Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. Has $14.26 Million Position in Target Corporation $TGT

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its stake in shares of Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) by 4.2% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 109,161 shares of the retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 4,441 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co.’s holdings in Target were worth $14,257,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Target by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. now owns 1,747 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $228,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Wynn Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Target by 0.9% in the second quarter. Wynn Capital LLC now owns 8,455 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $1,104,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares during the period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Target by 16.0% in the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 580 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $70,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Prosperity Consulting Group LLC increased its position in Target by 3.4% during the first quarter. Prosperity Consulting Group LLC now owns 2,474 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $300,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares during the period. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its holdings in Target by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 2,478 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $324,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.73% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Melissa K. Kremer sold 15,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.96, for a total value of $2,634,380.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 56,981 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,684,490.76. This represents a 21.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CAO Matthew A. Liegel sold 926 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $163.51, for a total transaction of $151,410.26. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 12,266 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,005,613.66. This trade represents a 7.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on Target from $146.00 to $153.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 20th. Evercore set a $170.00 price objective on shares of Target in a research note on Thursday, August 20th. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating on shares of Target in a research report on Thursday, August 20th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Target from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Target from $165.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 20th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $159.52.

Target Stock Performance

Shares of TGT stock opened at $163.43 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $74.25 billion, a PE ratio of 16.97, a PEG ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.99. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $145.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is $131.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.36. Target Corporation has a one year low of $83.44 and a one year high of $170.75.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 19th. The retailer reported $4.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.35 by $1.76. Target had a net margin of 4.08% and a return on equity of 23.23%. The firm had revenue of $26.54 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $26.13 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.05 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. Target has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.900-10.900 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Target Corporation will post 8.84 earnings per share for the current year.

Target Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 12th were issued a $1.16 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 12th. This is a positive change from Target’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.14. This represents a $4.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. Target’s dividend payout ratio is 48.18%.

Key Target News

Here are the key news stories impacting Target this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised its earnings forecasts across multiple future periods. Estimates increased for Q3 2027, Q1–Q4 2028, Q1–Q2 2029, FY2028 and FY2029. The FY2029 forecast rose to $10.18 per share from $9.52, while FY2028 increased to $9.53 from $8.90. These revisions suggest improving confidence in Target’s longer-term earnings potential.
• Positive Sentiment: The company’s outlook and recent results provide fundamental support. Target previously raised its full-year outlook and reported quarterly earnings well above expectations, with revenue growth of 5.3% year over year. Management’s projected FY2026 EPS of $9.90–$10.90 also remains above the current analyst consensus of $8.84.
• Positive Sentiment: Investors are reassessing Target’s valuation and turnaround potential. A recent analysis highlights Target’s strong 2026 re-rating compared with the broader retail sector and argues that additional operational progress could be needed for the stock to approach $200. Target Stock Is Up 66% in 2026: What Will It Take to Break Through $200?
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks maintained a “Hold” rating. Although earnings estimates moved higher, the unchanged rating indicates analysts see improving fundamentals but believe much of the recovery may already be reflected in TGT’s share price.
• Neutral Sentiment: Value-focused investors are comparing Target with Costco. The comparison underscores the need to weigh Target’s lower-priced turnaround opportunity against Costco’s established operating performance and valuation. TGT or COST: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?
• Negative Sentiment: Execution and brand risks remain. A Halloween costume controversy was described as an avoidable setback in Target’s effort to win back customers, reinforcing concerns that merchandising and brand missteps could slow the turnaround. 1 Reason Target Stock Is Worth a Second Look This Month

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.