BofA cuts Kohl’s stock price target to $7, maintains underperform

Published 01/05/2025, 22:06
BofA cuts Kohl’s stock price target to $7, maintains underperform

On Thursday, BofA Securities analyst Lorraine Hutchinson revised the price target for Kohl’s (NYSE:KSS) shares, reducing it to $7.00 from the previous $8.00 while sustaining an Underperform rating on the company’s stock. The adjustment follows the recent executive shake-up at the retailer, where Michael Bender was named interim CEO, succeeding Ashley Buchanan with immediate effect. The stock, currently trading at $7.21, has experienced a significant decline of over 68% in the past year, according to InvestingPro data.

Kohl’s made the announcement about Buchanan’s departure, clarifying that his termination as CEO was due to nondisclosure of conflicts of interest with a vendor, rather than issues related to the company’s performance, financial reporting, or operational results. Buchanan had been in the CEO role since January 2025. Despite the challenges, Kohl’s maintains a Fair dividend yield of 7.46% and has sustained dividend payments for 15 consecutive years, as highlighted in InvestingPro’s analysis.

Michael Bender, who has been a member of Kohl’s Board of Directors since July 2019 and ascended to the position of Board Chair in May 2024, steps into the interim CEO role. His prior experience includes leadership positions at Eyemart Express and senior roles at Walmart (NYSE:WMT), L Brands (NYSE:BBWI), and PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP). Kohl’s has stated that the search for a permanent CEO will commence shortly.

Hutchinson expressed concerns that the latest change in management might be a hindrance amidst a volatile macroeconomic environment and the company’s efforts to rebuild its sales. The reiterated Underperform rating reflects skepticism about the retailer’s near-term prospects in light of these challenges.

In other recent news, Kohl’s Corporation has faced a series of analyst downgrades and financial challenges. Barclays (LON:BARC) initiated coverage with an Underweight rating and a price target of $4, citing near-term challenges such as cost pressures and competitive market dynamics. Fitch Ratings downgraded Kohl’s from ’BB’ to ’BB-’, highlighting operational challenges and a projected 6% decline in revenue for 2025. UBS maintained a Sell rating with a $5 target, expressing skepticism about Kohl’s ability to curb market share losses in the competitive retail landscape.

Citi revised its price target for Kohl’s to $8 from $11, maintaining a Neutral stance while noting a 6.7% decrease in comparable sales. TD Cowen also adjusted its price target to $8 from $16, pointing out the need for essential changes at the retailer despite a 30% increase in fourth-quarter earnings per share. Kohl’s forward guidance for fiscal year 2025 projects earnings per share significantly below analyst expectations, ranging between 10 and 60 cents. The company has announced a 75% cut to its quarterly dividend, now set at 12.5 cents, as part of its strategy to navigate financial pressures.

Despite these challenges, Kohl’s is investing in growth initiatives, including a $400 million capital expenditure plan for 2025. These efforts aim to support its omnichannel model and refresh store layouts while focusing on core apparel and new product categories. Analysts remain cautious about Kohl’s ability to execute a successful turnaround amid a difficult macroeconomic environment.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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