Target Corp NYSE:TGT Price, Chart, News & Insight

Target Stock Jumps 5.2% as Sales Momentum Strengthens and 2026 Outlook Rises

Target (NYSE: TGT) shares climbed about 5.2% on Wednesday after the retailer reported strong second-quarter 2026 results, including accelerating comparable sales, robust digital growth and a significant improvement in earnings. The company also raised its full-year sales and earnings outlook.

While tariff refunds provided a substantial boost to reported profits, Target’s underlying results were also strong, with earnings growing even when that benefit is excluded.

Comparable Sales Rise 3.8% as Traffic Improves

Second-quarter net sales increased 5.3% year over year to $26.5 billion, while comparable sales rose 3.8%. Importantly, comparable traffic increased 3.6%, indicating that growth was driven largely by more customers rather than simply higher prices.

Digital comparable sales increased 8.7%, led by more than 25% growth in same-day delivery, while store comparable sales rose 2.7%.

Performance was also broad-based across Target’s merchandise portfolio. All six core categories recorded year-over-year sales growth, while Food & Beverage and Beauty delivered high-single-digit growth. Non-merchandise sales jumped 20.1%, supported by Target’s Roundel advertising business, Target Circle 360 memberships and the Target+ marketplace.

Earnings Double, Though Tariff Refunds Provide a Major Boost

Target reported EPS of $4.11, double the $2.05 recorded a year earlier. However, the headline increase included a substantial $1.65-per-share benefit from tariff refunds.

Even excluding that benefit, EPS increased approximately 20% year over year, providing a stronger indication of improvement in Target’s underlying profitability.

Gross margin also improved. Excluding tariff refunds, the gross margin rate expanded approximately 100 basis points from last year’s 29.0%, helped by lower markdown and purchase-order cancellation costs as well as growth in advertising and other non-merchandise businesses.

Target Raises 2026 Guidance

The upgraded outlook is likely one of the strongest catalysts behind the 5.2% stock gain.

Target now expects full-year net sales growth of around 5%, one percentage point above its previous guidance range. The company also raised GAAP and adjusted EPS guidance to $9.90-$10.90.

Even after removing the tariff-refund benefit, the midpoint of Target’s new earnings forecast is $0.75 above the midpoint of its previous $7.50-$8.50 guidance.

The combination of improving customer traffic, accelerating digital sales, broader category growth and higher underlying earnings expectations suggests Target’s operating recovery is gaining traction. For investors, maintaining this sales momentum without relying heavily on promotional activity will be an important factor to watch through the second half of 2026.

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WS News 08-19-26

Target Falls 6.5% as Margin Pressure and Elevated Costs Overshadow Strong Sales Growth

Target dropped 6.5% today despite reporting first quarter net sales growth of 6.7%, well above expectations, as investors focused on the margin picture and a profits outlook that fell well short of what the topline momentum might have suggested.

Net sales for the quarter reached $25.4 billion, up 6.7% year over year, with comparable sales growing 5.6% — comprising a 4.7% increase in comparable store sales and 8.9% digital comparable growth. Traffic grew 4.4%, all six core merchandise categories grew year over year, and same-day delivery powered by Target Circle 360 surged more than 27%. Non-merchandise sales, including Roundel advertising revenue and marketplace fees, grew nearly 25%. By almost any topline measure, the quarter was genuinely strong.

The problem was profitability. First quarter adjusted EPS came in at $1.71, up 32% from last year's adjusted $1.30 but 24% below the prior year's GAAP figure of $2.27, which included non-recurring legal settlement gains. Operating income margin of 4.5% remained thin, reflecting higher compensation costs, increased capital project spending and elevated marketing expense, only partially offset by supply chain productivity gains, lower markdown rates and non-merchandise revenue growth. Gross margin improved modestly to 29.0% from 28.2%, but SG&A as a percentage of sales crept higher.

For the full year, Target raised its net sales growth outlook by two percentage points to around 4%, and guided for GAAP and adjusted EPS near the high end of the prior $7.50 to $8.50 range. Operating margin is expected to improve more than 20 basis points above 2025's adjusted 4.6%.

CEO Michael Fiddelke acknowledged encouraging early signs from the company's clarified strategy while tempering expectations, noting there is much more work ahead and emphasizing the need for discipline in an uncertain operating environment.

The 6.5% decline reflects a market that found the margin trajectory and thin operating profitability difficult to reconcile with a valuation that demands more than modest earnings growth — particularly on a day when TJX demonstrated what truly exceptional retail execution looks like.

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WS Investor 05-20-26

Walmart vs. Target: Which Dividend King is the Better Buy?

Explore the key differences in the investment potential of Walmart vs. Target: which Dividend King is the better buy for you?

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WS Investor 01-24-26

Target posts lower Q3 sales but stronger digital growth; maintains Q4 outlook

Target reported third-quarter net sales of 25.3 billion dollars, down 1.5% from 2024, as discretionary categories remained soft. Digital comparable sales rose 2.4%, led by more than 35% growth in same-day delivery via Target Circle 360. Food & Beverage and Hardlines delivered growth, while non-merchandise revenue jumped nearly 18% on strength in Roundel, membership and marketplace services.

GAAP EPS came in at 1.51 dollars versus 1.85 dollars last year. Adjusted EPS, which excludes severance and asset-related charges, was 1.78 dollars.

Ahead of the holiday season, Target is offering more than 20,000 new items — half exclusive to the retailer — deeply discounted Thanksgiving meals, lower everyday prices on thousands of essentials, and expanded next-day shipping coverage.

Management kept its guidance for a low-single-digit sales decline in Q4. Full-year GAAP EPS is expected between 7.70 and 8.70 dollars, and adjusted EPS between 7.00 and 8.00 dollars.

Comparable sales fell 2.7% in Q3, with store sales down 3.8% and digital up 2.4%. Operating income dropped 18.9% to 0.9 billion dollars including non-recurring items; excluding them, operating income was 1.1 billion dollars, with an adjusted margin rate of 4.4%.

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Global Finance News 11-19-25

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Global Finance News 11-10-25

Target Enters $1 Billion 364-Day Credit Agreement

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) announced that it entered into a new 364-day credit agreement on October 9, 2025, providing for loans of up to $1 billion, with the option to increase the facility by an additional $500 million. The agreement, led by Bank of America as administrative agent and Citibank as syndication agent, will mature on October 8, 2026.

The facility replaces Target’s previous $1 billion 364-day credit agreement dated October 15, 2024, which was scheduled to expire on October 14, 2025. Borrowings under the new agreement will bear interest at either a base rate or term SOFR rate plus an applicable margin tied to Target’s credit ratings. The company may convert outstanding loans at maturity into term loans due one year later.

The agreement includes standard covenants and default provisions, including a leverage ratio requirement for Target and its subsidiaries.

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European Investor 10-09-25

The board of directors of Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.14 per common share, a 1.8% increase from the prior quarterly dividend of $1.12. The dividend is payable Sept. 1, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business August 13, 2025. The 3rd quarter dividend will be the company's 232nd consecutive dividend paid since October 1967 when the company became publicly held. With the increase announced today, 2025 is on track to be the 54th consecutive year in which Target has increased its annual dividend.

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Global Finance News 06-12-25

Target Corporation Completes $1 Billion Debt Offering

Target Corporation has successfully closed a $1 billion debt offering, consisting of two tranches of senior notes. The company issued $500 million of 4.350% Notes due 2028 and another $500 million of 5.250% Notes due 2036. The offering was completed on June 10, 2025, under an underwriting agreement dated June 5, with Barclays Capital Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acting as joint book-running managers.

The debt securities were issued under Target’s automatic shelf registration statement filed in November 2023 and governed by the company’s existing indenture with The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. Proceeds from the offering are expected to be used for general corporate purposes.

This latest issuance reinforces Target’s ongoing capital management strategy while securing attractive long-term financing amid evolving market conditions.

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ME NEWS 06-11-25

Target Reports Q1 2025 Earnings: Sales Decline, but Digital Growth and Legal Gains Boost Profits

Target Corporation reported Q1 2025 earnings of $2.27 per share (GAAP), up from $2.03 a year ago. However, adjusted EPS, excluding $593 million in pre-tax gains from credit card interchange fee settlements, was $1.30. Net sales fell 2.8% year-over-year to $23.8 billion, with a 3.8% decline in comparable sales. Store traffic dropped 2.4%, while digitally originated comparable sales rose 4.7%, driven by over 35% growth in same-day delivery via Target Circle 360.

Operating income rose 13.6% to $1.47 billion, partly due to the litigation settlement. Excluding this, the operating margin was 3.7%, down from last year. Gross margin declined slightly to 28.2% due to higher markdowns and fulfillment costs. SG&A expenses were down 10.8%, benefiting from legal gains.

Target launched an "acceleration office" led by Michael Fiddelke to speed up execution of core strategic initiatives and improve performance. CEO Brian Cornell noted that while the quarter had bright spots—like the kate spade collaboration—the company remains focused on returning to sustainable growth.

For full-year 2025, Target expects a low-single-digit sales decline. GAAP EPS is projected between $8.00 and $10.00, with adjusted EPS estimated at $7.00 to $9.00.
The company returned $761 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in Q1 and reported a trailing twelve-month ROIC of 15.1%.

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The Investor 05-22-25

Target Corporation Announces Early Departure of Strategic Advisor Don H. Liu

MINNEAPOLIS – Target Corporation has announced the early termination of the transition agreement with Don H. Liu, who had been serving in a non-executive strategic advisor role since August 24, 2024. Mr. Liu voluntarily elected to conclude his advisory position effective April 18, 2025, ahead of the original end date of May 24, 2025, as outlined in the previously disclosed agreement.

Mr. Liu’s transition agreement was originally part of Target’s leadership succession planning, following his prior role as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal & Risk Officer. The agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.23 to Target’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 2, 2024, provided for his continued service in an advisory capacity during the transition.

The company thanked Mr. Liu for his continued contributions and leadership throughout his tenure at Target.

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ME NEWS 04-11-25

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