Target (NYSE:TGT) Shares Down 4.3% – Time to Sell?

Target Co. (NYSE:TGT)’s stock price dropped 4.3% on Friday . The stock traded as low as $88.90 and last traded at $88.76. Approximately 2,221,049 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 60% from the average daily volume of 5,505,103 shares. The stock had previously closed at $92.71.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on TGT shares. Guggenheim upped their price objective on Target from $145.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. KGI Securities set a $132.00 price objective on shares of Target in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Telsey Advisory Group reduced their target price on Target from $150.00 to $145.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Evercore ISI cut their price target on Target from $130.00 to $120.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 1st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on Target from $165.00 to $150.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty-one have given a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Target presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $134.57.

Target Trading Down 0.2 %

The firm has a fifty day moving average of $113.87 and a 200-day moving average of $132.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a current ratio of 0.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $42.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.79, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.28.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, March 4th. The retailer reported $2.41 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 return on equity of 31.11% and a net margin of 4.06%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Target Co. will post 8.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Target Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 14th will be paid a dividend of $1.12 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 14th. This represents a $4.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.84%. Target’s dividend payout ratio is currently 50.56%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Nicholas Company Inc. boosted its position in Target by 20.5% in the 4th quarter. Nicholas Company Inc. now owns 55,810 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $7,544,000 after buying an additional 9,485 shares during the last quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Target by 144.9% in the fourth quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC now owns 234,492 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $31,699,000 after acquiring an additional 138,751 shares in the last quarter. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. purchased a new position in Target in the fourth quarter valued at about $6,459,000. Sierra Summit Advisors LLC grew its stake in Target by 29.0% during the 4th quarter. Sierra Summit Advisors LLC now owns 14,354 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $1,940,000 after purchasing an additional 3,231 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB grew its stake in Target by 25.0% during the 4th quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 17,977 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $2,430,000 after purchasing an additional 3,590 shares in the last quarter. 79.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.