Target (NYSE:TGT) Releases FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Target (NYSE:TGT) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Wednesday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 9.900-10.900 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 7.720. The company issued revenue guidance of $110.0 billion-$110.0 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $106.4 billion.

Target Stock Performance

Shares of Target stock opened at $152.63 on Wednesday. Target has a 52 week low of $83.44 and a 52 week high of $156.47. The company has a quick ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $139.08 and a 200-day moving average price of $126.98. The company has a market cap of $69.32 billion, a PE ratio of 20.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 0.96.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 20th. The retailer reported $1.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.47 by $0.24. Target had a return on equity of 22.92% and a net margin of 3.24%.The business had revenue of $25.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $24.66 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.30 earnings per share. Target’s revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Target will post 8.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Target Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 12th will be issued a $1.16 dividend. This is an increase from Target’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.14. This represents a $4.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 12th. Target’s dividend payout ratio is currently 61.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Bank of America reissued an “underperform” rating and set a $124.00 price target (up from $110.00) on shares of Target in a research report on Wednesday, August 12th. DA Davidson increased their price objective on shares of Target from $155.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday. KeyCorp reissued a “sector weight” rating on shares of Target in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on Target from $125.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 21st. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Target from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, June 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $143.85.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Cara A. Sylvester sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.89, for a total transaction of $1,258,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 45,930 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,782,127.70. This represents a 17.88% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Key Target News

Here are the key news stories impacting Target this week:

• Positive Sentiment: DA Davidson raised its price target on Target from $155 to $170 and reiterated a “buy” rating, implying additional upside from recent trading levels. Target price target raised by DA Davidson
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts are highlighting Target’s dividend appeal, which may support demand from income-oriented investors while the stock trades at a valuation below some retail peers. Why Target is a great dividend stock right now
• Neutral Sentiment: Target is scheduled to report second-quarter earnings before the market opens on Wednesday, August 19, followed by a 7:00 a.m. conference call. The event is the immediate catalyst for the stock and could produce significant volatility. Target second-quarter earnings conference call
• Neutral Sentiment: Pre-earnings coverage points to rising estimates, improving merchandising and the possibility of another earnings beat. Investors will focus on sales trends, margins, costs and management’s outlook, particularly because tough year-over-year comparisons could limit gains. Target pre-second-quarter earnings preview
• Negative Sentiment: A review of Target’s five-year performance underscores longer-term concerns: the stock has substantially lagged other major U.S. retailers, raising questions about its competitive position and sustainable growth prospects. Target’s stock down 40 percent in five years

Institutional Trading of Target

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in shares of Target during the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Jessup Wealth Management Inc bought a new position in Target during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Target during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Target in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, Garton & Associates Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in Target in the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. 79.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Target

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.