Summary
Target Corporation (TGT) reported its first-quarter results for the period ending May 4, 2024. Total revenue for the quarter was $24.53 billion, a decrease of 3.1% compared to the same period last year, driven by a 3.2% decline in total sales. This revenue decrease was primarily attributed to a 3.7% drop in comparable sales, with both traffic and average transaction amount falling by 1.9%. Net earnings for the quarter were $942 million, or $2.03 per diluted share, a slight decrease from $950 million, or $2.05 per diluted share, in the prior year. Despite the top-line decline, Target demonstrated operational improvements, including a higher gross margin rate (27.7% vs. 26.3%) due to merchandising activities and cost efficiencies, which helped to partially offset increased SG&A expenses (21.1% vs. 19.8%). The company maintained a strong balance sheet with $3.6 billion in cash and cash equivalents and a significant share repurchase authorization of $9.7 billion remaining. Capital allocation remains a priority, with continued investment in business growth, a commitment to annual dividend increases, and potential share repurchases.
Financial Highlights
49 data points| Revenue | $24.53B |
| Cost of Revenue | $17.47B |
| Gross Profit | $7.06B |
| SG&A Expenses | $5.15B |
| Operating Income | $1.30B |
| Interest Expense | $106.00M |
| Net Income | $942.00M |
| EPS (Basic) | $2.04 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $2.03 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 462.20M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 463.90M |
Key Highlights
- 1Total revenue for Q1 2024 was $24.53 billion, down 3.1% year-over-year.
- 2Comparable sales decreased by 3.7%, driven by a 1.9% decline in both traffic and average transaction amount.
- 3Net earnings were $942 million ($2.03 per diluted share), a slight decrease from $950 million ($2.05 per diluted share) in the prior year.
- 4Gross margin rate improved to 27.7% from 26.3% due to cost improvements and favorable category mix, partially offsetting higher SG&A expenses.
- 5Inventory levels decreased to $11.7 billion from $12.6 billion in the prior year, indicating improved inventory turnover.
- 6Cash flow from operations was $1.1 billion, down from $1.3 billion in the prior year, primarily due to higher incentive compensation and other payments.
- 7The company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.10 per share, an increase of 1.9% year-over-year, and has $9.7 billion remaining under its share repurchase program, though no shares were repurchased in the quarter.