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TJX Companies Inc.: Q4 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 25 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 7 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Q4 sales rose 9%: Q4 net sales were $17.7 billion, up 9%, with consolidated comparable sales up 5%. Q4 net income was $1.8 billion. Source
  • Q4 diluted EPS rose 28%: Q4 diluted EPS was $1.58, up 28% from $1.23 a year earlier. The figure includes the litigation settlement net benefit. Source
  • Interchange settlement gain booked in Q4: The company recorded a $470 million gain from settling credit card interchange litigation, which benefited SG&A, and $249 million of non-recurring settlement-related expenses. Source
  • Net pretax benefit about $221 million: The net pretax benefit from the gain and related expenses was about $221 million in both Q4 and the full year. Management reported adjusted figures excluding it. Source
  • Shrink and leverage drove Q4 margin: Management attributed the Q4 adjusted pretax margin gain to lower-than-expected inventory shrink and expense leverage, partly offset by higher incentive compensation accruals. Source
  • Per-store inventory up 8% in constant currency: Per-store inventory, including distribution centers but excluding in-transit stock and e-commerce sites, was up 10% reported and 8% in constant currency. Source
  • Full-year returns totaled $4.3 billion: Full-year returns were $4.3 billion, including buybacks of 18.5 million shares and $1.8 billion of dividends. Source

“I am extremely pleased with our excellent performance in 2025!”

Ernie Herrman, Chief Executive Officer and President of The TJX Companies, Inc.

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Comparable sales SourceQ1 fiscal 2027up 2% to 3%New
Pretax profit margin SourceQ1 fiscal 202710.3% to 10.4%New
Diluted EPS SourceQ1 fiscal 2027$.97 to $.99New
Comparable sales SourceFull year fiscal 2027up 2% to 3%New
Pretax profit margin SourceFull year fiscal 202711.7% to 11.8%New
Diluted EPS SourceFull year fiscal 2027$4.93 to $5.02New
Share repurchases SourceFiscal year ending January 30, 2027approximately $2.50 to $2.75 billionNew
Quarterly dividend per share SourceDividend expected to be declared March 2026, payable June 2026$.48Raised from $.425

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: First-quarter fiscal 2027 comparable sales, pretax margin and EPS ranges are given. The previous release contained no fiscal 2027 figures. Source
  • New guidance: Full-year fiscal 2027 comparable sales, pretax margin and EPS ranges are given for the first time in these documents. Source
  • New guidance: A fiscal 2027 share repurchase plan of $2.50 to $2.75 billion is announced. The previous release gave a fiscal 2026 plan only. Source
  • New: The quarterly dividend is to rise 13%, to $.48 per share from $.425. Source
  • New: The board approved a new repurchase program of up to $3.0 billion, the 26th since 1997. $1.1 billion remained under the existing program. Source
  • New: The company settled credit card interchange fee litigation as plaintiff, producing a non-recurring gain and related expenses in the fourth quarter. Source

Fourth quarter and full-year results

  • Q4 sales rose 9%: Q4 net sales were $17.7 billion, up 9%, with consolidated comparable sales up 5%. Q4 net income was $1.8 billion. Source
  • Q4 diluted EPS rose 28%: Q4 diluted EPS was $1.58, up 28% from $1.23 a year earlier. The figure includes the litigation settlement net benefit. Source
  • Full-year sales passed $60 billion: Full-year net sales were $60.4 billion, up 7%, and full-year consolidated comparable sales rose 5%. Source
  • Full-year diluted EPS rose 14%: Full-year diluted EPS was $4.87, up 14% from $4.26, and net income was $5.5 billion. Source
  • Currency added two points to Q4 sales: Currency moves added two percentage points to Q4 net sales growth and reduced Q4 diluted EPS by $.01. The full-year currency effect on sales was neutral. Source
  • Management said Q1 is under way: Management said the first quarter is under way, with merchandise availability continuing. Source

Litigation settlement and adjusted results

  • Interchange settlement gain booked in Q4: The company recorded a $470 million gain from settling credit card interchange litigation, which benefited SG&A, and $249 million of non-recurring settlement-related expenses. Source
  • Net pretax benefit about $221 million: The net pretax benefit from the gain and related expenses was about $221 million in both Q4 and the full year. Management reported adjusted figures excluding it. Source
  • Settlement expenses in three parts: Related expenses were $116 million of incentive compensation, $82 million of a discretionary bonus for non-bonus Associates, and $51 million of legal expenses. Source
  • Adjusted Q4 pretax margin 12.2%: Excluding the net benefit, the Q4 adjusted pretax profit margin was 12.2%, up 0.6 points. The full-year adjusted pretax margin was 11.7%, up 0.2 points. Source
  • Adjusted Q4 diluted EPS $1.43: Excluding a $.15 net benefit, Q4 adjusted diluted EPS was $1.43, up 16%. Full-year adjusted diluted EPS was $4.73, up 11%. Source

“We are pleased with the strong and consistent sales performance across all of our businesses, with each division delivering comp sales growth of 4% or better for the year.”

Ernie Herrman, Chief Executive Officer and President of The TJX Companies, Inc.

Segments and regions

  • Marmaxx sales up 7% in Q4: Marmaxx Q4 net sales were $10,655 million, up 7%. Full-year Marmaxx net sales were $36,585 million, up 6%. Source
  • HomeGoods sales up 8% in Q4: HomeGoods Q4 net sales were $3,093 million, up 8%. Full-year HomeGoods net sales were $10,172 million, up 8%. Source
  • Canada comparable sales were 7%: TJX Canada Q4 comparable sales were 7%, against 10% a year earlier. Q4 net sales were $1,612 million, up 11% reported and 9% in constant currency. Source
  • International sales up 15% reported: TJX International Q4 net sales were $2,383 million, up 15% reported and 6% in constant currency. Comparable sales were 4%, against 7%. Source
  • Adjusted segment margins by region: Adjusted Q4 segment margins were Marmaxx 14.5%, HomeGoods 13.5%, Canada 13.0% and International 9.6%. Full-year adjusted margins were 14.4%, 12.0%, 13.8% and 7.4%. Source

Customers and comparable sales

  • Value and treasure-hunt shopping focus: Management said the company kept its off-price focus on values, brands, fashion and a treasure-hunt shopping experience throughout the year. Source
  • Full-year comparable sales by division: Full-year comparable sales were 5% at HomeGoods and 7% at TJX Canada, against 4% and 5% a year earlier. Source
  • E-commerce excluded from prior-year comps: A footnote states that the prior-year Q4 and full-year comparable sales exclude e-commerce. Source

“Long term, we are excited about the opportunities we see to keep growing our business and capture additional market share around the world for many years to come.”

Ernie Herrman, Chief Executive Officer and President of The TJX Companies, Inc.

Margins, costs and shrink

  • Q4 gross margin rose 0.4 points: Q4 gross profit margin was 30.9%, up 0.4 points; adjusted it was 31.1%, up 0.6 points. Management attributed the gain to merchandise margin and expense leverage, partly offset by inventory hedges. Source
  • Q4 SG&A ratio fell 1.6 points: Q4 SG&A was 17.6% of sales, down 1.6 points from 19.2%. Adjusted for the settlement, SG&A was 19.1%, down 0.1 point. Source
  • Shrink and leverage drove Q4 margin: Management attributed the Q4 adjusted pretax margin gain to lower-than-expected inventory shrink and expense leverage, partly offset by higher incentive compensation accruals. Source
  • Full-year gross margin rose 0.4 points: Full-year gross profit margin was 31.0%, up 0.4 points. Lower inventory shrink added 0.2 points. Source
  • Full-year SG&A ratio fell 0.3 points: Full-year SG&A was 19.1% of sales, down 0.3 points; adjusted it was 19.5%, up 0.1 point. Net interest income reduced the pretax margin by 0.1 point. Source

Inventory position

  • Inventory rose to $7.3 billion: Total inventories were $7.3 billion at January 31, 2026, against $6.4 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Per-store inventory up 8% in constant currency: Per-store inventory, including distribution centers but excluding in-transit stock and e-commerce sites, was up 10% reported and 8% in constant currency. Source
  • Inventory build shown in cash flow: The cash flow statement shows a $724 million increase in merchandise inventories for fiscal 2026, against $539 million in fiscal 2025. Source

Cash flow and shareholder returns

  • Full-year operating cash flow $6.9 billion: Full-year operating cash flow was $6.9 billion, and year-end cash was $6.2 billion. Source
  • Q4 returns totaled $1.26 billion: Q4 returns were $1.26 billion: $784 million of buybacks for 5.1 million shares and $472 million of dividends. Source
  • Full-year returns totaled $4.3 billion: Full-year returns were $4.3 billion, including buybacks of 18.5 million shares and $1.8 billion of dividends. Source
  • New $3.0 billion repurchase authority: The board approved a new program for up to $3.0 billion more. $1.1 billion remained under the existing program at year end. Source
  • Property additions $1.96 billion: Property additions were $1,957 million in fiscal 2026, against $1,918 million in fiscal 2025. Source

Store base and strategy

  • Store count up 129 to 5,214: The company added 129 stores in fiscal 2026, reaching 5,214, and square footage rose 2% from the prior year. Source
  • Long-term market share gains targeted: Management said it expects to keep growing the business and gaining market share worldwide for many years. Source
  • TJ Maxx and Marshalls store counts: U.S. TJ Maxx stores rose from 1,333 to 1,348 and Marshalls from 1,230 to 1,255 during fiscal 2026. Source

Coming up, as management said on 25 February 2026

  • Spring assortments planned: Management plans to flow fresh assortments to stores and online this spring, based on the current inventory position. Source
  • Dividend increase declared March 2026: The raised quarterly dividend of $.48 per share is expected to be declared in March 2026 and paid in June 2026, subject to board approval. Source
  • Fiscal 2027 buyback plan: The company plans to repurchase about $2.50 to $2.75 billion of stock during the fiscal year ending January 30, 2027. Source
  • New repurchase program has no time limit: The new program has no time limit and may be suspended or discontinued at any time, and the amount may be adjusted up or down. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Comparable sales SourceQ4 +5%; full year +5%
Inventory Source$7.3 billion total
Inventory per store, constant currency Source+8%
Store count Source5,214 stores; net +129 in fiscal 2026
Gross margin SourceQ4 30.9%; full year 31.0%

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management noted that currency moves can materially change translated sales and earnings when exchange rate volatility is significant. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Q4 comparable sales growth of 5% was described as well above the Company’s plan. Source
  • Ahead: Full-year comparable sales growth of 5% was described as above the Company’s plan. Source
  • Ahead: The Q4 adjusted pretax profit margin of 12.2% was described as well above the Company’s plan. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it remains committed to returning cash to shareholders while investing in growth. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.