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KSS vs M
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Kohl's (KSS) vs. Macy's (M) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Kohl's (KSS) delivered a stronger-than-expected Q1 2026 earnings report in late May, with comparable sales trends improving and the stock surging over 20% intraday before some subsequent consolidation.
- Macy's (M) has shown relative price stability in recent weeks while awaiting its own Q1 2026 results scheduled for early June, with shares trading higher over the past month compared to broader retail sector weakness.
- Both companies operate in the challenged department store segment, facing similar pressures from consumer spending patterns and competition, yet differ in recent earnings momentum and valuation positioning.
- Kohl's (KSS) market capitalization remains smaller, reflecting prior underperformance, while Macy's (M) has maintained a comparatively steadier price trajectory year-to-date.
- Sector exposure to discretionary retail makes both stocks sensitive to macroeconomic factors such as inflation and employment trends, with limited differentiation in core business models.
- Relative performance highlights trade-offs between short-term catalyst-driven moves at Kohl's (KSS) and more measured positioning at Macy's (M).
Introduction
Department store operators Kohl's (KSS) and Macy's (M) represent two established players in the U.S. retail sector, each navigating evolving consumer preferences and economic conditions. This comparison examines their recent stock behavior, operational updates, and market positioning to assist traders and investors evaluating relative value within the consumer discretionary space. Portfolio managers and active traders monitoring retail earnings cycles may find the analysis particularly relevant for assessing short-term momentum versus longer-term stability.
Kohl's Overview and Recent Performance
Kohl's Corporation operates a chain of department stores offering apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty products, and home goods, with a focus on proprietary brands and omnichannel capabilities. In recent market activity, the stock experienced notable volatility tied to its Q1 2026 earnings release. The company reported revenue of approximately $3.17 billion, a modest year-over-year decline, alongside a narrower net loss than anticipated. Comparable sales showed the strongest performance in four years, prompting a significant intraday rally of more than 20%. Subsequent trading reflected some profit-taking, though the episode underscored improving operational trends amid ongoing retail headwinds.
M Overview and Recent Performance
Macy's, Inc. runs department stores under the Macy's and Bloomingdale's banners, emphasizing fashion, cosmetics, and home furnishings with growing digital integration. During recent market activity, shares have displayed relative resilience while the company prepares to release Q1 2026 results in early June. Over the past month, the stock posted gains exceeding 11%, outperforming the broader retail wholesale sector which saw declines. Daily price movements remained mixed but generally aligned with or slightly trailed major indices on select sessions, reflecting a more measured response to prevailing consumer environment conditions compared to peers.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Kohl's (KSS) and Macy's (M) share core exposure to the department store retail sector, with business models centered on physical stores supplemented by e-commerce channels. Growth drivers for both include private-label expansion and operational efficiency initiatives, though recent momentum diverged following Kohl's earnings beat versus Macy's pre-earnings period. Risk factors encompass similar sensitivities to discretionary spending, inventory management, and competitive pressures from online retailers. Market sentiment around Kohl's (KSS) strengthened on positive comparable sales data, while Macy's (M) benefited from steadier price action amid sector softness. Valuation metrics and balance sheet considerations present trade-offs, with Kohl's (KSS) showing higher short-term volatility potential and Macy's (M) reflecting a more consolidated positioning.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including recent earnings consistency at Kohl's (KSS) and relative price stability at Macy's (M), Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a probabilistic edge to Macy's (M) for balanced positioning in the near term. The assessment draws from trend continuity metrics and sector-relative performance rather than isolated catalysts, with outcomes remaining subject to forthcoming earnings data and broader market dynamics.
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.
To 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 StrongBuy.
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 0 FA rating(s) are green whileM’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- KSS’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- M’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 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 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while M’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- KSS’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- M’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
KSS (@Department Stores) experienced а -4.71% price change this week, while M (@Department Stores) price change was -9.53% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Department Stores industry was +4.37%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +18.57%, and the average quarterly price growth was -5.58%.
Reported Earning Dates
KSS is expected to report earnings on Aug 13, 2026.
M is expected to report earnings on Aug 25, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Department Stores (+4.37% 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 | 2.06B | 6.12B | 34% |
| EBITDA | 1.31B | 1.85B | 71% |
| Gain YTD | -9.284 | 7.442 | -125% |
| P/E Ratio | 7.39 | 10.19 | 73% |
| Revenue | 15.5B | 22.7B | 68% |
| Total Cash | 543M | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 6.63B | 5.2B | 127% |
KSS | M | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 56 Fair valued | 86 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 75 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 80 | 60 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 39 | 40 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 51 | 11 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 50 |
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 (56) in the Department Stores industry is in the same range as M (86). This means that KSS’s stock grew similarly to M’s over the last 12 months.
M's Profit vs Risk Rating (75) 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 (60) in the Department Stores industry is in the same range as KSS (80). This means that M’s stock grew similarly to KSS’s over the last 12 months.
KSS's Price Growth Rating (39) in the Department Stores industry is in the same range as M (40). This means that KSS’s stock grew similarly to M’s over the last 12 months.
M's P/E Growth Rating (11) in the Department Stores industry is somewhat better than the same rating for KSS (51). This means that M’s stock grew somewhat faster than KSS’s over the last 12 months.
| KSS | M | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 75% | 5 days ago 71% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 78% | 5 days ago 77% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | N/A | 5 days ago 76% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 80% | 5 days ago 82% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 83% | 5 days ago 76% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 73% | 5 days ago 77% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 11 days ago 73% | 11 days ago 77% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 82% | 5 days ago 75% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 90% | 5 days ago 74% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 77% | 5 days ago 74% |
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