Target (NYSE:TGT) Stock, Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

Target

Target serves as the nation's seventh-largest retailer, with its strategy predicated on delivering a gratifying in-store shopping experience and a wide product assortment of trendy apparel, home goods, and household essentials at competitive prices. Target's upscale and stylish image began to carry national merit in the 1990s—a decade in which the brand saw its top line grow threefold to almost $30 billion—and has since cemented itself as a leading US retailer.Today, Target operates over 1,950 stores in the United States, generates over $100 billion in sales, and fulfills over 2 billion customer orders annually. The firm's vast footprint is typically concentrated in urban and suburban markets as the firm seeks to attract a more affluent consumer base.



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Target Corp

TARGETED MICRO SOL ORD by Targeted Microwave Solutions Inc.

Targeted Microwave Solutions Inc

TG Therapeutics Inc

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Target.
Looking at options history for Target (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) we detected 13 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 23% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 69% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 10 are puts, for a total amount of $707,733 and 3, calls, for a total amount of $117,400.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $115.0 to $175.0 for Target over the recent three months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Target stands at 748.1, with a total volume reaching 980.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Target, situated within the strike price corridor from $115.0 to $175.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Target Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738685725_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$7.25</td>
<td>$7.05</td>
<td>$7.1</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$142.0K</td>
<td>1.7K</td>
<td align="right">429</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$31.5</td>
<td>$29.9</td>
<td>$31.5</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
<td>$129.1K</td>
<td>846</td>
<td align="right">41</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$31.5</td>
<td>$29.9</td>
<td>$31.5</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
<td>$103.9K</td>
<td>846</td>
<td align="right">74</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$17.25</td>
<td>$16.65</td>
<td>$16.93</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$84.6K</td>
<td>982</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$31.5</td>
<td>$30.35</td>
<td>$31.5</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
<td>$66.1K</td>
<td>846</td>
<td align="right">100</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Target</h3>
Target serves as the nation's seventh-largest retailer, with its strategy predicated on delivering a gratifying in-store shopping experience and a wide product assortment of trendy apparel, home goods, and household essentials at competitive prices. Target's upscale and stylish image began to carry national merit in the 1990s—a decade in which the brand saw its top line grow threefold to almost $30 billion—and has since cemented itself as a leading US retailer.Today, Target operates over 1,950 stores in the United States, generates over $100 billion in sales, and fulfills over 2 billion customer orders annually. The firm's vast footprint is typically concentrated in urban and suburban markets as the firm seeks to attract a more affluent consumer base.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Target, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Current Position of Target</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 872,997, the price of TGT is up by 0.47%, reaching $134.79.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 28 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Target</h3>
5 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $142.8.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Bernstein has decided to maintain their Market Perform rating on Target, which currently sits at a price target of $142. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Telsey Advisory Group continues to hold a Outperform rating for Target, targeting a price of $150. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Truist Securities keeps a Hold rating on Target with a target price of $134. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Guggenheim persists with their Buy rating on Target, maintaining a target price of $155. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Citigroup keeps a Neutral rating on Target with a target price of $133. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Target options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Options

Markets

Smart Money Is Betting Big In TGT Options

&nbsp;Shares of retail stocks are trading lower as investors evaluate U.S. tariff risks which may negatively impact industry revenues.&nbsp;
&nbsp;Shares of retail stocks are trading lower as investors evaluate U.S. tariff risks which may negatively impact industry revenues.&nbsp;

WIIM

BGFV

BURL

CANG

DLTR

FIVE

LULU

PLCE

REAL

SFIX

SHOO

ULTA

Shares of retail and apparel stocks are trading lower as investors evaluate U.S. tariff risks which may hinder industry sales.

The Trump administration's Tuesday memo, titled "A Fork in the Road,&#8221; is being viewed as a move to push career federal workers out of their jobs and, observers say, replace them with loyalists, <a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/28/trump-federal-workers-quit-severance">noted</a> Axios, which first reported this story.
The memo, sent by email, told federal employees they have until Feb. 6 to choose whether to participate in a &#8220;deferred resignation program&#8221; that would allow them to decide now that they will resign in September.
"Between the flurry of anti-worker executive orders and policies, it is clear that the Trump administration's goal is to turn the federal government into a toxic environment where workers cannot stay even if they want to," said Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees in a statement <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-buyouts-to-all-federal-employees-f67f5751a0fd5ad8471806a5a1067b5e">reported</a> by the Associated Press.
&#8220;If you resign under this program, you will retain all pay and benefits regardless of your daily workload and will be exempted from all applicable in-person work requirements until Sept. 30, 2025 (or earlier if you choose to accelerate your resignation for any reason),&#8221; the email stated. An IRS employee in Kansas City told Benzinga she received her email at around 7 p.m. ET Tuesday evening.
The federal government employed more than three million people as of November 2024, which accounted for nearly 2% of the nation's entire civilian workforce, <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/01/07/what-the-data-says-about-federal-workers/">according</a> to the Pew Research Center. Not counting the Postal Service, there are more than 2.4 million federal workers, which makes the federal government the nation's single largest employer, with even more workers than Walmart, Amazon or McDonald's.
"Even a fraction of the workforce accepting buyouts could send shockwaves through the economy and trigger widespread disruptions throughout society as a whole, triggering wide-ranging — and as yet unknowable — implications for the delivery, timeliness and effectiveness of federal services across the nation," notes the Pew report.
While President Donald Trump vowed to disrupt Washington with the help of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42608814/elon-musks-doge-role-in-government-set-for-fascinating-tough-fight-says-analyst-walter-isaacson-sees-challenges-for-tesla-ceos-federal-path">Department of Government Efficiency</a> headed by Tesla CEO <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>, the buyout orders, if undertaken, could have immediate negative effects on key sectors in the U.S. economy.
For example, contractors and IT services that provide defense solutions to the government such as Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LDOS#NYSE">LDOS</a>), Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAH#NYSE">BAH</a>) and General Dynamics Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GD#NYSE">GD</a>) could be affected. Northrop Grumman Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>), a defense and aerospace contractor, and Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) could benefit if these federal functions are outsourced.
The financial and banking sector should experience some changes. JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) and Bank of America Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) to mention just two, could be impacted by lending, mortgage markets and consumer spending.
Speaking of consumer spending and, judging from Pew's graph of where government workers are employed, retail giants such as Walmart Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), Target Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) and Home Depot Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HD#NYSE">HD</a>) could feel the pinch as shoppers in areas with large government employment tighten their belts.
Pew points out that, fewer than a fifth of federal workers work in or near Washington, D.C. as many might presume. California and Texas have the largest contingents of federal employees and 30,800 federal employees work overseas.
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</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Government

News

Politics

AMZN

LDOS

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Bernstein analyst Zhihan Ma maintains Target (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) with a Market Perform and raises the price target from $139 to $142.

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

Bernstein Maintains Market Perform on Target, Raises Price Target to $142

BRBR

COST

KVUE

SMPL

WALD

Shares of consumer staples stocks are trading higher. The sector may be rising amid a rotation out of tech stocks and into risk-off stocks amid AI competition fears from China.

NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) could have one of its biggest weeks in company history ahead with the launch of RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, its new graphic cards it highlighted at the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/42822846/nvidia-5000-series-product-updates-make-it-top-semiconductor-pick-ahead-of-jensen-huangs-ces-keynote-analyst">2025 CES conference.</a>
Ahead of the release, some people are braving the cold camping out to be the first to get their hands on the latest GPUs.
What Happened: Nvidia's<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/42099904/nvidia-beats-q3-revenue-eps-estimates-supply-constraints-ding-stock-huang-says-age-of-ai-is-in-full-steam"> dominance in the semiconductor space </a>could continue with the launch of the highly anticipated Nvidia Series 5000 GPUs expected to hit stores on Jan. 30.
With retailers already warning about limited supply for the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, computer fanatics may not be as willing to take their chances at missing out on the first-day supply at stores or leaving it up to chance by ordering online.
At least one Micro Center location in Tustin, California, has people camping outside of its store days before the launch, as reported by <a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/people-are-already-camping-out-for-an-nvidia-rtx-5090-despite-retailer-warning-about-the-january-cold">IGN</a>. Micro Center is a computer retail store <a href="https://www.microcenter.com/site/content/about_microcenter.aspx">with </a>28 locations in 19 states.
Images shared on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Microcenter/comments/1iaunns/campers_already_appeared/">Reddit </a>and Discord show people in tents at the front of the store. While some believe the people in the tents could be scalpers, one of the alleged campers responded to the claims on the Reddit thread.
"Hello everyone, I'm the guy that you guys are talking about in the second tent. And yes, we are buying it for our own use, no trades and no sells. We just don't want to pay for that extra $ for a gaming card and yes we do have some time on our hands because we run a business. Good luck to everyone who are trying to get one," the poster said.
The report said there are at least 10 tents located at the California Micro Center location with an estimated 24 people waiting in line for the Nvidia Series 5000 GPUs.
Micro Center discouraged people from camping outside for the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 GPUs ahead of the launch in a YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5de2TcW1OQ">video </a>due to the cold weather.
"We do discourage camping at our locations for the 5090 and 5080," Micro Center said.
While it discouraged camping out, Micro Center acknowledged people should arrive to the stores early or they could be disappointed. Purchases are limited to one graphics card per customer.
The same Tustin, California, Micro Center location also had people camp out ahead of Nvidia's launch of the RTX 3070 in 2020.
Are you buying when the CEOs of the Magnificent 7 are selling?
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<li>Stay in the know with our Insider Trades page — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/">see when leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Jensen Huang are offloading their own shares.</a></li>
</ul>
Why It's Important: Camping out at retailers was a more common occurrence a decade ago with people lining up in tents and physical lines to buy items like video game consoles, hot toy releases, concert tickets and more.
While e-commerce trends of buying items online have taken over most industries, new graphics cards appear to be resistant to the trend, alongside Taylor Swift merchandise.
An exclusive book<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/12/42351922/trump-predicted-taylor-swift-sales-would-drop-target-data-shows-over-800k-sold"> launched by the singer </a>at Target Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) locations on Black Friday drew lines and strong demand at the retailers' locations, echoing a trend of yesteryear where people waited for Target stores to open on the annual shopping holiday.
With a few more days before Nvidia's launch, the number of tents and people camping out could rise and show <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41663322/jensen-huang-halloween-costume-move-over-spider-man-batman-nvidia-ceo-is-like-a-superhero-to-young-c">the star power </a>of Nvidia and CEO Jensen Huang.
With the growth of Amazon and other e-commerce retailers, Swift and Huang remain two of a limited number of people who can draw shoppers into physical stores and have them waiting outside before doors open.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/24/10/41294313/does-jensen-huang-check-nvidia-stock-price-daily">Does Jensen Huang Check Nvidia Stock Price Daily?</a></li>
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Photos: Shutterstock

Tech

Trading Ideas

NVDA

Jensen Huang Mania Mirrors Taylor Swift: People Are Camping Outside Retailers For Nvidia 5000 Series GPUs

Target Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) has decided to discontinue its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/01/36503917/mark-cuban-and-elon-musk-lock-horns-over-diversity-and-inclusion-the-loss-of-dei-phobic-companies-is">diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) </a>program, becoming the latest in a series of U.S. companies to do so.
What Happened: Target, headquartered in Minneapolis, announced on Friday that it would be ending its DEI program, a move that has been criticized by some for potentially alienating its diverse customer base.
The company&#8217;s decision comes in the wake of similar moves by other major corporations, including&nbsp;Walmart Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>),&nbsp;Amazon.com Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), and&nbsp;Meta Platforms Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) as the Trump administration takes aim at DEI initiatives.
Earlier this week, President Trump directed federal agencies to eliminate DEI programs and called on private companies to put an end to what he described as &#8220;illegal DEI discrimination and preferences.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43186741/openai-debuts-operator-ai-agent-that-performs-web-tasks-but-early-error-has-sam-altman-scrambling-for-a-quick-fix">OpenAI Debuts &#8216;Operator&#8217; AI Agent That Performs Web Tasks, But Early Error Has Sam Altman Scrambling For A Quick Fix</a>
Target&#8217;s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program, originally planned to extend through 2025, included the Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiative. Under this initiative, the company pledged to invest over $2 billion in Black-owned businesses. The program also sought to introduce more than 500 Black-owned brands to its offerings and enhance the visibility of diverse-owned brands through funding provided by its in-house media company, Roundel.
Target's decision has faced backlash, with critics highlighting that its longstanding reputation for inclusivity has been instrumental in drawing a younger, more diverse customer base. &#8220;For Target, with an inclusive audience, this is their version of brand suicide,&#8221; Eric Schiffer of Reputation Management Consultants <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/target-ends-its-3-year-diversity-equity-inclusion-initiatives-2025-01-24/">told</a> Reuters.
Why It Matters: The decision by Target to end its DEI program is part of a larger trend among U.S. corporations. Earlier, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42835400/mcdonalds-scales-back-diversity-initiatives-amid-conservative-pressure-cites-shifting-legal-landscape">McDonald&#8217;s also announced</a> that it would be rolling back several diversity initiatives at its corporate level, citing a &#8220;shifting legal landscape&#8221; and growing pressure from conservative activists.
Meanwhile, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931941/mark-zuckerberg-critiques-culturally-neutered-companies-advocates-for-masculine-energy-as-meta-cuts-dei-programs-post-joe-rogan-appearance">expressed concerns</a> about companies distancing themselves from &#8220;masculine energy&#8221; during a podcast with Joe Rogan. Zuckerberg&#8217;s comments came after Meta announced its decision to cut its DEI programs.
Meanwhile, Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COST#NASDAQ">COST</a>) is standing its ground. In a nearly unanimous vote, shareholders reaffirmed their support for the company&#8217;s existing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2025/01/24/costco-shareholders-overwhelmingly-support-companys-dei-policies-as-other-major-retailers-retreat/">Forbes</a> reported. This came despite a proxy proposal from the National Center for Public Policy Research, which called for an audit to assess Costco&#8217;s &#8220;litigation, reputational, and financial risks.&#8221;
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

General

Target Ends DEI Program Following Trump's Call To Eliminate 'Illegal Preferences': Expert Calls It 'Brand Suicide' For Retail Giant With Diverse Customer Base

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bearish approach towards Target (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in TGT usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 12 extraordinary options activities for Target. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 33% leaning bullish and 50% bearish. Among these notable options, 5 are puts, totaling $308,435, and 7 are calls, amounting to $855,990.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $120.0 to $165.0 for Target over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for Target's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across Target's significant trades, within a strike price range of $120.0 to $165.0, over the past month.
<h3>Target Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737572448_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$8.85</td>
<td>$8.7</td>
<td>$8.85</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$620.3K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
<td align="right">701</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$8.35</td>
<td>$8.1</td>
<td>$8.4</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>$126.0K</td>
<td>537</td>
<td align="right">150</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$8.65</td>
<td>$8.55</td>
<td>$8.55</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$60.7K</td>
<td>4.9K</td>
<td align="right">72</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$2.82</td>
<td>$2.78</td>
<td>$2.82</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
<td>$56.4K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td align="right">163</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$11.9</td>
<td>$11.75</td>
<td>$11.75</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$52.8K</td>
<td>2.4K</td>
<td align="right">61</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Target</h3>
Target serves as the nation's seventh-largest retailer, with its strategy predicated on delivering a gratifying in-store shopping experience and a wide product assortment of trendy apparel, home goods, and household essentials at competitive prices. Target's upscale and stylish image began to carry national merit in the 1990s—a decade in which the brand saw its top line grow threefold to almost $30 billion—and has since cemented itself as a leading US retailer.Today, Target operates over 1,950 stores in the United States, generates over $100 billion in sales, and fulfills over 2 billion customer orders annually. The firm's vast footprint is typically concentrated in urban and suburban markets as the firm seeks to attract a more affluent consumer base.
In light of the recent options history for Target, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Target</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 1,623,019, the price of TGT is down by -0.6%, reaching $136.52.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 41 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Target</h3>
A total of 4 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $143.0.
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&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Truist Securities continues to hold a Hold rating for Target, targeting a price of $134. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Citigroup keeps a Neutral rating on Target with a target price of $133. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Telsey Advisory Group keeps a Outperform rating on Target with a target price of $150. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Guggenheim persists with their Buy rating on Target, maintaining a target price of $155. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Target, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

A Closer Look at Target's Options Market Dynamics

Guggenheim analyst Robert Drbul maintains Target (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $145 to $155.

Guggenheim Maintains Buy on Target, Raises Price Target to $155

Target Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) pre-announced sales results for November and December on Jan. 16, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/earnings-beats/25/01/43058636/target-analysts-weigh-in-on-holiday-gains-sales-momentum">2.8% growth in total sales and comparable sales up 2.0%</a>.
The comp estimate for the fourth quarter has been raised from a contraction of 0.5% to 1.5% growth. The gross margin estimate for the company has been cut from 25.7% to 25.5%, according to Goldman Sachs.
The Target Analyst: &nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/58580bcbee7bf60001bcfa29/kate-mcshane">Analyst Kate McShane</a> maintained a Buy rating on Target, while raising the price target from $164 to $166.
The Target Thesis: Analyst McShane presented the Bull and Bear cases for the company in the note.
Check out <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">other analyst stock ratings</a>.
The Bull Case
<ul>
<li>Target underperformed other retailers in fiscal 2024. Its higher mix of discretionary products benefited the company in 2024, as was exhibited by its recent sales results for November and December. Discretionary categories delivered a meaningful sequential acceleration in sales, the analyst said.</li>
<li>"We also think TGT can benefit over time from leveraging its strong fulfillment model and its alternative revenue streams, including Roundel (advertising), Target Circle (membership), and Target Plus (marketplace)," she further wrote.</li>
<li>The stock current valuation suggests "limited downside potential," McShane added.</li>
</ul>
The Bear Case
<ul>
<li>Target did miss its earnings estimate for the third quarter and lowered its full-year guidance, reflecting concerns around whether it can return to 6% operating margins, the analyst stated. &nbsp;</li>
<li>Investors are also worried about Target losing market share, with a more successful performance by Walmart Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), which continues to outperform Target in same store sales, she added.</li>
<li>"Investors may also be concerned about margin pressure for 4Q given EPS guidance was reiterated, with TGT calling out record sales during Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotional periods," McShane further wrote.</li>
</ul>
Price Action: Shares of Targethad risen by0.81% to $134.69 at the time of publication on Tuesday.
Read More: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/01/43053453/target-customers-just-looking-for-deals-stock-flashes-bearish-warnings-as-eps-guidance-unchanged-despite-record-holiday-sales">Target Customers Just Looking For Deals? Stock Flashes Bearish Warnings As EPS Guidance Unchanged Despite Record Holiday Sales</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Long Ideas

Reiteration

Movers

Target Hits Bullseye On Holiday Sales, But Margin Pressures Loom: The Bull Vs. Bear Case For 2025

Citigroup analyst Paul Lejuez maintains Target (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $130 to $133.

Citigroup Maintains Neutral on Target, Raises Price Target to $133

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on Target (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with TGT, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 15 uncommon options trades for Target.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 40% bullish and 53%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 6 are puts, for a total amount of $514,930, and 9 are calls, for a total amount of $831,199.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $115.0 to $160.0 for Target over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is an insightful way to conduct due diligence on a stock.
This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Target's options for a given strike price.
Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Target's whale activity within a strike price range from $115.0 to $160.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Target Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737136831_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$19.8</td>
<td>$19.2</td>
<td>$19.8</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
<td>$514.8K</td>
<td>632</td>
<td align="right">262</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/14/25</td>
<td>$1.13</td>
<td>$0.95</td>
<td>$0.96</td>
<td>$123.00</td>
<td>$256.8K</td>
<td>51</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$14.65</td>
<td>$14.45</td>
<td>$14.65</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>$73.2K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
<td align="right">11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$31.8</td>
<td>$31.6</td>
<td>$31.6</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
<td>$63.2K</td>
<td>431</td>
<td align="right">20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$29.1</td>
<td>$28.85</td>
<td>$29.1</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
<td>$55.2K</td>
<td>295</td>
<td align="right">19</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Target</h3>
Target serves as the nation's seventh-largest retailer, with its strategy predicated on delivering a gratifying in-store shopping experience and a wide product assortment of trendy apparel, home goods, and household essentials at competitive prices. Target's upscale and stylish image began to carry national merit in the 1990s—a decade in which the brand saw its top line grow threefold to almost $30 billion—and has since cemented itself as a leading US retailer.Today, Target operates over 1,950 stores in the United States, generates over $100 billion in sales, and fulfills over 2 billion customer orders annually. The firm's vast footprint is typically concentrated in urban and suburban markets as the firm seeks to attract a more affluent consumer base.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Target, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Present Market Standing of Target</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 3,484,996, the TGT's price is down by -1.39%, now at $131.4. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 46 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Target</h3>
Over the past month, 2 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $142.0.
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&#x2A; An analyst from Truist Securities has decided to maintain their Hold rating on Target, which currently sits at a price target of $134. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Telsey Advisory Group keeps a Outperform rating on Target with a target price of $150. 
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Market Whales and Their Recent Bets on TGT Options

Truist Securities analyst Scot Ciccarelli maintains Target (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) with a Hold and raises the price target from $129 to $134.

Truist Securities Maintains Hold on Target, Raises Price Target to $134

Target Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/01/43053453/target-customers-just-looking-for-deals-stock-flashes-bearish-warnings-as-eps-guidance-unchanged-despite-record-holiday-sales">growth in holiday sales and kept earnings outlook unchanged</a>. Here are some key analyst takeaways.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Truist Securities On Target</h1>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/59493ca670ed7a0001097213/scot-ciccarelli">Analyst </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/59493ca670ed7a0001097213/scot-ciccarelli">Scot Ciccarelli</a> reiterated a Hold rating while lifting the price target from $129 to $134.
Target's holiday sales growth of 2.8% was driven by a 3% rise in traffic, Ciccarelli said in a note. The company indicated a meaningful acceleration in discretionary sales, "marking an inflection in these categories," which have been weak in recent quarters, he added.
Although management raised their fourth-quarter comp guidance to around 1.5%, from the previous projection of flat comps, they kept the earnings guidance unchanged at $1.85- $2.45 per share, the analyst stated. This suggests that "promotions/discounts remain important to customer shopping activity," he further wrote.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">DA Davidson On Target</h1>
<a href="https://drupal-cloudfront.benzinga.com/topic/michael-baker">Analyst </a>Michael Baker maintained Buy rating and a price target of $153.
Target's comps for November and December rose by 2.0%, taking total sales up 2.8%, Baker said. The better-than-expected comp was driven by "apparel and toys, among other discretionary categories," he added.
In a better spending environment, Target benefits due to "their higher exposure to those areas," the analyst stated. Although the earnings guidance for the full quarter is "a fairly wide range," the consensus could "move to the higher end," he further wrote.
Check out <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">other analyst stock ratings</a>.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Goldman Sachs On Target</h1>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/58580bcbee7bf60001bcfa29/kate-mcshane">Analyst Kate McShane</a> reaffirmed a Buy rating and price target of $164.
After reporting upbeat holiday sales, Target raised its top-line guidance for the fourth quarter a comp of +1.5%, versus consensus of +0.2%, McShane said. Digital sales grew by nearly 9% year-on-year, "reflecting over 30% growth in same-day delivery through Target Circle 360," she added.
Management reiterated their earnings guidance for the fourth quarter and the full year, of $1.85-$2.45 per share and $8.30-$8.90 per share, respectively, the analyst stated. "TGT also announced leadership changes across its stores, technology and digital teams," she further wrote.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Telsey Advisory Group On Target</h1>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/5e301e08430dee0001c88c8d/joseph-feldman">Analyst Joseph Feldman</a> reiterated an Outperform rating and price target of $150.
Target's better-than-anticipated holiday sales growth was driven by "success across key promotional periods, especially Black Friday and Cyber Monday," Feldman said.
"Importantly, discretionary sales meaningfully accelerated from 3Q24, particularly apparel and toys, and there was ongoing strength in frequency and beauty categories, partly offset by ongoing softness in home (also improved sequentially)," the analyst wrote. Although the earnings guidance range is wide, the company's performance may be "in the upper half of the guidance given the stronger sales and improvement in discretionary categories, which are higher margin," he further stated.
TGT Price Action: Shares of Target had declined by 0.38% to $132.79 at the time of publication on Friday.
Read More: • <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43027043/target-posts-strong-holiday-sales-stock-surges">Target&#8217;s Holiday Sales Surge 2.8%: Digital Growth And Black Friday Wins Drive Results</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

Earnings Beats

Target Analysts Weigh In On Holiday Gains, Sales Momentum

Target Corp.&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) total sales grew by 2.8% over the last two months, with record-high sales during the holiday shopping season. Despite this, the retailer kept its EPS guidance unchanged. As this unfolds, the technical analysis of its moving averages is flashing a warning sign.
What Happened: Target&#8217;s customers could just be looking for &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/earnings-beats/24/11/42106249/target-says-shoppers-wait-for-deals-a-day-after-rival-walmart-credits-market-gains-to-wealthy-households-tgt-edges-up-marginally-in-thursday-premarket">deals</a>&#8221; while shopping at the retailer&#8217;s store as pointed out by its chief commercial officer Rick Gomez during its third-quarter earnings call. 
Consumers "know there are deals to be found, they're willing to wait for sales and willing to search across multiple retailers,&#8221; said Gomez.
The company in its latest press release <a href="https://corporate.target.com/press/release/2025/01/target-corporation-provides-holiday-sales-update,-announces-leadership-team-changes">said</a> that discretionary sales accelerated during the holidays, especially in apparel and toys, with continued strength in beauty and high-frequency categories. Holiday sales grew 2.8% year-over-year with comparable sales up 2%. 
Additionally, Target guided a 1.5% Q4 comparable sales growth and maintains its EPS guidance of $1.85-$2.45 for Q4 and $8.30-$8.90 for the full year.
The technical analysis of the company&#8217;s daily moving averages indicates bearish trends for the stock. Thursday&#8217;s close of $133.25 apiece was below its short and long-term moving averages.
The eight and 20-day moving averages stood at $137.68 and $135.25, whereas, the 50-day average was at $137.70 according to Benzinga Pro data. The stock price was much below its 200-day simple moving average of $149.05, signaling a bearish trend.
The relative strength index of 43.64 meant that the stock was in a neutral zone and it was neither overbought nor oversold.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/17035804/Target-tech-chart-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-738429" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/17035804/Target-tech-chart-1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/17035804/Target-tech-chart-300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/17035804/Target-tech-chart-768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/17035804/Target-tech-chart-1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/17035804/Target-tech-chart.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43012824/billionaire-investor-who-predicted-the-dot-com-crash-25-years-ago-warns-of-another-market-storm-brew">Billionaire Investor Who Predicted The Dot-Com Crash 25 Years Ago Warns Of Another Market Storm Brewing In The US </a>
Target vs Peers: During the third quarter, Target admitted to having higher sales only during promotional periods, whereas its peer, Walmart Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) CEO, Doug McMillon attributed 75% of their <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/earnings-beats/24/11/42106249/target-says-shoppers-wait-for-deals-a-day-after-rival-walmart-credits-market-gains-to-wealthy-households-tgt-edges-up-marginally-in-thursday-premarket">market share gains</a> to &#8220;households earning more than $100,000.&#8221; 
Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COST#NASDAQ">COST</a>), another Target rival, reported a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42902506/charlie-mungers-top-pick-costco-reports-strong-december-sales-analysts-expect-a-7-jump-in-january">strong sales</a> figure in December with a 9.9% jump to $27.52 billion in net sales for the five weeks ended Jan. 5, as compared to $25.03 billion last year.
Looking at their earnings, both of Target&#8217;s peers beat its sales and EPS estimates. In Q3, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/11/b42058916/walmart-reports-strong-revenue-growth-of-5-5-with-operating-income-growing-faster-at-8-2">Walmart</a> posted earnings of $0.57 per share on the revenue of $169.59 billion. Whereas, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/12/42473288/costco-q1-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-comps-up-52-membership-fee-growth-and-more">Costco in Q1</a> reported earnings of $3.82 per share on revenue of $62.15 billion. On the other hand, Target in Q3 reported earnings of $1.85 per share on revenue of $25.67 billion, missing the street view.
Price Action: According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>, Walmart had a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.113, while Costco&#8217;s P/E stood at 51.020. Target on the other hand was the least expensive among these peers with a P/E of 14.130.
TGT&#8217;s stock was up only 1.25% in the past month. Over the last six months, it experienced a 14.54% decline, and last year, it fell by 3.96% over the year.
Target has a consensus price target of $160.61 a &#8216;hold&#8217; rating, according to the 31 analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TGT/analyst-ratings">tracked by Benzinga</a>. The high target is $210, and the low is $108. Recent ratings by Stifel, Daiwa Capital, and Oppenheimer suggest a $146.67 target, implying a 1021% upside.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TGT/analyst-ratings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="939" height="349" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/17035320/TGT-ANR.png" alt="" class="wp-image-738423" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/17035320/TGT-ANR.png 939w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/17035320/TGT-ANR-300x112.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/17035320/TGT-ANR-768x285.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 939px) 100vw, 939px" /></a></figure>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43021065/cash-app-parent-block-inc-eyes-395-upside-bofa-believes-us-centric-re-acceleration-story-will-drive-the-stock">Jack Dorsey&#8217;s Block Eyes Over 39% Upside: BofA Says US-Centric Re-Acceleration Story Will Drive The Stock </a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Unsplash

Equities

Market Summary

Retail Sales

Target Customers Just Looking For Deals? Stock Flashes Bearish Warnings As EPS Guidance Unchanged Despite Record Holiday Sales

Target (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) underwent analysis by 21 analysts in the last quarter, revealing a spectrum of viewpoints from bullish to bearish.
The following table summarizes their recent ratings, shedding light on the changing sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">13</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Providing deeper insights, analysts have established 12-month price targets, indicating an average target of $147.05, along with a high estimate of $195.00 and a low estimate of $108.00. Observing a downward trend, the current average is 14.53% lower than the prior average price target of $172.05. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737115245_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
An in-depth analysis of recent analyst actions unveils how financial experts perceive Target. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Joseph Feldman</td>
<td>Telsey Advisory Group</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Astrachan</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
<td>$137.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kahori Tamada</td>
<td>Daiwa Capital</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rupesh Parikh</td>
<td>Oppenheimer</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Astrachan</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$137.00</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Robert Drbul</td>
<td>Guggenheim</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
<td>$180.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oliver Chen</td>
<td>TD Cowen</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Melich</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>In-Line</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Robert Ohmes</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kelly Bania</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Christopher Horvers</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$139.00</td>
<td>$167.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Peter Keith</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>$156.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bill Kirk</td>
<td>Roth MKM</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$131.00</td>
<td>$157.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joseph Feldman</td>
<td>Telsey Advisory Group</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Edward Kelly</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$180.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Paul Trussell</td>
<td>Deutsche Bank</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$108.00</td>
<td>$184.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joseph Feldman</td>
<td>Telsey Advisory Group</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Paul Lejuez</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>$188.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joseph Feldman</td>
<td>Telsey Advisory Group</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Melich</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>In-Line</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
<td>$170.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dean Rosenblum</td>
<td>Bernstein</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$168.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Target. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analysts assign qualitative assessments to stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey the analysts' expectations for the relative performance of Target compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts explore the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Target's stock. This examination reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
For valuable insights into Target's market performance, consider these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators. Stay well-informed and make prudent decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TGT/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Target analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Get to Know Target Better</h2>
Target serves as the nation's seventh-largest retailer, with its strategy predicated on delivering a gratifying in-store shopping experience and a wide product assortment of trendy apparel, home goods, and household essentials at competitive prices. Target's upscale and stylish image began to carry national merit in the 1990s—a decade in which the brand saw its top line grow threefold to almost $30 billion—and has since cemented itself as a leading US retailer.Today, Target operates over 1,950 stores in the United States, generates over $100 billion in sales, and fulfills over 2 billion customer orders annually. The firm's vast footprint is typically concentrated in urban and suburban markets as the firm seeks to attract a more affluent consumer base.
<h3>Target: Delving into Financials</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization reflects a smaller scale relative to peers. This could be attributed to factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Revenue Growth: Target's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has been noteworthy. As of 31 October, 2024, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately 1.06%. This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Consumer Staples sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Net Margin: Target's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional net margin, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable net margin of 3.33%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Target's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 5.91%, the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): Target's ROA lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns from its assets. With an ROA of 1.49%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Debt Management: The company faces challenges in debt management with a debt-to-equity ratio higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 1.34, caution is advised due to increased financial risk.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.
Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.
In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

A Glimpse Into The Expert Outlook On Target Through 21 Analysts

Telsey Advisory Group analyst Joseph Feldman maintains Target (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) with a Outperform and maintains $150 price target.

Telsey Advisory Group Maintains Outperform on Target, Maintains $150 Price Target

JP Morgan analyst Christopher Horvers reiterated the Neutral rating on Target Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>).
The company reported a 2.8% increase in holiday sales during the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43027043/target-posts-strong-holiday-sales-stock-surges" rel="noreferrer noopener">November and December period.</a>
The company saw comparable sales rise 2% and solid sales during the Black Friday and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TGT/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cyber Monday promotions</a>. The increase was fueled by a nearly 3% rise in traffic, positively impacting both in-store and online channels.
According to the analyst, the +2% growth suggests a weather shift from the third quarter and slight consumer improvement.
Horvers writes that the company explained that the +2% growth in November/December and the updated fourth quarter guide were due to the calendar shift, not a change in trends, and no updates were provided for January.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43031980/big-banks-continue-to-beat-q4-earnings-financial-etf-takes-breather" rel="noreferrer noopener">Big Banks Continue To Beat Q4 Earnings As Financial ETF Takes A Breather</a>
Additionally, the retailer&#8217;s strong apparel performance, despite excess inventory, raises hopes for better-than-expected margins, the analyst notes.
The holiday pre-announce was Target&#8217;s first since FY20 and served as a sales update, without changing its EPS guidance for the fourth quarter ($1.85 &#8211; $2.45) or FY24 ($8.30 &#8211; $8.90).
The lack of updated EPS guidance is seen as a sales update, with the existing range being broad. Given historical trends, the analyst sees the higher end of the EPS range is more likely.
The company highlighted strong performance in apparel, boosted by cold weather, and in toys, driven by more accessible prices.
However, it noted that not all discretionary categories saw growth, with electronics remaining flat.
Additionally, management pointed out that the third quarter was not as weak as initially thought due to weather, Horvers adds.
Price Action: TGT shares are trading lower by 1.19% to $132.93 at last check Thursday.
Read now:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43027744/retail-sales-slow-jobless-claims-rise-is-us-consumer-loosing-steam" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Retail Sales Disappoint, Jobless Claims Rise: Is US Consumer Losing Steam?</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock.

Target's Apparel Performance Provides Optimism, Analyst Favors Top End Of EPS Outlook

Target Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) reported a 2.8% increase in holiday sales during the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/01/n43023650/target-corporation-provides-holiday-sales-update-announces-leadership-team-changes" rel="noreferrer noopener">November and December period</a>.
The company saw comparable sales rise 2% and solid sales during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions.
The increase was fueled by a nearly 3% rise in traffic, positively impacting both in-store and online channels.
Particularly notable was the nearly 9% growth in digital sales year-over-year, driven by strong results in same-day delivery and Target&#8217;s third-party marketplace, Target Plus.
The company also experienced significant growth in discretionary categories like apparel and toys, while maintaining solid performance in beauty and frequency categories.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42945266/why-department-store-chain-macys-stocks-are-sliding-on-monday-premarket" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department Store Chain Macy&#8217;s Trims Outlook</a>
&#8220;Our team delivered continued traffic growth and better-than-expected holiday-season performance, thanks to their focus on serving guests with an inspiring, easy, and joyous shopping experience,&#8221; said&nbsp;Chair and CEO Brian Cornell.
Target also announced certain leadership changes, including the retirement of Mark Schindele, its executive vice president and chief stores officer. The company announced&nbsp;Adrienne Costanzo, senior vice president, store operations, as its next chief stores officer.
Looking ahead, Target forecasts approximately 1.5% growth in fourth-quarter comparable sales versus its prior outlook of approximately <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42084061" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flat comparable sales</a>. The company continues to expect Adjusted earnings per share of $1.85 to $2.45, with an estimate of $2.15.
The retailer reiterated its FY24 adjusted EPS outlook of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/42085436/target-q3-earnings-supply-chain-chaos-hits-bottomline-slashes-annual-profit-outlook-stock-tanks" rel="noreferrer noopener">$8.30&nbsp;to&nbsp;$8.90 versus the estimate of $8.60</a>.
Price Action: TGT shares are trading lower by 1.26% at $132.84 in premarket at the last check Thursday.
Read Next:
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</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock.

Guidance

Target's Holiday Sales Surge 2.8%: Digital Growth And Black Friday Wins Drive Results

Target Now Expects Growth Of 1.5% In Q4 Comparable Sales; Continues To Expect Adjusted EPS Of $1.85 - $2.45 For Q4 (Est $2.15) And  $8.30 - $8.90 For Full-Year (Est $8.60)

Dividends

Press Releases

Target Corporation Declares Regular Quarterly Dividend

TARGET ALERT: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is Investigating Target Corp. on Behalf of Long-Term Stockholders and Encourages Investors to Contact the Firm

Earnings

Target Corporation Provides Holiday Sales Update, Announces Leadership Team Changes

Kroger Acquires Land in Fast-Growing Suburb for New Store

Grant & Eisenhofer Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Target Corporation on Behalf of Pension Fund

Rosen Law Firm Urges Target Corporation (NYSE TGT) Stockholders with Large Losses to Contact the Firm for Information About Their Rights

Legal

TGT INVESTOR ALERT: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC Announces that Target Corporation Investors with Substantial Losses Have Opportunity to Lead Class Action Lawsuit

TGT Investors Have Opportunity to Lead Target Corporation Securities Fraud Lawsuit with the Schall Law Firm

Investor Alert: Robbins LLP Informs Stockholders of the Target Corporation Class Action

TARGET ALERT: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Announces that a Class Action Lawsuit Has Been Filed Against Target Corp. and Encourages Investors to Contact the Firm

Bernstein

Guggenheim

Citigroup

Truist Securities

Telsey Advisory Group

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