Target 1Q Profits Drop Nearly 8 Percent
Excerpt from the InvestorGuide.com Stock of the Day on 5/20/2008

With commodity and food prices soaring, investors were not surprised by Target's announcement that first-quarter profits declined. The No. 2 U.S. discount retailer reported on Tuesday that first-quarter profit dropped 7.5% to $602 million. According to analysts, the company has been hurt by budget-conscious shoppers seeking value and lowering their spending on apparel and other discretionary items, which is the bulk of the company's business. In the past, the company had a reputation for delivering impressive numbers quarter after quarter, but as consumers seek out cheaper prices from its main competitor Wal-mart (WMT: Charts, News, Offers), how will the company become as profitable as it once was? What steps has the company taken to ensure that it can reclaim the reputation it once had? More >

Target Might Have a Bull's-Eye on Its Back
Excerpt from the InvestorGuide.com Stock of the Day on 7/13/2007

Business at Target has had a pretty good run over the last couple of years. While the biggest player in the field, Wal-Mart (WMT: Charts, News, Offers) has shown signs of struggling and posted anemic results, Target has been notching up impressive numbers when it comes to percentage increases in same-store sales (often doubling those of Wal-Mart). The bottom line has been solid too (e.g. net income rose a greater than expected 18% in Q1). But, its stock has been on the sluggish side, hovering around $60. That has changed over the last couple of weeks as people have speculated that some sort of deal involving Target might be in works. Those rumblings got a big boost yesterday as reports circulated that William Ackman, a prominent activist investor has taken atleast a 5% stake in the company sending the stock up close to 7%. Ackman usually likes to get involved in companies when they are struggling. By all accounts, Target doesn't fit that description, so is he just looking to make a quick buck or does he have some other ideas? More >

Target Jumps on Upgrade from Lazard Capital Markets
Excerpt from the InvestorGuide.com Stock of the Day on 6/7/2006

Amid concerns that rising energy prices will cut into consumer spending, Target, the world's second largest retailer received an upgrade from Lazard Capital Markets. Based partly on the company's expectation of higher margins, the improved rating came as Lazard stated confidence that Target could continue producing innovative merchandise while cutting costs. Is this a reasonable recommendation, or will it be a repeat of the recent upgrade and subsequent downgrade of GM (GM: Charts, News, Offers) by Deutsche Securities? More >

Target: Right On the Red Bull's-Eye?   10/14/2005