Rahlfs Capital LLC Invests $1.23 Million in Target Co. (NYSE:TGT)

Rahlfs Capital LLC acquired a new position in Target Co. (NYSE:TGT) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 9,080 shares of the retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $1,227,000. Target makes up about 1.1% of Rahlfs Capital LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest position.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of TGT. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Target during the 4th quarter worth about $757,892,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Target during the fourth quarter worth approximately $297,122,000. Two Sigma Advisers LP lifted its position in shares of Target by 173.2% during the third quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 2,369,400 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $369,295,000 after purchasing an additional 1,502,200 shares in the last quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Target by 773.1% during the third quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC now owns 832,766 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $129,795,000 after purchasing an additional 737,384 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Target by 23,464.9% in the fourth quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 605,618 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $81,867,000 after purchasing an additional 603,048 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.73% of the company’s stock.

Target Trading Up 1.5 %

NYSE TGT opened at $95.70 on Friday. Target Co. has a 12 month low of $90.62 and a 12 month high of $173.05. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $119.41 and a 200-day moving average of $134.85. The company has a market cap of $43.60 billion, a PE ratio of 10.15, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.28.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 4th. The retailer reported $2.41 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.24 by $0.17. The firm had revenue of $30.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $30.83 billion. Target had a net margin of 4.06% and a return on equity of 31.11%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Target Co. will post 8.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Target Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 14th will be given a $1.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 14th. This represents a $4.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.68%. Target’s payout ratio is 50.56%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Citigroup lowered their target price on Target from $133.00 to $120.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Roth Capital set a $122.00 target price on shares of Target in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Bank of America lowered their price target on shares of Target from $160.00 to $145.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Guggenheim raised their price objective on shares of Target from $145.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Roth Mkm reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $122.00 price target (down previously from $131.00) on shares of Target in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have assigned a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $140.24.

About Target

Target Corporation operates as a general merchandise retailer in the United States. The company offers apparel for women, men, boys, girls, toddlers, and infants and newborns, as well as jewelry, accessories, and shoes; and beauty and personal care, baby gear, cleaning, paper products, and pet supplies.