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The words "cheap" and "bargain" might look like synonyms. But as I'm using them, the difference has everything to do with the future. Well-know retailer Target (TGT -0.79%) trades at just 11 times its earnings, which is about 60% cheaper than the S&P 500, which trades at about 28 times earnings, according to YCharts. But it's not a good idea to invest in a stock simply because it looks cheap. If Target's profits drop further, this cheap stock likely isn't a bargain. In other words, Target stock is "cheap" w ...

In the span of just 52 weeks, Target (TGT -0.79%) has traded as low as $87.35 per share and as high as $167.40 per share. Unfortunately for investors, Target is hovering around the low end of that range at about $95 per share at the time of this writing. The sell-off in Target stock, paired with decades of dividend raises, has pushed Target's dividend yield up to a hefty 4.7%. Here's why Target is a dividend stock worth doubling up on in May, even though its challenges are far from over. Target just slashed ...

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Many investors were eager to see how retail giant Target's (TGT -0.79%) latest quarter would look, and, unfortunately, it wasn't great. The company missed analysts' consensus estimates for sales and earnings, and management lowered the company's full-year outlook.Target has been on a rough path over the past few years, and the next 12 months could be rocky as well. Here's where Target stock could be in one year. From bad to worseTarget's sales declined in 2024, and investors were hoping that 2025 might be t ...

The differences between Walmart and Target Walmart is a larger and more globally diversified retailer than Target. It operates 10,784 stores (including its Walmart, Sam's Club, and other regional banners) and various e-commerce websites in 19 countries. Its largest market is the U.S., but it generates a lot of revenue from Mexico, Canada, China, and other countries. The company also owns a growing digital advertising business, Walmart Connect, which peddles ads across its digital channels and inside its phy ...

Core Insights - Target's fiscal first-quarter earnings report showed disappointing results, with the company losing market share to competitors like Walmart, Costco, and Amazon [1] - The decline in same-store sales was partly attributed to customer backlash against the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs [2] - The company warned of the impact of tariffs and economic uncertainty on consumer spending [3] Financial Performance - Target's revenue decreased nearly 3% year over year to $23.8 billion, with same-store sales falling by 3.8% [5] - In-store comparable-store sales dropped by 5.7%, while e-commerce sales rose by 4.7% year over year [6] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) fell 36% to $1.30, reflecting lower sales and reduced operating leverage [6] Category Performance - The only category to see growth was food and beverage, which increased by 0.8%, while beauty remained flat [7] - Target managed to hold or gain market share in 15 of 35 sub-merchandise categories, particularly in women's swimwear and toddler apparel [7] Digital Business - Roundel digital advertising revenue grew by 25% year over year to $163 million, with same-day delivery surging by 36% [8] - Despite growth in digital sales, these segments are still too small to significantly offset the challenges in the core in-store business [8] Margin and Guidance - Gross margin decreased by 60 basis points to 28.2%, attributed to markdowns and higher fulfillment costs [9] - Target revised its full-year earnings guidance down to a range of $7 to $9 per share, from a previous outlook of $8.80 to $9.80 [10] Market Position - Target's stock is down about 30% year to date, contrasting with the performance of Walmart and Costco, which are near all-time highs [11] - The company is more exposed to tariffs and weaker consumer spending due to a higher percentage of discretionary merchandise compared to peers [12] Valuation - Target's stock trades at a significant discount to other leading retailers, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of less than 12 times this year's analyst estimates [12] - Despite the valuation gap, the company's ongoing underperformance raises concerns about its ability to recover [14]

Group 1 - Target is exploring growth opportunities through Circle 360 loyalty program and Roundel advertising revenue [1] - The company is focusing on store-as-hub logistics to enhance operational efficiency [1] - The outlook suggests that Target stock may outperform the market over the next five years [1]

Core Viewpoint - Target has been one of the most disappointing retail stocks, with a stock price decline of 39% over the last three years compared to a 50% gain in the S&P 500 [1] Financial Performance - Target's recent earnings report showed comparable sales fell by 3.8%, with revenue decreasing by 2.8% to $23.85 billion, missing estimates of $24.35 billion [2] - Gross margin declined from 28.8% to 28.2%, and adjusted earnings per share fell from $2.03 to $1.30, significantly below the consensus estimate of $1.65 [2] Sales and Market Challenges - The decline in sales was widespread across discretionary categories, with home furnishings and decor particularly weak, dropping 8% to $3.2 billion [4] - Target management cited weakening consumer sentiment and the impact of a boycott related to its DEI initiatives as contributing factors to its struggles [5] Future Guidance - The company revised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance down from $8.80 to $9.80 to a new range of $7.00 to $9.00, and also lowered its sales guidance to a low-single-digit decline [6] Strategic Initiatives - Target is establishing an enterprise formation office to develop a turnaround strategy, indicating a lack of clarity on the reasons behind declining sales [9] - The company is also addressing tariff pressures by rearranging its supply chain and leveraging economies of scale [8] Stock Valuation and Dividends - Following the earnings miss and guidance cut, Target's stock fell 5.2%, but it trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of less than 12, with a dividend yield of 4.8% [11] - Target is recognized as a Dividend King, having raised its quarterly payout for over 50 years, and expects a slight increase in dividends this year [11] Strengths and Outlook - Despite current challenges, Target retains strengths in omnichannel fulfillment, unique product assortment, and brand recognition [12] - The company is making progress in reducing theft and expanding its digital advertising business, suggesting potential for future growth [12]

Group 1: Market Performance - The S&P 500 index gained 9.8% over the last year through May 21, despite recent volatility due to higher tariffs [1] - Target's share price lost more than 40% during the same period, indicating underperformance compared to the index [1] Group 2: Dividend Commitment - Target has maintained a dividend payout since 1967 and has raised its quarterly payout for 53 consecutive years, qualifying it as a Dividend King [4] - The company has a payout ratio of 50%, which supports its ability to continue paying dividends even with a reduced earnings outlook of $7 to $9 per share for the year [10] Group 3: Sales Performance - Target's fiscal fourth-quarter same-store sales increased by 1.5%, but the first-quarter comps dropped by 3.8%, affected by decreased traffic and spending [6][7] - The company is facing challenges from higher tariffs and boycotts related to management decisions, which have impacted sales and traffic [8][9] Group 4: Valuation Metrics - Target's stock price decline has resulted in a compelling valuation, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 11, down from 18 a year ago, compared to the S&P 500's P/E of 28 [11] - The dividend yield for shareholders is 4.8%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's yield of 1.3% [10] Group 5: Future Outlook - Despite current challenges, there is optimism that the economy will stabilize, leading to a return of consumers to Target [8] - The company is expected to see earnings growth and an increase in share price as market conditions improve [12][13]