Carter's Inc. (CRI) vs Kohl's Corporation (KSS)

A side-by-side comparison of Carter's Inc. and Kohl's Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCRI vs KSS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CRI -58.9% (-8.5%/yr)KSS -32.9% (-3.9%/yr)KSS compounded faster over this window
50100150200Start $10020182020202220242026$41$67
CRI KSS

CRI vs KSS: by the numbers

  • KSS is the larger company ($1.95B vs $1.12B market cap).
  • CRI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (5.56 vs 7.40 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CRI converts more revenue to profit (6.55% vs 1.75% net margin).
  • Both shrank revenue over the past five years; CRI's decline was smaller (-2.54% vs -3.51% CAGR).
  • KSS pays the higher dividend yield (2.90% vs 2.46%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCRIKSS
P/E ratio5.567.40
Forward P/E9.328.29
P/S ratio0.380.13
P/B ratio1.090.47
EV / EBITDA5.015.84
FCF yield26.07%50.77%

Profitability

MetricCRIKSS
Gross margin48.60%38.92%
Operating margin9.24%3.86%
Net margin6.55%1.75%
ROE18.99%6.48%
ROIC10.17%4.52%

Dividends

MetricCRIKSS
Dividend yield2.46%2.90%
Payout ratio13.66%21.56%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCRIKSS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-2.54%-3.51%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-24.12%-9.42%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-26.11%-16.24%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-18.31%-14.55%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CRI or KSS?
CRI has the lower trailing P/E: CRI trades at 5.56 and KSS at 7.40. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CRI or KSS?
Neither grew: over the past five years both shrank revenue, with CRI's decline the smaller — CRI at a -2.54% CAGR versus KSS at -3.51%.
Does CRI or KSS pay a bigger dividend?
CRI yields 2.46% and KSS yields 2.90% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CRI or KSS more profitable?
CRI runs the higher net margin — CRI at 6.55% versus KSS at 1.75%.
How have CRI and KSS total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CRI delivered -8.25% and KSS delivered -3.90% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 13, 2026.