Target stock rises as analyst upgrade adds to turnaround momentum

Target Corporation (TGT) is up 3.2% today. Here is some analysis on what might have caused this price movement.

Analysis: The most likely catalyst is a fresh analyst upgrade that framed Target as a top retail idea for the rest of the year, helped by improving traffic trends, better store execution, and confidence in the company’s turnaround. The move also appears to be supported by Target’s recent quarterly results and its broader 2026 investment plan, which gave investors more reasons to expect sales and earnings improvement.

Details:

A retail analyst upgraded Target to Outperform and named the stock a top pick into year-end, with the note highlighting stronger recent customer trends, store resets, and improved execution.

Target’s first-quarter 2026 results showed net sales growth of 6.7% and comparable sales growth of 5.6%, while management said full-year sales should rise around 4% and earnings should land near the high end of prior guidance.

The company’s 2026 strategy includes heavier spending on store payroll, training, remodels, technology, and merchandising, with management aiming to accelerate growth and improve the shopping experience.

Target also raised its quarterly dividend last week, a smaller factor but one that can reinforce investor confidence in cash flow and capital return.

Sources:

Target, Investing.com, Stock Analysis

Disclaimer: This price movement analysis was generated with the help of AI. Please double-check the information provided for mistakes.

$TGT Insider Trading Activity

$TGT insiders have traded $TGT stock on the open market 4 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 0 have been purchases and 4 have been sales.

Here’s a breakdown of recent trading of $TGT stock by insiders over the last 6 months:

BRIAN C CORNELL (Executive Officer) has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 50,000 shares for an estimated $6,492,622.
CARA A SYLVESTER (Executive Officer) sold 10,000 shares for an estimated $1,258,905
MATTHEW A LIEGEL (Chief Accounting Officer) sold 2,053 shares for an estimated $240,593

To track insider transactions, check out Quiver Quantitative's insider trading dashboard. You can access data on insider stock transactions through the Quiver Quantitative API insider transaction endpoint.

$TGT Hedge Fund Activity

We have seen 906 institutional investors add shares of $TGT stock to their portfolio, and 916 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.

Here are some of the largest recent moves:

BLACKROCK, INC. added 3,138,056 shares (+9.0%) to their portfolio in Q1 2026, for an estimated $375,844,967
FMR LLC added 3,105,274 shares (+18.5%) to their portfolio in Q1 2026, for an estimated $371,918,666
FRANKLIN RESOURCES INC removed 3,099,531 shares (-50.0%) from their portfolio in Q1 2026, for an estimated $371,230,827
CHARLES SCHWAB INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC removed 3,057,726 shares (-17.9%) from their portfolio in Q1 2026, for an estimated $366,223,843
TOMS CAPITAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LP removed 2,635,000 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q1 2026, for an estimated $315,593,950
BALYASNY ASSET MANAGEMENT L.P. added 2,525,279 shares (+2995.2%) to their portfolio in Q1 2026, for an estimated $302,452,665
PACER ADVISORS, INC. removed 2,402,839 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q4 2025, for an estimated $234,877,512

To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Quiver Quantitative's institutional holdings dashboard. You can access data on hedge funds moves and 13F filings through the Quiver Quantitative API 13F endpoint.

$TGT Price Targets

Multiple analysts have issued price targets for $TGT recently. We have seen 23 analysts offer price targets for $TGT in the last 6 months, with a median target of $130.0.

Here are some recent targets:

John Heinbockel from Guggenheim set a target price of $145.0 on 06/12/2026
Joseph Feldman from Telsey Advisory Group set a target price of $150.0 on 05/21/2026
Michael Baker from DA Davidson set a target price of $155.0 on 05/21/2026
Scot Ciccarelli from Truist Securities set a target price of $130.0 on 05/21/2026
Kate McShane from Goldman Sachs set a target price of $127.0 on 05/21/2026
Steven Shemesh from RBC Capital set a target price of $153.0 on 05/21/2026
Peter Keith from Piper Sandler set a target price of $127.0 on 05/21/2026

This article is not financial advice. See Quiver Quantitative's disclaimers for more information. Note that there may be inaccuracies due to mistakes in ticker-mapping, and other anomalies.