LRT Capital Management LLC Has $965,000 Stake in Target Co. (NYSE:TGT)

LRT Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Target Co. (NYSE:TGT - Free Report) by 211.9% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 7,139 shares of the retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 4,850 shares during the period. LRT Capital Management LLC's holdings in Target were worth $965,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Target during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new position in Target during the fourth quarter worth $30,000. MCF Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Target by 175.3% during the fourth quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 256 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 163 shares during the period. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Target by 110.7% in the 4th quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 257 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC grew its holdings in shares of Target by 47.5% in the 4th quarter. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC now owns 264 shares of the retailer's stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. 79.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Target Trading Up 1.8%

NYSE TGT traded up $1.69 during trading on Thursday, reaching $96.95. 8,337,410 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,881,533. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $98.86 and its 200 day moving average price is $122.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. The firm has a market cap of $44.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.27. Target Co. has a fifty-two week low of $87.35 and a fifty-two week high of $167.40.

Target (NYSE:TGT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 4th. The retailer reported $2.41 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.24 by $0.17. The business 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%. Analysts predict that Target Co. will post 8.69 EPS for the current year.

Target Announces Dividend

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 issued a dividend of $1.12 per share. This represents a $4.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 14th. Target's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 50.56%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have commented on TGT shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Target from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and reduced their price target for the company from $142.00 to $101.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. StockNews.com downgraded Target from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Gordon Haskett cut Target from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Citigroup reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $97.00 price objective (up previously from $95.00) on shares of Target in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on shares of Target from $165.00 to $150.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty-two have given a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Target presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $128.63.

Target Profile

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.