Target (NYSE:TGT) Issues Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.25 EPS

Target (NYSE:TGT) issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The retailer reported $1.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.25, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $25.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.66 billion. Target had a return on equity of 22.25% and a net margin of 3.54%. Target updated its FY 2026 guidance to 7.500-8.500 EPS.

Target Stock Up 2.9%

NYSE TGT opened at $127.00 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a current ratio of 0.94. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $122.19 and a 200 day simple moving average of $109.05. Target has a twelve month low of $83.44 and a twelve month high of $133.10. The stock has a market cap of $57.68 billion, a PE ratio of 15.62, a PEG ratio of 3.67 and a beta of 1.01.

Target Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 13th will be given a $1.14 dividend. This represents a $4.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 13th. Target’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 56.09%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Target

In related news, CAO Matthew A. Liegel sold 2,053 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.19, for a total value of $240,591.07. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 12,143 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,423,038.17. This trade represents a 14.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.16% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Target

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Jessup Wealth Management Inc bought a new stake in shares of Target in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of Target in the second quarter valued at about $25,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Target in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Garton & Associates Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Target in the fourth quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Target during the second quarter worth about $37,000. Institutional investors own 79.73% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on TGT shares. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Target from $125.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 4th. Bank of America started coverage on Target in a report on Friday, February 27th. They set an “underperform” rating and a $103.00 price target on the stock. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Target from $105.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. BNP Paribas Exane upped their price target on shares of Target from $63.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 4th. Finally, Wolfe Research raised shares of Target from an “underperform” rating to a “peer perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eighteen have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Target has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $119.93.

Key Headlines Impacting Target

Here are the key news stories impacting Target this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Target reported first-quarter net sales growth of 6.7%, well above expectations, with management saying growth was broad-based across merchandise categories, sales channels, and throughout the quarter.
• Positive Sentiment: The company’s first-quarter results reportedly beat analyst expectations across several key metrics, reinforcing optimism that its refreshed products and stores are resonating with shoppers. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Target said it saw its strongest sales gain in years, suggesting more consumers are returning to the brand as the retailer leans into style and value. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Target raised or reiterated full-year guidance with FY 2026 EPS of $7.50 to $8.50 versus the Street at $7.72, while revenue guidance of $108.5 billion to $109.5 billion topped consensus, signaling confidence in continued recovery.
• Positive Sentiment: Management’s supply-chain leadership change, including the hiring of former Walmart executive Jeff England, may support longer-term improvement in execution and shopping experience. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Target’s earnings release and conference call are drawing attention because the company is still in a turnaround phase, so investors are watching for evidence that recent momentum can be sustained.
• Negative Sentiment: Some commentary still notes that Target has been working to recover from a yearslong sales slump, so the stock may remain sensitive to any signs that margins or consumer demand weaken again.

Target Company Profile

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) is a U.S.-based general merchandise retailer headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company operates a network of full-line and small-format stores across the United States alongside a national e-commerce platform and mobile app. Target’s retail assortment spans apparel, home goods, electronics, groceries and household essentials, plus beauty, baby and pet categories. The firm complements national brands with a portfolio of owned and exclusive labels and partnerships that help differentiate its merchandise assortment.

Target traces its roots to the Dayton Company, founded by George Dayton in 1902; the Target discount chain was launched in 1962 and the parent company later adopted the Target Corporation name.