NEW YORK, Feb 11, 2026, 15:20 EST — Regular session
- Kohl’s stock jumped roughly 7% in afternoon action, easily beating the broader market, which stayed flat.
- The retailer has launched a “Deal Bar” in stores, offering items priced at $10 or less, as it bets on shoppers seeking value.
- The next major focal point for investors: the quarterly earnings call set for March 10.
Kohl’s Corp popped roughly 7% Wednesday, taking its shares to $18.58 in afternoon trading. The move comes after the retailer debuted its “Deal Bar” — a section featuring items priced below $10 — in stores nationwide. 1
Kohl’s stock has been volatile, reacting sharply to snippets of retail news, as the company looks for ways to boost store traffic that don’t rely on deep discounts. Investors now look ahead to next month’s holiday-quarter results.
Kohl’s announced its Deal Bar has rolled out chainwide, positioned at the front of each store and updated year-round with seasonal picks and everyday basics, all under $10. The retailer is touting it as a go-to spot for gifts and last-minute grabs. 1
After slipping to $17.55 on Monday and then edging down to $17.30 Tuesday, shares rebounded on Wednesday. Still, the stock remains far below its December 52-week high of $25.22. 2
Trading across the board steadied. SPDR S&P 500 ETF barely budged, with SPDR S&P Retail ETF dipping a bit. Macy’s, Target, and Walmart all moved up.
Another factor: the stock’s sizable short interest. That’s been drawing attention, with about 26% of Kohl’s public float sold short as of mid-January, per MarketBeat data. When prices climb, short sellers can get squeezed, forcing quick moves to cover. 3
But leaning into value isn’t risk-free for retailers. Sure, deals and bargain bins might pull in extra shoppers. The catch: thinner margins, especially if customers start trading down, and the business ends up offloading more stock at a discount.
Kohl’s shares hovered close to session highs, hitting $18.78 at one point. The low for the day: $17.38, market data show.
Kohl’s is set to report its fourth-quarter numbers soon, with its earnings call locked in for March 10 at 9:00 a.m. ET. The event is detailed at 4 .
