Target (NYSE:TGT) Rating Lowered to Hold at StockNews.com

Target (NYSE:TGT) was downgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued on Friday.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Gordon Haskett lowered shares of Target from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Target from $167.00 to $139.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Target from $180.00 to $150.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on Target from $165.00 to $130.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Finally, Hsbc Global Res lowered Target from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. One equities 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’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $157.70.

Target Trading Down 0.6 %

NYSE:TGT opened at $127.86 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $58.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.56, a PEG ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. Target has a 12 month low of $120.21 and a 12 month high of $181.86. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $135.11 and a 200-day simple moving average of $143.21.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 20th. The retailer reported $1.85 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.30 by ($0.45). Target had a return on equity of 31.11% and a net margin of 4.06%. The firm had revenue of $25.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.87 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.10 EPS. The business’s revenue was up .9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Target will post 8.69 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Target

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of Target during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. purchased a new position in Target during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new position in Target in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC grew its stake in shares of Target by 156.5% in the 3rd quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 218 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 133 shares during the period. Finally, MCF Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of 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 last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.73% of the company’s stock.

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.