The announcement was made alongside Target’s Q2 2025 earnings release, where the company reported a 0.9% drop in sales compared to the same three-month period last year. (Photo: Gary Hershorn via Getty Images) https://t.co/rj3aRxNpr5 https://t.co/vJtckpl652 ...

Big-name retailers are filing into the earnings confessional this week, with investors keen to see how consumer spending is looking. Today's buzz is coming from Lowe's Companies Inc (NYSE:LOW) and Target Corp (NYSE:TGT). Below we'll take a close look at how LOW and TGT are faring. Behind the Lowe's Stock BreakoutLOW is moving 2.6% higher to trade at $263.09 this morning, after adjusted second-quarter earnings topped estimates at $4.33 per share. While Lowe's missed revenue estimates on a reading of $23.96 ...

Core Insights - Procter & Gamble plans to cut up to 6% of its global workforce, approximately 7,000 jobs, in response to consumer uncertainty and tariff-related costs [2] - Target's recent earnings report shows a decline in sales and profit, with sales falling just under 1% to $25.2 billion and profit dropping 19% year-over-year to $1.3 billion [3] - Target's stock price has decreased by 31% since the announcement of changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, resulting in a market cap loss of over $13 billion [5] Company Challenges - Target's new CEO, Michael Fiddelke, will face significant challenges following the departure of Brian Cornell, particularly regarding the backlash from the company's DEI program changes [4] - Financial pressures are compounded by tariff uncertainties and a slowdown in consumer spending, which are expected to persist [5][11] - The company has seen a decline in foot traffic, with a 9% drop in website traffic coinciding with a social media movement calling for a boycott [8][10] Tariff Impact - Target is facing new challenges from tariffs, which could lead to higher import costs and further price increases, alienating price-sensitive consumers [11] - The timing of these tariffs is problematic as Target struggles to regain its footing amidst declining sales [11][13] Business and Political Intersection - Target's situation highlights the importance of consistency in business practices, particularly regarding DEI programs, as inconsistency can erode consumer trust and loyalty [14] - Maintaining customer loyalty is crucial for business resilience and growth, as loyal customers drive repeat purchases and provide valuable feedback [15] - Companies must stand by their principles during volatile times to maintain and earn customer trust and loyalty [16]

There's Target this morning announcing it has chosen its next leader in the wake of the retailer's sluggish sales and stock price. COO and company veteran Michael Fiddlekey will succeed Brian Cornell as CEO in February of next year. Our Sarah Eisen's here post tonight with more on the change at the top on comps on their reiteration of fullyear guidance.>> Yeah, no question Fideli is going to have a tough job coming in February 1. He's been at the company since 2003. started as an intern, has worked in merch ...

So Target CEO succession getting more attention than its results this morning after more than 11 years as CEO Brian Cornell will transition to executive chairman at the end of the fiscal year. So February 1st, current COO, former CFO and 20-year Target veteran Michael Fideli will take the top job in February. Fideli told reporters, I'm quote stepping in with urgency to rebuild momentum and return to profitable growth.He's got three priorities. He says, first, we have to lead with merchandise beyond the occa ...

Group 1: Retail Earnings - Lowe's shares are indicated higher by 3% in premarket trading after beating earnings expectations, meeting revenue forecasts, and raising future sales guidance [3] - Target shares are down 9% in premarket despite beating revenue and earnings forecasts, as overall sales and traffic fell [4] - TJX Companies shares are indicated higher by nearly 4% after raising full-year earnings per share guidance following a stronger-than-expected quarter [5] Group 2: Market Trends - Technology stocks experienced declines, with Nvidia down 3.5% and Palantir down 9%, leading to a 1.5% drop in the Nasdaq Composite [2] - Home Depot's stock rose 3% following a solid earnings report, contrasting with Target's significant drop [6][4] - Market volatility remains low with the VIX under 16, and S&P 500 profits have been strong and better than expected [10] Group 3: Economic Indicators - The annual economic conference in Jackson Hole is underway, with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's speech anticipated on Friday [8] - The probability of a quarter-point rate cut at the September Fed meeting is currently at 83% according to the CME Fed Watch Tool [8] - Home Depot indicated modest price increases are likely, a shift from previous statements about tariffs not impacting pricing [7] Group 4: Company-Specific Developments - Lowe's announced an $8.8 billion acquisition of Foundation Building Materials to attract more home building and home improvement professionals [3] - Intel shares have risen 27% this month following discussions of U.S. government investment and a $2 billion investment from Softbank [9] - The Trump administration is considering taking a stake in Intel, with similar discussions for Micron and Taiwan Semiconductor [9]

Core Insights - Target reported a decline in net sales of 0.9% for the quarter, an improvement from a 2.8% drop in the first quarter, indicating ongoing struggles amid consumer backlash and tariff pressures [3][4] - Lowe's exceeded expectations for earnings and sales, announcing a deal to acquire Foundation Building Materials, which distributes construction materials, despite DIY products making up 70% of its sales [1][2] Company Performance - Home Depot's net earnings were reported at $4.6 billion, slightly below the expected $4.71 billion, with net sales of $45.2 billion, down from the anticipated $45.3 billion [3][4] - Home Depot's president stated that the results were in line with expectations and reaffirmed a fiscal guidance of 2.8% sales growth for the year [4] Market Trends - CFO Richard McPhail indicated that higher tariff rates on some imported goods could affect prices, but adjustments would not be broad-based, with customers shifting from larger home improvement projects to smaller ones due to uncertainty and higher borrowing costs [5][6] - Foot traffic at Home Depot stores fell by 4.3% in July, while online sales increased by approximately 12% compared to the second quarter of 2024 [9] Upcoming Earnings Reports - Major retailers, including Lowe's and Walmart, are scheduled to report earnings, which may provide insights into how they are managing the impact of higher tariff rates [7][8]

Group 1 - Estée Lauder's stock fell by 4.2% due to earnings guidance that did not meet expectations [1] - Target's stock declined by 10.5% as it maintained its sales outlook for the fiscal year [1] - Alcon's stock dropped by 9.1% as it lowered its full-year sales forecast due to ongoing tariff impacts [1] Group 2 - Hertz's stock increased by 13.5% after the company announced plans to sell used cars on Amazon's automotive platform [1]

Leadership Transition - Brian Cornell 将在财政年度末卸任 CEO，转任 Target 执行董事长 [1] - Michael Fidelki，现任 COO，前 CFO，拥有 20 年 Target 资历，将接任 CEO [1] - 市场对 Target 选择内部候选人担任 CEO 表示失望，希望有变革推动者出现 [1][2] Market Reaction - 市场认为内部晋升 CEO 意味着 Target 将维持现状，缺乏变革 [2] - 市场希望 Target 能够改变现状，提升业绩，但对内部任命 CEO 持观望态度 [2][6] - 股票可能存在有限的下跌空间 [3] - 缺乏短期催化剂 [4] Business Performance & Strategy - Target 的业务正在显现一些改善 [3] - Target 具有很大的潜力 [3] - Target 的竞争对手正在快速发展，Target 的业绩差距变得明显 [7] - 零售业竞争激烈，Target 本质上处于停滞状态 [7]

Why Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down from the role in February: https://t.co/a9EX5KzrHZ https://t.co/a9EX5KzrHZ ...