Trillium Asset Management LLC Has $42.34 Million Stock Position in Target Co. (NYSE:TGT)

Trillium Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Target Co. (NYSE:TGT) by 4.6% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 313,231 shares of the retailer’s stock after purchasing an additional 13,890 shares during the period. Target comprises about 1.1% of Trillium Asset Management LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest holding. Trillium Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Target were worth $42,343,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Target during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in Target during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Target during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. MCF Advisors LLC raised its stake in 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 period. Finally, Raleigh Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in Target by 110.7% during the 4th quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 257 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 135 shares during the period. 79.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Target Price Performance

Target stock opened at $104.55 on Wednesday. Target Co. has a one year low of $103.46 and a one year high of $181.86. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $127.98 and a 200-day moving average price of $138.95. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $47.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.09, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.18.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 4th. The retailer reported $2.41 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.24 by $0.17. Target had a return on equity of 31.11% and a net margin of 4.06%. The firm had revenue of $30.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $30.83 billion. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Target Co. will post 8.69 EPS for the current year.

Target Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 14th will be issued a $1.12 dividend. This represents a $4.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 14th. Target’s payout ratio is currently 50.56%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently commented on TGT shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded Target from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $184.00 to $108.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on Target from $133.00 to $120.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. StockNews.com downgraded Target from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 12th. KGI Securities set a $132.00 price objective on Target in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Finally, HSBC downgraded Target from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $138.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eighteen have assigned a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $145.87.

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.