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.
CRI
Carter's Inc.
$30.50Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Sep 14, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
KSS
Kohl's Corporation
$17.16Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Sep 14, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CRI vs KSS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCRI -58.9% (-8.5%/yr)KSS -32.9% (-3.9%/yr)KSS compounded faster over this window
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
| Metric | CRI | KSS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 5.56 | 7.40 |
| Forward P/E | 9.32 | 8.29 |
| P/S ratio | 0.38 | 0.13 |
| P/B ratio | 1.09 | 0.47 |
| EV / EBITDA | 5.01 | 5.84 |
| FCF yield | 26.07% | 50.77% |
Profitability
| Metric | CRI | KSS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 48.60% | 38.92% |
| Operating margin | 9.24% | 3.86% |
| Net margin | 6.55% | 1.75% |
| ROE | 18.99% | 6.48% |
| ROIC | 10.17% | 4.52% |
Dividends
| Metric | CRI | KSS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.46% | 2.90% |
| Payout ratio | 13.66% | 21.56% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CRI | KSS |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Carter's P/E ratioKohl's P/E ratioCarter's dividend yieldKohl's dividend yieldCarter's ROEKohl's ROECarter's operating marginKohl's operating marginCarter's revenue growthKohl's revenue growthCarter's free cash flowKohl's free cash flow
Carter's & Kohl's appear in these rankings
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.