Interest Expense and Taxes Net interest expense for the quarter was $184 million, including $20 million of interest on capitalized leases related to Target's Canadian market entry. Net interest expense was $183 million in first quarter 2011.
The company's effective income tax rate was 36.7 percent in first quarter 2012, including the benefit from favorable resolution of various income tax matters. These tax items increased EPS by approximately 1 cent per share in first quarter 2012.
Capital Returned to Shareholders In first quarter 2012, the company repurchased approximately 10.5 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $57.31, for a total investment of $604 million, and paid dividends of $201 million.
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation serves guests at 1,764 stores across the United States and at Target.com. The company plans to open its first stores in Canada in 2013.