# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000018255
**File Stem:** 0001562762-26-000036
**Filing Date:** 2026-3
**Character Count:** 14431
**Document Hash:** b1d3363b00d52c91c325b5bfa911c5aa
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001562762-26-000036.hdr.sgml**: 20260323

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001562762-26-000036

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 12

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20260319

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Results of Operations and Financial Condition

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260323

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260323

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** CATO CORP
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000018255
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** RETAIL-WOMEN'S CLOTHING STORES [5621]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 07 Trade & Services
- **EIN:** 560484485
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 0131

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-31340
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26782012

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 8100 DENMARK ROAD
- **CITY:** CHARLOTTE
- **STATE:** NC
- **ZIP:** 28273-5975
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 7045517352

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 8100 DENMARK ROAD
- **CITY:** CHARLOTTE
- **STATE:** NC
- **ZIP:** 28273-5975

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** CATO STORES INC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19701002

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? cato-20260319

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

450 Fifth Street NW

Washington, D.C. 29549

#### Form

#### 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

March 19, 2026

#### THE CATO CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware

1-31340

56-0484485

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

8100 Denmark Road

,

Charlotte

,

North Carolina

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

28273-5975

(Zip Code)

(704) 554-8510

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant

under any of the following provisions:

☐

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a -12)

☐

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A - Common Stock, par value $.033 per share

CATO

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities

Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for

complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

☐

THE CATO CORPORATION

#### Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition
On March 19, 2026, The Cato Corporation issued a press release regarding its financial results for the fourth quarter

ending January 31, 2026. A copy of this press release is hereby incorporated as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

#### Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits

[Exhibit 99.1 - Press Release issued March 19, 2026](exhibit991.htm)

Exhibit 104 – Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within Inline XBRL document)

#### Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this

report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

THE CATO CORPORATION

March 23, 2026

/s/ John P. D. Cato

Date

John P. D. Cato

Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer

March 23, 2026

/s/ Charles D. Knight

Date

Charles D. Knight

Executive Vice President

Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit Index

#### Exhibit

#### No.
[99.1 - Press Release issued March 19, 2026](exhibit991.htm)

99.1 104 Cover page Interactive Data File (embedded within Inline

XBRL document)

## Exhibit 99.1

#### EXHIBIT 99.1

#### NEWS RELEASE

#### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Further Information Contact:

Charles D. Knight

Executive Vice President

Chief Financial Officer

InvestorRelations@catocorp.com

#### CATO REPORTS 4Q AND FULL YEAR LOSS
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 19, 2026) – The Cato Corporation (NYSE: CATO) today reported a net loss of ($10.7)

million or ($0.55) per diluted share for the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2026, compared to a net loss of ($14.1)

million or ($0.74) per diluted share for the fourth quarter ended February 1, 2025.

Full-year fiscal 2025 net loss

was ($5.9) million or ($0.31) per diluted share compared to a net loss of ($18.1) million or ($0.97) per diluted share for

2024. Sales for the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2026 were $150.0 million, a decrease of 3.4% from sales of $155.3 million

for the fourth quarter ended February 1, 2025. Same-store sales for the fourth quarter were flat compared to 2024.

For the

year, the Company's sales increased 0.7% to $646.8 million from 2024 sales of $642.1 million.

Year-to-date same-store

sales increased 4% compared to 2024.

"Compared to 2024,

our fiscal 2025 sales trend was encouraging although 2024 was negatively impacted by supply chain

interruptions which caused late merchandise to our stores, as well as more severe weather events including three

hurricanes,

" said John Cato, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.

"During 2025 we continued to focus on

improving our merchandise offering, serving the customer, controlling expenses, and leveraging the investments in our

store and distribution center technologies

.

"

Fourth-quarter gross margin increased from 28.0% of sales in 2024 to 29.2% of sales in 2025 primarily due to decreases

in payroll and occupancy costs, partially offset by higher sales of markdown product.

Selling, general and administrative

(SG&A) expenses decreased $1.9 million in the quarter. SG&A as a percent of sales increased slightly from 37.8% in

2024 to 37.9% in 2025 during the quarter.

Income tax benefit for the quarter was $1.1 million compare

d to expense of

$0.3 million last year.

For the full year 2025, gross margin increased from 32.0% of sales in 2024 to 33.3% of sales in 2025. This increase was in

part due to

lower payroll, distribution, and

freight costs, partially offset by higher sales of markdown product. SG&A

expenses decreased to 35.0% of sales in 2025 compared to 36.0% of sales in 2024. The SG&A decrease was primarily due

to

lower payroll costs, closed store, and impairment expenses.

For the year,

SG&A expenses decreased $5.0 million.

Income tax benefit for the year was $1.6 million compared to expense of $1.9 million las

t year.

"As we look ahead to 2026, we are focused on improving our merchandise assortment including new product offerings,

leveraging our investments in technology, especially in our stores and the distribution center, while continuing to provide

excellent customer service," stated Mr. Cato. "Our 2026 outlook is tempered by the current economic uncertainties and

continued pressure on our customers' disposable income."

During 2025, the Company closed 48 stores. As of January 31, 2026, the Company operated 1,069 stores in 31 states,

compared to 1,117 stores in 31 states as of February 1, 2025. During 2026, the Company plans to open up to 10 new

stores and close up to 40 underperforming stores as leases expire. These store closings are anticipated to have minimal

financial impact.

The Cato Corporation is a leading specialty retailer of value-priced fashion apparel and accessories operating three

concepts, "Cato," "Versona" and "It's Fashion." The Company's Cato stores offer exclusive merchandise with fashion

and quality comparable to mall specialty stores at low prices every day. The Company also offers exclusive merchandise

found in its Cato stores at www.catofashions.com. Versona is a unique fashion destination offering apparel and

accessories including jewelry, handbags, and shoes at exceptional prices every day. Select Versona merchandise can also

be found at www.shopversona.com. It's Fashion offers fashion with a focus on the latest trendy styles for the entire family

at low prices every day.

*Statements in this press release that express a belief, expectation or intention, as well as those that are not a historical* 

*fact,*

 *including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's expected or estimated operational financial* 

*results, activities or opportunities, and potential impacts and effects of events, risks or contingencies are considered* 

*"forward-looking" within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking* 

*statements are based on current expectations that are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors* 

*that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Such* 

*factors include, but are not limited to, any actual or perceived deterioration in the conditions that drive consumer* 

*confidence and spending, including, but not limited to, prevailing social, economic, political and public health conditions* 

*and uncertainties, levels of unemployment, fuel, energy and food costs, inflation, wage rates, tax rates, interest rates,* 

*home values, consumer net worth and the availability of credit; changes in laws or regulations affecting our business,* 

*including but not limited to tariffs and taxes; uncertainties regarding the impact of any governmental action regarding, or* 

*responses to, the foregoing conditions; competitive factors and pricing pressures; our ability to predict and respond to* 

*rapidly changing fashion trends and consumer demands; our ability to open new stores in attractive locations and the* 

*ability of any such new stores to grow and perform as expected; underperformance or other factors that may lead to a* 

*continuation or acceleration of store closures and negative affect on the Company's profitability; adverse weather, public* 

*health threats, acts of war or aggression or similar conditions that may affect our sales or operations; inventory risks due* 

*to shifts in market demand, including the ability to liquidate excess inventory at anticipated margins; and other factors* 

*discussed under "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K and* 

*in other reports the Company files with or furnishes to the SEC from time to time. The Company does not undertake to* 

*publicly update or revise the forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that the* 

*projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized. The Company is not responsible for any changes made* 

*to this press release by wire or Internet services.* 

\* \* \*

#### THE CATO CORPORATION

#### CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

#### FOR THE PERIODS ENDED January 31, 2026 AND February 1, 2025
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

#### Quarter Ended

#### Twelve Months Ended

#### January 31,

#### %
February 1,

%

#### January 31,

#### %
February 1,

%

#### 2

#### 0

#### 2

#### 6

#### Sales

Sales

#### 2

#### 0

#### 2

#### 6

#### Sales

Sales

#### REVENUES
Retail sales

#### $

#### 150,019

#### 100.0%
$

155,292

100.0%

#### $

#### 646,830

#### 100.0%
$

642,140

100.0%

Other revenue (principally finance,

late fees and layaway charges)

#### 1,640

#### 1.1%
2,617

1.7%

#### 6,982

#### 1.1%
7,666

1.2%

Total revenues

#### 151,659

#### 101.1%
157,909

101.7%

#### 653,812

#### 101.1%
649,806

101.2%

#### GROSS MARGIN (Memo)

#### 43,770

#### 29.2%
43,434

28.0%

#### 215,279

#### 33.3%
205,700

32.0%

#### COSTS AND EXPENSES, NET
Cost of goods sold

#### 106,249

#### 70.8%
111,858

72.0%

#### 431,551

#### 66.7%
436,440

68.0%

Selling, general and administrative

#### 56,792

#### 37.9%
58,680

37.8%

#### 226,462

#### 35.0%
231,489

36.0%

Depreciation

#### 2,454

#### 1.6%
2,711

1.7%

#### 9,986

#### 1.5%
9,817

1.5%

Interest and other income

#### (1,912)

#### -1.3%
(1,618)

-1.0%

#### (6,687)

#### -1.0%
(11,827)

-1.8%

Costs and expenses, net

#### 163,583

#### 109.0%
171,631

110.5%

#### 661,312

#### 102.2%
665,919

103.7%

Income Before Income Taxes

#### (11,924)

#### -7.9%
(13,722)

-8.8%

#### (7,500)

#### -1.2%
(16,113)

-2.5%

Income Tax Expense

#### (1,063)

#### -0.7%

0.2%

#### (1,591)

#### -0.2%
1,944

0.3%

Net Income (Loss)

#### $

#### (10,861)

#### -7.2%
$

(14,052)

-9.0%

#### $

#### (5,909)

#### -0.9%
$

(18,057)

-2.8%

Basic Earnings Per Share

#### $

#### (0.55)
$

(0.74)

#### $

#### (0.31)
$

(0.97)

Diluted Earnings Per Share

#### $

#### (0.55)
$

(0.74)

#### $

#### (0.31)
$

(0.97)

#### THE CATO CORPORATION

#### CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)

#### November 1,
February 1,

#### 2025
2025

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

#### ASSETS
Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

#### $

#### 16,788
$

20,279

Short-term investments

#### 56,859
57,423

Restricted cash

#### 2,675
2,799

Accounts receivable - net

#### 25,462
24,540

Merchandise inventories

#### 83,696
110,739

Other current assets

#### 7,787
7,406

Total Current Assets

#### 193,267
223,186

Property and Equipment - net

#### 53,748
60,326

Other Assets

#### 20,471
19,979

Right-of-Use Assets, net

#### 153,933
148,870

TOTAL

#### $

#### 421,419
$

452,361

#### LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities

#### $

#### 102,385
$

130,684

Current Lease Liability

#### 53,507
57,555

Noncurrent Liabilities

#### 11,272
13,485

Lease Liability

#### 96,941
88,341

Stockholders' Equity

#### 157,314
162,296

TOTAL

#### $

#### 421,419
$

452,361