{
  "id": 3522135,
  "title": "Earnings call transcript: Kohl’s posts Q2 2026 profit beat as sales miss",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/earnings-call-transcript-kohls-posts-q2-2026-profit-beat-as-sales-miss",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-26T14:13:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Investing.com",
    "slug": "investing-com",
    "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-kohls-posts-q2-2026-profit-beat-as-sales-miss-93CH-4877459"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the second quarter of 2026, Kohl's reported earnings of $1.28 per share on revenue of $3.32 billion, surpassing Wall Street's expectations. However, comparable sales fell 0.9% and store sales declined 2.0%. The company's digital sales grew by 2.8%, while marketplace sales jumped 88%, driven by an expanded assortment. Gross margin improved significantly, thanks to about $150 million in tariff refunds. Sales of Kohl's Card rose 1%, indicating a recovery in customer loyalty. Management raised full-year sales guidance but remained cautious about the consumer environment. The company made progress in several operational areas, but the broader sales picture remained weak. The retailer attributed the decline in sales to inflation pressures on everyday costs like food and gas, affecting its core low- to middle-income customer base. Despite challenges, some segments, such as proprietary brands and the home category, showed growth. Juniors' sales increased by 10%. Revenue for the quarter was $3.32 billion, slightly below the forecasted $3.4 billion. Earnings per share reached $1.28, a 124.56% increase from analysts' estimates. Kohl's stock showed little immediate reaction, trading at $17.67 in premarket hours, down 0.06% from the previous close of $17.68. The stock's market capitalization stands at $2 billion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.52, indicating a low earnings multiple. Free cash flow yield is at 52%, showing strong cash generation relative to market value. Kohl's raised its full-year comparable sales outlook to a range of down 1.5% to flat, with adjusted operating margin guidance of 3.5% to 4.0%. The company expects adjusted earnings of $1.80 to $2.40 per share. Management plans to repurchase about $100 million of stock in 2026, marking its first buyback since 2022. CEO Michael Bender acknowledged the company was operating in a challenging macroeconomic environment with persistent financial pressures from inflation in everyday expenses.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Quartz",
        "title": "Kohl's stock sank after a tariff refund masked another quarter of falling sales",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/kohls-stock-sank-after-a-tariff-refund-masked-another-quarter-of",
        "published": "2026-08-26T13:10:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}