Zacks Research Has Bearish Forecast for Target Q1 Earnings

Target Co. (NYSE:TGT) – Zacks Research cut their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Target in a report issued on Tuesday, March 18th. Zacks Research analyst S. Singh now anticipates that the retailer will earn $1.75 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $2.05. The consensus estimate for Target’s current full-year earnings is $8.69 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Target’s Q4 2026 earnings at $2.66 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.98 EPS and Q4 2027 earnings at $2.80 EPS.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on TGT. Guggenheim raised their price target on Target from $145.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Target from $150.00 to $135.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Evercore ISI cut their target price on Target from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a “market perform” rating on shares of Target in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Target from $165.00 to $150.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have assigned a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $145.55.

Target Stock Performance

Target stock opened at $104.29 on Friday. Target has a fifty-two week low of $101.76 and a fifty-two week high of $181.86. 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 cap of $47.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.18. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $125.89 and its 200-day moving average price is $138.13.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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. Target had a net margin of 4.06% and a return on equity of 31.11%. The company had revenue of $30.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $30.83 billion.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Target

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TGT. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Target in the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. bought a new stake in Target during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. purchased a new stake in Target in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. MCF Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Target by 175.3% during the fourth quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 256 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raleigh Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Target by 110.7% during the fourth quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 257 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.73% of the company’s stock.

Target Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, June 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 14th will be given a dividend of $1.12 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 14th. This represents a $4.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.30%. Target’s dividend payout ratio is presently 50.56%.

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.