Focused Investors LLC Decreases Position in Target Co. (NYSE:TGT)

Focused Investors LLC trimmed its holdings in Target Co. (NYSE:TGT) by 0.9% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 670,200 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 5,800 shares during the period. Target accounts for about 2.9% of Focused Investors LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Focused Investors LLC owned 0.15% of Target worth $90,598,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of TGT. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Target in the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Target during the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. MCF Advisors LLC increased its stake in Target by 175.3% in the fourth quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 256 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in Target by 110.7% during the 4th quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 257 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Target in the 3rd quarter valued at about $36,000. 79.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Target Price Performance

Shares of TGT opened at $104.29 on Friday. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $125.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $138.03. Target Co. has a 52-week low of $101.76 and a 52-week high of $181.86. The firm has a market cap of $47.51 billion, a PE ratio of 11.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a current ratio of 0.94.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 4th. The retailer reported $2.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.24 by $0.17. Target had a return on equity of 31.11% and a net margin of 4.06%. The business had revenue of $30.92 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $30.83 billion. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Target Co. will post 8.69 EPS for the current year.

Target Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, June 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 14th will be issued a dividend of $1.12 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 14th. This represents a $4.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.30%. Target’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 50.56%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Roth Mkm restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $122.00 price target (down previously from $131.00) on shares of Target in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of Target from $160.00 to $145.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on Target from $130.00 to $120.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. KGI Securities set a $132.00 price objective on Target in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on shares of Target from $166.00 to $142.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have assigned a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Target presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $145.55.

Target Company Profile

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.