$M

Macy's (M) and American Eagle (AEO) both beat Q2 estimates, aided by tariff refunds. Macy's adjusted EPS was $0.63, with strong performance from Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury. American Eagle's EPS included a $161M refund, with Aerie and OFFLINE comps up 19%. Macy's has raised its dividend annually since 2021, while American Eagle cut its dividend in 2023. Macy's offers a higher yield and better free cash flow coverage. Both companies face holiday season challenges.

S&P revised Macy’s outlook to positive, affirming its BB+ rating, citing 5 quarters of sales growth, margin stability, and successful turnaround. The retailer targets investment-grade status in 12-18 months, focusing on luxury brands and digital investments. S&P forecasts $675M free cash flow in 2026, $450M in 2027, with leverage below 2x.

DoorDash has partnered with Macy's, Anthropologie, and other retailers to expand clothing delivery and returns. The service will offer products on DoorDash's U.S. website with delivery in as little as an hour. The company plans to roll out nationwide return service in November for a $7.99 fee. DoorDash has been expanding into various retail sectors to attract more customers.

TJX (NYSE:TJX) reported Q2 revenues of $15.18B, up 5.4% YoY, missing EPS guidance. Macy's (NYSE:M) reported $5.06B in revenues, up 1.2% YoY, beating expectations. Ross Stores (NASDAQ:ROST) reported $6.26B in revenues, up 13.3% YoY, exceeding estimates. Stocks reacted accordingly post-earnings.

DoorDash has added Macy's, Anthropologie, The North Face, Vans, and Timberland to its retail Marketplace, offering 1-hour delivery from stores. Macy's will deliver from over 500 locations, while Anthropologie covers over 200. This partnership aims to attract new customers through fast delivery services.

Macy's director Richard L. Markee received 1,235 Phantom Stock Units, convertible to common stock at a 1-for-1 ratio upon his board termination. The units were valued at $23.2751 each, totaling $29K, based on the quarterly average stock price.

DoorDash partners with Macy’s, Anthropologie, and others for clothing delivery and returns. The service will be available nationwide by November. Separately, U.S. Q2 GDP grew 2.2%, up from a prior estimate of 1.5%, driven by strong consumer spending.

Macy's closed 14 stores in 2026 as part of its Bold New Chapter strategy, focusing on digital growth and high-performing locations. Comparable sales rose 2.7% in Q2 2026, and the company raised its full-year outlook in September. The closures affected stores in 12 states, with the company supporting employees through transitions.

Macy's (M) is deemed a safer dividend pick than Kohl's (KSS) due to its $1.3B cash, growing comparable sales, and increasing payouts since 2021. Kohl's, with $0.5B cash, faces debt pressures and has cut dividends twice since 2020. Macy's reported $5.059B revenue, beating estimates, while Kohl's guidance predicts flat to -1.5% comps.

Macy’s plans to expand AI use for inventory management, aiming to save $235 million by 2026. The company expects supply chain efficiencies to benefit gross margins in the second half of 2026, according to executives. Macy’s has been restructuring, including store closures and layoffs, while investing in AI and automation for both backend and customer-facing operations.