Zacks Research Upgrades Target (NYSE:TGT) to Strong-Buy

Target (NYSE:TGT) was upgraded by stock analysts at Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report issued on Monday, Zacks reports.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on TGT. Mizuho set a $150.00 price target on Target in a research report on Thursday, August 20th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Target in a research note on Thursday, August 20th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Target from $148.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, August 20th. Telsey Advisory Group increased their price objective on Target from $170.00 to $182.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 20th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $170.00 price objective on Target in a report on Thursday, August 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $159.33.

Target Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:TGT opened at $151.81 on Monday. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $157.33 and its 200-day moving average price is $139.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $68.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.76, a PEG ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 0.98. Target has a one year low of $83.44 and a one year high of $170.75.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 company had revenue of $26.54 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $26.13 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.05 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Target has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.900-10.900 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Target will post 8.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Target

In other news, insider Melissa Kremer sold 15,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.96, for a total transaction of $2,634,380.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 56,981 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,684,490.76. This trade represents a 21.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Matthew Liegel sold 926 shares of Target stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $163.51, for a total value of $151,410.26. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 12,266 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,005,613.66. This represents a 7.02% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Target

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in Target by 4.1% in the second quarter. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. now owns 1,747 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $228,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the period. Avior Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Target by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,173 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $341,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Wynn Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Target by 0.9% during the second quarter. Wynn Capital LLC now owns 8,455 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $1,104,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares during the period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Target by 16.0% during the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 580 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $70,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the period. Finally, Prosperity Consulting Group LLC lifted its position in Target by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Prosperity Consulting Group LLC now owns 2,474 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $300,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. 79.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Target Company Profile

Target Corporation is a U.S.-based general merchandise retailer that operates stores and digital shopping channels under the Target brand. The company sells a broad assortment of products, including apparel and accessories, beauty and personal care items, home furnishings, electronics, groceries, toys, seasonal merchandise and everyday essentials.

Target offers private-label brands alongside national brands and provides services such as Order Pickup, Drive Up and same-day delivery through Shipt.