Target Corporation Reports Second Quarter Earnings
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- Second quarter net sales grew 5.3 percent over last year, with comparable sales growth of 3.8 percent driven by a 3.6 percent increase in comparable traffic.
- On a two-year basis, second quarter
Net Sales compounded annual growth rate was 2.1%, a 30 basis point acceleration to prior quarter. - Topline strength was broad-based across sales channels, demographics, merchandise categories, and across the quarter.
- Store comparable sales grew 2.7 percent, and Digital comparable sales grew 8.7 percent, led by more than 25 percent growth in same-day delivery.
- Net sales in all six core merchandising categories grew versus a year ago with double-digit growth in Fun 101 and high single-digit growth in Food & Beverage and Beauty.
- The company continues to focus on a differentiated retail experience, investing in style, design, newness, and in value, having lowered prices on more than 10,000 items over the past year.
- Non-merchandise sales grew over 20 percent, reflecting strong growth in Roundel ad revenue,
Target Circle 360 membership revenue, and the Target+ marketplace.
- On a two-year basis, second quarter
- Second quarter GAAP and Adjusted EPS1 was
$4.11 , compared with prior-year GAAP and Adjusted EPS of$2.05 , an increase of 100 percent, which included tariff refund2 benefits of$1.65 for Q2 2026. GAAP and Adjusted EPS increased 20 percent year-over-year, excluding tariff refunds.
For additional media materials, please visit:
https://corporate.target.com/news-features/article/2026/08/q2-2026-earnings
Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) today announced its second quarter 2026 financial results.
The Company reported second quarter GAAP and Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of
"Second quarter results build on the encouraging momentum we saw in the first quarter, giving us increasing confidence that our strategy is resonating with our guests and strengthening our leadership position in style, design, and value," said
Guidance3
Given our performance through the first half of the year, the Company has the following updated expectations for 2026:
- Full-year net sales growth in a range around 5 percent, one percentage point higher than the prior guidance range.
- Full-year 2026 operating income margin rate in a range around 6 percent, including approximately 90 basis points of benefit from Q2 tariff refunds. Excluding tariff refunds, full-year operating income margin rate is expected to be in a range around 50 basis points higher than last year's Adjusted operating income margin rate of 4.6 percent.
- An updated GAAP and Adjusted EPS guidance range of
$9.90 to$10.90 , which includes second quarter tariff refund benefits of approximately$1.65 . Excluding tariff refunds, the midpoint of the guidance range reflects a$0.75 increase versus prior guidance of$7.50 to$8.50 .
Operating Results
Interest Expense and Taxes
The Company's second quarter 2026 net interest expense was
Second quarter 2026 effective income tax rate was 23.7 percent, compared with the prior year rate of 23.2 percent reflecting higher pretax earnings partially offset by additional tax credit benefits in the current year.
Capital Deployment and Return on Invested Capital
Second quarter capital expenditures of
The Company paid dividends of
The Company did not repurchase any stock in the second quarter. As of the end of the quarter, the Company had approximately
For the trailing twelve months through second quarter 2026, after-tax return on invested capital (ROIC) was 15.4 percent, compared with 14.3 percent for the trailing twelve months through second quarter 2025. The tables in this release provide additional information about the Company's ROIC calculation.
Webcast Details
Target will webcast its second quarter earnings conference call at
Miscellaneous
Statements in this release regarding the Company's future financial performance, including its fiscal 2026 full-year guidance and strategic plans, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause the Company's results to differ materially. The most important risks and uncertainties are described in Item 1A of the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
About Target
Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) brings together style, design and value to offer a distinct assortment and elevated shopping experience across more than 2,000
1 Adjusted EPS, Adjusted selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, Adjusted SG&A expense rate, Adjusted operating income, and Adjusted operating income margin rate, non-GAAP financial measures, exclude the impact of certain discretely managed items, when applicable. See the tables of this release for additional information. |
2 During the three and six months ended |
3 The Company's guidance excludes any potential future tariff refunds. |
TARGET CORPORATION
| ||||||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Operations | ||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||
(millions, except per share data) (unaudited) | Change | Change | ||||||||||
Net sales | $ 26,539 | $ 25,211 | 5.3 % | $ 51,982 | $ 49,057 | 6.0 % | ||||||
Cost of sales | 17,603 | 17,903 | (1.7) | 35,664 | 35,031 | 1.8 | ||||||
Selling, general, and administrative expenses | 5,725 | 5,359 | 6.8 | 11,286 | 9,950 | 13.4 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of | 651 | 632 | 3.2 | 1,337 | 1,287 | 3.9 | ||||||
Operating income | 2,560 | 1,317 | 94.4 | 3,695 | 2,789 | 32.5 | ||||||
Net interest expense | 98 | 116 | (16.1) | 215 | 232 | (7.4) | ||||||
Net other expense / (income) | 3 | (17) | (114.9) | (13) | (43) | (72.0) | ||||||
Earnings before income taxes | 2,459 | 1,218 | 101.9 | 3,493 | 2,600 | 34.3 | ||||||
Provision for income taxes | 582 | 283 | 105.8 | 835 | 629 | 32.7 | ||||||
Net earnings | $ 1,877 | $ 935 | 100.8 % | $ 2,658 | $ 1,971 | 34.9 % | ||||||
Basic earnings per share | $ 4.13 | $ 2.06 | 100.8 % | $ 5.85 | $ 4.33 | 35.1 % | ||||||
Diluted earnings per share | $ 4.11 | $ 2.05 | 100.3 % | $ 5.83 | $ 4.32 | 34.8 % | ||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||
Basic | 454.4 | 454.6 | 0.0 % | 454.1 | 454.8 | (0.1) % | ||||||
Diluted | 456.6 | 455.6 | 0.2 % | 456.2 | 456.1 | 0.0 % | ||||||
Antidilutive shares | 0.7 | 5.0 | 0.9 | 2.3 | ||||||||
Dividends declared per share | $ 1.16 | $ 1.14 | 1.8 % | $ 2.30 | $ 2.26 | 1.8 % | ||||||
TARGET CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position | ||||||
(millions, except footnotes) (unaudited) | ||||||
Assets | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 5,411 | $ 5,488 | $ 4,341 | |||
Inventory | 13,249 | 12,304 | 12,881 | |||
Other current assets | 2,268 | 2,213 | 1,812 | |||
Total current assets | 20,928 | 20,005 | 19,034 | |||
Property and equipment, net | 34,767 | 33,749 | 33,568 | |||
Operating lease assets | 3,587 | 3,703 | 3,694 | |||
Other noncurrent assets | 1,953 | 2,033 | 1,555 | |||
Total assets | $ 61,235 | $ 59,490 | $ 57,851 | |||
Liabilities and shareholders' investment | ||||||
Accounts payable | $ 13,306 | $ 12,622 | $ 12,019 | |||
Accrued and other current liabilities | 6,738 | 6,478 | 6,068 | |||
Current portion of long-term debt and other borrowings | 1,136 | 2,130 | 1,136 | |||
Total current liabilities | 21,180 | 21,230 | 19,223 | |||
Long-term debt and other borrowings | 14,221 | 14,326 | 15,320 | |||
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 3,332 | 3,462 | 3,514 | |||
Deferred income taxes | 2,504 | 2,265 | 2,413 | |||
Other noncurrent liabilities | 2,155 | 2,042 | 1,961 | |||
Total noncurrent liabilities | 22,212 | 22,095 | 23,208 | |||
Shareholders' investment | ||||||
Common stock | 38 | 38 | 38 | |||
Additional paid-in capital | 7,329 | 7,247 | 7,084 | |||
Retained earnings | 10,890 | 9,297 | 8,766 | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (414) | (417) | (468) | |||
Total shareholders' investment | 17,843 | 16,165 | 15,420 | |||
Total liabilities and shareholders' investment | $ 61,235 | $ 59,490 | $ 57,851 | |||
Common Stock Authorized 6,000,000,000 shares, |
Preferred Stock Authorized 5,000,000 shares, |
TARGET CORPORATION | ||||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||||
Six Months Ended | ||||
(millions) (unaudited) | ||||
Operating activities | ||||
Net earnings | $ 2,658 | $ 1,971 | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operating activities: | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 1,597 | 1,558 | ||
Share-based compensation expense | 154 | 133 | ||
Deferred income taxes | 238 | 112 | ||
Noncash (gains) / losses and other, net | (4) | 1 | ||
Changes in operating accounts: | ||||
Inventory | (945) | (141) | ||
Other assets | 22 | 151 | ||
Accounts payable | 612 | (1,125) | ||
Accrued and other liabilities | 187 | (302) | ||
Cash provided by operating activities | 4,519 | 2,358 | ||
Investing activities | ||||
Expenditures for property and equipment | (2,404) | (1,864) | ||
Other | 7 | 11 | ||
Cash used in investing activities | (2,397) | (1,853) | ||
Financing activities | ||||
Additions to long-term debt | — | 1,984 | ||
Reductions of long-term debt | (1,070) | (1,571) | ||
Dividends paid | (1,034) | (1,019) | ||
Repurchase of stock | (3) | (258) | ||
Shares withheld for taxes on share-based compensation | (92) | (62) | ||
Cash used in financing activities | (2,199) | (926) | ||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (77) | (421) | ||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 5,488 | 4,762 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ 5,411 | $ 4,341 | ||
TARGET CORPORATION | |||||||
Operating Results | |||||||
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||
(millions) (unaudited) | |||||||
Apparel & accessories | $ 4,090 | $ 4,086 | $ 7,937 | $ 7,797 | |||
Beauty | 3,639 | 3,396 | 7,037 | 6,498 | |||
Food & beverage | 5,991 | 5,588 | 12,255 | 11,490 | |||
Hardlines (Fun 101) | 3,894 | 3,522 | 7,415 | 6,597 | |||
Home furnishings & décor | 3,668 | 3,662 | 6,906 | 6,880 | |||
Household essentials | 4,617 | 4,422 | 9,187 | 8,779 | |||
Other merchandise sales | 48 | 43 | 104 | 83 | |||
Merchandise sales | 25,947 | 24,719 | 50,841 | 48,124 | |||
Advertising revenue (a) | 279 | 217 | 525 | 379 | |||
Credit card profit sharing | 139 | 134 | 269 | 275 | |||
Other | 174 | 141 | 347 | 279 | |||
Net sales | $ 26,539 | $ 25,211 | $ 51,982 | $ 49,057 | |||
(a) | Primarily represents revenue related to advertising services provided via the Company's Roundel digital advertising business offering. Roundel services are classified as either |
Operating Metrics | Three Months Ended | |||||||
(dollars in millions) (unaudited) | ||||||||
Dollars | Rate | Dollars | Rate | |||||
Gross margin (a) | $ 8,936 | 33.7 % | $ 7,308 | 29.0 % | ||||
SG&A expenses | 5,725 | 21.6 | 5,359 | 21.3 | ||||
Adjusted SG&A expenses (b) | 5,725 | 21.6 | 5,359 | 21.3 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of depreciation included in cost of sales) | 651 | 2.5 | 632 | 2.5 | ||||
Operating income (a) | 2,560 | 9.6 | 1,317 | 5.2 | ||||
Adjusted operating income (a)(b) | 2,560 | 9.6 | 1,317 | 5.2 | ||||
Operating Metrics | Six Months Ended | |||||||
(dollars in millions) (unaudited) | ||||||||
Dollars | Rate | Dollars | Rate | |||||
Gross margin (a) | $ 16,319 | 31.4 % | $ 14,026 | 28.6 % | ||||
SG&A expenses | 11,286 | 21.7 | 9,950 | 20.3 | ||||
Adjusted SG&A expenses (b) | 11,286 | 21.7 | 10,543 | 21.5 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of depreciation included in cost of sales) | 1,337 | 2.6 | 1,287 | 2.6 | ||||
Operating income (a) | 3,695 | 7.1 | 2,789 | 5.7 | ||||
Adjusted operating income (a)(b) | 3,695 | 7.1 | 2,196 | 4.5 | ||||
Note: Gross margin is calculated as | |
(a) | For the three and six months ended |
(b) | Adjusted SG&A expenses, Adjusted SG&A expense rate, Adjusted operating income, and Adjusted operating income margin rate, which are non-GAAP measures, exclude the impact of certain items. Management believes that these measures are useful in providing period-to-period comparisons of the results of our operations. The Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures tables provide additional information. |
Sales Metrics
Comparable sales include all Merchandise Sales, except sales from stores open less than 13 months or that have been closed. Digitally originated sales include all Merchandise Sales initiated through mobile applications and the Company's websites.
Comparable Sales | Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Comparable sales change | 3.8 % | (1.9) % | 4.7 % | (2.8) % | ||||
Drivers of change in comparable sales | ||||||||
Number of transactions (traffic) | 3.6 | (1.3) | 4.0 | (1.8) | ||||
Average transaction amount | 0.2 | (0.6) | 0.7 | (1.0) | ||||
Comparable Sales by Channel | Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Stores originated comparable sales change | 2.7 % | (3.2) % | 3.7 % | (4.4) % | ||||
Digitally originated comparable sales change | 8.7 | 4.3 | 8.8 | 4.5 | ||||
Merchandise Sales by Channel | Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Stores originated | 80.4 % | 81.1 % | 80.1 % | 80.7 % | ||||
Digitally originated | 19.6 | 18.9 | 19.9 | 19.3 | ||||
Total | 100 % | 100 % | 100 % | 100 % | ||||
Merchandise Sales by Fulfillment Channel | Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Stores | 97.6 % | 97.7 % | 97.6 % | 97.7 % | ||||
Other | 2.4 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.3 | ||||
Total | 100 % | 100 % | 100 % | 100 % | ||||
Note: Merchandise Sales fulfilled by stores include in-store purchases and digitally originated sales fulfilled by shipping merchandise from stores to guests, Order Pickup, Drive Up, and Same Day Delivery. |
Number of Stores and Retail Square Feet | Number of Stores | Retail Square Feet (a) | ||||||||||
(unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
170,000 or more sq. ft. | 274 | 273 | 273 | 49,045 | 48,824 | 48,824 | ||||||
50,000 to 169,999 sq. ft. | 1,598 | 1,576 | 1,562 | 200,321 | 197,274 | 195,436 | ||||||
49,999 or less sq. ft. | 147 | 146 | 147 | 4,460 | 4,420 | 4,445 | ||||||
Total | 2,019 | 1,995 | 1,982 | 253,826 | 250,518 | 248,705 | ||||||
(a) | In thousands; reflects total square feet less office, supply chain facility, and vacant space. |
TARGET CORPORATION
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To provide additional transparency, the Company has disclosed non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share (Adjusted EPS), adjusted SG&A expenses, adjusted SG&A expense rate, adjusted operating income, and adjusted operating income margin rate. When applicable, these measures exclude certain discretely managed items. Management believes this information is useful in providing period-to-period comparisons of the results of Target's operations. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, generally accepted accounting principles in
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted EPS | Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||
(millions, except per share data) (unaudited) | Pretax | Net of Tax | Per Share | Pretax | Net of Tax | Per Share | Change | |||||||
GAAP and Adjusted EPS | $ 4.11 | $ 2.05 | 100.3 % | |||||||||||
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted EPS | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||
(millions, except per share data) (unaudited) | Pretax | Net of Tax | Per Share | Pretax | Net of Tax | Per Share | Change | |||||||
GAAP diluted EPS | $ 5.83 | $ 4.32 | 34.8 % | |||||||||||
Adjustments | ||||||||||||||
Interchange fee settlements (a) | $ — | $ — | $ — | $ (593) | $ (441) | $ (0.97) | ||||||||
Adjusted EPS | $ 5.83 | $ 3.35 | 73.7 % | |||||||||||
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted | Three Months Ended | |||||||||
SG&A Expenses | Operating Income (b) | SG&A Expenses | Operating Income | |||||||
(dollars in millions) (unaudited) | Dollars | Rate | Dollars | Rate | Dollars | Rate | Dollars | Rate | ||
GAAP and Adjusted measures | $ 5,725 | 21.6 % | $ 2,560 | 9.6 % | $ 5,359 | 21.3 % | $ 1,317 | 5.2 % | ||
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted | Six Months Ended | |||||||||
SG&A Expenses | Operating Income (b) | SG&A Expenses | Operating Income | |||||||
(dollars in millions) (unaudited) | Dollars | Rate | Dollars | Rate | Dollars | Rate | Dollars | Rate | ||
Reported, GAAP measure | $ 11,286 | 21.7 % | $ 3,695 | 7.1 % | $ 9,950 | 20.3 % | $ 2,789 | 5.7 % | ||
Adjustments | ||||||||||
Interchange fee settlements (a) | — | — | — | — | $ 593 | 1.2 % | $ (593) | (1.2) % | ||
Adjusted, Non-GAAP measure | $ 11,286 | 21.7 % | $ 3,695 | 7.1 % | $ 10,543 | 21.5 % | $ 2,196 | 4.5 % | ||
Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding. | |
(a) | Includes gains, net of legal fees, related to settlements during the first quarter of 2025 of credit card interchange fee litigation matters in which the Company was a plaintiff. The adjustment removes the favorable impact of the settlement gains from prior-year EPS, SG&A expenses and Operating income. |
(b) | Note (a) to the Operating Metrics tables provides information about the impact of tariff refunds on Operating income and Operating income margin rate. |
We have also disclosed after-tax ROIC, which is a ratio based on GAAP information, with the exception of the add-back of operating lease interest to operating income. We believe this metric is useful in assessing the effectiveness of our capital allocation over time. Other companies may calculate ROIC differently, limiting the usefulness of the measure for comparisons with other companies.
After-Tax Return on Invested Capital | ||||||
(dollars in millions) (unaudited) | ||||||
Trailing Twelve Months | ||||||
Numerator | ||||||
Operating income | $ 6,024 | $ 5,425 | ||||
+ Net other income | 64 | 99 | ||||
EBIT | 6,088 | 5,524 | ||||
+ Operating lease interest (a) | 172 | 166 | ||||
- Income taxes (b) | 1,402 | 1,305 | ||||
Net operating profit after taxes | $ 4,858 | $ 4,385 | ||||
Denominator | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt and other borrowings | $ 1,136 | $ 1,136 | $ 1,640 | |||
+ Noncurrent portion of long-term debt | 14,221 | 15,320 | 13,654 | |||
+ Shareholders' investment | 17,843 | 15,420 | 14,429 | |||
+ Operating lease liabilities (c) | 3,733 | 3,883 | 3,786 | |||
- Cash and cash equivalents | 5,411 | 4,341 | 3,497 | |||
Invested capital | $ 31,522 | $ 31,418 | $ 30,012 | |||
Average invested capital (d) | $ 31,470 | $ 30,715 | ||||
After-tax return on invested capital (e) | 15.4 % | 14.3 % |
(a) | Represents the add-back to operating income driven by the hypothetical interest expense we would incur if the property under our operating leases was owned or accounted for under finance leases. Calculated using the discount rate for each lease and recorded as a component of rent expense within Operating Income. Operating lease interest is added back to Operating Income in the ROIC calculation to control for differences in capital structure between us and our competitors. |
(b) | Calculated using the effective tax rates, which were 22.4 percent and 22.9 percent for the trailing twelve months ended |
(c) | Total short-term and long-term operating lease liabilities included within Accrued and Other Current Liabilities and Noncurrent Operating Lease Liabilities, respectively. |
(d) | Average based on the invested capital at the end of the current period and the invested capital at the end of the comparable prior period. |
(e) | For the trailing twelve months ended |
2026 GAAP EPS, SG&A expenses, SG&A expense rate, operating income, and operating (income) margin rate may include the impact of certain discrete items, which may be excluded in calculating Adjusted EPS, Adjusted SG&A expenses, Adjusted SG&A expense rate, Adjusted operating income, and Adjusted operating income margin rate. The guidance does not currently reflect any such discrete items, which are subject to variability and therefore cannot be reconciled without unreasonable efforts. In the past, these items have included both gains and losses, including certain asset impairments, severance, and other items that are discretely managed.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted EPS Guidance | ||
(per share) (unaudited) | Full Year 2026 | |
GAAP diluted earnings per share guidance | ||
Estimated adjustments | ||
Other | ||
Adjusted diluted earnings per share guidance |
Note: The guidance includes second quarter tariff refund benefits of approximately |

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SOURCE Target Corporation
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