** Shares of value retailer Ross Stores ROST.O rise nearly 5.5% to $229.25 premarket

** Co raised its annual comparable sales and profit forecast on Thursday, betting on resilient demand for its discounted apparel and accessories despite looming macroeconomic uncertainty

** J.P. Morgan maintains an "overweight" stance, says 17% same-store sales growth marks the highest quarterly increase in the 20-year history of all three Off-Pricers

** "With broad-based customer acquisition across demographics, including age, income, and ethnicity, and representing a key proof point of the durability of comp growth moving forward" - J.P. Morgan

** For the first quarter ended May 2, comparable sales rose 17%

** Average rating of twenty analysts is "buy"; with a median PT of $252.5 - data compiled by LSEG

** Stock up 20.5% YTD as of previous close