Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST)

horseflab (49.96) Submitted: 9/10/2008 3:09:49 PM : Start Price: $19.77 ROST Score: +206.55

Undervalued and consistently strong upward earnings trend YTD

TMFStockpick08 (74.55) Submitted: 5/27/2008 10:38:00 AM : Start Price: $16.89 ROST Score: +270.41

This stock was picked by TMFSchool in the 2008 TMF Stockpicking Contest.

swayla101 (82.71) Submitted: 1/15/2008 11:18:59 PM : Start Price: $11.33 ROST Score: +450.96

we all want nioce things but with the available money fallling we are more willing to hunt for those things

DougH11 (< 20) Submitted: 10/24/2007 3:00:28 PM : Start Price: $12.52 ROST Score: +407.15

Just beaten down...seems to follow a seasonal trend....we'll see.

JimAnt (32.96) Submitted: 4/27/2007 6:26:56 PM : Start Price: $15.93 ROST Score: -298.95

Long-term underperform. Poorly managed. Price and P/E on the high side.

sdbmm (< 20) Submitted: 3/7/2007 9:40:37 PM : Start Price: $15.21 ROST Score: -311.02

It is currently over valued for the revenue it generates.

waserdo (< 20) Submitted: 2/21/2007 6:03:25 PM : Start Price: $16.25 ROST Score: +288.40

Ross is ready to make a bold and properous move for investors. With continued healthy growth for same store profits and a large increase in new store openings this year Ross looks like a winner for years to come

vcbthornton (68.81) Submitted: 1/10/2007 12:49:13 PM : Start Price: $15.08 ROST Score: +314.48

This off-price clothing and household goods retailer has good numbers - ROE, ROA, margins, cash, debt, growth, etc. And it is not expensive (or inexpensive). The main reason I rate is as Outperform is that it and TJX are the only places I can shop for the same combination of quality and price. So, if consumers keep spending, they'll keep growing.

gotmilk9579 (55.80) Submitted: 1/10/2007 10:21:07 AM : Start Price: $15.10 ROST Score: +313.78

Sales are up. New stores are opening.

NetscribeRetail (95.38) Submitted: 12/6/2006 6:38:43 AM : Start Price: $14.56 ROST Score: +329.80

Ross Stores, Inc. is the second largest off-price retailer in US with 772 stores nationwide. The company offers branded apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions for men and women in the age group of 25-54 years belonging to the low-income group. Ross Stores sells products at low rates; it offers a discount of 20% to 60% on department and specialty store regular prices.

The company has maximum stores in California, Texas, and Florida. Moreover, in these markets, the company also enjoys an edge over its major competitors, TJX Companies and Gottschalk, in terms of the number of stores. In addition, to increase its dominance in these markets, Ross recently acquired 46 Albertsons locations in California, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Colorado, and Oklahoma. Growing organically in developed markets is difficult owing to space constraints and hence, Ross has taken a good strategic move to acquire Albertsons to increase its foothold in these markets.

With same store sales being positive since February 2005, the company wants to open additional stores in the existing regions to increase its market penetration and sales. Additionally, sales for the off-price sector grew by 11.3% during 2005, which is significantly faster than total national apparel sales, which grew by 3.6%; this augurs better prospects for the company. The company would experience upswing in margins too, in future, from the recently adopted better micro-merchandising and streamlining supply chain management through distribution center efficiencies.

Owing to softness in the industry and looking at November sales data, there will be stiff competition in this holiday season with big giants like Wal-Mart and Target going for more aggressive pricing. Despite expected slack holiday season, this off-price retailer’s performance would not be affected and should be a good buy.