Why Investors Are Running Away from Target

November 20, 2018 by Paul Ausick

Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) reported third-quarter 2018 results before markets open Tuesday morning. The big-box retailer posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.09 and $17.82 billion in revenues. In the same period a year ago, the big-box retailer reported EPS of $0.90 on revenue of $16.87 billion. Third-quarter results compare to consensus estimates for EPS of $1.12 and $17.8 billion in revenue.

Same-store sales rose 5.1% compared with the third quarter of 2017. Digital channel sales rose 49% and contributed 1.9 percentage points to same-store sales growth. Store traffic rose 5.3% in the quarter. Operating income declined by 3.3% from $847 million last year to $819 million.

Operating income margin dipped from 5% to 4.6%, and gross margin rate slipped from 29.6% to 28.7%, reflecting higher supply chain costs driven by growth in digital fulfillment costs and timing of holiday-related inventory receipts.

In its outlook for the fourth quarter and the 2018 fiscal year, Target said it expects same-store sales growth of approximately 5%, matching growth for the first three quarters of the year. For the full year, the company reaffirmed its adjusted EPS forecast of $5.30 to $5.50.

Analysts had forecast EPS for the fourth fiscal quarter at $1.51 on revenues of $22.93 billion. For the full-year analysts are looking for EPS of $5.41 and revenues of $75.25 billion.

Brian Cornell, Target’s CEO, said:

We’ve made significant investments in our team heading into the holidays and they are ready to serve our guests with a comprehensive suite of convenient delivery and pickup options, a wide range of new products and unique gift ideas and a strong emphasis on low prices and great value. We plan to leverage our current momentum into 2019, when we’ll achieve greater scale across the full slate of our initiatives – creating efficiencies and cost-savings, further strengthening our guest experience and positioning Target for profitable growth in the years ahead.

While Target’s revenue met estimates, sales did not. Similarly, same-store sales missed analysts’ estimate for a rise of 5.2%, and adjusted EPS was also below expectations. Investors are not in a forgiving mood these days, and the company’s stock is about to get beaten up.

Target’s shares traded down nearly 10% in Tuesday’s premarket at $70.15, in a 52-week range of $55.25 to $90.39. The consensus 12-month price target was $91.47 before results were announced.

 

Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)

Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.

Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.

Click here now to get started.