EXHIBIT 99.1

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InvestorRelations@catocorp.com

CATO REPORTS1Q EARNINGS

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 22, 2025) – The Cato Corporation (NYSE: CATO) today reported net income of $3.3 million

or $0.17 per diluted share for the first quarter ended May 3, 2025, comparedto net income of $11.0 million or $0.54 per

diluted share for the first quarter ended May 4, 2024.

Sales for the first quarter ended May 3, 2025 were $168.4 million, or a decreaseof 4% from sales of $175.3 million for

the first quarter ended May 4, 2024.The Company’s same-store sales for the quarter were flat.

"Our results reflect our customers’ cautious approach to discretionaryspending,” said John Cato, Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer.

“While our sales trend improved later in the quarter, the general uncertainty regarding the

economy and the potential impact of the proposed tariffs has us cautious aboutthe remainder of the year.”

First quarter gross margin as a percentage of sales was 35.1% in 2025 and 35.8% in2024.

The decrease in gross margin as

a percentage of sales is due to lower merchandise contributioncaused in part by higher sales of marked down goods,

partially offset by lower buying costs.Selling, General and Administrative expense decreasedto $55.3 million in 2025

from $56.8 million in 2024 due to decreases in corporate and field payrollexpense, as well as, lower insurance costs and

store expenses.These decreases were partially offset by increases in equipment maintenance.Selling, General and

Administrative expense as a percentage of sales increased to 32.8% in2025 compared to 32.4% in 2024.Interest and

other income decreased to $1.2 million in 2025 from $5.8 million in 2024 primarilydue to a net gain on sale of land of

$3.2 million and sales of equity securities recorded in the first quarterof 2024.

Income tax expense for the quarter

increased to $0.9 million in 2025 from

$0.6 million in 2024.The increase in tax expense is primarily due to changes in

state and foreign tax rates.

Additionally, the Company bought back 294,036 shares during the quarter.

During the first quarter ended May 3, 2025, the Company did not open anystores and permanently closed eight stores.As

of May 3, 2025, the Company operated 1,109 stores in 31 states, comparedto 1,171 stores in 31 states as of May 4, 2024.

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

concepts, “Cato,” “Versona” and “It’sFashion.”The Company’s Cato stores offer exclusive merchandise with fashion

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

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

accessories including jewelry, handbags and shoes at exceptional prices every day.Select Versonamerchandise 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 interest rates, inflation or other factors that may

 

affect our customers’ discretionary spending or our costs 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 actualresults 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, or continuation of negative trends in, the conditions that drive consumer confidence

and spending, including, but not limited to, prevailing social, economic, political and public healthconditions and

uncertainties, levels of unemployment, fuel, energy and food costs, inflation, wage rates, taxrates, interest rates, home

values, consumer net worth and the availability of credit; changes in laws, regulations or government policies affecting

our business including but not limited to tariffs; 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 successfully implement our newstore development

strategy to increase new store openings and the ability of any such new stores to grow and perform as expected;

underperformance or other factors that may lead to, or affect the volumeof, store closures; adverse weather,public

health threats (including the global coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak), acts of war or aggression or similar conditions

that may affect our merchandise supply chain, sales or operations; inventory risks due to shiftsin market demand,

including the ability to liquidate excess inventory at anticipated margins; adverse developments orvolatility affecting the

financial services industry or broader financial markets; and other factors discussed under “RiskFactors” in Part I, Item

1Aof the Company’smost 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 orrevise 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.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTSOF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE PERIODS ENDED May 3, 2025 AND May 4, 2024

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Quarter Ended

May 3

%

May 4

%

2025

Sales

2024

Sales

Retail sales

$

168,419

100.0%

$

175,272

100.0%

Other revenue (principally finance,

late fees and layaway charges)

1,823

1.1%

1,827

1.0%

Total revenues

170,242

101.1%

177,099

101.0%

GROSS MARGIN (Memo)

59,101

35.1%

62,767

35.8%

Cost of goods sold

109,318

64.9%

112,505

64.2%

Selling, general and administrative

55,325

32.8%

56,752

32.4%

Depreciation

2,564

1.5%

2,040

1.2%

Interest and other income

(1,202)

-0.7%

(5,821)

-3.3%

Costs and expenses, net

166,005

98.6%

165,476

94.4%

Income Before Income Taxes

4,237

2.5%

11,623

6.6%

Income Tax Expense

928

0.6%

649

0.4%

Net Income

$

3,309

2.0%

$

10,974

6.3%

Basic Earnings Per Share

$

0.17

$

0.54

Diluted Earnings Per Share

$

0.17

$

0.54

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

May 3,

February 1,

2025

2025

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

31,346

$

20,279

Short-term investments

48,609

57,423

Restricted cash

2,675

2,799

Accounts receivable - net

26,830

24,540

Merchandise inventories

109,430

110,739

Other current assets

7,560

7,406

Total Current Assets

226,450

223,186

Property and Equipment - net

58,767

60,326

Other Assets

19,863

19,979

Right-of-Use Assets, net

135,726

148,870

TOTAL

$

440,806

$

452,361

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current Liabilities

$

130,000

$

130,684

Current Lease Liability

52,524

57,555

Noncurrent Liabilities

13,293

13,485

Lease Liability

80,072

88,341

Stockholders' Equity

164,917

162,296

TOTAL

$

440,806

$

452,361