Ross Stores, Inc. vs Xylem, Inc. — how do they compare? Ross Stores, Inc. trades at $249.6 (market cap $80.78B), while Xylem, Inc. trades at $121.11 (market cap $28.76B). The key difference: Ross Stores, Inc. is far larger — about 2.8× Xylem, Inc.'s market cap, and Xylem, Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.4%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ROST | XYL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $80.78B | $28.76B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Industrials |
52-Week High | $255.23 | $152.95 |
52-Week Low | $144.67 | $106.34 |
Enterprise Value | $81.37B | $30.54B |
Dividend Yield | 0.71% | 1.4% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Ross Stores (ROST) trades at $254.83, near its consensus price target of $259.00, with a slight 0.16% decline. The stock shows strong fundamentals, including a 9.74% net income margin and 38.98% ROE for 2025, with recent quarterly earnings consistently beating estimates. Technical indicators are bullish, supported by positive moving averages and recent store expansion news.
The outlook remains positive due to robust earnings growth and analyst buy ratings (63.83% consensus). Key risks include high valuation multiples (P/E of 35.17) and competitive pressures in discount retail. Upside potential exists if Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations, but macroeconomic headwinds could pressure consumer spending.
Xylem (XYL) trades at $121.19, up 0.72% today, with a bullish technical trend and strong fundamental performance. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $1.46, beating estimates, and raised full-year profit guidance. Revenue growth is steady, with a net income margin of 11.15% in 2025. Recent acquisitions, like Cornell Pump and Roper Pump, aim to strengthen its industrial water technology presence. The stock shows bullish moving averages but a neutral RSI, with key resistance at $123.
Outlook remains positive due to earnings beats, margin expansion, and strategic acquisitions. Risks include execution of integration and macroeconomic pressures. Analyst consensus is a buy with a $150.43 price target, implying significant upside. Institutional activity is mixed, with some funds increasing stakes while others reduced holdings.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Ross Stores is a leading American off-price apparel and home fashion retailer, operating over 1,920 stores (at the end of fiscal 2021) across the Ross Dress for Less and dd's Discounts banners. Ross offers a variety of name-brand products and targets undercutting conventional retailers' regular prices by 20%-70%. The company uses an opportunistic, flexible merchandising approach
Read more on ROST →Xylem is a global leader in water technology and offers a wide range of solutions, including the transport, treatment, testing, and efficient use of water for customers in the utility, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors. Xylem was spun off from ITT in 2011. Based in Rye Brook, New York, Xylem has a presence in over 150 countries and employs 16,200. The company generated $6.2 billion in revenue and $611 million in adjusted operating income in 2021.
Read more on XYL →