Ross Stores stock gains on strong Q2 sales and valuation debate

Published on 09/20/2026 at 16:34 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Ross Stores stock closed at USD 226.61 on September 18, 2026 after Q2 2026 revenue rose 13.3 percent year over year. Analysts now debate whether the shares are more than 200 percent above fair value.

Dicht gefüllte Kleiderstangen in einem generischen amerikanischen Off-Price-Bekleidungsgeschäft — Ross Stores Inc. (US7782961038) betreibt dicht bestückte Kleiderstangen in einem typischen Off-Price-Bekleidungsgeschäft in den USA, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Ross Stores, Inc. stock (ISIN US7782961038) is trading near record territory after a powerful run driven by double-digit sales growth in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 and a heated debate about valuation as of September 18, 2026. According to MarketBeat data on September 18, 2026, the shares last closed at USD 226.61 on Nasdaq, up 25.8 percent since the start of 2026 when they traded at USD 180.14.

Q2 2026 earnings show double-digit growth

Investors are still digesting the latest quarterly figures from Ross Stores, which reported earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 in August 2026. According to MarketBeat, the apparel and off-price retailer reported earnings per share of USD 2.66 in its latest quarter, comfortably beating the analysts' consensus of USD 1.95 by USD 0.71 in what it describes as a strong beat.

The same overview states that Ross Stores' quarterly revenue grew 13.3 percent compared with the same quarter a year earlier, underscoring that the business is expanding at a double-digit pace on the top line in its most recent reported period. MarketBeat notes that this revenue growth rate came alongside a raised guidance after the Q2 2026 earnings release, which helped support the share price reaction.

Off-price leader strengthens position versus rivals

In the competitive off-price retail segment, Ross Stores has recently been singled out as a relative winner. As Yahoo Finance reported on September 19, 2026, Ross Dress for Less, the core chain of Ross Stores, achieved a 13 percent increase in sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 versus the prior year, with comparable store sales up 10 percent, primarily driven by higher customer traffic.

The same article highlights that Ross' 10 percent comparable sales growth in the quarter contrasts with softer results reported by TJX Companies, underlining that Ross has become a clear leader in the off-price space in 2026. According to WebProNews on September 19, 2026, industry observers point out that Ross' 10 percent comparable sales increase stands in sharp contrast to weaker trends at some peers and has helped its shares perform well.

Valuation premium sparks fair value debate

With the share price near USD 226, Ross Stores now trades at what some valuation models describe as a significant premium. A recent narrative-based analysis on September 20, 2026 argues that Ross Stores may be more than 200 percent overvalued relative to its estimated fair value. According to Simply Wall St on September 20, 2026, Ross Stores last closed at USD 226.61, while a widely followed fair value estimate for the stock is USD 74.69 per share.

The same analysis states that, based on this framework, Ross Stores is roughly 203 percent overvalued compared with the USD 74.69 fair value estimate, leaving little room for disappointment if growth or profitability were to slow. Yahoo Finance amplifies this narrative by noting that the leading fair value story pegs Ross Stores at USD 74.69 compared with the recent USD 226.61 close, framing the shares as rich and heavily front loaded with optimism.

Strong long-term share performance with recent pullback

Despite the valuation concerns, Ross Stores has delivered robust returns for shareholders over the past year. According to Simply Wall St on September 20, 2026, Ross Stores' year-to-date share price return is 24.0 percent, and its one-year total shareholder return stands at 56.3 percent.

The same analysis notes that more recent price action has cooled, with the share price slipping 5.2 percent over the past month, suggesting some consolidation after the strong run. Even so, the combination of a 56.3 percent one-year return and double-digit recent sales growth means that Ross Stores remains one of the stronger performers in off-price retail in 2026.

Dividend timing and next earnings date

Income-focused investors also keep an eye on Ross Stores' dividend schedule. Per the dividend timetable shown by MarketBeat, a dividend payable date is set for September 30, 2026, with the ex-dividend date earlier in September 2026, supporting shareholder returns alongside price appreciation.

Looking ahead, MarketBeat lists November 19, 2026 as the estimated next earnings date for Ross Stores, tied to the company's fiscal calendar that ends on January 31, 2027. For investors, that date will be the next major checkpoint to assess whether the double-digit revenue growth and strong comps reported in the second quarter can be sustained into the second half of fiscal 2026.

Ross Stores stock price and market metrics

Ross Stores is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker ROST, and the current reference price for the stock is the closing price from September 18, 2026. On that date, the shares closed at USD 226.61, down 1.25 percent from the prior close, with an after-hours indication around USD 228.75 according to MarketBeat data for Nasdaq trading on September 18, 2026.