Adjusted EPS of $1.10, up 19.6 percent from last year; Comparable sales up 2.3 percent

  • First quarter Adjusted EPS of $1.10 was above the company’s expected range of $0.95 to $1.05. The Company now expects full-year 2015 Adjusted EPS of $4.50 to $4.65, compared with prior guidance of $4.45 to $4.65.
  • First quarter comparable sales increased a better-than-expected 2.3 percent, driven by growth in both transactions and basket size.
  • Digital channel sales increased 37.8 percent, contributing 0.8 percentage points to comparable sales growth.
  • Comparable sales in signature categories (Style, Baby, Kids and Wellness) grew more than double the company average.
  • Target returned cash through share repurchase for the first time since the second quarter of 2013, with purchases of $562 million in shares of common stock in the first quarter. Including dividends, the company returned $895 million to shareholders in the first quarter, more than 140% of net income.

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) today reported first quarter 2015 adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations1 (Adjusted EPS) of $1.10, up 19.6 percent from $0.92 in 2014. GAAP EPS from continuing operations were $1.01, compared with $0.89 in first quarter 2014. First quarter 2015 GAAP EPS from continuing operations reflect $103 million of restructuring costs that are excluded from Adjusted EPS. The tables attached to this press release provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures. All earnings per share figures refer to diluted EPS.

    1Adjusted EPS, a non-GAAP financial measure, excludes restructuring charges and the impact of certain matters not related to the Company’s single segment, such as discontinued operations, data breach expenses and certain other expenses that are discretely managed. See the “Discontinued Operations” and “Accounting Considerations” sections of this release for additional information about the items that have been excluded from Adjusted EPS.    

“We’re pleased with our first quarter traffic and sales, particularly in our signature categories, which drove better-than-expected profitability through improved gross margin and continued expense management,” said Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO of Target. “We’re encouraged to see early progress on our strategic priorities, including strong sales growth in Apparel, Home and Beauty, nearly 40 percent growth in digital sales, and positive traffic in both our stores and digital channels. We continue to benefit from strong execution by our stores team, who overcame weather challenges and West Coast port delays to deliver outstanding guest service in the first quarter.”

Fiscal 2015 Earnings GuidanceIn second quarter 2015, Target expects Adjusted EPS of $1.04 to $1.14, compared with $1.01 in second quarter 2014.

The Company now expects full-year 2015 Adjusted EPS of $4.50 to $4.65, compared with prior guidance of $4.45 to $4.65.

Segment ResultsFirst quarter 2015 sales increased 2.8 percent to $17.1 billion from $16.7 billion last year, reflecting a 2.3 percent increase in comparable sales combined with sales from new stores. Digital channel sales grew 37.8 percent and contributed 0.8 percentage points to comparable sales growth. Segment earnings before interest expense and income taxes (EBIT) were $1,261 million in first quarter 2015, an increase of 19.7 percent from $1,053 million in 2014.

First quarter EBITDA and EBIT margin rates were 10.5 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively, compared with 9.4 percent and 6.3 percent in 2014. First quarter gross margin rate was 30.4 percent, compared with 29.5 percent in 2014, reflecting the benefit of annualizing heightened promotional markdowns in first quarter 2014 combined with favorable merchandise mix in first quarter 2015. First quarter SG&A expense rate was 19.9 percent in 2015, compared with 20.1 percent in 2014, as cost savings initiatives offset increased technology expense.

Interest Expense and Taxes from Continuing OperationsThe Company’s first quarter 2015 net interest expense was $155 million, compared with $152 million last year. The Company’s first quarter 2015 effective income tax rate from continuing operations was 34.8 percent, compared with 34.4 percent last year.

Capital Returned to ShareholdersThe Company returned $895 million to shareholders in first quarter 2015, representing more than 140 percent of net income.

Target returned cash through share repurchase for the first time since the second quarter of 2013, with purchases in the first quarter of $562 million in shares of common stock, including:

  • Open market transactions that retired 3.6 million shares of common stock at an average price of $81.74, for a total investment of $297 million.
  • An accelerated share repurchase (ASR) agreement that retired 3.3 million shares of common stock at an average price of $80.74, for a total investment of $265 million. Final settlement of the ASR occurred in May, and 1.1 million of the 3.3 million shares repurchased through the ASR were delivered in the second quarter.

In addition, through non-cash settlements of prepaid forward contracts related to non-qualified deferred compensation plans, the Company retired 0.1 million shares of common stock at an average price of $41.13, for a total investment of $3 million.

Target paid dividends of $333 million during first quarter 2015, compared with $272 million in first quarter 2014.

After-Tax Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)Beginning this quarter, the Company is reporting after-tax return on invested capital1 (ROIC) for continuing operations. The Company believes ROIC provides a meaningful measure of the effectiveness of its capital allocation over time. In addition to results provided in this press release, a schedule showing the calculation for the last eight quarters will be provided on the Company’s website at Target.com/Investors (hover over “company” then click on “summary financials” in the investor column).

For the trailing twelve months through first quarter 2015, ROIC was 12.5 percent, compared with 11.9 percent for the twelve months through first quarter 2014.

    1ROIC is a ratio based on GAAP information, with the exception of adjustments made to capitalize operating leases. See the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Accounting Considerations” sections of this release for important disclosures about the limits of non-GAAP financial measures and a schedule that includes the calculation of ROIC and a reconciliation of capitalized operating lease obligations and operating lease interest to GAAP financial measures.    

Discontinued Operations UpdateAs of April 12, 2015, Target Canada Co. completed its inventory liquidation efforts and closed the last of its 133 Canadian retail stores. A court-approved real estate sales process is underway and expected to be complete by the end of June 2015.

Consistent with expectations, after-tax losses from discontinued operations were $16 million in first quarter 2015, compared with $153 million last year. Certain assets and liabilities of Target’s discontinued operations are based on estimates. The recorded assets include estimated receivables, and the remaining liabilities include accruals for estimated losses related to claims that may be asserted against Target Corporation, primarily under guarantees of certain leases. Given the early stage of its exit, these estimates involve significant judgment and are based on currently available information, an assessment of the validity of certain claims and estimated payments by the Canada Subsidiaries. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that future adjustments to these amounts could be material to its results of operations in future periods. Any such adjustments would be recorded in discontinued operations.

Data Breach UpdateThe Company incurred breach-related expenses of $3 million in first quarter 2015, compared with $18 million of net pre-tax expense last year. Since fourth quarter 2013, Target has incurred net expense related to the data breach of $166 million, reflecting $256 million of gross expense, partially offset by the recognition of a $90 million insurance receivable.

MiscellaneousTarget Corporation will webcast its first quarter earnings conference call at 9:30 a.m. CDT today. Investors and the media are invited to listen to the call at Target.com/Investors (hover over “company” then click on “events & presentations” in the “investors” column). A telephone replay of the call will be available beginning at approximately 11:30 a.m. CDT today through the end of business on May 22, 2015. The replay number is (855) 859-2056 (passcode: 50779902).

Statements in this release regarding second quarter and full-year 2015 earnings per share guidance and future expenses related to discontinued operations are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements speak only as of the date they are made and are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially. The most important risks and uncertainties are described in Item 1A of the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2015.

In addition to the GAAP results provided in this release, the Company provides Adjusted EPS for the three-month periods ended May 2, 2015, and May 3, 2014. The Company also provides ROIC for the twelve-month periods ended May 2, 2015, and May 3, 2014, respectively, which is a ratio based on GAAP information, with the exception of adjustments made to capitalize operating leases. Operating leases are capitalized as part of the ROIC calculation to control for differences in capital structure between the Company and its competitors. Adjusted EPS, capitalized operating lease obligations and operating lease interest are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Management believes Adjusted EPS is useful in providing period-to-period comparisons of the results of the Company’s ongoing retail operations. Management believes ROIC is useful in assessing the effectiveness of its capital allocation over time. The most comparable GAAP measure for adjusted diluted EPS is diluted EPS from continuing operations. The most comparable GAAP measure for capitalized operating lease obligations and operating lease interest is total rent expense. Adjusted EPS, capitalized operating lease obligations and operating lease interest should not be considered in isolation or as a substitution for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP. Other companies may calculate Adjusted EPS and ROIC differently than the Company does, limiting the usefulness of the measure for comparisons with other companies.

About TargetMinneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at 1,795 stores and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit to communities, that giving equals more than $4 million a week. For more information, visit Target.com/Pressroom. For a behind-the-scenes look at Target, visit Target.com/abullseyeview or follow @TargetNews on Twitter.

    TARGET CORPORATION   Consolidated Statements of Operations Three Months Ended (millions, except per share data) (unaudited)  

May 2,2015

 

May 3,2014

  Change Sales $ 17,119   $ 16,657 2.8 % Cost of sales 11,911 11,748 1.4 Selling, general and administrative expenses 3,514 3,376 4.1 Depreciation and amortization     540       511     5.5   Earnings before interest expense and income taxes 1,154 1,022 12.9 Net interest expense     155       152     2.5   Earnings before income taxes 999 870 14.8 Provision for income taxes     348       299     16.1   Net earnings from continuing operations 651 571 14.0 Discontinued operations, net of tax     (16 )     (153 )   (89.1 ) Net earnings   $ 635     $ 418     51.6 % Basic earnings/(loss) per share Continuing operations $ 1.02 $ 0.90 12.7 % Discontinued operations     (0.03 )     (0.24 )   (89.2 )% Net earnings per share   $ 0.99     $ 0.66     49.8 % Diluted earnings/(loss) per share Continuing operations $ 1.01 $ 0.89 12.6 % Discontinued operations     (0.03 )     (0.24 )   (89.2 )% Net earnings per share   $ 0.98     $ 0.66     49.7 % Weighted average common shares outstanding Basic 640.9 633.3 1.2 % Dilutive impact of share-based awards     5.5       4.9    

 

Diluted     646.4       638.2     1.3 % Antidilutive shares     —       5.3        

Subject to reclassification

        TARGET CORPORATION   Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (millions)   May 2,2015   January 31,2015   May 3,2014 (unaudited) (unaudited) Assets Cash and cash equivalents, including short term investments of $2,073, $1,520 and $3 $ 2,768 $ 2,210 $ 677 Inventory 8,610 8,790 7,905 Assets of discontinued operations 148 1,333 718 Other current assets     1,672       1,754       1,723   Total current assets 13,198 14,087 11,023 Property and equipment Land 6,135 6,127 6,146 Buildings and improvements 26,636 26,614 25,991 Fixtures and equipment 5,011 5,346 4,909 Computer hardware and software 2,395 2,553 2,138 Construction-in-progress 576 424 906 Accumulated depreciation     (14,975 )     (15,106 )     (13,756 ) Property and equipment, net 25,778 25,958 26,334 Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations 458 442 5,605 Other noncurrent assets     1,012       917       1,080   Total assets   $ 40,446     $ 41,404     $ 44,042   Liabilities and shareholders’ investment Accounts payable $ 6,799 $ 7,759 $ 6,519 Accrued and other current liabilities 3,673 3,783 3,626 Current portion of long-term debt and other borrowings 112 91 1,466 Liabilities of discontinued operations     64       103       429   Total current liabilities 10,648 11,736 12,040 Long-term debt and other borrowings 12,654 12,705 11,391 Deferred income taxes 1,359 1,321 1,300 Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations 207 193 1,321 Other noncurrent liabilities     1,404       1,452       1,504   Total noncurrent liabilities 15,624 15,671 15,516 Shareholders’ investment Common stock 53 53 53 Additional paid-in capital 5,170 4,899 4,512 Retained earnings 9,441 9,644 12,743 Accumulated other comprehensive loss Pension and other benefit liabilities (452 ) (561 ) (415 ) Currency translation adjustment and cash flow hedges     (38 )     (38 )     (407 ) Total shareholders’ investment     14,174       13,997       16,486   Total liabilities and shareholders’ investment  

$

40,446     $ 41,404     $ 44,042  

Common Stock Authorized 6,000,000,000 shares, $.0833 par value; 638,408,643, 640,213,987 and 633,613,396 shares issued and outstanding at May 2, 2015, January 31, 2015 and May 3, 2014, respectively.

 

Preferred Stock Authorized 5,000,000 shares, $.01 par value; no shares were issued or outstanding at May 2, 2015, January 31, 2015 or May 3, 2014.

 

Subject to reclassification

    TARGET CORPORATION   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows   Three Months Ended (millions) (unaudited)   May 2,2015   May 3,2014 Operating activities   Net earnings $ 635 $ 418 Losses from discontinued operations, net of tax     (16 )     (153 ) Net earnings from continuing operations 651 571 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operations: Depreciation and amortization 540 511 Share-based compensation expense 26 20 Deferred income taxes 18 (37 ) Noncash (gains)/losses and other, net (70 ) (13 ) Changes in operating accounts: Inventory 180 372 Other assets 138 127 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     (766 )     (736 ) Cash provided by operating activities—continuing operations 717 815 Cash provided by/ (required for) operating activities—discontinued operations     834       (295 ) Cash provided by operations     1,551       520   Investing activities Expenditures for property and equipment (352 ) (471 ) Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment 6 5 Other investments     21       18   Cash required for investing activities—continuing operations (325 ) (448 ) Cash provided by/ (required for) investing activities—discontinued operations     19       (90 ) Cash required for investing activities     (306 )     (538 ) Financing activities Change in commercial paper, net — 306 Reductions of long-term debt (14 ) (31 ) Dividends paid (333 ) (272 ) Repurchase of stock (477 ) — Prepayment of accelerated share repurchase (a) (120 ) — Stock option exercises and related tax benefit     257       26   Cash (required for)/ provided by financing activities     (687 )     29   Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents     —       9   Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 558 20 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period (b)     2,210       695   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period (c)   $ 2,768     $ 715  

(a) $35 million of the prepayment was refunded and 1.1 million shares were delivered upon settlement of the accelerated share repurchase during the second quarter of 2015.

(b) Includes cash of our discontinued operations of $25 million for the three months ended May 3, 2014.

(c) Includes cash of our discontinued operations of $37 million for the three months ended May 3, 2014.

 

Subject to reclassification

    TARGET CORPORATION   Segment Results   Three Months Ended  

(millions) (unaudited)

  May 2,2015   May 3,2014   Change Sales $ 17,119   $ 16,657 2.8 % Cost of sales     11,911       11,748     1.4   Gross margin 5,208 4,909 6.1 SG&A expenses(a)     3,407       3,345     1.9   EBITDA 1,801 1,564 15.1 Depreciation and amortization     540       511     5.5   EBIT   $ 1,261     $ 1,053     19.7 %

Note: We operate as a single segment which includes all of our continuing operations, excluding net interest expense, data breach related costs and certain other expenses which are discretely managed. Our segment operations are designed to enable guests to purchase products seamlessly in stores, online or through mobile devices. Beginning with the first quarter of 2015, segment EBIT includes the impact of the reduction of the beneficial interest asset. For comparison purposes, prior year segment EBIT has been revised.

(a) For the three months ended May 2, 2015 and May 3, 2014, SG&A includes $152 million and $149 million, respectively, of net profit-sharing income under our credit card program agreement.

      Three Months Ended Segment Rate Analysis

(unaudited)

  May 2,2015   May 3,

2014

Gross margin rate 30.4 %   29.5 % SG&A expense rate 19.9 20.1 EBITDA margin rate 10.5 9.4 Depreciation and amortization expense rate 3.2 3.1 EBIT margin rate   7.4     6.3  

Note: Rate analysis metrics are computed by dividing the applicable amount by sales.

  Three Months Ended Sales by Channel

(unaudited)

  May 2,2015   May 3,2014 Stores 97.2 % 97.9 % Digital   2.8     2.1   Total   100 %   100 %   Three Months Ended Comparable Sales

(unaudited)

  May 2,2015   May 3,2014 Comparable sales change 2.3 % (0.3 )% Drivers of change in comparable sales Number of transactions 0.9 (2.3 ) Average transaction amount 1.4 2.1 Selling price per unit 5.1 1.8 Units per transaction   (3.6 )   0.3     Contribution to Comparable Sales Change

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended   May 2,2015   May 3,2014 Stores channel comparable sales change 1.5 % (0.7 )% Digital channel contribution to comparable sales change   0.8     0.5   Total comparable sales change   2.3 %   (0.3 )%

Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding.

  Three Months Ended REDcard Penetration

(unaudited)

  May 2,2015   May 3,2014 Target Debit Card 12.0 % 11.3 % Target Credit Cards   9.4     9.1   Total REDcard Penetration   21.5 %   20.4 %

Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding.

        Number of Stores   Retail Square Feet(a)

Number of Stores and Retail Square Feet

(unaudited)

    May 2,2015   January 31,2015   May 3,2014   May 2,2015   January 31,2015   May 3,2014 Expanded food assortment stores   1,295   1,292   1,261 167,437   167,026   162,954 SuperTarget stores 249 249 249 44,151 44,151 44,152 General merchandise stores 240 240 271 27,945 27,945 31,618 CityTarget stores 8 8 8 820 820 820 TargetExpress stores     3     1     —     61     21     —   Total     1,795     1,790     1,789     240,414     239,963     239,544  

(a) In thousands: reflects total square feet, less office, distribution center and vacant space.

 

Subject to reclassification

 

TARGET CORPORATION

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To provide additional transparency, we have disclosed non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (Adjusted EPS). This metric excludes restructuring costs, net expenses related to the 2013 data breach and other matters presented below. We believe this information is useful in providing period-to-period comparisons of the results of our continuing operations. This measure is not in accordance with, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The most comparable GAAP measure is diluted earnings per share from continuing operations. Adjusted EPS should not be considered in isolation or as a substitution for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Other companies may calculate Adjusted EPS differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of the measure for comparisons with other companies. Prior year amounts have been revised to present Adjusted EPS on a continuing operations basis.

  Adjusted EPS   Three Months Ended May 2, 2015   May 3, 2014         (millions, except per share data) (unaudited)   Pretax  

Net ofTax

 

Per ShareAmounts

    Pretax  

Net ofTax

 

Per ShareAmounts

  Change GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $ 1.01 $ 0.89 12.6% Adjustments Restructuring costs (a) $ 103 $ 64 $ 0.10 $ — $ — $ — Data Breach related costs (b) 3 2 — 18 11 0.02 Card brand conversion costs (c) — — — 13 8 0.01 Resolution of income tax matters     —     (3 )     —       —     (1 )     —     Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations           $ 1.10             $ 0.92   19.6%

Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding. Beginning with the first quarter 2015, we no longer adjust for the reduction of the beneficial interest asset because it is no longer meaningful. For comparison purposes, prior year Adjusted EPS has been revised.

(a) Costs related to our previously announced corporate restructuring activities.

(b) For the three months ended May 2, 2015, we recorded $3 million of pretax Data Breach-related expenses, primarily legal and other professional services. For the three months ended May 3, 2014, we recorded $26 million of pretax expenses and $8 million of expected insurance proceeds, for net pretax expenses of $18 million.

(c) Expense related to converting the co-branded REDcard program to MasterCard.

 

We have also disclosed after-tax return on invested capital for continuing operations (ROIC), which is a ratio based on GAAP information, with the exception of adjustments made to capitalize operating leases. Operating leases are capitalized as part of the ROIC calculation to control for differences in capital structure between us and our competitors. We believe this metric provides a meaningful measure of the effectiveness of our capital allocation over time. Other companies may calculate ROIC differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of the measure for comparisons with other companies.

  After-Tax Return on Invested Capital         Numerator   Trailing Twelve Months (dollars in millions) (unaudited)   May 2,2015   May 3,2014 Earnings from continuing operations before interest expense and income taxes $ 4,667   $ 4,579 + Operating lease interest (a)(b)     90     95 Adjusted earnings from continuing operations before interest expense and income taxes 4,756 4,674 - Income taxes (c)     1,575     1,604 Net operating profit after taxes   $ 3,181   $ 3,070     Denominator

(dollars in millions) (unaudited)

  May 2,2015   May 3,2014   May 4,2013 Current portion of long-term debt and other borrowings $ 112 $ 1,466 $ 522 + Noncurrent portion of long-term debt 12,654 11,391 12,389 + Shareholders' equity 14,174 16,486 16,520 + Capitalized operating lease obligations (b)(d) 1,495 1,587 1,668 - Cash and cash equivalents 2,768 677 1,798 - Net assets of discontinued operations     335     4,573     3,412 Invested capital   $ 25,332   $ 25,680   $ 25,890 Average invested capital (e)   $ 25,506   $ 25,785     After-tax return on invested capital     12.5%     11.9%    

(a) Represents the hypothetical capitalization of our operating leases, using eight times our trailing twelve months rent expense and an estimated interest rate of six percent.

(b) See the following Reconciliation of Capitalized Operating Leases table for the adjustments to our GAAP total rent expense to obtain the hypothetical capitalization of operating leases and related operating lease interest.

(c) Calculated using the effective tax rate for continuing operations, which was 33.1% and 34.3% for the trailing twelve months ended May 2, 2015 and May 3, 2014.

(d) Calculated as eight times our trailing twelve months rent expense.

(e) Average based on the invested capital at the end of the current period and the invested capital at the end of the prior period.

 

Capitalized operating lease obligations and operating lease interest are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The most comparable GAAP measure is total rent expense. Capitalized operating lease obligations and operating lease interest should not be considered in isolation or as a substitution for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.

  Reconciliation of Capitalized Operating Leases Trailing Twelve Months (dollars in millions) (unaudited)   May 2,2015   May 3,2014   May 4,2013 Total rent expense $ 187 $ 199 $ 209 Capitalized operating lease obligations (Total rent expense x 8) 1,495 1,587 1,668 Operating lease interest (Capitalized operating lease obligations x 6%)     90     95     n/a  

Subject to reclassification

Target CorporationJohn Hulbert, Investors, 612-761-6627orJenna Reck, Media, 612-761-5829orTarget Media Hotline, 612-696-3400

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