Target (TGT +0.91%) released its second-quarter earnings this morning, and while profits were slightly above expectations, earnings overall were weighed down by the cost of expanding into Canada. Target's earnings are the latest in a string of disappointments from one-stop-shopping retailers such as Wal-Mart (WMT +1.29%) and department stores such as Macy's (M 0.31%). In this video, Motley Fool analyst Matt Argersinger discusses why consumers may not be as "frugal" as Target claims, and why it may just be a shift in the way people shop that is causing the problem.
Target's Lackluster Earnings
By Matthew Argersinger – Aug 21, 2013 at 3:40PM
NYSE: TGT
Target
Market Cap
$41B
Today's Change
(0.91%) $0.82
Current Price
$90.62
Price as of November 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET
Target is the latest in a string of big retailers to report disappointing earnings. Are frugal consumers really the problem here?
About the Author
Matthew Argersinger is a Senior Investment Analyst and Lead Advisor at The Motley Fool and has been with the company since 2008. Matt serves as lead advisor for two premium investing services, Dividend Investor and Ultimate Income, and contributes as an equity analyst to the Supernova service. He specializes in real estate and dividend investing and looking for today’s best income opportunities. Prior to joining The Motley Fool, Matt was an economist at the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. He holds a B.A. in Economics and an M.A. in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University.