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Better than-expected CPI data for October and strong retail earnings have intensified this week's stock market rally with The TJX Companies (TJX), Target (TGT), and Home Depot (HD) all posting favorable third quarter results.
With that being said, higher inflation has still curtailed consumer demand over the last year and investors may be wondering if it's indeed time to buy stock in these retail heavy hitters.
The TJX Companies’ Q3 Review: Although TJX stock ended today’s trading session down -3% the off-price apparel and home fashion retail leader posted strong Q3 results on Wednesday beating top and bottom line expectations.
Third quarter earnings of $1.03 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus of $0.97 a share by 6% with sales of $13.26 billion beating estimates by1%. Year over year, Q3 earnings jumped 20% with sales rising 9% from the prior year quarter.
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TJX shares are still up +12% in 2023 after today’s dip which may be attributed to some profit-taking and the company's lower-than-expected guidance for Q4 EPS of $0.97-$1 per share compared to a previous target at $1-$1.03 a share. However, full-year EPS guidance of $3.61-$3.64 per share was up from $3.56-$3.62 a share after today’s earnings beat.
Plus, annual earnings estimates for TJX’s current fiscal 2024 and FY25 were already up in the last 30 days and are notably higher over the last three months landing TJX shares a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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Target’s Q3 Review: Third-quarter results from Target this morning highlighted headlines as the omnichannel retailer crushed earnings expectations. With Target’s intriguing growth trajectory and outlook largely affected by higher inflation the company posted exhilarating Q3 earnings of $2.10 per share which topped the Zacks Consensus of $1.48 a share by 42%.
Target’s stock spiked roughly +18% on the earnings beat with Q3 sales of $25.39 billion slightly edging estimates of $25.24 billion. Third quarter earnings climbed 36% YoY although sales fell -4% from the comparative quarter. Inventory issues are starting to be controlled but Target stated higher shrink is still prevalent. Notably, TGT shares are still down -12% year to date.
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Optimistically, EPS estimates could start to go up after the impressive earnings beat but until then investors may want to fade the monstrous rally in TGT shares or stay on the sidelines as earnings estimate revisions are still noticeably lower over the last 90 days. In correlation with such, Target’s stock lands a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) at the moment.