MINNEAPOLIS, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

  • Fourth quarter comparable sales grew 1.5 percent, reflecting comparable digital sales growth of 20 percent.
  • Same-day services (Order Pick Up, Drive Up and Shipt) accounted for more than 80 percent of Target's fourth-quarter comparable digital sales growth.
  • Fourth quarter GAAP EPS from continuing operations of $1.63 was 6.9 percent higher than last year. Adjusted EPS1 of $1.69 was 10.6 percent higher than last year.
  • Full-year comparable sales grew 3.4 percent, reflecting comparable digital sales growth of 29 percent.
    • 2019 marks the sixth consecutive year in which Target's comparable digital sales have grown more than 25 percent.
    • In 2019, Target's same-day services grew more than 90 percent, accounting for nearly three-quarters of the Company's comparable digital sales growth.
  • Full-year operating income dollars grew 13.3 percent compared with last year. The Company's full-year operating income margin rate of 6.0 percent was 50 bps higher than last year.
  • Full-year GAAP EPS from continuing operations grew 15.4 percent compared with last year, while full-year Adjusted EPS grew 18.4 percent. Both GAAP EPS from continuing operations and Adjusted EPS established new all-time highs.
  • For additional media materials, please visit: https://corporate.target.com/article/2020/03/q4-fy2019-earnings

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) today announced its fourth-quarter and full-year 2019 results.  The Company reported GAAP earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations of $1.63 in fourth quarter and $6.34 for full-year 2019, compared with $1.52 and $5.50 in 2018, respectively.  Fourth quarter Adjusted EPS were $1.69 and full-year Adjusted EPS were $6.39, compared with $1.53 and $5.39 in 2018, respectively. The attached tables provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures. All earnings per share figures refer to diluted EPS. 

"With eleven consecutive quarters of positive comparable sales growth, driven by healthy performance in both our stores and digital channels, Target's results demonstrate that we've built a sustainable business model that drives strong topline growth and consistent bottom line performance," said Brian Cornell, Chairman and CEO of Target. "The strategic investments we've made over the past several years to elevate the shopping experience, curate our multi-category assortment at scale, and deliver ease and convenience through our fulfillment capabilities are deepening our relationship with our guest. As we look ahead to 2020 and beyond, we are well positioned to build on this strong foundation to further differentiate Target and drive long-term, profitable growth."

Fiscal 2020 Guidance

In first quarter 2020, Target expects a low-single digit increase in comparable sales and a mid-single digit increase in operating income. The Company expects both GAAP EPS from continuing operations and Adjusted EPS of $1.55 to $1.75.

For full-year 2020, Target expects a low-single digit increase in comparable sales and a mid-single digit increase in operating income. The Company expects both GAAP EPS from continuing operations and Adjusted EPS of $6.70 to $7.00.

First quarter and full-year 2020 GAAP EPS from continuing operations may include the impact of certain discrete items, which will be excluded in calculating Adjusted EPS. The Company is not currently aware of any such discrete items.

Operating Results

The Company's total comparable sales grew 1.5 percent in the fourth quarter, reflecting comparable digital sales growth of 20 percent. Total revenue of $23.4 billion grew 1.8 percent compared with last year, reflecting sales growth of 1.8 percent and a 9.3 percent increase in other revenue. Operating income was $1,198 million in fourth quarter 2019, up 7.3 percent from $1,117 million in 2018.

Fourth quarter operating income margin rate was 5.1 percent in 2019 compared with 4.9 percent in 2018. Fourth quarter gross margin rate was 26.3 percent, compared with 25.7 percent in 2018. This increase reflected the benefit of merchandising efforts to optimize costs, pricing, promotions and assortment, combined with the benefit of favorable category sales mix. Fourth quarter SG&A expense rate was 19.3 percent in 2019, compared with 19.0 percent in 2018. Fourth quarter SG&A results reflected higher marketing expenses compared with last year, partially offset by lower net compensation expenses, including lower incentive compensation in 2019.

Full-year sales increased 3.6 percent to $77.1 billion from $74.4 billion last year, reflecting a 3.4 percent increase in comparable sales combined with sales from non-mature stores. Full-year revenue of $78.1 billion grew 3.7 percent compared with last year, reflecting sales growth of 3.6 percent and a 6.3 percent increase in other revenue.

Full-year operating income was $4,658 million in 2019, an increase of 13.3 percent from $4,110 million last year. Full-year gross margin rate was 28.9 percent, compared with 28.4 percent in 2018. This increase reflects merchandising efforts to optimize costs, pricing, promotions and assortment, combined with the benefit of favorable category sales mix, partially offset by higher supply chain and fulfillment costs. Full-year SG&A expense rate was 20.8 percent in 2019, approximately flat to last year. Store labor productivity and lower incentive compensation in 2019 offset pressure from wage growth.

Interest Expense and Taxes from Continuing Operations

The Company's fourth quarter 2019 net interest expense was $118 million, compared with $110 million last year. Excluding the loss of $10 million related to the early retirement of debt in 2019, fourth quarter net interest expense was approximately flat to last year.

Full-year 2019 net interest expense was $477 million, compared with $461 million in 2018, driven primarily by the loss of $10 million related to the early retirement of debt in 2019.

Fourth quarter 2019 effective income tax rate from continuing operations was 20.7 percent, compared with 21.4 percent last year. The Company's full-year 2019 effective income tax rate from continuing operations was 22.0 percent compared with 20.3 percent in 2018, when results included discrete benefits related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and the resolution of certain income tax matters unrelated to 2018 operations.

Shareholder Returns

The Company returned $940 million to shareholders in fourth quarter 2019, including:

  • Dividends of $334 million, unchanged from $334 million in fourth quarter 2018, reflecting a decline in share count offset by a 3.1 percent increase in the dividend per share.

  • Share repurchases totaling $606 million that retired 5.1 million shares of common stock at an average price of $117.81.

At the end of the fourth quarter, the Company had approximately $0.1 billion of remaining capacity under the $5 billion share repurchase program approved in 2016. In September 2019, Target's Board of Directors authorized a new $5 billion share repurchase program. Repurchases through this program will begin upon completion of the 2016 program.

For the trailing twelve months through fourth quarter 2019, after-tax return on invested capital (ROIC) was 16.0 percent, compared with 14.7 percent for the twelve months through fourth quarter 2018. The tables of this release provide additional information about the Company's ROIC calculation.

Webcast Details

Target will webcast its financial community meeting, including a Q&A session, beginning at 8:00 a.m. CST today. Investors and the media are invited to listen to the meeting at Investors.Target.com (hover over "investors" then click on "events & presentations"). A replay of the webcast will be available within four hours of the meeting's conclusion.

Miscellaneous

Statements in this release regarding first quarter and full-year 2020 earnings per share, comparable sales guidance and operating income 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 actual 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 Feb. 2, 2019. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at more than 1,800 stores and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5% of its profit to communities, which today equals millions of dollars a week. For the latest store count or for more information, visit Target.com/Pressroom. For a behind-the-scenes look at Target, visit Target.com/abullseyeview or follow @TargetNews on Twitter.

1Adjusted EPS, a non-GAAP financial measure, excludes the impact of certain discretely managed items. See the tables of this release for additional information about the items that have been excluded from Adjusted EPS.  

TARGET CORPORATION


Consolidated Statements of Operations



Three Months Ended




Twelve Months Ended



(millions, except per share data) (unaudited)


February 1,
2020


February 2,
2019


Change


February 1,
2020


February 2,
2019


Change

Sales


$

23,133



$

22,734



1.8

%


$

77,130



$

74,433



3.6

%

Other revenue


265



243



9.3



982



923



6.3


Total revenue


23,398



22,977



1.8



78,112



75,356



3.7


Cost of sales


17,056



16,900



0.9



54,864



53,299



2.9


Selling, general and administrative expenses


4,504



4,376



2.9



16,233



15,723



3.2





















Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of depreciation included in cost of sales)


640



584



9.4



2,357



2,224



6.0


Operating income


1,198



1,117



7.3



4,658



4,110



13.3


Net interest expense


118



110



7.2



477



461



3.3


Net other (income) / expense


29



(7)



(516.2)



(9)



(27)



(71.4)


Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes


1,051



1,014



3.6



4,190



3,676



14.0


Provision for income taxes


218



216



0.5



921



746



23.4


Net earnings from continuing operations


833



798



4.4



3,269



2,930



11.6


Discontinued operations, net of tax


1



1





12



7




Net earnings


$

834



$

799



4.4

%


$

3,281



$

2,937



11.7

%

Basic earnings per share













Continuing operations


$

1.64



$

1.53



7.2

%


$

6.39



$

5.54



15.4

%

Discontinued operations


—



—





0.02



0.01




Net earnings per share


$

1.65



$

1.54



7.2

%


$

6.42



$

5.55



15.6

%

Diluted earnings per share













Continuing operations


$

1.63



$

1.52



6.9

%


$

6.34



$

5.50



15.4

%

Discontinued operations


—



—





0.02



0.01




Net earnings per share


$

1.63



$

1.52



6.9

%


$

6.36



$

5.51



15.5

%

Weighted average common shares outstanding













Basic


506.2



519.9



(2.6)

%


510.9



528.6



(3.3)

%

Diluted


511.9



524.3



(2.4)

%


515.6



533.2



(3.3)

%

Antidilutive shares


—



0.2





—



—




Dividends declared per share


$

0.66



$

0.64



3.1

%


$

2.62



$

2.54



3.1

%


Note:  Per share amounts may not foot due to rounding.

 

TARGET CORPORATION


Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(millions, except footnotes) (unaudited)


February 1,
2020


February 2,
2019

Assets





Cash and cash equivalents


$

2,577



$

1,556


Inventory


8,992



9,497


Other current assets


1,333



1,466


Total current assets


12,902



12,519


Property and equipment





Land


6,036



6,064


Buildings and improvements


30,603



29,240


Fixtures and equipment


6,083



5,912


Computer hardware and software


2,692



2,544


Construction-in-progress


533



460


Accumulated depreciation


(19,664)



(18,687)


Property and equipment, net


26,283



25,533


Operating lease assets


2,236



1,965


Other noncurrent assets


1,358



1,273


Total assets


$

42,779



$

41,290


Liabilities and shareholders' investment





Accounts payable


$

9,920



$

9,761


Accrued and other current liabilities


4,406



4,201


Current portion of long-term debt and other borrowings


161



1,052


Total current liabilities


14,487



15,014


Long-term debt and other borrowings


11,338



10,223


Noncurrent operating lease liabilities


2,275



2,004


Deferred income taxes


1,122



972


Other noncurrent liabilities


1,724



1,780


Total noncurrent liabilities


16,459



14,979


Shareholders' investment





Common stock


42



43


Additional paid-in capital


6,226



6,042


Retained earnings


6,433



6,017


Accumulated other comprehensive loss


(868)



(805)


Total shareholders' investment


11,833



11,297


Total liabilities and shareholders' investment


$

42,779



$

41,290



Common Stock  Authorized 6,000,000,000 shares, $0.0833 par value; 504,198,962 and 517,761,600 shares issued and outstanding as of February 1, 2020, and February 2, 2019, respectively.


Preferred Stock Authorized 5,000,000 shares, $0.01 par value; no shares were issued or outstanding during any period presented.

 

TARGET CORPORATION


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows



Twelve Months Ended

(millions) (unaudited)


February 1,

2020


February 2,

2019

Operating activities





Net earnings


$

3,281



$

2,937


Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax


12



7


Net earnings from continuing operations


3,269



2,930


Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operations:





Depreciation and amortization


2,604



2,474


Share-based compensation expense


147



132


Deferred income taxes


178



322


Loss on debt extinguishment


10



—


Noncash losses / (gains) and other, net


29



95


Changes in operating accounts:





Inventory


505



(900)


Other assets


18



(299)


Accounts payable


140



1,127


Accrued and other liabilities


199



89


Cash provided by operating activities—continuing operations


7,099



5,970


Cash provided by operating activities—discontinued operations


18



3


Cash provided by operations


7,117



5,973


Investing activities





Expenditures for property and equipment


(3,027)



(3,516)


Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment


63



85


Other investments


20



15


Cash required for investing activities


(2,944)



(3,416)


Financing activities





Additions to long-term debt


1,739



—


Reductions of long-term debt


(2,069)



(281)


Dividends paid


(1,330)



(1,335)


Repurchase of stock


(1,565)



(2,124)


Stock option exercises


73



96


Cash required for financing activities


(3,152)



(3,644)


Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents


1,021



(1,087)


Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period


1,556



2,643


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period


$

2,577



$

1,556


 

TARGET CORPORATION


Operating Results


Rate Analysis


Three Months Ended


Twelve Months Ended

(unaudited)


February 1,

2020


February 2,

2019


February 1,

2020


February 2,

2019

Gross margin rate


26.3

%


25.7

%


28.9

%


28.4

%

SG&A expense rate


19.3



19.0



20.8



20.9















Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of depreciation included in cost of sales) expense rate


2.7



2.5



3.0



3.0


Operating income margin rate


5.1



4.9



6.0



5.5



Note:  Gross margin rate is calculated as gross margin (sales less cost of sales) divided by sales. All other rates are calculated by dividing the applicable amount by total revenue. Other revenue includes $176 million and $680 million of profit-sharing income under our credit card program agreement for the three and twelve months ended February 1, 2020, respectively, and $170 million and $673 million for the three and twelve months ended February 2, 2019, respectively.


Comparable Sales


Three Months Ended


Twelve Months Ended

(unaudited)


February 1,

2020


February 2,

2019


February 1,

2020


February 2,

2019

Comparable sales change


1.5

%


5.3

%


3.4

%


5.0

%

Drivers of change in comparable sales:









Number of transactions


1.3



4.5



2.7



5.0


Average transaction amount


0.2



0.8



0.7



0.1



Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding.


Contribution to Comparable Sales Change


Three Months Ended


Twelve Months Ended

(unaudited)


February 1,

2020


February 2,

2019


February 1,

2020


February 2,

2019

Stores channel comparable sales change


(0.7)

%


2.9

%


1.4

%


3.2

%

Contribution from digitally originated sales to comparable sales change


2.2



2.4



1.9



1.8


Total comparable sales change


1.5

%


5.3

%


3.4

%


5.0

%


Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding.


Sales by Channel


Three Months Ended


Twelve Months Ended

(unaudited)


February 1,

2020


February 2,

2019


February 1,

2020


February 2,

2019

Stores originated


87.7

%


89.6

%


91.2

%


92.9

%

Digitally originated


12.3



10.4



8.8



7.1


Total


100

%


100

%


100

%


100

%






RedCard Penetration


Three Months Ended


Twelve Months Ended

(unaudited)


February 1,

2020


February 2,

2019


February 1,

2020


February 2,

2019

Target Debit Card


12.4

%


12.6

%


12.6

%


13.0

%

Target Credit Cards


10.9



11.0



10.7



10.9


Total RedCard Penetration


23.3

%


23.6

%


23.3

%


23.8

%


Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding.


Number of Stores and Retail Square Feet


Number of Stores


Retail Square Feet (a)

(unaudited)


February 1,

2020


February 2,

2019


February 1,

2020


February 2,

2019

170,000 or more sq. ft.


272



272



48,619



48,604


50,000 to 169,999 sq. ft.


1,505



1,501



189,227



188,900


49,999 or less sq. ft.


91



71



2,670



2,077


Total


1,868



1,844



240,516



239,581




(a)

In thousands, reflects total square feet less office, distribution center, and vacant space.

 

TARGET CORPORATION


Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures


To provide additional transparency, we have disclosed non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (Adjusted EPS). This metric excludes certain items presented below. We believe this information is useful in providing period-to-period comparisons of the results of our continuing operations. This measure is not in accordance with, or an alternative to, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). The most comparable GAAP measure is diluted earnings per share from continuing operations. Adjusted EPS should not be considered in isolation or as a substitution for analysis of our results as reported in accordance with GAAP. Other companies may calculate Adjusted EPS differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of the measure for comparisons with other companies.


Reconciliation of Non-GAAP

Adjusted EPS


Three Months Ended




February 1, 2020


February 2, 2019



(millions, except per share data) (unaudited)


Pretax


Net of Tax


Per Share


Pretax


Net of Tax


Per Share


Change

GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations






$

1.63







$

1.52



6.9

%

Adjustments















Loss on investment (a)


$

41



$

31



$

0.06



$

—



$

—



$

—




Tax Act (b)


—



—



—



—



3



0.01




Loss on debt extinguishment


10



8



0.02



—



—



—




Other (c)


(9)



(6)



(0.01)



—



—



—




Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations






$

1.69







$

1.53



10.6

%


Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding.


Reconciliation of Non-GAAP

Adjusted EPS


Twelve Months Ended




February 1, 2020


February 2, 2019



(millions, except per share data) (unaudited)


Pretax


Net of Tax


Per Share


Pretax


Net of Tax


Per Share


Change

GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations






$

6.34







$

5.50



15.4

%

Adjustments















Loss on investment (a)


$

41



$

31



$

0.06



$

—



$

—



$

—




Tax Act (b)


—



—



—



—



(36)



(0.07)




Loss on debt extinguishment


10



8



0.01



—



—



—




Other (c)


(17)



(13)



(0.02)



—



—



—




Other income tax matters (d)


—



—



—



—



(18)



(0.03)




Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations






$

6.39







$

5.39



18.4

%



Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding.


(a)

Represents an unrealized loss on our investment in Casper Sleep, Inc., which is not core to our continuing operations.

(b)

Represents discrete items related to the Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017 (Tax Act).

(c)

Represents insurance recoveries related to the 2013 data breach.

(d)

Represents benefits from the resolution of certain income tax matters unrelated to current period operations.


Earnings from continuing operations before interest expense and income taxes (EBIT) and earnings from continuing operations before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe these measures provide meaningful information about our operational efficiency compared with our competitors by excluding the impact of differences in tax jurisdictions and structures, debt levels, and, for EBITDA, capital investment. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, GAAP. The most comparable GAAP measure is net earnings from continuing operations. EBIT and EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitution for analysis of our results as reported in accordance with GAAP. Other companies may calculate EBIT and EBITDA differently, limiting the usefulness of the measures for comparisons with other companies.


EBIT and EBITDA


Three Months Ended




Twelve Months Ended



(dollars in millions) (unaudited)


February 1,
2020


February 2,
2019


Change


February 1,
2020


February 2,
2019


Change

Net earnings from continuing operations


$

833



$

798



4.4

%


$

3,269



$

2,930



11.6

%

 + Provision for income taxes


218



216



0.5



921



746



23.4


 + Net interest expense


118



110



7.2



477



461



3.3


EBIT


$

1,169



$

1,124



3.9

%


$

4,667



$

4,137



12.8

%

 + Total depreciation and amortization (a)


699



647



8.1



2,604



2,474



5.3


EBITDA


$

1,868



$

1,771



5.5

%


$

7,271



$

6,611



10.0

%



(a)

Represents total depreciation and amortization, including amounts classified within Depreciation and Amortization and within Cost of Sales on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We have also disclosed after-tax return on invested capital from continuing operations (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)







Trailing Twelve Months



Numerator


February 1,

2020


February 2,

2019



Operating income


$

4,658



$

4,110




 + Net other income / (expense)


9



27




EBIT


4,667



4,137




 + Operating lease interest (a)


86



83




 - Income taxes (b)


1,045



856




Net operating profit after taxes


$

3,708



$

3,364















Denominator


February 1,

2020


February 2,

2019


February 3,

2018

Current portion of long-term debt and other borrowings


$

161



$

1,052



$

281


 + Noncurrent portion of long-term debt


11,338



10,223



11,117


 + Shareholders' investment


11,833



11,297



11,651


 + Operating lease liabilities (c)


2,475



2,170



2,072


 - Cash and cash equivalents


2,577



1,556



2,643


Invested capital


$

23,230



$

23,186



$

22,478


Average invested capital (d)


$

23,208



$

22,832













After-tax return on invested capital


16.0

%


14.7

%





(a)

Represents the add-back to operating income driven by the hypothetical interest expense we would incur if the property under our operating leases were owned or accounted for as finance leases. Calculated using the discount rate for each lease and recorded as a component of rent expense within SG&A. 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 for continuing operations, which were 22.0 percent and 20.3 percent for the trailing twelve months ended February 1, 2020, and February 2, 2019, respectively. For the twelve months ended February 1, 2020, and February 2, 2019, includes tax effect of $1,026 million and $839 million, respectively, related to EBIT and $19 million and $17 million, respectively, related to operating lease interest.

(c)

Total short-term and long-term operating lease liabilities included within Accrued and Other Current Liabilities and Noncurrent Operating Lease Liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

(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.

 

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