watching this closely as new data comes in.
What the AI Models Indicate
Looking at factors like trend consistency, performance breadth, stability, and positioning, Tickeron's AI would likely favor TJX right now. TJX shows more consistent positive momentum across divisions, a broader revenue base, and stronger year-to-date relative performance—traits that algorithmic models often reward for trend stability. At the same time, ROST's recent earnings beat and raised guidance provide a clear catalyst that could lift its standing going forward. This remains a probabilistic view that could shift with fresh price and fundamental updates.
Exploring Tickeron AI Tools for Retail Analysis
In my own research process, I often turn to Tickeron’s AI tools to scan for patterns and compare names like these. One resource I find particularly useful is the Trending AI Robots section, which highlights strategies aligned with current market conditions across thousands of tickers. It offers algorithmic insights on price action and signals without requiring extensive manual work, serving as a solid starting point whether evaluating off-price retail pairs or broader opportunities. This helps surface ideas that complement fundamental reviews.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
Contributor
Financial analyst and market blogger with expertise in equity research, fundamental analysis, and macroeconomic trends. I regularly publish coverage on individual stocks, ETFs, and sector developments — combining rigorous financial analysis with clear, engaging writing for a broad investment audience.
ROST in upward trend: 10-day moving average moved above 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026
The 10-day moving average for ROST crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 10 of 12 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 83%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 15, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on ROST as a result. In 55 of 86 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 64%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for ROST just turned positive on October 15, 2026. Looking at past instances where ROST's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 37 of 49 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 76%.
Following a +1.63% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where ROST advanced for three days, in 212 of 344 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 62%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 27 of 63 cases where ROST's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 43%.
ROST moved below its 50-day moving average on October 23, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where ROST declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 53%.
The Aroon Indicator for ROST entered a downward trend on September 25, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 12 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 87, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 24 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 27 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 43 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. ROST’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 45 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 94 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: ROST's P/B Ratio (10.863) is slightly higher than the industry average of (1.850). P/E Ratio (27.527) is within average values for comparable stocks, (12.356). ROST's Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.542) is very high in comparison to the industry average of (0.517). Dividend Yield (0.008) settles around the average of (0.064) among similar stocks. ROST's P/S Ratio (2.952) is very high in comparison to the industry average of (0.652).
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General Information
an operator of discount clothing chains & sells closeout merchandise
Industry ApparelFootwearRetail
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