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Burlington Stores, Inc. 8-K Report, Financial Results (Aug 27, 2026)

Reports
Earnings & Results·Exhibits & Filings
Filing Date
Filed August 27, 2026
Period End
August 27, 2026
Security
BURL
In the record · 2016–202610-K1110-Q328-K106

BURL filed 11 annual reports (10-K), 32 quarterly reports (10-Q) and 106 current reports (8-K) between 2016 and 2026.

  1. Material agreement8-K · Jul ’16Jul ’16
  2. Material agreement8-K · Nov ’18Nov ’18
  3. Leadership change8-K · Nov ’21Nov ’21
  4. Leadership change8-K · Aug ’25Aug ’25

01—Abstract

Summary

Summary of the 8-K filed August 27, 2026. Cited figures are marked; the original filing is the authoritative source.

Burlington Stores (BURL) reported strong second-quarter fiscal 2026 results for the quarter ended August 1, 2026.

Total sales rose 11% to $2,998 milliona on top of 10% growth a year earlier, while comparable store sales increased 2%. GAAP net income was $184 million, or $2.88 per diluted share, versus $1.47 a year ago. Excluding a $55 million pre-tax tariff refund benefit ($41 million after tax) and bankruptcy-acquired lease expenses, Adjusted EPS rose 38% to $2.37, and Adjusted EBIT margin expanded 100 basis points.

Management noted this was the 15th consecutive quarter of double-digit EPS growth. The quality of the beat warrants some scrutiny. Gross margin expanded 250 basis points to 46.2%b, but roughly 180 basis points of that reflected the one-time tariff refund; underlying merchandise margin improved about 70 basis points.

Management stated it intends to reinvest the refunds into lower prices during the second half, so the refunds are expected to be neutral to full-year earnings. Comparable sales growth of 2% was modest, and reserve inventory fell to 43% of total inventory from 50% a year earlier, which may reflect a more disciplined opportunistic buying posture or a shift in merchandise mix. Management raised full-year fiscal 2026 Adjusted EPS guidance to $11.77c-$11.97 (from a prior range that management says is passed through the Q2 beat), with comparable sales growth of 3%-4% and total sales growth of 10%-11%.

Third-quarter guidance is softer, calling for Adjusted EPS of $1.60d-$1.70 versus $1.80 last year and an Adjusted EBIT margin decline of 60-80 basis points, as the company reinvests the tariff refunds. Liquidity stood at $1.65 billion, with $1.91 billion of total debt, and the company repurchased $87 million of stock during the quarter.

02—Key points

Key Highlights

  1. Total sales grew 11% to $2.998 billion; comparable store sales rose 2% (two-year stack of 7%).
  2. GAAP diluted EPS was $2.88 versus $1.47 a year ago; Adjusted EPS was $2.37, up 38%, excluding the $55 million pre-tax tariff refund benefit and bankruptcy-acquired lease costs.
  3. Gross margin rose 250 basis points to 46.2%, but the tariff refund contributed most of this; underlying merchandise margin expanded about 70 basis points.
  4. Full-year fiscal 2026 Adjusted EPS guidance was raised to $11.77-$11.97 and comp guidance to 3%-4%, though management says the tariff refunds are neutral to full-year earnings because they will be reinvested in pricing.
  5. Third-quarter guidance is weaker: Adjusted EPS of $1.60-$1.70 versus $1.80 last year, with Adjusted EBIT margin down 60-80 basis points and comparable sales expected up 1%-3%.
  6. Liquidity was $1.65 billion ($704 million cash plus $942 million ABL availability); total debt was $1.91 billion, including $1.71 billion on the Term Loan and $186 million of convertible notes.
  7. Reserve inventory declined to 43% of total inventory from 50% a year ago, while total inventories rose 9% to $1.54 billion with 149 net new stores opened over the past year.

03—Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How much of the quarter's earnings growth came from one-time tariff refunds?

    The company received $55 million in tariff refunds in Q2, which contributed $41 million after tax, or roughly $0.64 per diluted share, to GAAP net income. Excluding this benefit, Adjusted EPS grew 38% to $2.37. Management plans to reinvest the refunds into pricing in the second half, so the company expects no net full-year earnings benefit.

  2. Why is Q3 guidance weaker than the full-year raise implies?

    Third-quarter Adjusted EPS guidance of $1.60-$1.70 is below last year's $1.80, and Adjusted EBIT margin is expected to fall 60-80 basis points. The decline reflects the planned reinvestment of about 40% of the tariff refunds in Q3 (and about 60% in Q4), which offsets the underlying operating improvement. The full-year raise reflects passing through the Q2 underlying beat while the refund reinvestment nets to neutral.

  3. Is the company's comparable sales momentum improving?

    Comparable sales grew 2% in Q2 on top of a 5% increase last year, and management's full-year comp guidance of 3%-4% implies stronger performance in the second half, while Q3 comp guidance is 1%-3%. Investors should watch whether the price reinvestment drives traffic and comp acceleration in Q4.

  4. How healthy is the balance sheet and capital allocation?

    The company ended Q2 with $704 million in cash, $942 million of undrawn ABL availability, and $1.91 billion of total debt, with no ABL borrowings. It repurchased $87 million of stock in the quarter and had $218 million remaining on its authorization. Capital expenditures are guided to about $875 million for the year, and corporate headquarters relocation costs remain uncertain and are excluded from guidance.

04—Continue

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