Until recently, Target
Target's same-store sales in September rose a mere 1.2%, compared to an impressive 6.7% comps increase this time last year. Total sales increased 6.2% to $5.19 billion. The company said its yearly profit will come in below previous earnings guidance for $3.60 per share, the figure analysts were expecting.
True, its missed comps expectations and disappointing on guidance aren't exactly thrilling for the short term. But a quick glance at many retail stocks' moves today illustrates a rally that few of them actually earned, by any measure of performance. Some of them are up significantly, even though they didn't report any data at all.
A single month of sales data is no reason to go hog-wild, and it's pretty clear that September was a pretty lame month for a lot of retailers. Wal-Mart may have improved its profit guidance, but that's not because the consumer actually consumed all that much in September.
I think companies like Target and Costco
Target might now seem like old hat to some investors, but so what? More prudent investors are probably waiting for a less topsy-turvy day than this to shop for the retail stocks they've been eyeing. If Target stumbles a bit in the short term, it might eventually present a good opportunity to get shares on the cheap.
For related Foolishness, see the following articles:
- Bizarro world, Fantasyland -- nope, it just makes no sense.
- Target didn't miss last quarter.
- In early August, Seth Jayson took a pass on Target.