Retail

Why Target Earnings Are Boosting Investors' Animal Spirits

Wikimedia Commons

Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) reported first-quarter 2017 results before markets opened Wednesday. The big-box retailer posted adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.21 and $16.02 billion in revenues. In the same period a year ago, the big-box retailer reported EPS of $1.29 on revenue of $16.2 billion. First-quarter results also compare to consensus estimates for EPS of $0.91 and $15.62 billion in revenue.

Same-store sales slipped 1.3% compared with the first quarter of 2016. The company said the decline was partially offset by revenues at new stores and that digital channel sales rose 22% and contributed 0.8 points to same-store sales growth.

In its outlook for the second quarter of 2017, Target said it expects a low single-digit decline in same-store sales and adjusted EPS of $0.95 to $1.15. Analysts had forecast EPS for the quarter at $1.00 on revenues of $15.91 billion.

For the full year, Target said that it continues to expect a low single-digit decline in same-store sales. The company did not update full-year EPS guidance of $3.80 to $4.20, saying that “better-than-expected first quarter performance increases the probability” that EPS will end up above the midpoint of its prior guidance. Consensus estimates called for EPS of $4.00 and revenues of $68.89 billion.

The combination of higher-than-expected earnings and basically unchanged full-year guidance moved investors to open their wallets this morning. Target reset expectations when it reported fourth-quarter results last February, so now everyone is happy.

Brian Cornell, Target’s CEO, said:

Target’s first quarter financial performance was better than our expectations, reflecting strong execution by our team as they delivered for our guests in a very choppy environment. After starting the quarter with very soft trends, we saw improvement later in the quarter, particularly in March. We are in the early stage of a multi-year effort to position Target for profitable, consistent long-term growth, and while we are confident in our plans, we are facing multiple headwinds in the current landscape. As a result, we will continue to plan our business prudently while preparing our team to chase business when we have an opportunity.

Gross margins dipped slightly, from 30.9% in the year-ago quarter to 30.5% as SG&A expenses increased to reflect higher compensation and marketing costs.

Target said it returned $641 million to shareholders in the first quarter, $305 million in share buybacks and $336 million in dividends.

Shares traded up 7.7% in Tuesday’s premarket to $58.73, in a 52-week range of $52.72 to $79.33. The consensus 12-month price target was $59.43 before results were announced. That’s a downward reset of about $15 a share since Target’s earnings report in February.

Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)

Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future

Get started right here.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.