Target (NYSE:TGT) Upgraded by StockNews.com to Buy Rating

Target (NYSE:TGT) was upgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday.

Several other equities analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Roth Mkm reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $122.00 price objective (down previously from $131.00) on shares of Target in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price target on Target from $160.00 to $120.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on Target from $165.00 to $150.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Target from $150.00 to $135.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their price target on Target from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have issued a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $145.87.

Target Price Performance

TGT stock opened at $104.81 on Thursday. 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’s 50 day moving average price is $127.31 and its 200 day moving average price is $138.71. The firm has a market cap of $47.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.11, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.18. Target has a 1 year low of $103.46 and a 1 year high of $181.86.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 4th. The retailer reported $2.41 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 business had revenue of $30.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $30.83 billion. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Target will post 8.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Target during the third quarter valued at about $28,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. purchased a new position in Target in the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Target during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Target during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, MCF Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Target by 175.3% in the 4th 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. 79.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.