Target's 1.32% Stock Slide Hits 187th-Highest Volume as Institutional Sellers and CEO Offload Shares Amid Earnings Disappointment

On August 11, 2025, Target (TGT) closed down 1.32% with a trading volume of $520 million, reflecting a 41.96% surge from the previous day’s activity and ranking 187th in volume among listed stocks. Institutional selling pressure emerged as Northeast Financial Group Inc. cut its stake by 39.4% in the first quarter, while Forsta AP Fonden reduced holdings by 10.2%, highlighting a shift in institutional sentiment amid earnings underperformance.

The retailer reported Q2 earnings of $1.30 per share, missing estimates by $0.35, and saw a 2.8% year-over-year revenue decline. Despite a 4.2% dividend yield announced for September 1st, the stock’s P/E ratio of 11.59 and debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96 underscore valuation and leverage concerns. Analysts remain divided, with Truist Financial raising its price target to $90 and Goldman Sachs lowering it to $90, while the stock’s 52-week range of $87.35–$167.40 reflects ongoing volatility.

Insider activity added to the uncertainty, as CEO Brian Cornell sold 45,000 shares at $96.18, reducing his ownership by 15.44%. Institutional ownership now stands at 79.73%, with Goldman Sachs and Pacer Advisors significantly increasing stakes during the first quarter. However, the mixed institutional activity contrasts with the recent earnings shortfall, raising questions about the company’s ability to sustain growth amid competitive retail pressures.

A backtest of a strategy purchasing the top 500 high-volume stocks and holding for one day yielded a 166.71% return from 2022 to the present, outperforming the benchmark by 137.53%. This highlights the role of liquidity concentration in short-term performance, particularly in volatile markets, where high-volume stocks like Target may exhibit amplified price movements due to trading activity and institutional positioning.