Dillards Capital Trust I CAP SECS 7.5%

What they do

Dillard's operates retail department stores across the southwest, southeast, and midwest U.S., selling fashion apparel, cosmetics, accessories, and home furnishings through its stores and dillards.com. It also runs CDI Contractors, LLC, a general contracting construction business that builds and remodels some of its own stores. The company uses exclusive private brands such as Antonio Melani, Gianni Bini, and Roundtree & Yorke to differentiate offerings.

Revenue drivers

• Ladies' apparel — Largest merchandise category at 20% of net sales in fiscal 2025, 2024, and 2023.
• Men's apparel and accessories — Second-largest category at 19% of net sales each year from fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2025.
• Cosmetics — Consistently 16% of net sales across fiscal 2023-2025, a stable contributor.
• Construction segment (CDI) — Contributes about 4% of total net sales; builds and remodels stores for the company.

Recent performance

For the second quarter ended August 1, 2026, Dillard's reported net income of $97.7 million ($6.25 per share) versus $72.8 million ($4.66 per share) a year earlier, with total retail sales up 1% and comparable store sales up 1%. Retail gross margin improved to 40.9% from 38.1%, boosted by $37.2 million in IEEPA tariff refunds (260 basis points). For the first 26 weeks, net income was $348.2 million ($22.30 per share) versus $236.7 million ($15.08 per share) a year earlier, and total retail sales increased 2%. The company ended the quarter with over $1.2 billion in cash and short-term investments after paying off $96 million in debt.

Strategy

Management is focused on maintaining gross margin performance in a changing merchandising environment, with retail gross margin at 40.8% in fiscal 2025. It continues to prioritize shareholder returns, having paid $484.9 million in dividends (including its largest special dividend of $30.00 per share) and repurchased $107.8 million of stock in fiscal 2025. The company is investing in its private label program and trademark portfolio to differentiate offerings and control costs. It is also developing its omnichannel capabilities, including buy online/pickup in store and centralizing back-office functions.

Risks

• Intense retail competition — Competes with specialty, off-price, discount, and internet retailers, some with greater financial resources.
• Macroeconomic and consumer spending — Inflation, economic recession, and changes in mall traffic could reduce customer buying patterns.
• Supply chain and trade costs — Trade disputes, new tariffs, and supply chain disruptions could raise costs; the company notes it does not expect additional significant IEEPA tariff refunds.
• Labor and operating expenses — Nationwide labor shortages and intense competition for talent could increase payroll and related expenses, which already rose in recent quarters.

Outlook

Management expects continued pressure on operating expenses, particularly payroll, and does not anticipate further significant IEEPA tariff refunds. It will continue to focus on gross margin management and shareholder returns. The company faces risks from inflation, trade restrictions, and competitive pressures but believes its stores are in a strong competitive position.