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. It also provides dry grocery, dairy, frozen food, beverages, candy, snacks, deli, bakery, meat, and food service; electronics, which includes video game hardware and software, toys, entertainment, sporting goods, and luggage; and furniture, lighting, storage, kitchenware, small appliances, home decor, bed and bath, home improvement, school/office supplies, greeting cards and party supplies, and other seasonal merchandise. In addition, the company sells merchandise through periodic design and creative partnerships, and shop-in-shop experience; and in-store amenities. Further, it sells its products through its stores; and digital channels, including Target.com. Target Corporation was incorporated in 1902 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Target Corporation демонстрирует смешанную фундаментальную картину. С одной стороны, компания имеет низкий P/E и P/S, что указывает на потенциальную недооцененность относительно отрасли. Однако P/B значительно превышает медиану, что может свидетельствовать о переоцененности. Эффективность в виде ROE и ROA выше медианных значений, но маржи (операционная и чистая) ниже, что вызывает опасения по поводу прибыльности. Долговая нагрузка вызывает риск, так как коэффициент долга к капиталу также выше медианы. Дивидендная доходность на уровне 0.99% указывает на стабильные выплаты, но рост дивидендов не наблюдается. В последние годы наблюдается рост выручки, что положительно сказывается на оценке, хотя чистая прибыль показывает колебания. В общем, данная компания имеет как сильные, так и слабые стороны, что требует осторожности при инвестировании.

Target Corporation

Key Points
Target is viewed as a higher-quality store than Walmart, which is focused on everyday low prices.
Target is cutting product costs, but the retailer's carefully honed image is likely the real issue.
Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT) is eating Target's (NYSE: TGT) lunch right now. To put a number on that, Walmart's same-store sales rose 4.6% in the most recent quarter while Target's fell 2.5%. Target is attempting to turn its business around by offering lower prices on thousands of products. That should help, but it doesn't necessarily change the bigger problem the company faces.
Consumers are worried and cutting their budgets
Target's move to cut prices is a recognition of the market realities it faces. Inflation has pushed prices higher, and consumers are looking to make every dollar count. Economic concerns have pushed consumers into stores known for having low prices. This has been a huge benefit to Walmart, which brands itself as offering low prices.
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Target's branding is very different. The retailer has positioned itself as more upscale, with stores that offer higher-quality, higher-priced product offerings. It is currently out of step with consumers, and that is clearly showing up in its same-store sales figures. Cutting prices will likely help the company keep loyal customers happy, but it won't likely change Target's image overall.
Target is protecting its brand
The truth is that Target doesn't want to materially change its industry position. It has carefully honed its image for decades, differentiating itself from Walmart, its biggest rival. To suddenly shift to an everyday-low-price model would destroy years of effort. If management did make a decision like that, investors would be justifiably concerned about the business's future.
Which is why it is important to note that Target is also planning to invest in store remodeling and staffing, to help elevate the shopping experience at its stores. Those moves should also help Target retain customers while also supporting the company's core branding. The real story here is that economic worries mean that Target has to walk a tightrope. Cutting costs and maintaining its branding are both necessary in the face of the market uncertainty it is currently facing.
When times improve, Target's customers will likely return
The goal is really to muddle through this difficult period until consumers feel more confident again. Target doesn't want to lose more customers, so it is cutting costs where it can. However, it is also investing to ensure that it maintains the higher-end shopping experience it has long offered, so customers will trade up again when times are better. In the end, inflation is a real problem, but the company's brand positioning is the complicating factor that investors need to watch right now.
Should you buy stock in Target right now?
Before you buy stock in Target, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Target wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $514,000!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,105,029!*
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Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Target Is Cutting Prices on 3,000 Items As Inflation Drags Down Consumer Spending. Is Inflation Target Stock's Biggest Pain Point Right Now?

Key Points
Target beat analyst earnings estimates in the 2025 fourth quarter.
Its new CEO has laid out a plan for getting back to the model customers used to love.
Target is a Dividend King.
The S&P 500 hasn't moved much this year after three years of double-digit gains. It's less than three months into 2026, so investors shouldn't worry at this point. However, there's going to be a year where things go south -- and it could be this one.
In the meantime, any stock that's gaining this year is more or less beating the market. And there's at least one surprise -- Target (NYSE: TGT) -- which has been losing value for years and is 55% off its highs but is up 22% year to date.
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Is Target back in action? Or is this a short-term movement that's not going to last?
A new CEO and roadmap
New CEO Michael Fiddelke has only been in the top spot as of Feb. 1, but he's been in training since the announcement in August. He comes from the role of COO, so he's intimately familiar with the company.
It's not hard for anyone who's been following Target, whether as an investor or a shopper, to see how Target has fallen short. It's been having trouble with inventory, and its merchandise hasn't been resonating with its core consumer. Sales have been dragging, while competitors like Walmart and Costco Wholesale continue to enjoy consistent growth.
Fiddelke outlined a plan for Target to get back to its roots as a fun place to shop, with a distinctive flair and owned brands that offer style and value. It's also planning to open more new stores and lean into technology to expand its markets for next-day delivery, where it has always shone. In the fourth quarter, same-day delivery for members increased 30% year over year, and Target has consistently performed well in this area.
I think he nailed it when he explained what Target's customers are looking for:
Target is not an everything store. That's not what guests want from us. They want a strong, trend-forward assortment that they can trust to deliver quality and value.
Now, investors need to see that management can translate that into measurably higher sales and profits.
The proof will be in the performance
Target still has a long road to stability, but the market was enthusiastic about its fourth-quarter results. Sales and comparable sales were slightly down year over year, but adjusted earnings per share (EPS) and adjusted operating income were slightly up. What the market tends to reward is an earnings beat, and adjusted EPS beat Wall Street estimates by $0.28.
The market also liked guidance for 2026 sales to increase about 2% and operating margin to rise 20 basis points. EPS is also expected to increase for the year.
The company is planning to spend an extra $2 billion this year alone to revamp its stores and create more value for customers. It expects that to boost engagement and, ultimately, sales.
That's on top of the $5 billion it had already earmarked for capital expenditures and includes updated floor plans, staff training, and marketing. It expects to open 30 new stores this year and remodel 130 others and will open its 2,000th store later this month.
Is Target stock the ultimate contrarian buy?
It seemed like the market had moved on from Target after it experienced setback after setback. Even with this year's gains, it remains well off its highs. The stock is dirt cheap right now, trading at under 15 times trailing-12-month earnings and 19 times trailing-12-month free cash flow.
Also in its favor is that it's a Dividend King, and its dividend yields 3.8% at the current price. Even if investors are unsure about where the stock price is headed, shareholders will benefit from a reliable, high-yielding dividend. That mitigates some of the risk.
If Target can sharpen its model and get back to what it does best, it could be an incredible investment. That's still an unknown, but since it already offers value in its dividend, investors might want to take small bite right now.
Should you buy stock in Target right now?
Before you buy stock in Target, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Target wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $514,000!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,105,029!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 930% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 187% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
Jennifer Saibil has positions in Walmart. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale, Target, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

This Passed-Over Stock, 55% Off of Its All-Time High, Is Crushing the Market This Year. Is It the Ultimate Contrarian Stock to Buy Now?

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the WisdomTree U.S. Value Fund (Symbol: WTV) where we have detected an approximate $220.6 million dollar inflow -- that's a 9.0% increase week over week in outstanding units (from 25,750,000 to 28,080,000). Among the largest underlying components of WTV, in trading today Johnson & Johnson (Symbol: JNJ) is up about 1%, Southwest Airlines Co (Symbol: LUV) is up about 0.3%, and Target Corp (Symbol: TGT) is higher by about 0.3%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the WTV Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of WTV, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, WTV's low point in its 52 week range is $70.855 per share, with $101.2298 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $95.00. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
Also see:
SAFE Dividend Stocks
Institutional Holders of PSG
WCBO Insider Buying
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

WTV, JNJ, LUV, TGT: ETF Inflow Alert

Costco Wholesale Corporation COST released its second-quarter fiscal 2026 results on March 5, after the closing bell, drawing fresh attention from investors tracking the retail sector’s performance. Given its stable growth and loyal membership base, Costco has historically weathered economic hiccups better than many competitors. Now that its latest earnings are out, investors are considering whether to increase their stake, hold tight to their current investments or sell shares in response to new data and market trends.
Sneak Peek Into Costco’s Q2 Performance
Shares of Costco have risen 2.1% since its second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings were released. Both revenues and earnings not only beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate but also improved year over year, driven by robust membership growth, resilient traffic, double-digit e-commerce gains and margin expansion. (Read: Costco Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates on Solid Sales and Membership Growth)
The company's ability to generate strong comparable sales across regions highlights its effective pricing strategy and member loyalty. Comparable sales, excluding gasoline prices and foreign exchange impacts, rose 6.7%. In the United States, comparable sales increased 6.4%, while Canada and Other International markets saw gains of 7.6% and 7.1%, respectively.
Costco ended the quarter with 82.1 million paid members, representing a 4.8% increase from the prior year. Executive memberships, a more profitable category for Costco, increased 9.5% year over year to reach 40.4 million. The company's commitment to value and quality has fostered strong loyalty among members.
How Consensus Estimates Stack Up for Costco Post Q2 Earnings
Over the past seven days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current fiscal year has moved up by 7 cents to $20.29, while the estimate for the next fiscal year has increased 13 cents to $22.28. These estimates indicate expected year-over-year growth rates of 12.8% and 9.8%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Costco’s Winning Formula: Membership and Digital Expansion
Costco’s resilient business model, centered around a membership-based structure, creates a recurring revenue stream while encouraging customers to shop frequently. Members pay an annual fee for access to Costco's warehouses, where they can purchase goods at significant discounts. This model not only ensures a steady inflow of revenues but also creates a sense of exclusivity and value among its members. Membership fee income rose 13.6% year over year in the second quarter, benefiting from strong renewal rates. The renewal rate remained healthy at 92.1% in the United States and Canada and 89.7% worldwide.
The company focuses on offering quality merchandise at prices that are often lower than its competitors and continuously invests in lowering prices for its members when conditions allow. This approach strengthens customer loyalty and encourages repeat visits. Costco’s merchandising strategy also keeps the shopping experience fresh through a curated assortment of products, seasonal offerings, and unique items that attract customers and drive impulse purchases. By combining everyday essentials with compelling offerings, Costco maintains strong consumer engagement.
Costco’s private label brand is another important driver. The Kirkland Signature brand has become widely recognized for delivering premium quality at a lower price compared with national brands. This private label not only reinforces Costco’s reputation for value but also gives the company greater control over sourcing and product quality. As the assortment continues to expand across food, household essentials and general merchandise, Kirkland strengthens Costco’s brand identity and customer loyalty. At the same time, it supports profitability because the company can capture more value within its own supply chain while still offering compelling prices to members. Costco launched roughly 30 new Kirkland items in the second quarter.
The company is also benefiting from strategic investments in digital capabilities and operational efficiency. Costco has been expanding its online platform, improving its mobile app and using technology to personalize product recommendations and streamline the shopping experience. These initiatives complement the warehouse model by allowing customers to shop across multiple channels. Digitally enabled comparable sales surged 22.6% year over year, supported by 32% growth in e-commerce site traffic and 63% growth in app visits. Initiatives such as mobile wallet enhancements, pharmacy pay-ahead, employee pre-scan technology and a pilot of automated pay stations are improving traffic flow and enhancing the member experience.
Costco’s long-term growth outlook remains strong due to its disciplined expansion strategy and global opportunities. The company continues to open new warehouses in attractive markets. During the quarter under discussion, Costco opened four warehouses, including a relocation in the United States, one net new U.S. location and two Canadian business centers. For fiscal 2026, the company expects to open 28 net new warehouses and is targeting 30-plus warehouse openings annually over the longer term to support continued global expansion. This measured expansion approach has led to strong productivity from new locations and sustained growth in membership.
Costco Navigates Competitive Landscape as Peers Scale Up
Costco's impressive sales figures are part of a larger retail picture where competition is intensifying. Rivals like Ross Stores, Inc. ROST, Dollar General Corporation DG and Target Corporation TGT are investing in expanding their product assortments, enhancing supply-chain efficiency, and upgrading in-store and digital experiences to capture greater market share. These retailers are also sharpening their value propositions through competitive pricing, private-label expansion and targeted promotional strategies.
Margins remain a critical area to monitor, with potential concerns stemming from any deleverage in the selling, general and administrative rate. Foreign exchange volatility and potential tariffs on key imports create uncertainty.
Does Costco Tick the Boxes for Value Investing?
Costco stock has rallied 16.6% over the past three months compared with the industry’s rise of 11.1%. A sneak peek into key retail peers' performance reveals that shares of Dollar General have risen 2.3% during the said time frame, while Ross Stores and Target have climbed 13.9% and 18.7%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock is trading at a significant premium to its peers. Costco's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 47.05, higher than the industry’s ratio of 32.98 and the S&P 500's 21.95. Costco is trading at a premium to Target (with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 14.46), Ross Stores (28.74) and Dollar General (18.83).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Costco continues to trade at a notable premium to its peers, reflecting investor confidence in its strong brand image, loyal membership base and long-term growth potential.
How to Play Costco Stock: Buy, Hold or Sell?
Costco’s latest quarterly results reinforce the strength of its core business model, built on a loyal membership base, consistent traffic, disciplined pricing and expanding digital capabilities. The company continues to execute well by balancing value for members with operational efficiency while steadily expanding its warehouse footprint and strengthening its private-label portfolio. These factors support a stable long-term growth outlook. However, the stock’s premium valuation suggests that much of this strength is already reflected in the share price. For existing investors, holding the stock appears reasonable, while potential investors may consider waiting for more attractive entry points while keeping Costco on their watchlist.
Costco currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Should Investors Buy Costco Stock After Its Q2 Earnings Beat?

Walmart Inc.’s WMT fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results highlighted a strong 24% surge in global eCommerce sales, underscoring the retailer’s steady transition into a tech-powered omnichannel leader. The digital growth was broad-based across segments, with Walmart U.S. eCommerce increasing even more strongly with 27% rise, reflecting continued traction in the company’s online channels.
The primary engines behind this momentum include store-fulfilled pickup and delivery, along with the company’s expanding marketplace and advertising businesses. In the United States, Walmart’s focus on convenience is yielding meaningful results, with expedited store-fulfilled delivery channels growing more than 50%. In addition, the number of customers choosing ultrafast delivery, defined as under three hours, increased more than 60% during the year. This convenience-driven model has helped attract a broader customer base, including higher-income households that continue to contribute meaningfully to share gains.
Technology investments are also strengthening Walmart’s digital ecosystem. The company’s AI shopping assistant, “Sparky,” is already driving higher engagement, with users generating average order values roughly 35% higher than non-users. By combining forward-deployed inventory, automation and AI-powered shopping experiences, Walmart is strengthening the connection between digital demand and physical fulfillment.
As these capabilities expand across markets, Walmart’s efforts to offer faster and more convenient online shopping experiences could continue to support its digital momentum. The company’s ability to integrate the vast store network with digital capabilities is also helping strengthen its omnichannel fulfillment model.
WMT and Peers: Target & Costco Strengthen Digital Ecosystems
Target Corporation’s TGT digital ecosystem continues to gain traction as the retailer focuses on speed and convenience to drive online engagement. The company noted that same-day services generated more than $14 billion in sales in 2025, accounting for roughly two-thirds of digital revenues. Target is also expanding next-day fulfillment capabilities to improve delivery speed. As digital adoption grows, Target continues to focus on enhancing convenience and strengthening its omnichannel capabilities.
Costco Wholesale Corporation COST reported a 22.6% increase in Digitally-Enabled comparable sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2026. This momentum for Costco is fueled by enhanced personalization efforts and a 45% surge in mobile app traffic. As digital engagement continues to grow, Costco is using its vast warehouse network to support omnichannel fulfillment and make shopping more convenient for customers.
WMT’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Shares of Walmart have fallen around 7.6% in the past month compared with the industry’s decline of 6%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, WMT trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 42.18X, significantly up from the industry’s average of 38.92X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WMT’s fiscal 2027 and 2028 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 9.5% and 12.7%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
WMT currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor Stock
This under-the-radar company specializes in semiconductor products that titans like NVIDIA don't build. It's uniquely positioned to take advantage of the next growth stage of this market. And it's just beginning to enter the spotlight, which is exactly where you want to be.
With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $971 billion by 2028.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Walmart eCommerce Up 24%: Can Digital Momentum Continue?

Key Points
On March 3, Target reported fairly weak results and fiscal 2026 guidance.
Target is ramping up its spending even amid weak consumer spending.
Even though growth has slowed, Target is still a cash cow that can easily afford its high-yield dividend.
Target (NYSE: TGT) has rocketed 31% higher over the last three months, compared to a 1.9% decline in the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC).
The retail giant is winning investor approval amid hopes that the worst of its sales slowdown is in the rearview mirror and optimism for newly appointed CEO Michael Fiddelke.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
But even when factoring in Target's recent run-up, the dividend stock remains down more than 25% in the last three years and over 50% from its all-time high.
Here's how investors should approach the red-hot stock, and if it's a good buy in March.
A prolonged slowdown for Target
Target had badly underperformed the broader market in recent years for good reasons. The company's sales have been declining, and its operating margins have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Target badly overestimated consumer demand during the pandemic, poorly managed its supply chain, and struggled to adapt to pullbacks in consumer spending. Since Target can't compete with Walmart or Costco Wholesale on price and value, it relies on a more discretionary product mix and foot traffic.
When Target is at its best, it provides a relatively affordable and enjoyable in-store shopping experience -- such as grabbing an in-store Starbucks beverage and taking advantage of exclusive partnerships that shoppers can't find at value-first outlets. But when consumer budgets are strained, cheap thrills can lose their appeal.
Target's bold plans to return to growth
Before stepping down as CEO, Brian Cornell, who led the company for more than a decade, was focused on store improvements, boosting foot traffic, and leaning into the "Tarzhay" spirit, which makes shopping fun rather than routine.
New CEO Michael Fiddelke is following in Cornell's footsteps by implementing an aggressive strategy to get Target's mojo back, with plans to open more than 30 stores this fiscal year, complete more than 130 full-store remodels, and spend 25% more on capital expenditures than in fiscal 2025.
Although Target's stores drove 97.6% of order fulfillment in fiscal 2025, digitally originated sales made up 20.6% of total sales. That's more than even the pandemic years of fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021 -- showing that Target is winning with in-store pickup and drive-up, especially through mobile orders.
Target is investing in brand marketing, technology, and artificial intelligence through ongoing investments rather than one-time costs. Target also realized $200 million in savings due to headcount reductions at its headquarters and field team changes. So the company is clearly prioritizing a push toward efficiency and productivity.
Fiddelke also recognizes the importance of the Target Circle loyalty program, as Target Circle members spent three times more on average than non-members, and Target Circle 360 members who get unlimited same-day delivery spend seven times more. In addition to higher spending, these loyal customers help Target determine which promotions and exclusive partnerships to pursue.
A reliable value stock with a high yield
Target's strategy may take some time to pay off. The company is guiding for just 2% year-over-year net sales growth and $7.50 to $8.50 in adjusted earnings per share compared to $7.57 in fiscal 2025, $8.86 in fiscal 2024, and $8.94 in fiscal 2023. So while fiscal 2025 could end up being the worst of Target's multiyear turnaround, the company is still a long way away from returning to its pre-pandemic growth rate.
With fairly weak guidance and a still unproven turnaround, investors may be wondering why Target is up so much in a few months. The answer likely has to do with expectations.
The market hates uncertainty. And with a new CEO and a clear game plan for returning to growth (albeit slowly), some investors may be willing to pay a higher price for Target.
Target is trading at 15.1 times the midpoint of its fiscal 2026 guidance -- which is right around its 10-year median P/E of 15.3. Whereas before its recent run-up, Target was extremely discounted.
Last June, Target announced its 54th consecutive annual dividend increase -- boosting the quarterly dividend to $1.14 per share or $4.56 per year. Target is one of just 57 companies that have increased their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years -- known as Dividend Kings. Based on earnings guidance for $7.50 to $8.50 per share, Target can easily support its dividend from its operations rather than relying on debt. And with a yield of 3.8%, Target has a considerably higher yield than many other Dividend Kings.
Target remains a reasonable buy
Heading into 2026, Target was so beaten down that mediocre results and guidance were enough to spark a rally. Target is still a decent buy, but it's more fairly valued now.
Lower interest rates tend to boost consumer spending and economic growth, but the labor market is showing signs of weakness. Throw in the inflationary effects of higher oil prices, and the economic backdrop isn't exactly great for retailers in 2026.
Still, the stock could be a good buy for long-term income investors, but only those who believe Target's in-store shopping experience is a significant differentiator compared to other retailers.
Should you buy stock in Target right now?
Before you buy stock in Target, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Target wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $522,791!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,132,678!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 952% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 191% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of March 12, 2026.
Daniel Foelber has positions in Starbucks and Target and has the following options: short March 2026 $120 calls on Target. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale, Starbucks, Target, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Up 31% in 3 Months, Is This High-Yield Dividend King Stock Still a Buy in March?

Key Points
Oil is used worldwide as a transportation fuel and as a source of chemicals and other products.
Volatile oil prices dramatically increase uncertainty.
The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East is driving up oil and natural gas prices. That's a fairly predictable outcome. That said, developments in the conflict are changing rapidly, leading to rather wide swings in the energy market. As you watch oil prices rise and fall, here are three things you need to keep in mind.
1. The impact will ripple through the economy
Motley Fool research shows that inflation has averaged around 3.8% per year. However, rising oil and natural gas prices could lead to a spike in inflation. You will see higher prices at the gas pump almost immediately, but oil and gas are used in the transportation of goods, as key inputs in the manufacturing process, and to produce electricity, among other things. Higher energy costs impact far more than you may realize.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
As companies feel the impact of higher costs, they will pass them on to consumers. In some cases, such as in the utility sector, mechanisms exist that can directly pass those costs on to consumers. In other cases, the process will happen over time. However, rising energy costs will eventually lead to higher prices across the economy.
2. The risk of a recession is increased
Consumers are already worried about the economy. That's highlighted by the divergent performance of retailers Target (NYSE: TGT) and Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT). Target offers a more premium experience and products, and its sales are falling, with same-store sales off by 2.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025. Walmart is focused on everyday low prices, and its sales are rising, with organic sales up 4.6% in the U.S. division in the comparable quarter.
As higher oil and natural gas prices flow through the economy, the risk of a recession rises. In fact, increased uncertainty alone could push consumers to pull back even harder, triggering a recession.
3. Oil prices will eventually fall
Energy prices have always been volatile, so this price spike isn't actually unusual. Before you run out and buy a pure-play energy producer like Devon Energy (NYSE: DVN), which is highly impacted by oil prices, remember that energy prices have always fallen after a spike. When that happens, energy stocks, which are on the rise now, will likely come back down to earth.
That said, the economic impact of higher energy prices will also recede in time. The pain at the pump will eventually be less of an issue, as will the impact of rising shipping costs. And if the economy has fallen into a recession, that will eventually end, too. In other words, long-term investors should remember the old saying: "This too shall pass."
Should you buy stock in Walmart right now?
Before you buy stock in Walmart, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Walmart wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $522,791!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,132,678!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 952% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 191% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of March 11, 2026.
Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Oil Whipsaws From $119 High. Here are 3 Takeaways for Markets Over the Past Week.

The Board of Directors of U.S. Bancorp has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.52 per common share, payable April 15, 2026, to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2026. At this quarterly dividend rate, the annual dividend is equivalent to $2.08 per common share.
Microsoft on Tuesday announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.91 per share. The dividend is payable June 11, 2026, to shareholders of record on May 21, 2026. The ex-dividend date will be May 21, 2026.
The board of directors of Target has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.14 per common share. The dividend is payable June 1, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business May 13, 2026. The second quarter dividend will be the company's 235th consecutive dividend paid since October 1967 when the company became publicly held.
Agree Realty today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized, and the Company has declared, a monthly cash dividend of $0.262 per common share. The monthly dividend reflects an annualized dividend amount of $3.144 per common share, representing a 3.6% increase over the annualized dividend amount of $3.036 per common share from the first quarter of 2025. The dividend is payable April 15, 2026 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2026.
The Oracle board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share of outstanding common stock. This dividend will be paid to stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 9, 2026, with a payment date of April 24, 2026.
VIDEO: Daily Dividend Report: USB,MSFT,TGT,ADC,ORCL
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Daily Dividend Report: USB,MSFT,TGT,ADC,ORCL

Key Points
U.S. consumers have been facing rising costs and tightening their budgets in response.
The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has the world's attention, but the fallout could make inflation issues worse.
One thing investors need to keep in mind when investing in the energy sector is that oil prices are highly volatile. While the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East is newsworthy, the reaction in the oil markets is rather predictable. But the lingering story on Wall Street may not be about oil prices; it could quickly return to inflation.
Inflation is already a problem
Target (NYSE: TGT), a large U.S. retailer, saw its sales drop 1.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025. Its organic sales were off by 2.5%. The problem for the company is that consumers are worried about rising prices and, thus, they are being cautious about spending. Target tends to offer higher-priced products and a more premium shopping experience than its closest peer, Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT).
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Walmart's focus on everyday low prices, however, has been resonating with consumers. The company's most recent quarter saw sales rise 4.6% and same-store sales rise by the same amount. Relatively speaking, Walmart is eating Target's lunch right now thanks to consumers' belt-tightening efforts.
The inflation concerns that are driving this dichotomy have receded from the headlines as the current geopolitical conflict is more newsworthy. However, that doesn't mean that inflation has gone away.
Higher energy prices could make the problem worse
Oil prices have risen very quickly as the Middle East's ability to supply the world with oil and natural gas is at risk. The price of energy has whipsawed back and forth in response to news flow and investor sentiment. However, higher oil prices will eventually flow through to consumers and the inflation data.
When that happens, inflation will once again become a headline-grabbing news item. There will be a direct impact on consumers as they fill up their gas tanks, but there's also a more insidious impact since transportation and production costs will rise for companies, as well. That will take a little longer to flow through to consumers, but it will eventually show up in product prices.
However, even if oil prices return to lower levels, energy prices are just one part of the inflation picture. The inflation and economic concerns that existed prior to the rise in oil prices haven't gone away just because they've fallen out of the headlines. The companies that were doing well before geopolitical tensions erupted are likely to remain well-positioned for success. And, conversely, the companies that were struggling are likely to continue to struggle.
Should you buy stock in Walmart right now?
Before you buy stock in Walmart, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Walmart wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $522,791!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,132,678!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 952% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 191% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Prediction: Inflation Data Will Re-Take Center Stage After This Oil Spike

Key Points
I sold my shares in Verizon, Target, and Baidu last week.
Verizon is up nearly 25% in 2026, despite a long run of weak revenue growth.
Verizon and Target have long streaks of dividend hikes, but payouts aren't always enough.
I was nervous about my portfolio last week. You were probably a little bit uneasy, too. The best advice when the market is tumultuous is to hold through the volatility. A close second is to make the most of the downticks to add to your high-conviction stocks. Selling at a time like this is a lot lower on the list, but that's just what I did last week.
I sold my positions in Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), Target (NYSE: TGT), and Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU) last week. Sometimes you have to sell in order to buy, but why did I choose these three investments? I have my reasons. I'll share them.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
1. Verizon
I started buying shares of the wireless carrier giant three summers ago. Telcos were out of favor. Big investments in 5G technology weren't translating into growth. Reports started circulating, calling out carriers for the toxicity of lead-sheathed cable they buried underground ages ago.
The dividend was high, with a strong track record of rising. The stock was cheap, in a market that wasn't. Most of all, it felt as if Verizon was in an all-weather industry. Folks aren't going to give up their smartphones. The merger of two rivals three years earlier strengthened pricing power.
But Verizon's financial performance hasn't been impressive. Revenue hasn't topped 6% in annual growth for 16 consecutive years. It hasn't cracked 3% top-line growth in any of the past four years, and the future isn't looking any better. Analysts see 4% revenue growth this year, but falling short of 2% growth in each of the four following years.
The stock chart is diverging from that reality. Verizon stock is up 25% this year, trouncing the market with a 1% decline. The juicy 7% dividend it was sporting at the start of 2026 is now down to 5.6%. I added to Verizon over the past three years like a security blanket, making it the fourth largest holding in my stock portfolio. It stood out in my portfolio as a financial laggard. Now it stands out for its outperformance.
Verizon is the highest-yielding stock in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI). It consistently cranks out double-digit net margins. It has 146.7 million wireless retail connections. With so many stocks I own -- and so many I want to own -- suddenly at more attractive valuations following the market pullback, I needed to sell something to buy something.
2. Target
Target stock is another security blanket I shredded last week. This is another meandering business delivering a chunky yield, with an even longer streak of annual payout increases than Verizon. It also happened to move higher early in the week, when most of the market was going the other way. A momentum investor would reward that kind of strength, but that's not me. I gravitated to the bull's-eye.
Target moved higher despite wrapping its third consecutive fiscal year of declining sales. A new CEO gives the chain hope, but turnarounds take time. The stock remains cheap, with its guidance calling for earnings per share of $7.50 to $8.50 in the year ahead.
Like Verizon, Target stock is up almost 25% in 2026. It's in an odd position of power for a business that has been losing market share. I may be back eventually for Target, but right now it was the means to a different purchase. If I can paraphrase Omar from The Wire, "You come at a Dividend King, you best not miss."
3. Baidu
Finally, we have Baidu. One thing the developer of China's leading search engine has in common with the other two stocks I sold last week is that they have all posted weak growth in recent years. Baidu has posted negative revenue growth in three of the past four years.
Another thing it has in common is strong recent returns. Baidu is trading slightly lower in 2026, but it's crushing the market with its 35% surge over the past year. The market has warmed up to Chinese tech leaders, as the world's second largest economy turns to homegrown companies to drive the next wave of AI growth, Despite its lack of growth, Baidu has been toiling away with machine learning and AI before they were cool.
I still decided to cut my piece of Baidu loose last week. Analysts see Baidu resuming single-digit revenue growth starting this year, but profit targets through at least the next two years have been moving lower. I turned to Baidu for international diversification, but there's no shortage of companies overseas that are growing faster.
Should you buy stock in Verizon Communications right now?
Before you buy stock in Verizon Communications, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Verizon Communications wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $522,791!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,132,678!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 952% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 191% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of March 11, 2026.
Rick Munarriz has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Baidu and Target. The Motley Fool recommends Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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