New York, Feb 3, 2026, 15:15 EST — Regular session
- TJX shares climbed roughly 1.5% in afternoon trading, holding up despite a broad market selloff.
- Value-focused retailers outperformed tech after investors reassessed the risks around AI.
- Traders are bracing for TJX’s quarterly update later this month.
The TJX Companies, Inc. shares rose roughly 1.5% Tuesday afternoon, trading around $152.36 after earlier hitting $152.60.
The move comes on a choppy day for U.S. stocks, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq sliding as investors weighed fresh worries that artificial intelligence could squeeze margins at software and data firms. “We’re seeing a lot of software companies across the spectrum get hit,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Wealth. Reuters
Retailers tied to value and steady demand attracted buyers while tech names sank. Walmart Inc shares climbed about 2.2%, making it the first retailer to reach a $1 trillion market value, Reuters reported. “Walmart is really five stores in one,” said Louis Navellier, chief investment officer at Navellier & Associates. Reuters
TJX’s off-price peers also pushed up. Ross Stores, Inc. climbed about 1% and Burlington Stores, Inc. added roughly 1% in afternoon trade.
TJX operates T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, moving branded apparel and home goods through an “off-price” model that tends to hold up when shoppers trade down.
Traders are bracing for TJX’s update on demand and margins after the holiday quarter. Attention will be on comparable sales — sales at stores open at least a year — along with inventory, markdowns and freight and wage costs.
In November, TJX lifted its fiscal 2026 profit forecast, saying deal-focused shoppers are bolstering demand. “TJX’s sourcing model works in its favor right now,” said Suzy Davidkhanian, an analyst at Emarketer, noting there’s more excess merchandise available to buy. Reuters
Off-price chains say tariff changes and lumpy inventories can open buying windows — letting them grab surplus items and turn them into sales fast.
Rival Ross also lifted its annual profit forecast in November on strong demand for discount goods, underscoring the sector’s bet that shoppers keep looking for branded items at lower prices.
Macro signals are messier than usual this week. A partial U.S. government shutdown has delayed key labor-market releases such as the JOLTS report and the monthly employment report, leaving investors to lean more heavily on earnings and any real-time read-through on consumers.
One wrinkle for TJX bulls: the off-price model only works if attractive merchandise keeps coming and shoppers keep hunting. If full-price retailers cut promotions or inventories get leaner, TJX’s sourcing edge can evaporate, and the stock can surrender gains despite appearing “defensive.”
TJX is next with its quarterly report. The company’s reporting calendar shows its fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results due Feb. 25; investors will be watching for updated guidance and any commentary on inventory, promotions and margins as it heads into fiscal 2027.
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