Gap (GAP) vs Ross Stores (ROST)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Ross Stores (ROST) has outperformed Gap (GAP) over the past year, gaining 50.0% versus a gain of 12.1%. Over five years, ROST leads with a +107.5% price change compared with +6.6% for GAP. Ross Stores is the larger company by market cap ($72.35 billion vs $8.29 billion), about 8.7 times the size.
On valuation, Gap trades at a lower forward P/E (9.0x vs 25.1x for Ross Stores). Gap offers the higher dividend yield (2.88% vs 0.75%). Ross Stores converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.4% versus 5.3%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | GAP | ROST |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $23.61 | $225.53 |
| Market cap | $8.29B | $72.35B |
| 1-day change | -0.02% | +0.59% |
| YTD return | -7.77% | +25.20% |
| 1-year return | +12.06% | +50.01% |
| 5-year return | +6.64% | +107.46% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 7.11 | 27.27 |
| Forward P/E | 8.96 | 25.13 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.32 | $8.27 |
| Dividend yield | 2.88% | 0.75% |
| Annual dividend | $0.68 | $1.70 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $15.37B | $22.75B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.86% | +7.67% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $816.00M | $2.15B |
| Gross margin | 40.79% | 27.71% |
| Operating margin | 7.26% | 11.90% |
| Net margin | 5.31% | 9.43% |
| 52-week high | $29.36 | $257.00 |
| 52-week low | $18.11 | $147.49 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -19.58% | -12.25% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.28% | +19.97% |
| Average volume | 7.11M | 2.32M |
| Shares outstanding | 351.27M | 320.78M |
| Employees | 79,000 | 111,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores | Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Ross Stores is about 8.7 times larger than Gap by market value ($72.35B vs $8.29B).
- ROST has outperformed GAP by 38.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Ross Stores trades at a higher earnings multiple (27.3x vs 7.1x trailing P/E).
- Gap offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.88% vs 0.75%).
- Ross Stores grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+7.67% vs +1.86%).
About Gap
GAP stock →The Gap, Inc. operates as an apparel retail company in the United States, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores · 79,000 employees
About Ross Stores
ROST stock →Ross Stores, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores under the Ross Dress for Less and dd's DISCOUNTS brands in the United States. The company offers designer apparel, accessories, footwear, and home-fashioned products for the entire family.
Consumer Discretionary · Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores · 111,000 employees
GAP vs ROST FAQ
Which is bigger, Gap or Ross Stores?
Ross Stores (ROST) is larger, with a market capitalization of $72.35B compared with $8.29B for Gap (GAP).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GAP or ROST?
ROST returned +50.01% over the past 12 months, compared with +12.06% for GAP (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GAP or ROST?
GAP has the lower trailing P/E at 7.1, versus 27.3 for ROST. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Gap or Ross Stores?
Gap has the higher yield at 2.88%, compared with 0.75% for Ross Stores.
Are Gap and Ross Stores in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.