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Target (TGT)
NYSE:TGT
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Target (TGT) AI Stock Analysis

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TGT

Target

(NYSE:TGT)

Rating:72Outperform
Price Target:
$109.00
▲(13.41% Upside)
Target's overall stock score reflects solid financial performance and attractive valuation, despite technical challenges and revenue growth concerns. Strategic initiatives in digital growth and operational improvements provide a positive outlook, though caution is warranted due to ongoing economic uncertainties.
Positive Factors
Earnings Outlook
The bottoming process for Target Corp's earnings revisions is closer to being finished, which is a positive indicator for the stock.
Product Innovation
Newness and style-forward product at a strong value continued to resonate the most with guests.
Risk Management
The use of AI and forward-positioned inventory by Target Corp is seen as a protective measure against downside risks, making the stock's risk/reward profile attractive.
Negative Factors
Competitive Pressure
Concerns remain about tariffs that could accelerate market share to value players like Costco, Walmart, and Amazon.
Leadership Transition
There is a risk to the investment thesis as the new CEO Michael Fiddelke has not yet made his impact on Target Corp's current earnings power and EBIT margin.
Market Perception
Mixed sentiment around the appointment of the new CEO due to lack of prior CEO experience.

Target (TGT) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Target Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionTarget Corporation (TGT) is a leading American retail company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It operates a chain of discount department stores, offering a wide range of products including clothing, electronics, home goods, groceries, and health and beauty items. Target is known for its focus on providing high-quality products at affordable prices, alongside a strong emphasis on customer service and community engagement. The company also has a growing online presence, enhancing its ability to serve customers through e-commerce and a robust supply chain.
How the Company Makes MoneyTarget generates revenue primarily through the sale of merchandise across its stores and online platforms. The company operates in several key revenue streams, including its core retail operations, which consist of selling a variety of products in categories such as apparel, home essentials, electronics, and more. In addition to in-store sales, Target has a significant e-commerce business, which has grown in importance, particularly in recent years. Target also benefits from its private label brands, which typically offer higher margins compared to national brands. Furthermore, the company engages in partnerships with various brands and vendors to enhance its product offerings and attract a wider customer base. Target's loyalty program, Circle, encourages repeat purchases and customer retention, contributing to its overall sales growth.

Target Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Total Store Count
Total Store Count
Chart InsightsTarget's steady increase in store count over recent years reflects its strategic focus on expanding physical presence, despite current sales challenges. The earnings call highlights digital growth and successful partnerships as key areas of strength, suggesting a balanced approach to retail. While store remodels are boosting sales, economic uncertainties and tariff impacts pose risks. Target's ability to leverage its physical and digital assets will be crucial in navigating these headwinds and sustaining growth.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Target Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 20, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 12, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflected a company in transition, with strategic initiatives showing early signs of success, particularly in digital growth and category-specific achievements like FUN 101 and trading cards. However, overall comparable sales decline and tariff-related margin pressures indicate ongoing challenges. The succession announcement aims to address these issues with a focus on style, technology, and guest experience.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
CEO Succession Plan Announced
Michael Fiddelke to become Target's next CEO, reflecting a deliberate succession planning process.
Digital Sales Growth
Digital channel comparable sales grew 4.3%, with notable strength in same-day delivery powered by Target Circle 360, which grew more than 25%.
FUN 101 Initiative Success
Hardlines category, rebranded as FUN 101, saw growth of more than 5% in Q2, the strongest quarterly comp in this category since 2021.
Trading Cards Sales Surge
Trading card sales are up nearly 70% year-to-date, with projections to deliver more than $1 billion in sales this year.
Improved On-Shelf Availability
Q2 achieved the best on-shelf availability metrics in years, with greater consistency in inventory reliability.
Negative Updates
Overall Comparable Sales Decline
Comparable sales were down 1.9% in Q2, despite improvements from Q1.
Tariff-Related Challenges Impact Margins
Gross margin rate declined by 1 percentage point due to inventory adjustment costs and tariff-related pressures.
Beauty Sales Decline
Beauty sales were down slightly, despite some strength in specific subcategories such as skin, bath, and hair care.
Inventory Increase
Ending inventory was about 2% higher than a year ago, driven by investments in frequency categories and higher product costs.
Company Guidance
During the Target Corporation Second Quarter Earnings Release Conference Call for fiscal year 2025, several guidance metrics were discussed. The company maintained its full-year guidance, anticipating a low single-digit decline in comparable sales and projecting GAAP EPS between $8 to $10 and adjusted EPS of approximately $7 to $9. Despite a 0.9% decline in net sales, Target saw a 4.3% increase in digital comparable sales and a notable 25% growth in same-day delivery services. The gross margin rate was 1 percentage point lower year-over-year, influenced by inventory adjustment and tariff-related costs, although improvements in inventory shrink provided a 130 basis point benefit. The call highlighted the company's strategic focus on style and design, with specific efforts to reestablish merchandising authority and enhance guest experience, supported by technology investments. Additionally, Target's after-tax return on invested capital stood at 14.3%, reflecting a robust absolute return, yet with room for improvement. The guidance emphasized cautious optimism, given the uncertain consumer and tariff landscape, while underscoring the company's commitment to driving growth through strategic investments and operational adjustments.

Target Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Target's financial statements reflect solid profitability with a healthy gross profit margin of 25.7% and a net profit margin of 3.95%. Cash flow management is strong, with a robust free cash flow growth rate of 36.05%. However, challenges in revenue growth and a relatively low equity ratio suggest areas for improvement.
Income Statement
72
Positive
Target's income statement shows a mixed performance. The TTM data indicates a decline in revenue growth rate, which is a concern. However, the company maintains a healthy gross profit margin of 25.7% and a net profit margin of 3.95%. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are stable, reflecting operational efficiency. Overall, while revenue growth is a challenge, profitability remains solid.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
The balance sheet reveals a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27, indicating manageable leverage. Return on equity is strong at 28.6%, showcasing effective use of shareholder funds. However, the equity ratio is relatively low, suggesting a higher reliance on debt financing. The balance sheet is stable but could benefit from a stronger equity position.
Cash Flow
75
Positive
Cash flow analysis shows a robust free cash flow growth rate of 36.05% in the TTM period, indicating improved cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.34, and the free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.54, both suggesting efficient cash conversion. Overall, cash flow management appears strong, supporting financial flexibility.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue105.64B106.57B107.41B109.12B106.00B93.56B
Gross Profit26.86B27.54B27.26B24.51B28.70B25.38B
EBITDA8.43B8.68B8.62B6.60B11.97B8.50B
Net Income3.93B4.09B4.14B2.78B6.95B4.37B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets57.85B57.77B55.36B53.34B53.81B51.25B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments4.34B4.76B3.81B2.23B5.91B8.51B
Total Debt19.97B19.88B19.65B19.07B16.47B15.11B
Total Liabilities42.43B43.10B41.92B42.10B40.98B36.81B
Stockholders Equity15.42B14.67B13.43B11.23B12.83B14.44B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow4.81B4.48B3.81B-1.51B5.08B7.88B
Operating Cash Flow6.39B7.37B8.62B4.02B8.63B10.53B
Investing Cash Flow-3.41B-2.86B-4.76B-5.50B-3.15B-2.59B
Financing Cash Flow-2.13B-3.55B-2.29B-2.20B-8.07B-2.00B

Target Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price96.11
Price Trends
50DMA
101.05
Negative
100DMA
97.50
Positive
200DMA
111.27
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-1.06
Positive
RSI
43.21
Neutral
STOCH
22.24
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TGT, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 96.11 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 101.42, below the 50-day MA of 101.05, and below the 200-day MA of 111.27, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -1.06 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 43.21 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 22.24 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for TGT.

Target Risk Analysis

Target disclosed 17 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Target reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Target Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
$417.57B54.3732.08%0.52%5.94%9.31%
74
Outperform
$24.32B21.4315.69%2.12%4.77%-23.73%
73
Outperform
$766.52B36.2024.46%0.95%4.23%38.05%
72
Outperform
$43.67B11.3326.32%4.59%-1.55%-11.41%
66
Neutral
$12.70B22.0630.84%2.48%9.41%
63
Neutral
$20.46B14.47-3.60%3.13%2.63%-6.18%
60
Neutral
$23.37B19.25%-20.46%-202.26%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TGT
Target
97.96
-53.07
-35.14%
COST
Costco
949.52
66.00
7.47%
DG
Dollar General
111.20
-9.42
-7.81%
DLTR
Dollar Tree
112.86
18.40
19.48%
WMT
Walmart
96.08
20.74
27.53%
BJ
Bj's Wholesale Club Holdings
97.17
14.61
17.70%

Target Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
Target Announces New CEO Amid Leadership Transition
Neutral
Aug 20, 2025

On August 15, 2025, Target Corporation announced that Michael J. Fiddelke will become the new Chief Executive Officer effective February 1, 2026, following a succession planning process. Current CEO Brian C. Cornell will step down but continue as Executive Chair of the Board, marking a significant leadership transition for the company.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Target Shareholders Approve Key Proposals at Annual Meeting
Neutral
Jun 13, 2025

On June 11, 2025, Target Corporation held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders where four key proposals were voted on. The shareholders elected twelve directors for a one-year term, ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor for fiscal 2025, and approved the executive compensation plan. However, a proposal requesting a report on the impact of affirmative action initiatives was not approved, reflecting limited shareholder support for this measure.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Target Closes $1 Billion Notes Sale for Growth
Positive
Jun 10, 2025

On June 10, 2025, Target Corporation successfully closed the sale of $1 billion in notes, split equally between 4.350% Notes due 2028 and 5.250% Notes due 2036. This financial move, executed in collaboration with major financial institutions, is part of Target’s strategy to strengthen its financial position and support future growth initiatives.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 21, 2025