Kohl's Corporation (KSS) shares skyrocketed 31.60% in pre-market trading on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, following a trifecta of positive news that boosted investor confidence in the struggling retailer's turnaround efforts.

The department store chain reported a surprise profit for its fiscal third quarter, with adjusted earnings per share of $0.10, significantly beating analysts' expectations of a $0.16 per share loss. While net sales declined 2.8% year-over-year to $3.41 billion, they still surpassed the consensus estimate of $3.32 billion. Comparable store sales fell by a modest 1.7%, outperforming the anticipated 3.7% decline.

In a move that further fueled optimism, Kohl's raised its full-year 2025 guidance. The company now expects adjusted earnings per share between $1.25 and $1.45, a substantial increase from its previous forecast of $0.50 to $0.80. Additionally, Kohl's narrowed its projected annual sales decline from 5%-6% to 3.5%-4%, signaling improving business conditions.

Adding to the positive sentiment, Kohl's announced the appointment of Michael J. Bender as its permanent Chief Executive Officer. Bender, who has been serving as interim CEO since May, brings extensive retail experience to the role. His permanent appointment is seen as a stabilizing force for the company, which has faced leadership changes in recent years.

"These results are a direct reflection of the progress we are making against our 2025 initiatives, reinforcing our confidence as we continue to move in the right direction," said CEO Michael Bender, highlighting the company's ongoing turnaround efforts.

The market's enthusiastic response to Kohl's triple announcement underscores investor optimism about the retailer's future prospects. As the company heads into the crucial holiday shopping season, the combination of improved financial performance, raised outlook, and stable leadership has reignited confidence in Kohl's ability to navigate the challenging retail landscape.