KSS vs. M

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KSS (Kohl's Corporation) and M (Macy's, Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the Department Stores industry within the Consumer Cyclical sector. Over the past 10 years, KSS returned -3.71%/yr vs -0.13%/yr for M. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

KSS vs. M - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Kohl's Corporation (KSS) and Macy's, Inc. (M). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KSS achieves a -23.20% return, which is significantly lower than M's -0.02% return. Over the past 10 years, KSS has underperformed M with an annualized return of -3.71%, while M has yielded a comparatively higher -0.13% annualized return.

KSS

• 1D: -2.08%
• 1M: 9.37%
• YTD: -23.20%
• 6M: -31.40%
• 1Y: 92.26%
• 3Y*: -1.71%
• 5Y*: -16.95%
• 10Y*: -3.71%

M

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 14.02%
• YTD: -0.02%
• 6M: -1.10%
• 1Y: 98.48%
• 3Y*: 17.28%
• 5Y*: 7.89%
• 10Y*: -0.13%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

KSS vs. M - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KSS Kohl's Corporation	-23.20%	51.46%	-45.83%	23.77%	-45.98%	23.58%	-17.18%	-19.22%	26.65%	15.75%
M Macy's, Inc.	-0.02%	36.55%	-12.41%	1.64%	-18.66%	135.80%	-31.08%	-38.20%	23.64%	-25.29%

Correlation

The correlation between KSS and M is 0.62, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 20, 1992	0.56

The correlation between KSS and M shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (all time) to 0.72 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

EPS KSS : $3.16 M : -$166.77
Total Revenue (TTM) KSS : $15.46B M : -$526.20B
Gross Profit (TTM) KSS : $4.94B M : -$146.61B
EBITDA (TTM) KSS : $1.31B M : -$17.82B

Return for Risk

KSS vs. M — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

KSS

KSS Risk / Return Rank: 73
KSS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
KSS Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
KSS Omega Ratio Rank: 74
KSS Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
KSS Martin Ratio Rank: 69

M

M Risk / Return Rank: 86
M Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
M Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
M Omega Ratio Rank: 85
M Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
M Martin Ratio Rank: 84

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

KSS vs. M - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Kohl's Corporation (KSS) and Macy's, Inc. (M). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	KSS	M	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.04	2.19	-1.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	3.19	-0.82
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.37	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.79	3.46	-1.67
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.64	8.35	-4.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KSS vs. M - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KSS Sharpe Ratio is 1.04, which is lower than the M Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KSS and M, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	KSS	M	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.04	2.19	-1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.25	0.15	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.06	-0.00	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	0.11	+0.09

Drawdowns

KSS vs. M - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KSS drawdown since its inception was -89.16%, roughly equal to the maximum M drawdown of -91.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KSS and M.

Drawdown Indicators

	KSS	M	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.16%	-91.95%	+2.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-51.84%	-28.61%	-23.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-77.01%	-51.33%	-25.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-87.56%	-69.65%	-17.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-89.16%	-87.79%	-1.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-71.54%	-52.32%	-19.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.37%	-34.50%	+5.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	25.43%	11.84%	+13.59%

Volatility

KSS vs. M - Volatility Comparison

Kohl's Corporation (KSS) has a higher volatility of 26.43% compared to Macy's, Inc. (M) at 12.73%. This indicates that KSS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than M based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KSS	M	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	26.43%	12.73%	+13.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	43.86%	27.84%	+16.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	89.25%	45.33%	+43.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	69.35%	54.04%	+15.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	63.47%	56.08%	+7.39%

Dividends

KSS vs. M - Dividend Comparison

KSS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.22%, less than M's 3.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KSS Kohl's Corporation	3.22%	2.45%	14.25%	6.97%	7.92%	2.02%	1.73%	5.26%	3.68%	4.06%	4.05%	3.78%
M Macy's, Inc.	3.39%	3.31%	4.10%	3.29%	3.05%	1.15%	3.36%	8.88%	5.07%	5.99%	4.17%	3.98%

Financials

KSS vs. M - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Kohl's Corporation and Macy's, Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

KSS - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Kohl's Corporation reported a gross profit of 39.90M and revenue of 3.17B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 1.3%.

M - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Macy's, Inc. reported a gross profit of -152.87B and revenue of -544.02B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 28.1%.

KSS - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Kohl's Corporation reported an operating income of 46.00M and revenue of 3.17B, resulting in an operating margin of 1.5%.

M - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Macy's, Inc. reported an operating income of -89.28B and revenue of -544.02B, resulting in an operating margin of 16.4%.

KSS - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Kohl's Corporation reported a net income of -14.00M and revenue of 3.17B, resulting in a net margin of -0.4%.

M - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Macy's, Inc. reported a net income of -46.55B and revenue of -544.02B, resulting in a net margin of 8.6%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KSS and M in my portfolio?

KSS and M have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KSS or M?

KSS has higher volatility (26.43%) compared to M (12.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KSS dropped -89.16% vs M's -91.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

M currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.04), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.