NYSE$CATO
Cato Corp-Class A · Q2 2026 earnings
Q2 2026 earnings · · Before market open · Investor relations
Briefing
Cato reports net income of $1.1 million or $0.06 per share for the second quarter ended August 1, 2026.
The Cato Corporation reported second-quarter 2026 total revenues of $165.5 million, down from $176.5 million a year earlier, with retail sales of $163.9 million. Net income fell sharply to $1.1 million from $6.8 million, driven by lower gross margins and same-store sales declines of 3.7%. The company closed eight stores during the quarter, ending with 1,057 locations.
- Q2 net income declined 83% to $1.1 million ($0.06 EPS) from $6.8 million ($0.35 EPS) in Q2 2025.
- Total revenues decreased 6% to $165.5 million, with retail sales at $163.9 million amid 3.7% same-store sales decline.
- Gross margin compressed to 32.8% from 36.2% due to lower merchandise margins and occupancy deleveraging.
- Company closed 8 stores in the quarter; ended period with 1,057 stores and cash of $35.1 million.
Headline financials
Revenue & EPS history
Cato Corp-Class A · Revenue · Quarterly
$166M
Forward guidance
Management expects continued pressure on customer discretionary income and anticipates a challenging back half of 2026.
Headwinds
- Persistent inflation, higher fuel prices, and elevated interest rates impacting spending
- Negative pressure on discretionary income expected to continue
Historical earnings impact
How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.
Avg. return before/after earnings
Based on 17 quarterly earnings reports
-0.3%
Avg return
Earnings day
+1.0%
Avg return
5 days after
-2.1%
Avg return
30 days after
47%
29 / 62 earnings
Positive
+33.7%
Q2 2025
Best reaction
-40.3%
Q3 2024
Worst reaction
| Quarter | Report date | Reaction (Day 0) | +5 days | +30 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | — | — | — | |
| Q4 2025 | -0.3% | +6.1% | — | |
| Q1 2026 | +12.5% | +0.0% | +6.9% | |
| Q3 2025 | -2.3% | +1.2% | -9.9% | |
| Q2 2025 | +33.7% | +39.1% | +54.2% | |
| Q1 2025 | +14.8% | +11.5% | +14.0% | |
| Q4 2024 | +7.2% | +7.2% | -19.4% | |
| Q3 2024 | -40.3% | -43.9% | -35.9% | |
| Q2 2024 | -2.8% | -4.8% | -9.7% | |
| Q1 2024 | +16.0% | +15.0% | +17.1% | |
| Q4 2023 | -11.2% | -15.4% | -20.6% | |
| Q3 2023 | -4.5% | -6.7% | -5.2% | |
| Q2 2023 | +1.2% | -2.0% | -5.0% | |
| Q1 2023 | +1.1% | +5.9% | -3.1% | |
| Q4 2022 | -2.6% | +0.9% | -3.8% | |
| Q3 2022 | -6.4% | -5.6% | -21.7% | |
| Q2 2022 | -9.7% | -12.6% | -28.4% | |
| Q1 2022 | -9.1% | -8.5% | -13.5% | |
| Q4 2021 | -7.3% | -9.5% | -13.9% | |
| Q3 2021 | -18.3% | -14.1% | -17.4% | |
| Q2 2021 | +6.0% | +4.9% | +5.5% | |
| Q1 2021 | +6.5% | +6.3% | +13.4% | |
| Q4 2020 | -8.7% | -10.4% | +13.0% | |
| Q3 2020 | +0.4% | +5.8% | +3.0% | |
| Q2 2020 | -19.6% | -11.5% | +2.9% | |
| Q1 2020 | -6.3% | -3.5% | -25.6% | |
| Q4 2019 | +4.9% | +11.1% | -0.4% | |
| Q3 2019 | +7.0% | +9.4% | +1.2% | |
| Q2 2019 | +15.6% | +22.0% | +21.8% | |
| Q1 2019 | +5.4% | +3.3% | -4.5% | |
| Q4 2018 | +0.6% | +4.1% | +1.6% | |
| Q3 2018 | +0.3% | +1.1% | -16.8% | |
| Q2 2018 | -10.6% | -10.2% | -14.7% | |
| Q1 2018 | +21.7% | +26.8% | +41.9% | |
| Q4 2017 | +6.5% | +11.0% | +22.8% | |
| Q3 2017 | +23.2% | +21.0% | +17.4% | |
| Q2 2017 | -8.1% | -7.2% | -8.2% | |
| Q1 2017 | +0.1% | +0.8% | -16.0% | |
| Q3 2016 | -8.9% | -8.9% | -15.7% | |
| Q2 2016 | +0.3% | +1.1% | -6.2% | |
| Q1 2016 | +8.2% | — | — | |
| Q4 2015 | +5.7% | — | — | |
| Q3 2015 | +2.2% | — | — | |
| Q2 2015 | -11.6% | — | — | |
| Q1 2015 | -0.3% | — | — | |
| Q4 2014 | -5.2% | — | — | |
| Q3 2014 | +3.4% | — | — | |
| Q2 2014 | +2.2% | — | — | |
| Q1 2014 | -5.0% | — | — | |
| Q4 2013 | -7.3% | — | — | |
| Q3 2013 | +2.6% | — | — | |
| Q2 2013 | -3.3% | — | — | |
| Q1 2013 | +2.8% | — | — | |
| Q4 2012 | -5.1% | — | — | |
| Q3 2012 | -1.4% | — | — | |
| Q2 2012 | -1.2% | — | — | |
| Q1 2012 | +0.9% | — | — | |
| Q4 2010 | -2.0% | — | — | |
| Q3 2011 | -4.5% | — | — | |
| Q2 2011 | -2.6% | — | — | |
| Q4 2011 | -2.6% | — | — | |
| Q3 2010 | -0.5% | — | — | |
| Q1 2011 | -3.1% | — | — |
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