Target (NYSE:TGT) PT Lowered to $185.00 at UBS Group

Target (NYSE:TGT) had its price objective lowered by UBS Group from $191.00 to $185.00 in a research report report published on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the retailer’s stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. TheStreet upgraded Target from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on Target from $206.00 to $209.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 21st. DA Davidson lifted their price target on Target from $167.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. Citigroup raised shares of Target from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $180.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Tuesday, May 7th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Target from $153.00 to $177.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 6th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nineteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Target presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $180.41.

Target Price Performance

Shares of TGT stock opened at $145.23 on Thursday. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $164.92 and its 200 day simple moving average is $149.85. Target has a one year low of $102.93 and a one year high of $181.86. The firm has a market cap of $67.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.30, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.29.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 22nd. The retailer reported $2.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.05 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $24.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.52 billion. Target had a return on equity of 31.91% and a net margin of 3.87%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.05 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Target will post 9.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Target Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 10th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 15th will be issued a $1.10 dividend. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.03%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 14th. Target’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 49.38%.

Insider Activity at Target

In other Target news, insider Brian C. Cornell sold 45,000 shares of Target stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $167.52, for a total transaction of $7,538,400.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 346,919 shares in the company, valued at $58,115,870.88. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, insider Brian C. Cornell sold 45,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $167.52, for a total transaction of $7,538,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 346,919 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $58,115,870.88. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Christina Hennington sold 4,600 shares of Target stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.88, for a total transaction of $786,048.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 38,487 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,576,658.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 52,600 shares of company stock worth $8,819,598 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.23% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Target

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ables Iannone Moore & Associates Inc. bought a new position in shares of Target during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. bought a new stake in Target in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Private Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new position in Target during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Target during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Godsey & Gibb Inc. grew its stake in shares of Target by 148.6% during the 1st quarter. Godsey & Gibb Inc. now owns 174 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.73% of the company’s stock.

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.