CATO

EX-99.1

5 exhibit99.htm

EX-99.1

exhibit99

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

1Q EARNINGS

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 21, 2026) – The Cato Corporation (NYSE: CATO) today reported net income of $9.3 million

or $0.47 per diluted share for the first quarter ended May 2, 2026, compared

to net income of $3.3 million or $0.17 per

diluted share for the first quarter ended May 3, 2025.

Sales for the first quarter ended May 2, 2026 were $169.5 million, or an

increase of 0.7% from sales of $168.4 million for

the first quarter ended May 3, 2025.

The Company’s same-store sales for the quarter increased 3%.

"Our results significantly benefited from the refund claim

of IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act)

tariffs in the quarter.

Our sales trend softened as the quarter continued in part due

to higher fuel prices pressuring our

customers’ discretionary income,” said John Cato, Chairman, President

and Chief Executive Officer.

”

For the foreseeable

future we expect our sales to be negatively impacted by rising inflation,

especially fuel and food prices, which will reduce

our customers’ discretionary income.”

First quarter gross margin as a percentage of sales was 37.2% in 2026 and 35.1%

in 2025.

The increase in gross margin as

a percentage of sales is due in part to a pre-tax $5.7 million tariff refund claim

partially offset by lower merchandise

contribution caused in part by higher sales of marked-down

goods.

Selling, General and Administrative expense

decreased to $53.9 million in the first quarter of 2026 from

$55.3 million in 2025 due to decreases in corporate payroll

expense, insurance costs and equipment maintenance partially offset by incentive

compensation expense.

Selling, General

and Administrative expense as a percentage of sales decreased to 31.8%

in 2026 compared to 32.8% in 2025.

Interest and

other income were $1.2 million in both 2026 and 2025.

Income tax expense for the quarter decreased to $0.5 million in

2026 from

$0.9 million in 2025.

The decrease in tax expense is primarily due to a reduction in foreign taxes.

Additionally, the Company bought back 107,823 shares during the quarter.

During the first quarter ended May 2, 2026, the Company opened two

stores and closed six stores.

As of May 2, 2026, the

Company operated 1,065 stores in 31 states, compared to 1,109 stores

in 31 states as of May 2, 2025.

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

EX-99.1

5 exhibit991.htm

EX-99.1

exhibit991

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 compared 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 last 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 statemen

EX-99.1

5 exhibit991.htm

EX-99.1

exhibit991

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