For the quarter ended July 2025, Target (TGT Quick QuoteTGT - Free Report) reported revenue of $25.21 billion, down 1% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $2.05, compared to $2.57 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +1.2% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $24.91 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $2.09, the EPS surprise was -1.91%.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Target performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Comparable store sales - YoY change: -1.9% versus the 10-analyst average estimate of -3%.
• Number of stores - Total: 1,982 versus the six-analyst average estimate of 1,987.
• Retail Square Feet - Total: 248.71 Msq ft versus 249.62 Msq ft estimated by four analysts on average.
• Stores Originated Comparable Sales Change: -3.2% compared to the -4.4% average estimate based on four analysts.
• Net Sales- Merchandise sales: $24.72 billion versus the four-analyst average estimate of $24.55 billion.
• Net Sales- Merchandise sales- Beauty & household essentials: $3.4 billion versus $3.31 billion estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -57.3% change.
• Net Sales- Merchandise sales- Food & beverage: $5.59 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $5.5 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +0.9%.
• Net Sales- Merchandise sales- Hardlines: $3.52 billion compared to the $3.28 billion average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +6% year over year.
• Net Sales- Credit card profit sharing: $134 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $141.48 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -6.9%.
• Net Sales- Merchandise sales- Household essentials: $4.42 billion compared to the $4.41 billion average estimate based on two analysts.
• Net Sales- Merchandise sales- Other: $43 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $42.73 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -2.3%.
• Net Sales- Merchandise sales- Apparel & accessories: $4.09 billion compared to the $4.13 billion average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of -4.1% year over year.

View all Key Company Metrics for Target here>>>

Shares of Target have returned -1.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.