The off-price retailer now projects earnings per share for fiscal 2026 in the range of $8.61 to $8.77, factoring in a $0.60 per share benefit from approximately $253m in IEEPA tariff refunds received during the quarter.
For the period ended 3 August 2026, Ross Stores posted a 13% jump in total sales to $6.3bn, with comparable store sales up 10%, primarily driven by customer traffic
Net income climbed to $851m from $508m last year, while earnings per share reached $2.66, surpassing previous guidance of $1.85 to $1.93. Q2 operating profits totalled $1.1bn, including the impact of the tariff refunds, which contributed approximately 405 basis points to the quarter’s 610 basis point operating margin increase. Excluding this one-off benefit, operating margin rose by 205 basis points, outpacing the company’s target.
Store expansion contributed to the company’s performance, with 47 new locations. Ross Stores chief executive officer Jim Conroy said: “We achieved stellar sales and earnings growth in the second quarter. I am incredibly proud of our teams across the Company, whose dedication and strong execution drove these outstanding results. “Our performance was fuelled by our compelling merchandise offerings, engaging marketing initiatives, and continued enhancements to the in-store experience.