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KSS vs M
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Kohl's Corporation (KSS) vs. Macy's, Inc. (M) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Kohl's Corporation (KSS) and Macy's, Inc. (M) operate in the same department store retail sector, with both facing consumer spending pressures and e-commerce competition in recent market activity.
- KSS reported a Q2 2026 earnings beat on EPS but a revenue miss, with the stock trading near $19.44 amid ongoing volatility and a focus on cost discipline and debt reduction.
- M has delivered stronger year-to-date and one-year returns compared to KSS, with shares near $23.05 and an upcoming earnings release expected to provide further clarity on performance.
- Both stocks trade at low earnings multiples relative to broader market averages, reflecting sector challenges, though M offers a higher dividend yield.
- Relative performance shows M with more consistent recent momentum, while KSS emphasizes balance sheet improvements and merchandising changes.
- Sector exposure remains similar, centered on apparel, home goods, and omnichannel retail, with sentiment influenced by macroeconomic factors affecting discretionary spending.
Introduction
Department store operators Kohl's Corporation (KSS) and Macy's, Inc. (M) provide a relevant comparison for investors and traders monitoring the retail sector amid evolving consumer behaviors. Both companies navigate similar headwinds, including shifting spending patterns and competition from online platforms, making their relative performance a useful lens for assessing value in a cyclical industry. This analysis appeals to those evaluating mid-cap retail equities for potential portfolio allocation, particularly individuals focused on metrics such as earnings stability, dividend yields, and recent price trends rather than short-term speculation.
Kohl's Corporation (KSS) Overview and Recent Performance
Kohl's Corporation (KSS) operates as a major U.S. department store chain offering apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty products, and home goods through physical stores and e-commerce channels. In recent market activity, the stock has exhibited volatility following its Q2 2026 earnings release, where EPS exceeded analyst expectations but revenue fell short of projections. Management highlighted progress on expense management, gross margin expansion, and debt reduction to its lowest level in years. The share price has fluctuated within a broader range established over recent weeks, influenced by mixed comparable sales results and a cautious consumer environment. Sentiment has centered on the company's turnaround efforts, including leadership adjustments in merchandising and customer experience, though top-line pressures persist.
Macy's, Inc. (M) Overview and Recent Performance
Macy's, Inc. (M) runs an omnichannel retail business encompassing the Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Bluemercury brands, with emphasis on apparel, accessories, and beauty through stores and digital platforms. Recent market activity has featured relatively firmer price action compared to peers, supported by prior operational improvements and a solid one-year return profile. The stock has traded amid preparations for its upcoming earnings report, with attention on revenue guidance and margin trends. Factors influencing performance include ongoing store optimization initiatives and efforts to enhance digital capabilities. Broader sentiment reflects the company's positioning in a challenged retail landscape, tempered by its dividend policy and cash flow generation in recent periods.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Kohl's Corporation (KSS) and Macy's, Inc. (M) share core business models as traditional department store retailers with growing omnichannel presence, yet differ in scale and recent execution. M maintains a larger market capitalization and has posted stronger recent momentum in price returns over the past year. Growth drivers for both include digital sales expansion, though KSS has emphasized merchandising leadership changes while M focuses on store portfolio refinement. Risk factors encompass similar exposures to consumer discretionary spending and inventory management in a competitive environment. Sector positioning remains aligned within retail, with market sentiment varying based on earnings delivery—KSS benefiting from cost controls and M from relative valuation appeal including dividend support. Trade-offs include KSS's potentially lower valuation multiples versus M's demonstrated price resilience in recent activity.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency and relative positioning, Tickeron’s AI models would currently assign a modestly higher probability of favorable near-term behavior to Macy's, Inc. (M) over Kohl's Corporation (KSS). This assessment draws from M's stronger one-year return profile and upcoming catalysts around earnings, contrasted with KSS's mixed revenue signals despite operational progress. Market conditions favoring stability in consumer retail could influence outcomes, though both equities remain subject to broader economic variables.
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.
Disclaimers and LimitationsTo compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is KSS is a Hold and M is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
KSS’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileM’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- KSS’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- M’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
KSS’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while M’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- KSS’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 3 bearish.
- M’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
KSS (@Department Stores) experienced а +11.09% price change this week, while M (@Department Stores) price change was +4.73% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Department Stores industry was +1.38%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.98%, and the average quarterly price growth was +9.86%.
Reported Earning Dates
KSS is expected to report earnings on Nov 12, 2026.
M is expected to report earnings on Sep 10, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Department Stores (+1.38% weekly)A department store sells a wide variety of consumer goods under different “departments,” including (but not necessarily limited to) apparel, household appliances, home furnishings, personal care products, cosmetics, consumer electronics. During healthy macroeconomic conditions, consumers typically won’t shy away from big-ticket purchases; but during a downturn, consumer spending might get limited to the most necessary/daily essentials. Several department stores purchase items on bulk from manufacturers for resale to consumers at a profit. Some of the largest department stores companies in the U.S. include Kohl’s Corporation, Macy’s Inc., and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings Inc.
| KSS | M | KSS / M | |
| Capitalization | 2.2B | 6.06B | 36% |
| EBITDA | 1.29B | 1.85B | 70% |
| Gain YTD | -3.050 | 6.518 | -47% |
| P/E Ratio | 8.34 | 9.52 | 88% |
| Revenue | 15.4B | 22.7B | 68% |
| Total Cash | 821M | 1.29B | 63% |
| Total Debt | 6.42B | 5.11B | 126% |
KSS | M | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 32 Undervalued | 77 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 77 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 79 | 58 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 42 | 48 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 51 | 47 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 85 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
KSS's Valuation (32) in the Department Stores industry is somewhat better than the same rating for M (77). This means that KSS’s stock grew somewhat faster than M’s over the last 12 months.
M's Profit vs Risk Rating (77) in the Department Stores industry is in the same range as KSS (100). This means that M’s stock grew similarly to KSS’s over the last 12 months.
M's SMR Rating (58) in the Department Stores industry is in the same range as KSS (79). This means that M’s stock grew similarly to KSS’s over the last 12 months.
KSS's Price Growth Rating (42) in the Department Stores industry is in the same range as M (48). This means that KSS’s stock grew similarly to M’s over the last 12 months.
M's P/E Growth Rating (47) in the Department Stores industry is in the same range as KSS (51). This means that M’s stock grew similarly to KSS’s over the last 12 months.
| KSS | M | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 86% | 5 days ago 82% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 73% | 5 days ago 78% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 84% | 5 days ago 74% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 74% | 5 days ago 78% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 81% | 5 days ago 76% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 73% | 5 days ago 76% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 29 days ago 82% | 8 days ago 75% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 75% | 7 days ago 81% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 83% | 5 days ago 75% |
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| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| MUYY | 19.72 | 0.19 | +0.95% |
| GraniteShares YieldBOOST MU ETF | |||
| STK | 52.56 | 0.35 | +0.67% |
| Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund | |||
| XSLV | 52.83 | 0.12 | +0.23% |
| Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF | |||
| EFA | 108.35 | 0.14 | +0.13% |
| iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | |||
| TAXT | 50.28 | -0.01 | -0.02% |
| Northern Trust Tax Exempt Bond ETF | |||
M and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, M has been loosely correlated with KSS. These tickers have moved in lockstep 53% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if M jumps, then KSS could also see price increases.