Target Corporation $TGT Stake Raised by Ethic Inc.

Ethic Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) by 10.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 39,748 shares of the retailer’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,804 shares during the period. Ethic Inc.’s holdings in Target were worth $6,228,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Pension & Wealth Management Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Target during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Putney Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Target in the third quarter valued at about $28,000. Kimelman & Baird LLC acquired a new stake in Target in the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Target in the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Quest 10 Wealth Builders Inc. acquired a new stake in Target in the third quarter valued at about $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.73% of the company’s stock.

Target Trading Up 4.7%

NYSE TGT opened at $165.91 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $75.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.94. Target Corporation has a twelve month low of $83.44 and a twelve month high of $170.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The business’s fifty day moving average is $156.46 and its 200 day moving average is $135.32.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last issued its 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. The business had revenue of $26.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $26.13 billion. Target had a return on equity of 23.23% and a net margin of 4.08%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.05 EPS. Target has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.900-10.900 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Target Corporation will post 8.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Target Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 11th will be issued a dividend of $1.16 per share. This represents a $4.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 10th. Target’s payout ratio is 48.18%.

Insider Activity at Target

In other news, insider Melissa Kremer sold 15,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the insider owned 56,981 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $9,684,490.76. This represents a 21.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Matthew Liegel sold 926 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $163.51, for a total transaction of $151,410.26. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 12,266 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,005,613.66. This trade represents a 7.02% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have commented on TGT. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $161.00 target price (up from $127.00) on shares of Target in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Target from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Thursday, October 8th. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Target from $166.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 20th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Target from $165.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 20th. Finally, Piper Sandler lifted their price target on shares of Target from $146.00 to $153.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, August 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $161.70.

Target Company Profile

Target Corporation is a U.S. general merchandise retailer that sells products through its stores and digital channels. Its assortment includes apparel and accessories, beauty products, home goods, groceries, electronics, toys, and household essentials, along with merchandise from national brands and Target-owned brands.

The company also offers services such as in-store and curbside order pickup and same-day delivery in eligible areas. Target serves customers across the United States.

The company traces its history to the Dayton Dry Goods Company, founded in Minneapolis in 1902.