TGT Shares Slide 2.13% as $740M Volume Ranks 90th in U.S. Amid Leadership Transition and Analyst Divergence

On August 25, 2025, Target (TGT) fell 2.13%, closing with a trading volume of $0.74 billion, ranking 90th among U.S. stocks. The decline follows ongoing investor concerns over leadership transitions and operational challenges.

Target’s upcoming CEO transition from Brian Cornell to Michael Fiddelke, effective February 2026, has intensified skepticism about internal leadership’s ability to reverse prolonged sales declines and operational inefficiencies. While Fiddelke’s turnaround plan emphasizes merchandising revitalization and digital acceleration, analysts question whether an internal successor can drive the transformative change needed to address waning customer sentiment and stiff retail competition.

Second-quarter results underscored persistent struggles. Despite a sequential improvement in sales performance, comparable store sales dipped 3.2%, while operating income fell 19.4% year-over-year to $1.3 billion. Gross margin compression and cost pressures from tariffs further pressured profitability. The company maintained full-year guidance for low-single-digit sales declines and adjusted EPS of $7–$9, aligning with a broader trend of cautious expectations.

Analyst sentiment remains divided. Truist cut its price target to $102, citing concerns over Fiddelke’s leadership, while Jefferies retained a “Buy” rating despite lowering its target to $115. Bank of America downgraded TGT to “Underperform,” reflecting worries over digital sales stagnation and competitive pressures. A consensus “Hold” rating persists, with an average price target of $107.87 suggesting limited near-term upside.

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