Welch Group LLC Has $9.65 Million Stake in Target Corporation $TGT

Welch Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) by 29.4% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 79,640 shares of the retailer’s stock after buying an additional 18,110 shares during the period. Welch Group LLC’s holdings in Target were worth $9,652,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in Target in the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Jessup Wealth Management Inc bought a new stake in shares of Target during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Target during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC lifted its stake in shares of Target by 245.6% in the 1st quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 273 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 194 shares during the period. Finally, Global Wealth Strategies & Associates lifted its stake in shares of Target by 192.0% in the 4th quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates now owns 292 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the period. 79.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at Target

In other news, insider Cara A. Sylvester sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.89, for a total transaction of $1,258,900.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 45,930 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,782,127.70. This trade represents a 17.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Target Price Performance

Shares of TGT stock opened at $140.23 on Friday. Target Corporation has a 12-month low of $83.44 and a 12-month high of $142.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $63.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a quick ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $128.00 and a 200-day moving average of $116.59.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 20th. The retailer reported $1.71 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.47 by $0.24. The business had revenue of $25.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $24.66 billion. Target had a net margin of 3.24% and a return on equity of 22.92%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.30 EPS. Target has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.500-8.500 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Target Corporation will post 8.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Target Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 12th will be issued a $1.16 dividend. This represents a $4.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. This is an increase from Target’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.14. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 12th. Target’s dividend payout ratio is currently 61.29%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently issued reports on TGT. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “hold” rating and issued a $123.00 price target on shares of Target in a research report on Friday, May 15th. Mizuho set a $120.00 target price on Target in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Barclays restated an “underweight” rating on shares of Target in a report on Monday, June 1st. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Target from $140.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, Citigroup upped their price target on Target from $117.00 to $133.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 6th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Target currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $130.64.

About Target

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) is a U.S.-based general merchandise retailer headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company operates a network of full-line and small-format stores across the United States alongside a national e-commerce platform and mobile app. Target’s retail assortment spans apparel, home goods, electronics, groceries and household essentials, plus beauty, baby and pet categories. The firm complements national brands with a portfolio of owned and exclusive labels and partnerships that help differentiate its merchandise assortment.

Target traces its roots to the Dayton Company, founded by George Dayton in 1902; the Target discount chain was launched in 1962 and the parent company later adopted the Target Corporation name.