Ross Stores (ROST) Annual Cash Flow Statement

Cash Flow Summary

Ross Stores (ROST) annual cash flow statement covering fiscal 2021 through 2026, as reported to the SEC.

Ross Stores generated $3.03B in cash from operations in fiscal 2026, up 28.4% from $2.36B in fiscal 2025.
That is 1.4 times its reported net income of $2.15B.
After spending $819.27M on additions to property and equipment, free cash flow was $2.21B.
Investing activities used $819.27M and financing activities used $2.34B. Overall, cash went down $134.49M.
Ross Stores spent $1.05B buying back its own shares and paid $528.1M in dividends.

Net cash provided by operating activities has grown 6.1% a year on average since fiscal 2021, from $2.25B to $3.03B.

A cash flow statement shows the cash that actually came in and went out, split between running the business, investing and financing.

Figures in USD thousands

						Jan'26	Feb'25	Feb'24	Jan'23	Jan'22	Jan'21
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net earnings
2,145,044	2,090,730	1,874,520	1,512,041	1,722,589	85,382	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net earnings						2,145,044	2,090,730	1,874,520	1,512,041	1,722,589	85,382	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
509,391	446,788	419,432	394,700	360,700	364,200	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Depreciation and amortization						509,391	446,788	419,432	394,700	360,700	364,200	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
-	-	-	-	-	-239,953	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Loss on early extinguishment of debt						-	-	-	-	-	-239,953	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Stock-based compensation
175,354	156,298	145,490	121,936	134,217	101,568	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Stock-based compensation						175,354	156,298	145,490	121,936	134,217	101,568	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Gain on sale of property
-	61,600	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Gain on sale of property						-	61,600	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Gain on sale of assets
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Gain on sale of assets						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Deferred income taxes
74,387	-9,198	-20,821	79,417	15,775	-27,812	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Deferred income taxes						74,387	-9,198	-20,821	79,417	15,775	-27,812	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Tax benefit from equity issuance
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Tax benefit from equity issuance						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Change in assets and liabilities:
Merchandise inventory
186,457	252,293	168,725	-238,778	753,291	-323,357	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Merchandise inventory						186,457	252,293	168,725	-238,778	753,291	-323,357	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other current assets
47,382	27,319	2,261	39,487	-1,420	39,406	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other current assets						47,382	27,319	2,261	39,487	-1,420	39,406	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Accounts payable
285,244	154,664	-65,327	-365,262	135,311	938,837	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Accounts payable						285,244	154,664	-65,327	-365,262	135,311	938,837	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other current liabilities
50,784	-123,556	296,980	-304,454	198,595	171,444	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other current liabilities						50,784	-123,556	296,980	-304,454	198,595	171,444	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Income taxes
17,161	-27,457	22,931	33,876	-44,579	39,806	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Income taxes						17,161	-27,457	22,931	33,876	-44,579	39,806	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Operating lease assets and liabilities, net
-2,362	-12,627	-8,330	-9,261	-7,647	-13,669	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Operating lease assets and liabilities, net						-2,362	-12,627	-8,330	-9,261	-7,647	-13,669	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other long-term, net
-995	2,721	-3,941	-8,612	39,499	-34,890	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Other long-term, net						-995	2,721	-3,941	-8,612	39,499	-34,890	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash provided by operating activities
3,026,883	2,356,988	2,514,490	1,689,373	1,738,849	2,245,933	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash provided by operating activities						3,026,883	2,356,988	2,514,490	1,689,373	1,738,849	2,245,933	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Additions to property and equipment
819,275	720,104	762,812	654,070	557,840	405,433	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Additions to property and equipment						819,275	720,104	762,812	654,070	557,840	405,433	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from sale of property
-	82,600	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from sale of property						-	82,600	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Decrease in restricted cash and investments
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Decrease in restricted cash and investments						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Purchases of investments
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Purchases of investments						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from investments
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Proceeds from investments						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash used in investing activities
-819,275	-637,462	-762,812	-654,070	-557,840	-405,433	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash used in investing activities						-819,275	-637,462	-762,812	-654,070	-557,840	-405,433	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Issuance of common stock related to stock plans
25,330	25,085	24,900	24,702	25,069	23,534	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Issuance of common stock related to stock plans						25,330	25,085	24,900	24,702	25,069	23,534	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Treasury stock purchased
79,878	86,092	48,568	48,855	57,345	45,222	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Treasury stock purchased						79,878	86,092	48,568	48,855	57,345	45,222	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Repurchase of common stock
1,050,021	1,049,979	949,996	949,996	649,997	132,467	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Repurchase of common stock						1,050,021	1,049,979	949,996	949,996	649,997	132,467	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Excise tax paid on repurchase of common stock
9,443	8,798	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Excise tax paid on repurchase of common stock						9,443	8,798	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Dividends paid
528,100	488,700	454,800	431,300	405,100	101,400	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Dividends paid						528,100	488,700	454,800	431,300	405,100	101,400	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net proceeds from issuance of short-term debt
-	-	-	-	-	805,601	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net proceeds from issuance of short-term debt						-	-	-	-	-	805,601	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Payments of short-term debt
-	-	-	-	-	805,601	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Payments of short-term debt						-	-	-	-	-	805,601	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
-	-	-	-	-	2,965,115	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt						-	-	-	-	-	2,965,115	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Payment of long-term debt
700,000	250,000	-	-	65,000	775,009	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Payment of long-term debt						700,000	250,000	-	-	65,000	775,009	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Payments of debt extinguishment and debt issuance costs
-	-	-	-	-	232,688	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Payments of debt extinguishment and debt issuance costs						-	-	-	-	-	232,688	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash used in financing activities
-2,342,097	-1,858,505	-1,428,478	-1,405,444	-1,152,396	1,701,859	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net cash used in financing activities						-2,342,097	-1,858,505	-1,428,478	-1,405,444	-1,152,396	1,701,859	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents
-134,489	-138,979	323,200	-370,141	28,613	3,542,359	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents						-134,489	-138,979	323,200	-370,141	28,613	3,542,359	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Interest paid
55,778	80,316	80,316	80,316	84,331	72,471	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Interest paid						55,778	80,316	80,316	80,316	84,331	72,471	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Income taxes paid, net
605,565	703,079	595,152	362,156	564,755	8,921	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Income taxes paid, net						605,565	703,079	595,152	362,156	564,755	8,921	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
Non-Cash Investing Activities
(Decrease) increase in fair value of investment securities
-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx
(Decrease) increase in fair value of investment securities						-	-	-	-	-	-	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx	xxxxx