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 July 31, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCRI vs KSS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 23y
CRI +314.8%KSS -26.0%CRI compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020072011201520192023$415$74
CRI KSS

CRI vs KSS: by the numbers

  • KSS is the larger company ($2.21B vs $1.39B market cap).
  • KSS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (8.16 vs 14.90 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CRI converts more revenue to profit (3.07% vs 1.76% net margin).
  • CRI grew revenue faster over the past five years (-1.35% vs -2.35% CAGR).
  • CRI pays the higher dividend yield (2.65% vs 2.56%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCRIKSS
P/E ratio14.908.16
Forward P/E11.4113.94
P/S ratio0.450.15
P/B ratio1.440.56
PEG ratioN/A0.05
EV / EBITDA10.456.98
FCF yield9.49%53.76%

Profitability

MetricCRIKSS
Gross margin44.66%39.40%
Operating margin4.80%3.21%
Net margin3.07%1.76%
ROE9.76%6.76%
ROIC5.29%3.75%

Dividends

MetricCRIKSS
Dividend yield2.65%2.56%
Payout ratio38.61%20.58%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCRIKSS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-1.35%-2.35%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-24.12%-9.42%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-24.78%-1.97%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-13.99%-12.13%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CRI or KSS?
KSS has the lower trailing P/E: CRI trades at 14.90 and KSS at 8.16. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CRI or KSS?
Over the past five years, CRI grew revenue faster — CRI at a -1.35% CAGR versus KSS at -2.35%.
Does CRI or KSS pay a bigger dividend?
CRI yields 2.65% and KSS yields 2.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CRI or KSS more profitable?
CRI runs the higher net margin — CRI at 3.07% versus KSS at 1.76%.
How have CRI and KSS total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CRI delivered -6.91% and KSS delivered -2.36% 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 July 31, 2026.