Sector Alpha Week of 2026-08-04
20-quarter listed-company comparison

Department Stores Stocks

Department Stores: Macy's, Inc. owns the largest revenue base; Dillard's, Inc. has the fastest current growth.

01 · the industry itself · before any single company

How has Department Stores moved against S&P 500?

The line below covers up to 5.2 years and opens on the 5Y view; the buttons cut it shorter. Over the most recent two of them this industry is 9% behind S&P 500. Earnings across its companies grew 5% on average over the last four reported quarters — close to flat. It has been ahead of S&P 500 on a rolling three-month view for 7 weeks running.

BREAKING OUT · ahead 7wMoving with the index3 of 4 companies ahead of S&P 500 by 5% or more over three months

RS ↑7w · 3/4 >200d (+2) · 3/4 lead (+1) · EPS 3/4↑

20020262025202420232022 235348 TRAILING 12-MONTH EPS · 100 AT THE START0100Jun 22Dec 22Jun 23Dec 23Jun 24Dec 24Jun 25Dec 25Jun 26Jun 2022 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 100, against 100 at the start · no comparable year yet · 3 reportingSep 2022 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 98, against 100 at the start · no comparable year yet · 3 reportingDec 2022 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 91, against 100 at the start · no comparable year yet · 3 reportingMar 2023 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 80, against 100 at the start · no comparable year yet · 3 reportingJun 2023 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 72, against 100 at the start · down 28.3% on a year ago · 3 reportingSep 2023 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 51, against 100 at the start · down 47.8% on a year ago · 3 reportingDec 2023 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 47, against 100 at the start · down 48.7% on a year ago · 3 reportingMar 2024 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 44, against 100 at the start · down 54.1% on a year ago · 3 reportingJun 2024 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 39, against 100 at the start · down 55.1% on a year ago · 3 reportingSep 2024 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 40, against 100 at the start · down 49.5% on a year ago · 3 reportingDec 2024 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 35, against 100 at the start · down 50.2% on a year ago · 3 reportingMar 2025 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 39, against 100 at the start · down 17.6% on a year ago · 3 reportingJun 2025 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 38, against 100 at the start · down 36.9% on a year ago · 3 reportingSep 2025 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 33, against 100 at the start · down 10.7% on a year ago · 3 reportingDec 2025 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 32, against 100 at the start · down 5.2% on a year ago · 3 reportingMar 2026 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 44, against 100 at the start · up 12.6% on a year ago · 3 reportingJun 2026 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 46, against 100 at the start · up 22.8% on a year ago · 3 reportingNot reported yet — earnings trail price by a quarter or two46No earnings on file this far back — the price series reaches further than the filings do
20020262025202420232022 235348 TRAILING 12-MONTH EPS · 100 AT THE START0100Jun 22Jun 23Jun 24Jun 25Jun 26Jun 2022 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 100, against 100 at the start · no comparable year yet · 3 reportingSep 2022 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 98, against 100 at the start · no comparable year yet · 3 reportingDec 2022 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 91, against 100 at the start · no comparable year yet · 3 reportingMar 2023 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 80, against 100 at the start · no comparable year yet · 3 reportingJun 2023 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 72, against 100 at the start · down 28.3% on a year ago · 3 reportingSep 2023 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 51, against 100 at the start · down 47.8% on a year ago · 3 reportingDec 2023 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 47, against 100 at the start · down 48.7% on a year ago · 3 reportingMar 2024 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 44, against 100 at the start · down 54.1% on a year ago · 3 reportingJun 2024 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 39, against 100 at the start · down 55.1% on a year ago · 3 reportingSep 2024 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 40, against 100 at the start · down 49.5% on a year ago · 3 reportingDec 2024 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 35, against 100 at the start · down 50.2% on a year ago · 3 reportingMar 2025 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 39, against 100 at the start · down 17.6% on a year ago · 3 reportingJun 2025 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 38, against 100 at the start · down 36.9% on a year ago · 3 reportingSep 2025 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 33, against 100 at the start · down 10.7% on a year ago · 3 reportingDec 2025 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 32, against 100 at the start · down 5.2% on a year ago · 3 reportingMar 2026 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 44, against 100 at the start · up 12.6% on a year ago · 3 reportingJun 2026 · trailing 12-month earnings per share at 46, against 100 at the start · up 22.8% on a year ago · 3 reportingNot reported yet — earnings trail price by a quarter or two46No earnings on file this far back — the price series reaches further than the filings do
Department Stores, equal-weighted, based at 200 S&P 500, same base, same start trailing 12-month earnings per share rising falling

Both lines start at 200 in the same week, so the distance between them is the whole story: the industry line is an equal-weighted index of its 4 companies. The bars underneath are trailing 12-month earnings per share, one bar per reported quarter, each member rebased to 100 at the start and the industry taking the median — so a price line pulling away from flat bars is a re-rating, not earnings. A bar turns red when that figure is lower than the quarter before. Rules are fixed and applied identically everywhere on this site: ahead by 5% or more over three months, or behind by 20% or more over a year while earnings grew 20% or more. Hover any point to read both values and the gap. This is a description of what the numbers did, not advice.

02 · sector relative strength, before individual stocks

Is Department Stores outperforming S&P 500?

Department Stores has outperformed S&P 500 by 20.2% over the last 52 weeks. Over 13 weeks the gap is a lead of 13.7%. 2 of 4 covered companies currently beat the S&P 500 on Mansfield relative strength, so leadership inside the sector is selective. Macy's, Inc. is the strongest against the sector itself at +17.9%.

+13.7%Sector vs S&P 500 · 13 weeks
+20.2%Sector vs S&P 500 · 52 weeks
2/4Stocks leading S&P 500
2/4Stocks leading sector

Sector metric: — as of latest available · unclassified · direction unavailable.

The central tension: the companies with the most scale are not necessarily the companies creating the most change.

Start with scale. Then earnings trajectory. Then business quality. Only after those three agree should price leadership carry much weight.

Bottom line

Department Stores has outperformed S&P 500 by 20.2% over 52 weeks and 13.7% over 13 weeks. 2 of 4 covered companies beat the S&P 500 on Mansfield relative strength, while 2 of 4 beat the sector itself. Macy's, Inc. leads with revenue of $22,720 million, based on 3 of 4 comparable companies through Jun 2026.

Companies
4
complete canonical membership
Combined market value
$21.0B
Dillard's, Inc.
Revenue growing
1/3
positive TTM year-on-year growth
Beating S&P 500
2/4
positive Mansfield relative strength
Comparing 3 of 4
03 · research priority, made explicit

4-Factor Sector Score

An additive sector-relative research score. The four displayed point contributions always equal the total: Growth & earnings (35), Capital efficiency (25), Valuation (20), and Relative strength (20). Missing or stale evidence is absorbed inside the affected factor, never applied as a hidden adjustment.

Growth & earnings · 35%Capital efficiency · 25%Valuation · 20%Relative strength · 20%
Macy's, Inc. has the strongest current balance of earnings trajectory, business quality, valuation and price confirmation, with 82.3% evidence confidence.
Macy's, Inc. looks inexpensive relative to peers or its own history, but its earnings trajectory has not yet earned the valuation signal.
Macy's, Inc. has stronger price confirmation than earnings confirmation; that is a research prompt, not permission to chase.
How this score is built, and what the marks mean

Missing observations are not scored as bad. Their missing weight lowers confidence and pulls the final score toward neutral. PEG is not shown when the ratio cannot mean anything: the company must be making a profit, its price-to-earnings must be positive, and its three-year earnings growth must fall between 5% and 60%. Dividing a price multiple by a loss, or by growth measured off a tiny base, produces a number that looks precise and tells you nothing. Under relative strength, one mark per week shows the last 12 weeks: a mark is filled where the company led S&P 500 by 5% or more over the 13 weeks ending that week, which is the same test used everywhere on this site. Price stage places the company on the same six-step curve the sector itself is placed on — basing, turning, breaking out, leader, fading, asleep — read from how many weeks running it has led S&P 500 and whether that lead is widening or shrinking. It describes where the PRICE stands, not the earnings trajectory and not a recommendation, and it is left blank for a company whose weekly history is too short or too stale to read.

CompanyScorePrice stageGrowth & earnings/35Capital efficiency/25Valuation/20Relative strength/20
1Macy's, Inc.M 51.8/100Mixed-positive evidence82% evidence BREAKING OUT 10.4/35 Revenue -0.3% · PAT -22.6% · OPM change 0.3 pp 95% evidence 6.4/25 ROCE 1% · OPM 2.3% 76% evidence 15.0/20 P/E 8.1× · PEG 0.36 50% evidence 20.0/20 RS sector 17.9% · RS bench 16% · 1Y 117%10 of 12 weeks ahead 100% evidence
Exact sum: 10.4 + 6.4 + 15 + 20 = 51.8 · Decision use: Price leads the evidence: RS versus the benchmark is 16%, but earnings trajectory is weak. Wait for revenue and profit confirmation.
2Kohl's CorporationKSS 47.7/100Mixed-negative evidence64% evidence BREAKING OUT 12.4/35 Revenue -3.8% · PAT 100% · OPM change -0.4 pp 71% evidence 5.3/25 ROCE 0.4% · OPM 1.5% 76% evidence 10.0/20 P/E 6.2× · PEG — 0% evidence 20.0/20 RS sector 9.7% · RS bench 7% · 1Y 80.8%9 of 12 weeks ahead 100% evidence
Exact sum: 12.4 + 5.3 + 10 + 20 = 47.7 · Decision use: Price leads the evidence: RS versus the benchmark is 7%, but earnings trajectory is weak. Wait for revenue and profit confirmation.
3Dillard's, Inc.DDS 38.9/100Mixed-negative evidence82% evidence TURNING 14.9/35 Revenue 0.6% · PAT 14% · OPM change 0.2 pp 95% evidence 9.2/25 ROCE 8.1% · OPM 14.3% 76% evidence 14.5/20 P/E 13.4× · PEG 0.83 50% evidence 0.3/20 RS sector -6.3% · RS bench -7.7% · 1Y 31.2%1 of 12 weeks ahead 100% evidence
Exact sum: 14.9 + 9.2 + 14.5 + 0.3 = 38.9 · Decision use: Cheap but unconfirmed: require improving earnings before treating the valuation as an opportunity.
4Polibeli Group LtdPLBL 34.6/100Thin evidence · provisional33% evidence ASLEEP 17.8/35 Revenue — · PAT — · OPM change — 3% evidence 6.8/25 ROCE 0% · OPM — 46% evidence 10.0/20 P/E — · PEG — 0% evidence 0.0/20 RS sector -36.9% · RS bench -38.1% · 1Y -43.9%1 of 12 weeks ahead 100% evidence
Exact sum: 17.8 + 6.8 + 10 + 0 = 34.6 · Decision use: Fill the missing evidence before acting; the ranking is deliberately pulled toward neutral.
04 · what price has already done

Market action

Macy's, Inc. has the strongest one-year price move in Department Stores at +117%. It also leads on Mansfield relative strength against the S&P 500 at +16%. 2 of 4 covered companies are above zero on that measure. Every line covers 314 weekly closes through 2026-08-04.

Price and relative strength

Every company, the sector's own index and S&P 500 all start level on the left edge of the window, so only the distance between the lines counts — the highest line has risen the most since then, and the chart at the top of this page is drawn the same way. It opens on one year; the buttons beside it stretch that to three or five.

05 · compare level, then change

Revenue Scale & Growth Durability

Macy's, Inc. has the highest Revenue among the 4 Department Stores companies compared here, at $22,720 million. Kohl's Corporation is next at $15,461 million. Dillard's, Inc. has the highest Revenue growth at 0.6%, so level and change sit with different companies. 3 of 4 companies report a comparable reading, the latest through Jun 2026.

What the numbers say: Macy's, Inc. is the scale leader at $22,720 million, 47% ahead of Kohl's Corporation. Dillard's, Inc.'s growth is 0.6% from a $6,605 million base, with 20 reported observations in the 20-quarter window. Treat the growth leader as an acceleration candidate, not as equally proven scale.

LeaderMacy's, Inc. · $22,720 million
Gap47% versus #2 · Kohl's Corporation
Persistence2/8 recent comparable periods
Coverage3/4 companies · 64 observations

Investor read: Macy's, Inc. is the scale benchmark; Dillard's, Inc. is the acceleration watch. Promote the challenger only if growth persists and converts into margin and returns.

This conclusion weakens if: Macy's, Inc.'s growth falls below Dillard's, Inc.'s for two consecutive comparable reports while operating margin also compresses.

Revenue is compared on a common reported-currency basis. Growth is year-on-year, so seasonality does not masquerade as progress.
Revenuelargest
1Macy's, Inc. M$22.7B
3Dillard's, Inc. DDS$6.6B
Revenue growthfastest growers
2Macy's, Inc. M-0.4%
Revenue · company comparison
3/4 level · 3/4 change

On every company-comparison chart on this page: solid lines show level, dotted lines show change when “Both” is selected, and a missing report breaks the line rather than being invented.

All-company data · latest reported quarter

In every all-company table on this page, each figure is the company’s latest single reported quarter. The rankings above them use trailing-twelve-month or current-market values, so a company can legitimately show a different number in each.

CompanyRevenueRevenue growthReported
Macy's, Inc. M$4.9B2.1%Jun 2026
Kohl's Corporation KSS$3.2B-2.0%Jun 2026
Dillard's, Inc. DDS$1.6B2.7%Jun 2026
Polibeli Group Ltd PLBL$19M58%Dec 2025
Full 20-quarter history · every available company

Revenue · reported quarter history

Dillard's, Inc. · DDS

$1.6B
$1.5B
$2.2B
$1.6B
$1.6B
$1.6B
$2.2B
$1.6B
$1.6B
$1.5B
$2.2B
$1.6B
$1.5B
$1.5B
$2.1B
$1.5B
$1.5B
$1.5B
$2.0B
$1.6B

Kohl's Corporation · KSS

$4.4B
$4.6B
$6.5B
$3.7B
$4.1B
$4.3B
$6.0B
$3.6B
$3.9B
$4.1B
$6.0B
$3.4B
$3.7B
$3.7B
$5.4B
$3.2B
$3.5B
$3.6B
$5.2B
$3.2B

Macy's, Inc. · M

$5.8B
$5.7B
$8.7B
$5.6B
$5.8B
$5.5B
$8.6B
$5.2B
$5.3B
$5.0B
$8.4B
$5.0B
$5.1B
$4.9B
$8.0B
$4.8B
$5.0B
$4.9B
$7.9B
$4.9B

Polibeli Group Ltd · PLBL

$11M
$12M
$11M
$19M

Revenue growth · reported quarter history

Dillard's, Inc. · DDS

1.1%
4.0%
0.4%
-1.8%
-1.3%
-4.4%
-0.1%
-2.5%
-5.1%
-3.5%
-5.0%
-1.7%
1.4%
2.8%
-3.1%
2.7%

Kohl's Corporation · KSS

-8.1%
-7.0%
-7.4%
-3.9%
-4.7%
-5.2%
-1.1%
-5.3%
-4.2%
-8.5%
-9.4%
-4.4%
-5.0%
-3.6%
-4.2%
-2.0%

Macy's, Inc. · M

-0.2%
-3.3%
-1.0%
-7.0%
-9.5%
-7.9%
-2.4%
-3.3%
-3.5%
-2.7%
-4.4%
-4.1%
-1.9%
0.2%
-1.1%
2.1%

Polibeli Group Ltd · PLBL

0.0%
58%
06 · compare level, then change

Operating Economics & Margin Trend

Dillard's, Inc. has the highest OPM among the 4 Department Stores companies compared here, at 14.3%. Macy's, Inc. is next at 2.3%. Macy's, Inc. has the highest Margin change at +0.3 percentage points, so level and change sit with different companies. 3 of 4 companies report a comparable reading, the latest through Jun 2026.

What the numbers say: Dillard's, Inc. leads opm at 14.3%; Macy's, Inc. leads margin change at +0.3 percentage points.

LeaderDillard's, Inc. · 14.3%
Gap521.7% versus #2 · Macy's, Inc.
Persistence2/8 recent comparable periods
Coverage3/4 companies · 60 observations

Investor read: Dillard's, Inc. sets the level benchmark; use the change leader as an inflection watch only after another comparable report confirms it.

This conclusion weakens if: The next two comparable reports reverse the current margin change signal.

Operating margin compares operating profit with revenue. Improvement is measured in percentage points, not percentage growth.
OPMhighest
Margin changefastest expanders
1Macy's, Inc. M+0.3 pp
2Dillard's, Inc. DDS+0.2 pp
3Kohl's Corporation KSS−0.4 pp
Operating margin · company comparison
3/4 level · 3/4 change
All-company data · latest reported quarter
CompanyOPMMargin changeReported
Dillard's, Inc. DDS14%+0.2 ppJun 2026
Macy's, Inc. M2.3%+0.3 ppJun 2026
Kohl's Corporation KSS1.5%−0.4 ppJun 2026
Full 20-quarter history · every available company

OPM · reported quarter history

Dillard's, Inc. · DDS

16%
18%
19%
20%
14%
16%
15%
17%
11%
13%
13%
15%
6.6%
11%
12%
14%
6.1%
11%
10%
14%

Kohl's Corporation · KSS

13%
8.4%
6.9%
2.2%
6.5%
4.7%
-5.0%
2.7%
4.2%
3.9%
5.0%
1.3%
4.4%
2.6%
2.3%
1.9%
7.9%
2.0%
4.1%
1.5%

Macy's, Inc. · M

10%
9.3%
12%
8.3%
6.8%
3.5%
7.4%
4.7%
2.3%
1.6%
10%
2.5%
4.4%
1.3%
8.4%
2.0%
3.0%
0.9%
7.8%
2.3%

Margin change · reported quarter history

Dillard's, Inc. · DDS

−2.1 pp
−1.7 pp
−3.7 pp
−3.5 pp
−2.7 pp
−2.8 pp
−1.8 pp
−1.4 pp
−4.4 pp
−1.9 pp
−1.5 pp
−1.0 pp
−0.5 pp
+0.1 pp
−1.3 pp
+0.2 pp

Kohl's Corporation · KSS

−6.3 pp
−3.7 pp
−11.9 pp
+0.5 pp
−2.3 pp
−0.8 pp
+10.0 pp
−1.4 pp
+0.2 pp
−1.3 pp
−2.7 pp
+0.6 pp
+3.5 pp
−0.6 pp
+1.8 pp
−0.4 pp

Macy's, Inc. · M

−3.4 pp
−5.8 pp
−4.3 pp
−3.6 pp
−4.5 pp
−1.9 pp
+2.8 pp
−2.2 pp
+2.1 pp
−0.3 pp
−1.8 pp
−0.5 pp
−1.4 pp
−0.4 pp
−0.6 pp
+0.3 pp
07 · compare level, then change

Profit Scale & Acceleration

Dillard's, Inc. has the highest Net profit among the 4 Department Stores companies compared here, at $658 million. Macy's, Inc. is next at $604 million. The same company also holds the highest Profit growth, at 14%. 3 of 4 companies report a comparable reading, the latest through Jun 2026.

What the numbers say: Dillard's, Inc. leads with $658 million of TTM profit, 8.9% above Macy's, Inc.. Dillard's, Inc. shows 14% growth from a $658 million profit base. Compare the size of the base and persistence before ranking acceleration above profit scale.

LeaderDillard's, Inc. · $658 million
Gap8.9% versus #2 · Macy's, Inc.
Persistence2/8 recent comparable periods
Coverage3/4 companies · 64 observations

Investor read: Dillard's, Inc. sets the level benchmark; use the change leader as an inflection watch only after another comparable report confirms it.

This conclusion weakens if: The next two comparable reports reverse the current profit growth signal.

Net profit is the residual after operating costs, interest and tax. Growth off a loss or near-zero base is excluded from the fastest-grower rank.
Net profitlargest
1Dillard's, Inc. DDS$658M
2Macy's, Inc. M$604M
Profit growthfastest growers
Net profit · company comparison
3/4 level · 2/4 change
All-company data · latest reported quarter
CompanyNet profitProfit growthReported
Dillard's, Inc. DDS$251M53%Jun 2026
Macy's, Inc. M$63M66%Jun 2026
Polibeli Group Ltd PLBL$-5MDec 2025
Kohl's Corporation KSS$-14M160%Jun 2026
Full 20-quarter history · every available company

Net profit · reported quarter history

Dillard's, Inc. · DDS

$186M
$197M
$321M
$251M
$163M
$188M
$289M
$201M
$132M
$155M
$251M
$180M
$74M
$125M
$214M
$164M
$73M
$130M
$204M
$251M

Kohl's Corporation · KSS

$382M
$243M
$299M
$14M
$143M
$97M
$-273M
$14M
$58M
$59M
$186M
$-27M
$66M
$22M
$48M
$-15M
$153M
$8M
$125M
$-14M

Macy's, Inc. · M

$345M
$239M
$743M
$286M
$275M
$108M
$478M
$155M
$-22M
$41M
$826M
$62M
$150M
$28M
$564M
$38M
$87M
$11M
$443M
$63M

Polibeli Group Ltd · PLBL

$-3M
$-3M
$-6M
$-5M

Profit growth · reported quarter history

Dillard's, Inc. · DDS

-12%
-4.6%
-10.0%
-20%
-19%
-18%
-13%
-10%
-44%
-19%
-15%
-8.9%
-1.4%
4.0%
-4.7%
53%

Kohl's Corporation · KSS

-63%
-60%
-191%
0.0%
-59%
-39%
-293%
14%
-63%
-74%
132%
-64%
160%

Macy's, Inc. · M

-20%
-55%
-36%
-46%
-108%
-62%
73%
-60%
-32%
-32%
-39%
-42%
-61%
-21%
66%
08 · compare level, then change

Return On Capital Employed

Dillard's, Inc. has the highest ROCE among the 4 Department Stores companies compared here, at 8.1%. Macy's, Inc. is next at 1%. Polibeli Group Ltd has the highest ROCE change at +20.3 percentage points, so level and change sit with different companies. 4 of 4 companies report a comparable reading, the latest through Jun 2026.

What the numbers say: Dillard's, Inc. leads ROCE at 8.1%, 7.1 percentage points above Macy's, Inc.. Polibeli Group Ltd has the strongest latest improvement at +20.3 percentage points. Read the leader beside the density of its reported history: a sparse high return is a candidate; a repeated high return is evidence of durability.

LeaderDillard's, Inc. · 8.1%
Gap710% versus #2 · Macy's, Inc.
Persistence1/8 recent comparable periods
Coverage4/4 companies · 67 observations

Investor read: Dillard's, Inc. sets the level benchmark; use the change leader as an inflection watch only after another comparable report confirms it.

This conclusion weakens if: The next two comparable reports reverse the current roce change signal.

ROCE asks how much operating return the business earns on the capital employed. Direction matters, but a single exceptional year should not be mistaken for durability.
ROCEhighest
4Polibeli Group Ltd PLBL · older report0.0%
ROCE changefastest improvers
1Polibeli Group Ltd PLBL · older report+20.3 pp
2Dillard's, Inc. DDS+0.3 pp
3Macy's, Inc. M+0.2 pp
4Kohl's Corporation KSS−0.2 pp
Return on capital · company comparison
4/4 level · 4/4 change
All-company data · latest reported quarter
CompanyROCEROCE changeReported
Dillard's, Inc. DDS8.1%+0.3 ppJun 2026
Macy's, Inc. M1.0%+0.2 ppJun 2026
Kohl's Corporation KSS0.4%−0.2 ppJun 2026
Polibeli Group Ltd PLBL0.0%+20.3 ppDec 2025
Full 20-quarter history · every available company

ROCE · reported quarter history

Dillard's, Inc. · DDS

11%
18%
14%
9.3%
10%
14%
11%
7.3%
7.7%
11%
8.8%
3.6%
5.9%
9.0%
7.8%
3.3%
5.9%
7.8%
8.1%

Kohl's Corporation · KSS

3.3%
3.7%
0.7%
2.2%
1.7%
-2.6%
0.9%
1.4%
1.4%
2.6%
0.4%
1.5%
0.9%
1.2%
0.6%
2.6%
0.7%
2.0%
0.4%

Macy's, Inc. · M

4.3%
8.3%
3.9%
3.4%
1.7%
5.3%
2.1%
1.0%
0.7%
7.2%
1.0%
1.9%
0.5%
5.7%
0.8%
1.3%
0.4%
5.2%
1.0%

Polibeli Group Ltd · PLBL

0.0%
0.0%
-15%
-15%
-52%
-52%
-20%
-20%
0.0%
0.0%

ROCE change · reported quarter history

Dillard's, Inc. · DDS

−1.1 pp
−3.9 pp
−2.9 pp
−2.0 pp
−2.6 pp
−2.4 pp
−2.1 pp
−3.7 pp
−1.8 pp
−2.2 pp
−1.0 pp
−0.3 pp
0.0 pp
−1.2 pp
+0.3 pp

Kohl's Corporation · KSS

−1.6 pp
−6.3 pp
+0.2 pp
−0.8 pp
−0.3 pp
+5.2 pp
−0.5 pp
+0.1 pp
−0.5 pp
−1.4 pp
+0.2 pp
+1.1 pp
−0.2 pp
+0.8 pp
−0.2 pp

Macy's, Inc. · M

−2.6 pp
−3.0 pp
−1.8 pp
−2.4 pp
−1.0 pp
+1.9 pp
−1.1 pp
+0.9 pp
−0.2 pp
−1.5 pp
−0.2 pp
−0.6 pp
−0.1 pp
−0.5 pp
+0.2 pp

Polibeli Group Ltd · PLBL

−15.3 pp
−15.3 pp
−5.0 pp
−5.0 pp
+20.3 pp
+20.3 pp
09 · compare level, then change

Valuation Against Growth & Quality

Macy's, Inc. has the lowest PEG among the 4 Department Stores companies compared here, at 0.36×. Dillard's, Inc. is next at 0.83×. Kohl's Corporation has the lowest P/E at 6.21×, so level and change sit with different companies. 2 of 4 companies report a comparable reading, the latest through Jun 2026.

What the numbers say: Macy's, Inc. has the lowest comparable PEG at 0.36×, 56.6% below Dillard's, Inc.. Only 2 of 4 companies have earnings and growth steady enough for the ratio to mean anything, so no broad “cheapest stock” conclusion is defensible unless the current multiple, own-history position and growth durability agree.

LeaderMacy's, Inc. · 0.36×
Gap56.6% versus #2 · Dillard's, Inc.
Persistence0/8 recent comparable periods
Coverage2/4 companies · 3 observations

Investor read: Treat valuation as permission to investigate, never as a standalone reason to buy.

This conclusion weakens if: The next two comparable reports reverse the current p/e signal.

PEG is shown only when earnings are positive and three-year EPS growth is between 5% and 60%. It is recomputed consistently as the trailing P/E divided by that growth rate — reported earnings, never an expected-earnings multiple. On Indian companies it is shown only where the two data feeds agreed. Where any of that fails the ratio is left out rather than printed: a P/E divided by a loss, or by growth measured off a tiny base, is a number that looks precise and means nothing.
PEGlowest PEG
P/Elowest P/E
Valuation · company comparison
2/4 level · 3/4 change
All-company data · latest reported quarter
CompanyPEGP/EReported
Dillard's, Inc. DDS0.813.5Jun 2026
Macy's, Inc. M0.48.1Jun 2026
Kohl's Corporation KSS6.2Jun 2026
Full 20-quarter history · every available company

PEG · reported quarter history

Dillard's, Inc. · DDS

0.8

Macy's, Inc. · M

0.7
0.4

P/E · reported quarter history

Dillard's, Inc. · DDS

8.0
6.0
6.2
4.6
6.4
7.5
6.1
6.9
6.7
8.8
9.9
8.9
9.5
12.7
10.0
12.9
16.3
16.7
13.5

Kohl's Corporation · KSS

7.6
9.5
9.0
5.8
7.2
9.3
9.8
7.9
8.2
13.5
6.9
5.8
9.5
7.3
6.2

Macy's, Inc. · M

10.0
5.6
4.6
3.4
4.4
5.7
4.3
6.0
4.8
116.4
37.1
40.2
7.5
6.1
7.1
11.5
8.6
8.1
10 · before the conclusion, check the blind spots

What can make this comparison misleading?

This Department Stores comparison names 6 specific ways its own evidence can mislead, all listed below. 1 of the 4 companies reports on an older date than the sector's freshest reporters, so its rank is marked stale. 1 of the 5 ranked sections has fewer than three usable current readings. A high growth rate can still be a low-base artefact.

Keep these limits visible

  • A high growth rate can be a low-base artefact. The page keeps level and change separate for that reason.
  • A high ROCE can be temporary or flattered by a small capital base. Read it beside margin, cash conversion and reinvestment.
  • The 4-Factor Sector Score ranks research priority, not portfolio action. Management quality, catalysts and risks need equally fresh evidence before capital is deployed.
  • An “all companies” line chart preserves completeness, but rank changes should be checked against reporting dates before drawing a conclusion.
  • 1 company has an older fundamental reporting date than the sector’s freshest reporters; its rank carries a stale marker.
  • Thin comparisons: Valuation have fewer than three usable current readings.
11 · evidence and freshness

How was this comparison built?

This comparison is built from the reported filings of 4 Department Stores companies, normalized to a common $ scale and a shared quarter axis of up to 20 quarters each. Fundamentals run through Jun 2026 and market data through 2026-08-04. A second data feed fills gaps only after identity and scale reconciliation, and missing observations are never interpolated.

FundamentalsThrough Jun 2026 · up to 20 quarters per company
Market dataThrough 2026-08-04 · weekly price and relative-strength history
Derived metricsGrowth, changes and PEG are calculated only when their inputs are comparable.
Score confidenceMissing and stale evidence reduces confidence and pulls the 0–100 research-priority score toward neutral.
12 · questions investors ask, short speakable answers

Department Stores company comparison FAQs

These 21 answers restate the Department Stores comparison above in question form. Every one is computed from the same 4 companies and the same reported filings as the rankings and charts, current through Jun 2026. Price and relative-strength answers run through 2026-08-04. Nothing here is estimated, and none of it is a recommendation.

Is the Department Stores sector outperforming S&P 500?

Department Stores has outperformed S&P 500 by 20.2% over 52 weeks and 13.7% over 13 weeks. 2 of 4 covered companies beat the S&P 500 on Mansfield relative strength, while 2 of 4 beat the sector itself.

Which Department Stores company is largest by revenue?

Macy's, Inc. leads with revenue of $22,720 million, based on 3 of 4 comparable companies through Jun 2026.

Which Department Stores company is growing fastest?

Dillard's, Inc. has the fastest current revenue growth at 0.6%, across 3 of 4 comparable companies.

Which Department Stores company has the strongest 4-Factor Sector Score?

Macy's, Inc. ranks first at 51.8/100 with 82.3% evidence confidence. The score prioritizes research; it is not a buy recommendation.

Which Department Stores company has the lowest comparable PEG?

Macy's, Inc. has the lowest comparable PEG at 0.36, among 2 of 4 companies whose earnings and growth are steady enough for the ratio to mean anything.

How much history does this Department Stores comparison include?

The page compares up to 20 reported quarters per company for fundamentals, returns and valuation, ending Jun 2026. Missing observations remain blank rather than being estimated.

How is the 4-Factor Sector Score calculated?

The four visible contributions add directly: growth and earnings up to 35 points, capital efficiency up to 25, valuation up to 20, and relative strength up to 20. Missing or stale evidence moves only the affected contribution toward neutral.

Which Department Stores company is the biggest?

Macy's, Inc. is the largest, with trailing-twelve-month revenue of $22,720 million, ahead of Kohl's Corporation at $15,461 million. That covers 3 of 4 companies with comparable reporting through Jun 2026.

Which Department Stores company has the best profit margins?

Dillard's, Inc. has the highest operating margin at 14.3%, from 3 of 4 comparable companies. Macy's, Inc. shows the biggest recent improvement, at +0.3 percentage points. A high margin matters most when it is holding or rising, not when it is peaking.

Which Department Stores company makes the most profit?

Dillard's, Inc. earns the most, at $658 million of trailing-twelve-month net profit, from 3 of 4 comparable companies. Dillard's, Inc. has the fastest profit growth at 14%, though growth off a small or recovering profit base overstates how much has actually changed.

Which Department Stores company earns the highest return on capital?

Dillard's, Inc. leads on return on capital employed at 8.1%, across 4 of 4 companies. Read it beside the length of its reported history: a high return that repeats for years is evidence of a durable business, while a single high reading can be a small capital base or one good year.

Which Department Stores stock is the cheapest?

On PEG — where a LOWER number is cheaper — Macy's, Inc. screens cheapest at 0.36×. Only 2 of 4 companies have earnings and growth steady enough for the ratio to mean anything, so this is not a sector-wide "cheapest stock" verdict. Cheap on a multiple is a reason to investigate, never a reason to buy on its own.

Is the Department Stores sector beating the market?

Department Stores has outperformed S&P 500 by 20.2% over the last 52 weeks and 13.7% over 13 weeks, measured on an equal-weight index of its current members. Inside the sector, 2 of 4 covered companies are beating the market on their own. Sector strength does not transfer evenly to every stock in it.

Which Department Stores stock has the strongest price momentum?

Macy's, Inc. has the strongest relative strength against S&P 500. Relative strength answers last, after growth, quality and valuation: price can move well before the fundamentals confirm it, and sometimes without them confirming at all.

Which Department Stores company scores highest for research priority?

Macy's, Inc. scores 51.8 out of 100 with 82.3% evidence confidence, from 10.4 points on growth and earnings, 6.4 on capital efficiency, 15 on valuation and 20 on relative strength. This ranks what deserves work next. It is not a buy recommendation, and management quality, catalysts and risk still need separate research.

How many Department Stores companies does this comparison cover, and over what period?

It compares 4 listed companies over up to 20 reported quarters of fundamentals, ending Jun 2026, plus weekly price and relative-strength history. Membership is the full sector list — nothing is dropped for having thin data.

What is the total market cap of the Department Stores sector?

The 4 Department Stores companies on this page carry $21,034 million of combined market value. Dillard's, Inc. is the largest at $9,655 million, about 46% of the sector's total on its own. Market value moves with price, so this reading is dated 2026-08-04.

How is the Department Stores sector performing?

2 of the 4 covered Department Stores companies are beating S&P 500 on Mansfield relative strength. The sector itself is 20.2% ahead of S&P 500 over 52 weeks on an equal-weight index of its current members. Readings are as of 2026-08-04.

How many Department Stores stocks are listed in the US?

This comparison covers 4 listed Department Stores companies in the US, each above the size floor the site applies. The full ranked list is on this page, with reported fundamentals through Jun 2026. Membership is the full industry list — nothing is dropped for having thin data.

Why are some values on this page blank?

A blank means that company did not report a comparable figure for that period, so nothing is shown. Missing observations are never interpolated, carried forward, or replaced with a similar-looking accounting line, and a company with missing evidence has its research score pulled toward neutral rather than being scored as bad.

Is this investment advice?

No. Every figure here is a deterministic calculation from reported company filings and market data, published for research. It contains no recommendation to buy or sell any security, does not account for your circumstances, and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed adviser.

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