Kohl's Corporation (KSS)

Kohl's Corporation (KSS) - Erika Maschmeyer at Robert W. Baird & Company

It reported an earnings per share figure that exceeded the consensus view, had total sales up 8.5 percent year over year and a surprising 4.5 percent growth in sales at established stores. Mark Miller, analyst at William Blair & Co., said that if KSS shares bounced back to their historic price earnings levels, their price would be 20 percent higher than current levels. They closed Friday at $53.82. Analyst Erika Maschmeyer at Robert W. Baird & Co had a similar take on KSS and a target of $68 on the shares. Speaking of targets, big boxer Target (TGT) had earnings that beat Wall Street's outlook while reporting increased store traffic and lower charge offs for bad credit. 

Kohl's Corporation (KSS) - Mark Miller at William Blair & Company

They exceeded profit expectations for the latest quarter, and analysts found that they've gotten smarter about inventory management, merchandising mixes and cost control. Take a look at Kohl's (KSS). It reported an earnings per share figure that exceeded the consensus view, had total sales up 8.5 percent year over year and a surprising 4.5 percent growth in sales at established stores. Mark Miller, analyst at William Blair & Co., said that if KSS shares bounced back to their historic price earnings levels, their price would be 20 percent higher than current levels. They closed Friday at $53.82 

Kohl's Corporation (KSS) - Kimberly Picciola at Morningstar

Coke shares slid 4.5%, while the distributor's shares surged 34%. Kohl's fourth quarter profit rose $431 million in the fourth quarter, beating estimates. Morningstar analyst Kimberly Picciola says the results confirm her view that solid sales and lean inventories will probably drive improved near term profitability. She says Kohl's value proposition and product offering is resonating well with consumers, resulting in same store sales growth and margin expansion. Shares were 3.7% higher at midday. 

Kohl's Corporation (KSS) - Michelle Clark at Morgan Stanley

Sales rose to $5.68 billion from $5.24 billion with comparable sales increasing 4.5%, the 1,058 store chain said. Kohl's forecast profit of 48 cents to 52 cents a share in the first quarter and $3.40 to $3.63 a share for the year. Comparable sales for both periods are projected to increase 1% to 3% each. Analysts, on average, estimated Kohl's to earn $1.36 a share in the fourth quarter, 55 cents in the first quarter and $3.62 a share for this year, according to FactSet. "Conservative earnings guidance should come as no surprise to investors," said Morgan Stanley's analyst Michelle Clark. 

Kohl's Corporation (KSS) - Michael Exstein at Credit Suisse

Kohl's also has doubled its design office in New York to help it be more in tune with trends. "Kohl's continues to outperform its peers, showing marked improvement in traffic growth and profitability during the quarter," said Credit Suisse analyst Michael Exstein in a note. Gross margin widened to 36.4% from 34.8%. Net income in the quarter ended Jan. 30 rose to $431 million, or $1.40 a share, from $336 million, or $1.10 a share, a year earlier 

Kohl's Corporation (KSS) - Erika Maschmeyer at Robert W. Baird & Company

saw their sales shoot up. "Last year there was a lot of concern around the fact that they were focusing on gross margins rather than growing sales and market share, which was the opposite strategy of Kohl's So the fact that they say they can get positive comp sales this year is significant," said Erika Maschmeyer, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co "JC Penney has been a laggard as a stock and on the comp performance side, so a little bit of this is sort of catch up" Department store stocks have fallen since October after a 7 month rally But Penney fell further than its rivals, setting it up for the bounce seen today, Maschmeyer said 

Kohl's Corporation (KSS) - Bill Dreher at Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank ( DB ) analyst Bill Dreher notes that an extra shopping day between Thanksgiving and Christmas helped, even though a snowstorm on the East Coast cost retailers a day of spending Dreher expects the results for the season to be up 1% to 2%, with market share gains benefiting Nordstrom ( JWN ), Kohl's ( KSS ) and Target ( TGT ) 

Kohl's Corporation (KSS) - Erika Maschmeyer at Robert W. Baird & Company

Investors continue to like Kohl's prospects as its stock price never suffered the embarrassing lows of most companies in March and has recovered nicely to the mid 50s this week Despite the recession, Kohl's continues to invest in its stores, adding exclusive product lines, including LC by Lauren Conrad, noted Erika Maschmeyer, an analyst with Milwaukee based Robert W Baird & Co Inc 

Kohl's Corporation (KSS) - Richard Jaffe at Stifel Nicolaus

Richard Jaffe, a retail analyst at Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., said in a note that Kohl's may be hoping to "under promise, and over deliver." .  

Kohl's Corporation (KSS) - Robert W. Baird & Company

, Analysts at Robert W Baird upgrade Kohl's Corp (KSS) from "neutral" to "outperform."  

Kohl's Corporation (KSS) - Bill DiBenedetto at Triple Pundit

Kohl's Department Stores is going all in on carbon neutrality. The Wisconsin company says it's the first retailer to commit to reaching a net zero greenhouse gas emission as part of a partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Leader program. It's a bold assertion but Kohl's appears ready to back up it with action.