Down 34% With a 5% Yield, Is This High-Dividend Stock Too Cheap to Ignore, and Worth Buying in October?

Core Viewpoint - Target is showing signs of a potential turnaround despite a significant decline in share price and disappointing recent performance [2][4][5] Group 1: Recent Performance - Target's share price has dropped by 34% this year, contrasting with the stable performance of competitors like Walmart and Costco [2] - In Q2, net sales fell by nearly 1% year over year to just over $25 billion, with comparable-store sales down nearly 2% [4] - Net income decreased by 22% to $935 million, indicating challenges in a competitive retail environment [5] Group 2: Positive Indicators - Target's same-day delivery service has seen a 25% increase in Q2, contributing to over 4% growth in overall digital sales [6] - New premium programs, such as the Roundel advertising service and Target Plus marketplace, are experiencing double-digit growth [7] Group 3: Future Projections - Analysts project a decline in revenue by 1.4% and per-share profitability by 17% for full-year 2025, but anticipate a recovery in 2026 with nearly 2% revenue growth and a 9% increase in earnings per share [8] Group 4: Dividend Appeal - Target's quarterly dividend yield exceeds 5%, significantly higher than the S&P 500 average of less than 1.2%, making it attractive for income-focused investors [9] - Free cash flow reached approximately $4.5 billion, comfortably covering over $2 billion in dividends, allowing for share buybacks and debt retirement [10] - Target has a long history of annual dividend increases, having raised dividends for 54 consecutive years, qualifying it as a Dividend King [11] Group 5: Valuation - The stock is considered oversold, with a forward P/E ratio of less than 12, indicating it is undervalued in terms of key fundamentals [12] - The combination of a high dividend yield and attractive valuation makes Target a compelling investment opportunity [12]