Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL) and Ross Stores (NASDAQ:ROST) are both large-cap retail/wholesale companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, dividends and profitability. \n\nThis table compares Burlington Stores and Ross Stores’ revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.\n\nRoss Stores has higher revenue and earnings than Burlington Stores. Ross Stores is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Burlington Stores, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.\n\nThis is a summary of current ratings for Burlington Stores and Ross Stores, as reported by MarketBeat.com.\n\nBurlington Stores currently has a consensus price target of $317.57, indicating a potential upside of 13.28%. Ross Stores has a consensus price target of $159.06, indicating a potential upside of 13.97%. Given Ross Stores’ higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Ross Stores is more favorable than Burlington Stores.\n\nBurlington Stores has a beta of 1.64, indicating that its share price is 64% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ross Stores has a beta of 1.11, indicating that its share price is 11% more volatile than the S&P 500.\n\n86.9% of Ross Stores shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.1% of Burlington Stores shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 2.2% of Ross Stores shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.\n\nThis table compares Burlington Stores and Ross Stores’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.\n\nRoss Stores beats Burlington Stores on 9 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.\n\nBurlington Stores, Inc. operates as a retailer of branded merchandise in the United States. The company provides fashion-focused merchandise, including women's ready-to-wear apparel, menswear, youth apparel, footwear, accessories, toys, gifts, and coats, as well as baby, home, and beauty products. It operates stores under the Burlington Stores, and Cohoes Fashions brand names in Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Burlington Stores, Inc. was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Burlington, New Jersey.\n\nRoss 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 brand names in the United States. Its stores primarily offer apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions. The company’s Ross Dress for Less stores sell its products at department and specialty stores to middle income households; and dd’s DISCOUNTS stores sell its products at department and discount stores for households with moderate income. Ross Stores, Inc. was incorporated in 1957 and is headquartered in Dublin, California.

Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL) versus Ross Stores (NASDAQ:ROST) Head-To-Head Review

This article compares Burlington Stores and Ross Stores based on revenue, earnings, valuation, analyst ratings, beta, and institutional ownership. Ross Stores is highlighted as the more favorable stock due to higher potential upside, lower volatility, and stronger institutional ownership. Both companies operate in the retail sector but differ in business models and financial metrics.