Target (NYSE:TGT) Shares Down 1.6% - Time to Sell?

Target Co. (NYSE:TGT - Get Free Report) shares fell 1.6% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $93.31 and last traded at $93.16. 1,490,510 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 73% from the average session volume of 5,552,260 shares. The stock had previously closed at $94.65.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. DA Davidson reduced their price target on Target from $153.00 to $140.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Target from $146.00 to $140.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on shares of Target from $130.00 to $120.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. KGI Securities set a $132.00 price objective on Target in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Finally, Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of Target from $160.00 to $145.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty-two have given a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Target has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $132.37.

Target Price Performance

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 company has a 50-day moving average of $108.98 and a 200 day moving average of $129.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $42.43 billion, a PE ratio of 9.88, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.28.

Target (NYSE:TGT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 4th. The retailer reported $2.41 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.24 by $0.17. The company 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%. Sell-side analysts predict that Target Co. will post 8.69 EPS for the current year.

Target Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 14th will be paid a $1.12 dividend. This represents a $4.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 14th. Target's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 50.56%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Target

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of TGT. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. purchased a new position in Target during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new stake in shares of Target during the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. MCF Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Target by 175.3% during the fourth quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 256 shares of the retailer's stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Target by 110.7% in the 4th 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 shares of Target by 47.5% in the 4th quarter. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC now owns 264 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.73% of the company's stock.

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.