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Compared to Estimates, Target (TGT) Q3 Earnings: A Look at Key Metrics

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Target (TGT - Free Report) reported $25.27 billion in revenue for the quarter ended October 2025, representing a year-over-year decline of 1.6%. EPS of $1.78 for the same period compares to $1.85 a year ago.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of -0.36% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $25.36 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $1.76, the EPS surprise was +1.14%.

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: -2.7% versus the nine-analyst average estimate of -1.9%.
  • Number of stores - Total: 1,995 versus 1,988 estimated by six analysts on average.
  • Retail Square Feet - Total: 250.52 Msq ft versus 249.67 Msq ft estimated by four analysts on average.
  • Stores Originated Comparable Sales Change: -3.8% versus the four-analyst average estimate of -2.8%.
  • Net Sales- Merchandise sales: $24.75 billion compared to the $24.76 billion average estimate based on four analysts.
  • Net Sales- Merchandise sales- Beauty & household essentials: $3.23 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $3.16 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -59.5%.
  • Net Sales- Merchandise sales- Food & beverage: $6.01 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $5.88 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +1.5%.
  • Net Sales- Merchandise sales- Hardlines: $3.19 billion versus $3.1 billion estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +1.2% change.
  • Net Sales- Merchandise sales- Other: $34 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $29.91 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +13.3%.
  • Net Sales- Credit card profit sharing: $119 million compared to the $136.11 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of -19.6% year over year.
  • Net Sales- Merchandise sales- Household essentials: $4.54 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $4.63 billion.
  • Net Sales- Merchandise sales- Apparel & accessories: $3.84 billion versus $3.99 billion estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -4.1% change.

View all Key Company Metrics for Target here>>>

Shares of Target have returned -6.2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.6% 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.

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