** Kohl's KSS.N raised its annual profit forecast for the second time this year on Tuesday, as the company banks on new collections and promotions across categories to drive demand while navigating executive changes
** Shares up 7% on Wednesday
** At least 5 brokerages raised PT; median PT of 15 brokerages is $21- data compiled by LSEG
CAUTION ON MACRO, STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES
** Citi ("Neutral", PT: $23) says Kohl's long-term sales trend is still weak due to challenging macro and structural challenges, which keep the risk-to-reward ratio balanced
** Jefferies ("Hold", PT: $20) says execution has been less consistent than we had hoped, with inventories misaligned to sales, while KSS consumers have been pressured due to inflation
** Telsey Advisory Group ("Market Perform", PT: $$23): Amid challenges, both macro and company-specific, Kohl’s is betting on its partnership with Sephora and store optimization efforts to stabilize performance
(Reporting by Koyena Das)
((Koyena.das@thomsonreuters.com))