Target (NYSE:TGT) Updates Q1 2026 Earnings Guidance

Target (NYSE:TGT) updated its first quarter 2026 earnings guidance on Tuesday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 1.300- for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 1.890. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Target also updated its FY 2026 guidance to 7.500-8.500 EPS.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Telsey Advisory Group raised Target from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $110.00 to $145.00 in a report on Wednesday. Wolfe Research upgraded Target from an “underperform” rating to a “peer perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on Target from $100.00 to $92.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on shares of Target from $88.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Target from $107.00 to $99.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twenty have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $110.79.

Target Trading Up 6.8%

Shares of TGT stock opened at $120.84 on Wednesday. Target has a 1-year low of $83.44 and a 1-year high of $122.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.27. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $108.64 and its 200 day moving average price is $97.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $54.72 billion, a PE ratio of 14.67 and a beta of 1.12.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 3rd. The retailer reported $2.44 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.16 by $0.28. Target had a net margin of 3.58% and a return on equity of 22.74%. The business had revenue of $30.45 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $30.52 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.41 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. Target has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.300- EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 7.500-8.500 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Target will post 8.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Target Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 11th were given a dividend of $1.14 per share. This represents a $4.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 11th. Target’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 55.34%.

More Target News

Here are the key news stories impacting Target this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 adjusted EPS beat estimates ($2.44 vs. ~$2.16 consensus) and margins improved, giving investors confidence in profitability despite softer sales. Target climbs after earnings beating forecasts despite softer sales
• Positive Sentiment: Management issued FY2026 EPS guidance that exceeded consensus (7.50–8.50 vs. ~7.33), signaling confidence in the year ahead and supporting upside expectations. Target Beats Q4 Earnings Estimates, Eyes Sales Growth in FY2026
• Positive Sentiment: Company unveiled a multi-year strategic plan and will invest an incremental $2B in 2026 (capex + operating investments) to refresh stores, upgrade payroll/training and accelerate tech — including AI — to drive personalization and sales. Target Outlines Strategic Plan for a New Chapter of Growth in 2026 and Beyond
• Positive Sentiment: Market reaction was amplified by investor coverage of Target’s push into AI-driven personalization and same-day fulfillment as a near-term sales catalyst. Target Corp. (TGT) Jumps 6.7% as Firm Turns to AI For Growth
• Neutral Sentiment: Net sales were essentially flat to slightly down (Q4 net sales ~$30.5B), with strength in Food & Beverage, Beauty and Toys offset by weaker comps overall — mixed operational readthrough. Target Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2025 Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: Q1 FY2026 EPS guide was well below the street (around $1.30 vs. ~$1.89 consensus), highlighting near-term sales pressure and tempering the earnings beat. Target Corporation (TGT) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Some analysts remain cautious: a recent Mizuho note raised its price target but kept a neutral rating, underscoring that upside depends on execution of the turnaround plan. Analyst note (Mizuho) / coverage

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Target

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

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.