Kohl's Corporation (NYSE: KSS) saw its stock soaring 15% in morning trading on Thursday following the release of its first-quarter fiscal 2025 financial results. The department store chain reported better-than-expected performance across several key metrics, surprising analysts and investors.

Kohl's reported net sales of $3,049 million for the quarter, surpassing the estimated $3,021 million. The company's net loss narrowed to $15 million, significantly better than the expected loss of $33.4 million. Earnings per share (EPS) came in at -$0.13, outperforming analysts' projections. Additionally, Kohl's posted an EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes) of $60 million, considerably higher than the estimated $35.7 million.

Despite these positive results, Kohl's faced some challenges, with comparable sales declining by 3.9%. However, the company maintained a healthy gross margin of 39.9%. Looking ahead, Kohl's provided its fiscal year outlook, projecting revenue growth between -7% and -5%, with EPS expected to range from $0.10 to $0.60. In a show of confidence, the company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share, signaling its commitment to returning value to shareholders despite the challenging retail environment.