Core Viewpoint - Target's third-quarter same-store sales declined for the third consecutive quarter, down 2.7% year-over-year, which was below expectations. The company lowered its full-year profit guidance to $7-$8, reflecting ongoing weak demand, declining foot traffic, and pricing pressures [1][3][4]. Financial Performance - Same-store sales fell 2.7% year-over-year, with comparable store sales down 3.8%. Transaction counts decreased by 2.2%, and average transaction value dropped by 0.5%. Digital sales grew by 2.4%, and same-day delivery surged by 35%, with digital sales accounting for 19.3% of total sales, up from 18.5% a year ago [4][5]. - Total net sales decreased by 1.5% to $25.27 billion, falling short of the expected $25.33 billion [4]. - Net profit dropped by 21.3% to $859 million, with adjusted earnings per share down 3.9% to $1.78, exceeding the expected $1.71 [5]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates a low single-digit percentage decline in sales for the fourth quarter and has adjusted its full-year adjusted earnings per share guidance from $7-$9 to $7-$8 [6]. - Target's stock price fell 5% in pre-market trading, nearing its lowest closing price since mid-2019, with a cumulative decline of 34.5% since 2025, while competitors like Walmart saw a 12.2% increase during the same period [6]. Leadership Changes - Incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke expressed dissatisfaction with current performance and plans to increase capital expenditures to $5 billion, a 25% increase, aimed at store renovations, new openings, and enhancing product offerings and shopping experiences [11][12]. - Fiddelke emphasized the need for operational reforms and will not wait for macroeconomic improvements to drive changes [10][11]. Strategic Initiatives - Target is collaborating with OpenAI to enhance its AI capabilities, allowing customers to use ChatGPT for personalized shopping experiences [12][13]. - The company has also undergone a significant restructuring, eliminating 1,800 positions to streamline operations and improve management efficiency [14]. Market Challenges - Target faces ongoing challenges from inflation, leading consumers to reduce spending on non-essential items, which constitute a significant portion of its sales [15]. - Analysts have raised concerns about Target's ability to regain its leadership in design and style, with long-term sales and profit margin risks exacerbated by competition from Walmart and Amazon [15][16].
Target同店销售连降三季,下调全年指引,股价跌回2019年