Sheets Smith Wealth Management Boosts Holdings in Target Co. (NYSE:TGT)

Sheets Smith Wealth Management raised its position in Target Co. (NYSE:TGT) by 15.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,838 shares of the retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 250 shares during the period. Sheets Smith Wealth Management’s holdings in Target were worth $248,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of TGT. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new position in Target during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC boosted its holdings in Target by 156.5% in the third quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 218 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 133 shares in the last quarter. FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Target during the third quarter worth about $36,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Target during the third quarter valued at about $38,000. Finally, MCF Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Target by 175.3% in the 4th quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 256 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. 79.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Target from $167.00 to $139.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. TD Cowen dropped their target price on Target from $165.00 to $145.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Oppenheimer reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $165.00 price target on shares of Target in a report on Monday, November 25th. Daiwa Capital Markets cut shares of Target from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $170.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Target from $137.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have given a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $158.57.

Target Price Performance

NYSE:TGT opened at $135.74 on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $135.37 and a 200 day moving average price of $145.01. The stock has a market cap of $62.20 billion, a PE ratio of 14.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a current ratio of 0.94. Target Co. has a one year low of $120.21 and a one year high of $181.86.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 20th. The retailer reported $1.85 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.30 by ($0.45). Target had a return on equity of 31.11% and a net margin of 4.06%. The company had revenue of $25.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $25.87 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.10 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up .9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Target Co. will post 8.68 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Target Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 12th will be issued a dividend of $1.12 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 12th. This represents a $4.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.30%. Target’s dividend payout ratio is currently 47.51%.

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.