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TJX Companies Inc.: Q1 FY2027 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2027, from the documents filed with the SEC on 20 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 raised, 3 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales rose 9% to $14.3 billion: Net sales were $14.3 billion, up 9% as reported and 8% on a constant currency basis, against $13.1 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Diluted EPS up 29% to $1.19: Net income was $1.3 billion. Diluted EPS was $1.19 against $.92, and currency added $.01 to the quarter's diluted EPS. Source
  • Comparable sales up 6% across divisions: Consolidated comparable sales rose 6%, against 3% a year earlier. Management said all divisions grew comparable sales and customer transactions increased. Source
  • Pretax margin up 1.7 points to 12.0%: Pretax profit margin was 12.0% against 10.3% a year earlier. Management attributed it to expense leverage on above-plan sales, favorable fuel hedges and a stronger-than-expected merchandise margin. Source
  • Inventory up 7% per store: Inventory was $7.7 billion against $7.1 billion a year earlier. Per-store inventory was up 7% as reported and 6% at constant currency, which management tied to buying opportunities in the marketplace. Source
  • Full-year raise does not carry full Q1 gain: Management said it is not flowing through the entire first-quarter above-plan margin and EPS into full-year Fiscal 2027 guidance. Source
  • Higher fuel costs assumed for the year: Full-year guidance assumes higher fuel costs for the rest of the year, which management said is unfavorable to pretax margin and EPS compared with the prior guidance. Source

“Sales, pretax profit margin, and earnings per share were all well above our plan.”

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

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Comparable sales SourceSecond quarter of Fiscal 20272% to 3%New
Pretax profit margin SourceSecond quarter of Fiscal 202711.4% to 11.5%New
Diluted EPS SourceSecond quarter of Fiscal 2027$1.15 to $1.17New
Comparable sales SourceFull year Fiscal 20273% to 4%Raised from 2% to 3%
Pretax profit margin SourceFull year Fiscal 202711.9% to 12.0%Raised from 11.7% to 11.8%
Diluted EPS SourceFull year Fiscal 2027$5.08 to $5.15Raised from $4.93 to $5.02
Share repurchases SourceFull year Fiscal 2027$2.75 to $3.0 billionRaised from $2.50 to $2.75 billion

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Second-quarter guidance was given for comparable sales, pretax margin and diluted EPS. The prior release covered only the first quarter. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year consolidated comparable sales growth guidance moved from 2% to 3% to 3% to 4%. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year pretax profit margin guidance moved from 11.7% to 11.8% to 11.9% to 12.0%. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year diluted EPS guidance moved from $4.93 to $5.02 to $5.08 to $5.15. Source
  • Guidance raised: The share repurchase range for Fiscal 2027 moved from $2.50 to $2.75 billion to $2.75 to $3.0 billion. Source

Quarter results and growth

  • Net sales rose 9% to $14.3 billion: Net sales were $14.3 billion, up 9% as reported and 8% on a constant currency basis, against $13.1 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Diluted EPS up 29% to $1.19: Net income was $1.3 billion. Diluted EPS was $1.19 against $.92, and currency added $.01 to the quarter's diluted EPS. Source
  • Comparable sales up 6% across divisions: Consolidated comparable sales rose 6%, against 3% a year earlier. Management said all divisions grew comparable sales and customer transactions increased. Source
  • Sales, margin and EPS above plan: Management said sales, pretax profit margin and EPS were all above its plan for the quarter, and the second quarter is off to a good start. Source

Segments and regions

  • Segment profit rose in all four divisions: Segment profit was $1,829 million against $1,531 million. Marmaxx rose to $1,269 million, HomeGoods to $323 million, Canada to $150 million and International to $87 million. Source
  • Net sales by division grew in all four: Marmaxx net sales were $8,650 million (+7%), HomeGoods $2,506 million (+11%), Canada $1,285 million (+12%, +9% constant currency) and International $1,882 million (+13%, +7% constant currency). Source
  • Comparable sales by division: Comparable sales were Marmaxx +6%, HomeGoods +9%, TJX Canada +7% and TJX International +4%. The prior-year quarter showed Marmaxx +2%, HomeGoods +4%, Canada +5% and International +5%. Source
  • Currency added one point to sales growth: Currency movements added one percentage point to net sales growth and $.01 to diluted EPS. Transactional foreign exchange is excluded from the EPS figure. Source

“With our above-plan first quarter results, we are raising our sales and profitability guidance for the full year.”

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

Margins and costs

  • Pretax margin up 1.7 points to 12.0%: Pretax profit margin was 12.0% against 10.3% a year earlier. Management attributed it to expense leverage on above-plan sales, favorable fuel hedges and a stronger-than-expected merchandise margin. Source
  • Gross margin up 1.8 points: Gross profit margin was 31.3% against 29.5%. Management cited higher merchandise margin, a benefit from inventory and fuel hedges, and expense leverage on sales. Source
  • SG&A ratio edged up 0.1 point: SG&A was 19.5% of sales against 19.4%. Net interest income had a neutral effect on pretax margin compared with last year. Source

Inventory and store growth

  • Inventory up 7% per store: Inventory was $7.7 billion against $7.1 billion a year earlier. Per-store inventory was up 7% as reported and 6% at constant currency, which management tied to buying opportunities in the marketplace. Source
  • Store count up 48 in the quarter: The Company ended the quarter with 5,262 stores and square footage up 0.8% from the prior quarter. HomeSense in Canada and Homesense in Europe were flat. Source
  • Merchandise availability described as outstanding: Management said availability of quality branded merchandise is outstanding and that fresh assortments will flow to stores and online this spring and summer. Source

“Availability of quality, branded merchandise is outstanding, and we are well-positioned to take advantage of the plentiful buying opportunities we are seeing in the marketplace.”

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

Cash flow and balance sheet

  • Operating cash flow of $1.1 billion: Operating cash flow was $1.1 billion against $394 million a year earlier. Cash and cash equivalents ended the quarter at $5.6 billion, against $4.3 billion. Source
  • Property additions rose to $662 million: Property additions were $662 million against $497 million. Inventory absorbed $382 million of cash, against $604 million a year earlier. Source
  • Debt includes $999 million current portion: Long-term debt was $1,871 million and the current portion of long-term debt was $999 million, against none a year earlier. Shareholders' equity was $10.4 billion. Source

Shareholder returns and buybacks

  • Returned $1.1 billion to shareholders: The Company repurchased 3.8 million shares for $604 million and paid $471 million in dividends during the quarter. Source
  • About $3.5 billion available for buybacks: About $3.5 billion was available for repurchase at May 2, 2026, under the new $3.0 billion program approved in February 2026 and earlier programs. Source
  • Dividend declared per share $.480: Cash dividends declared were $.480 per share, against $.425 a year earlier. Source

Full-year guidance and fuel costs

  • Full-year raise does not carry full Q1 gain: Management said it is not flowing through the entire first-quarter above-plan margin and EPS into full-year Fiscal 2027 guidance. Source
  • Higher fuel costs assumed for the year: Full-year guidance assumes higher fuel costs for the rest of the year, which management said is unfavorable to pretax margin and EPS compared with the prior guidance. Source
  • Second-quarter margin planned below Q1: Second-quarter pretax profit margin is planned at 11.4% to 11.5%, compared with the 12.0% reported for the first quarter. Source

Management view and initiatives

  • Second quarter started well: Management said the second quarter is off to a good start and that it has initiatives planned to keep driving sales. Source
  • Global footprint expansion continues: Management said it sees ongoing room to expand the global footprint and gain market share around the world for many years. Source
  • Off-price model seen as resilient: The CEO said the flexibility and resiliency of the off-price business model will continue to be a tremendous advantage going forward. Source

Coming up, as management said on 20 May 2026

  • Second-quarter initiatives planned: Management said it has initiatives planned to keep driving sales and attract consumers to its retail banners. Source
  • Fresh assortments this spring and summer: Fresh assortments are to flow to stores and online this spring and summer. Source
  • Repurchase amount may change: Management said the repurchase amount may be adjusted up or down depending on various factors. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Comparable sales Source+6% consolidated (+3% prior year)
Traffic and average ticket Sourcecustomer transactions increased; no figure given
Inventory Source$7.7 billion; per-store up 7% as reported
Store openings and closings Sourcenet +48 stores; 5,262 total
Gross margin Source31.3%, up 1.8 points

Risks management discussed

  • External: Higher fuel costs are assumed for the rest of the year and are expected to weigh on pretax margin and EPS compared with the prior guidance. Source
  • Financial: Currency translation moves reported sales and earnings, and management noted it can have a material effect when exchange rates are volatile. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said first-quarter sales, pretax margin and EPS were all above its plan. Source
  • Not stated: The prior release said fresh assortments would flow this spring. The current release describes spring and summer flow and does not state progress against that plan.
  • Not stated: Management said the Company remains committed to returning cash to shareholders while continuing to invest in the business. 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.