Banced Corp eliminated its stake in Target Co. (NYSE:TGT) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor previously had a 2,683 share stake in the retailer, valued at approximately $189,661. Banced Corp had fully closed out its position in retailer by the time it had filed its most recent disclosure.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Jennison Associates increased its stake in shares of Target by 2.4% in the third quarter. Jennison Associates now owns 2,877,411 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $226,337,000 after buying an additional 66,888 shares during the period. Janus Capital Management boosted its position in Target by 41.7% in the third quarter. Janus Capital Management now owns 1,280,408 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $100,716,000 after buying an additional 376,567 shares in the last quarter. Northcoast Asset Management boosted its position in Target by 1,933.9% in the third quarter. Northcoast Asset Management now owns 842,420 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $66,265,000 after buying an additional 801,002 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors boosted its position in Target by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors now owns 219,583 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $15,944,000 after buying an additional 1,400 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MUFG Americas boosted its position in Target by 2.2% in the third quarter. MUFG Americas now owns 184,071 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $14,479,000 after buying an additional 3,982 shares in the last quarter.

Target Co. (NYSE:TGT) traded up 0.35% on Wednesday, hitting $70.69. The stock had a trading volume of 3,907,907 shares. The company’s market cap is $43.55 billion. Target Co. has a 52-week low of $66.46 and a 52-week high of $85.81. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $72.03 and its 200-day moving average is $76.22.

Target (NYSE:TGT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 18th. The retailer reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.86. The company earned $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.57 billion. Target’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.54 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Target Co. will post $4.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 10th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 17th will be issued a $0.56 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 12th. This represents a $2.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.17%.

Several research firms have weighed in on TGT. Vetr cut Target from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $74.99 price target for the company. in a report on Monday, January 11th. Piper Jaffray restated a “buy” rating on shares of Target in a report on Monday, January 4th. Deutsche Bank restated a “hold” rating on shares of Target in a report on Wednesday, December 2nd. Barclays upgraded Target to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, November 30th. Finally, Macquarie restated a “buy” rating on shares of Target in a report on Sunday, November 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. Target currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $78.42.

In related news, Director Roxanne S. Austin sold 3,706 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.03, for a total value of $278,061.18. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 29,627 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,222,913.81. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Robert L. Edwards purchased 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 20th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $71.10 per share, with a total value of $711,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 1,560 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $110,916. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here.

Target Corporation is engaged in providing everyday essentials and fashionable, and differentiated merchandise at discounted prices. The Company offers its products through stores, online or through mobile devices. The Company sells an assortment of general merchandise and food through its store and digital channels. Its general merchandise stores offer an edited food assortment, including perishables, dry grocery, dairy and frozen items. Its urban format stores, CityTarget and TargetExpress, offer edited general merchandise and food assortments. Its digital channels include an assortment of general merchandise, including various items found in its stores, along with a complementary assortment, such as additional sizes and colors sold online. The Company’s brands include Archer Farms, Simply Balanced, Boots & Barkley, Circo, Embark, Gilligan & O’Malley, Market Pantry, Merona, Room Essentials, Smith & Hawken, Spritz and Sutton & Dodge.

12 Month Chart for NYSE:TGT

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