Marshall Wace LLP Increases Stock Position in Target Co. (NYSE:TGT)

Marshall Wace LLP lifted its stake in Target Co. (NYSE:TGT - Free Report) by 151.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 67,216 shares of the retailer's stock after buying an additional 40,519 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP's holdings in Target were worth $9,086,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new position in Target during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Target during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. MCF Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Target by 175.3% during the 4th quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 256 shares of the retailer's stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in Target by 110.7% in the fourth quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 257 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC grew its position in Target by 47.5% in the fourth quarter. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC now owns 264 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.73% of the company's stock.

Target Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE TGT traded up $3.17 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $95.32. The company's stock had a trading volume of 7,712,055 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,691,523. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $43.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.11, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.28. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $106.90 and a 200-day moving average price of $128.68. Target Co. has a 12-month low of $87.35 and a 12-month high of $167.40.

Target (NYSE:TGT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 4th. The retailer reported $2.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.24 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $30.92 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $30.83 billion. Target had a net margin of 4.06% and a return on equity of 31.11%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Target Co. will post 8.69 earnings per share for the current year.

Target Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 14th will be issued a dividend of $1.12 per share. This represents a $4.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.70%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 14th. Target's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 50.56%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on TGT. Telsey Advisory Group reduced their price target on shares of Target from $150.00 to $145.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Gordon Haskett downgraded Target from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a "market perform" rating on shares of Target in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Evercore ISI decreased their price target on shares of Target from $130.00 to $120.00 and set an "in-line" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. Finally, Guggenheim lifted their price target on shares of Target from $145.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty-three have issued a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $132.37.

Target 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.