TJX Companies Is a Standout in Retail

Image Source: TradingView

By Brian Nelson, CFA

TJX Companies (TJX) recently reported better than expected second quarter fiscal 2026 results. The off-price apparel and home fashions retailer posted consolidated comparable store sales growth of 4%, which was above the company’s target. Comparable store sales growth at Marmaxx was 3%, HomeGoods came in at 5%, TJX Canada was 9%, while TJX International came in at 5%. Net sales for the second quarter were $14.4 billion, an increase of 7% versus the second quarter of last year. Its pre-tax profit margin in the quarter of 11.4% increased 0.5 percentage points over last year and was also above its plan. Second quarter diluted earnings per share of $1.10 was up 15% and well above the company’s plan.

Management had the following to say about the results:

I (CEO Ernie Herrman) am extremely pleased with our second quarter performance. Sales, pretax profit margin, and earnings per share were all above our plan. As we have seen through so many different retail and economic environments, consumers were drawn to our excellent values and brands. Customer transactions were up at every division as we saw strong demand at each of our U.S. and international businesses. Our teams across the Company successfully executed our off-price business fundamentals to deliver an exciting treasure hunt of merchandise at great value to our customers, every day. With our strong second quarter profit results, we are raising our full-year guidance for both pretax profit margin and earnings per share. The third quarter is off to a strong start, and I am very confident in our position as we enter the second half of the year. Our teams are energized by the opportunities we see in the marketplace for excellent brands and fashions and our initiatives to keep attracting shoppers to our retail brands. Longer term, we are convinced that we have a long runway ahead to capture additional market share and continue our successful growth around the world.

During the second quarter, TJX Companies returned ~$1 billion to shareholders through share repurchases ($515 million) and dividends ($474 million). Total inventories as of August 2, 2025, were $7.4 billion compared to $6.5 billion at the end of the second quarter of last year. Management noted that the increased inventory position reflects “excellent buying opportunities” and that the company is “very well-positioned to flow fresh assortments to its stores and online throughout the fall and holiday season.” During the second quarter, TJX Companies generated $1.8 billion in operating cash flow and ended the quarter with $4.6 billion of cash. Looking to full year fiscal 2026, the company raised its diluted earnings per share outlook to be in the range of $4.52-$4.57, an increase of 6%-7% over last year’s mark. TJX Companies is a standout in retail, but its shares are not cheap. Shares yield 1.2% at the time of this writing.

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