Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC Raises Position in Target Co. (NYSE:TGT)

Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC grew its position in Target Co. (NYSE:TGT) by 5.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 58,272 shares of the retailer’s stock after buying an additional 3,012 shares during the period. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC’s holdings in Target were worth $10,326,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Target by 56.1% in the first quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 178 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Williams Jones Wealth Management LLC. grew its stake in shares of Target by 0.6% in the first quarter. Williams Jones Wealth Management LLC. now owns 10,773 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $1,909,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Target by 1.3% in the fourth quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 5,339 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $760,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the period. Godshalk Welsh Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Target by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. Godshalk Welsh Capital Management Inc. now owns 8,130 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $1,158,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the period. Finally, Haverford Trust Co grew its stake in shares of Target by 0.3% in the first quarter. Haverford Trust Co now owns 27,472 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $4,868,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the period. 79.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Target Price Performance

Target stock traded down $2.35 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $149.74. 3,186,553 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,890,323. The company has a market cap of $69.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.95, a PEG ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 1.19. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $149.35 and a two-hundred day moving average of $154.01. The company has a quick ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97. Target Co. has a 12-month low of $102.93 and a 12-month high of $181.86.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 22nd. The retailer reported $2.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.05 by ($0.02). Target had a net margin of 3.87% and a return on equity of 31.91%. The firm had revenue of $24.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $24.52 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.05 EPS. The company’s revenue was down 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Target Co. will post 9.31 earnings per share for the current year.

Target Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 21st will be issued a $1.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 21st. This is a boost from Target’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.10. This represents a $4.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.99%. Target’s dividend payout ratio is presently 49.38%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. BNP Paribas assumed coverage on shares of Target in a research note on Monday, June 3rd. They issued an “underperform” rating and a $116.00 price target for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Target from $191.00 to $181.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 23rd. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $195.00 price target on shares of Target in a research note on Wednesday, May 22nd. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Target from $191.00 to $185.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 23rd. Finally, Citigroup upgraded shares of Target from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $180.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $176.57.

About Target

Target Corporation operates as a general merchandise retailer in the United States. The company offers apparel for women, men, boys, girls, toddlers, and infants and newborns, as well as jewelry, accessories, and shoes; and beauty and personal care, baby gear, cleaning, paper products, and pet supplies.