Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV Invests $11.52 Million in Target Co. (NYSE:TGT)

Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV acquired a new stake in shares of Target Co. (NYSE:TGT - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 85,199 shares of the retailer's stock, valued at approximately $11,517,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. bought a new stake in Target in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. purchased a new position in shares of Target in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. MCF Advisors LLC increased its position in Target by 175.3% in the fourth quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 256 shares of the retailer's stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in Target by 110.7% during the fourth 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 lifted its position in Target by 47.5% during the fourth quarter. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC now owns 264 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.73% of the company's stock.

Target Stock Down 3.4 %

NYSE TGT traded down $3.32 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $94.05. 6,782,293 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,755,163. The company has a market cap of $42.73 billion, a PE ratio of 9.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.25. Target Co. has a 52 week low of $87.35 and a 52 week high of $167.40. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $101.91 and its 200-day simple moving average is $124.96.

Target (NYSE:TGT - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, March 4th. The retailer reported $2.41 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.24 by $0.17. Target had a net margin of 4.06% and a return on equity of 31.11%. The business had revenue of $30.92 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $30.83 billion. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Target Co. will post 8.69 earnings per share for the current year.

Target Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 14th will be issued a $1.12 dividend. This represents a $4.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 14th. Target's dividend payout ratio is currently 50.56%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently issued reports on TGT shares. DA Davidson decreased their target price on shares of Target from $153.00 to $140.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Target from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $142.00 to $101.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. KGI Securities set a $132.00 target price on Target in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on Target from $130.00 to $120.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 20th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group lowered their price target on Target from $150.00 to $145.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty-three have assigned a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Target has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $132.37.

Target Company 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.