Target (NYSE:TGT) Downgraded to "Hold" Rating by StockNews.com

Target (NYSE:TGT - Get Free Report) was downgraded by StockNews.com from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report issued on Friday.

Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Daiwa America downgraded Target from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Target from $130.00 to $133.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Target from $195.00 to $160.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Piper Sandler decreased their target price on shares of Target from $156.00 to $130.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price target on shares of Target from $139.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eighteen have issued a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $157.70.

Target Stock Performance

Shares of Target stock traded up $2.12 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $130.00. 4,897,885 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,013,794. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $134.96 and a 200 day moving average price of $142.99. Target has a one year low of $120.21 and a one year high of $181.86. The company has a quick ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $59.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.79, a P/E/G ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.15.

Target (NYSE:TGT - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 20th. The retailer reported $1.85 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.30 by ($0.45). The business had revenue of $25.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $25.87 billion. Target had a net margin of 4.06% and a return on equity of 31.11%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up .9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.10 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Target will post 8.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of TGT. Cynosure Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Target by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter. Cynosure Group LLC now owns 1,590 shares of the retailer's stock worth $248,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. Financial Advocates Investment Management boosted its position in shares of Target by 1.2% during the third quarter. Financial Advocates Investment Management now owns 5,736 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $894,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the period. Hancock Whitney Corp grew its stake in shares of Target by 3.3% during the third quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp now owns 2,156 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $336,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont raised its holdings in shares of Target by 0.4% in the third quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 15,678 shares of the retailer's stock worth $2,444,000 after buying an additional 69 shares during the period. Finally, Eagle Bluffs Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Target by 1.1% in the third quarter. Eagle Bluffs Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,818 shares of the retailer's stock worth $1,063,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the period. 79.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Target

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.