Target's US retail segment sales up 5.1% in 2012

Full-year adjusted earnings per share were $4.76, up 7.9 percent from $4.41 in 2011. All earnings per share figures refer to diluted earnings per share.

Fiscal 2013 Earnings Guidance

For fiscal 2013, the Company expects adjusted EPS of $4.85 to $5.05 and GAAP EPS of $4.70 to $4.90. The difference between the adjusted and GAAP EPS ranges reflects expected EPS dilution related to our Canadian Segment of approximately (45) cents, partially offset by expected accounting impacts of approximately 30 cents associated with the sale of Target’s entire consumer credit card receivables portfolio to TD Bank Group, which the Company now expects to close in first quarter 2013.

In first quarter 2013, the Company expects adjusted EPS of $1.10 to $1.20 and GAAP EPS of $1.22 to $1.32. The difference between the adjusted and GAAP EPS ranges reflects expected EPS dilution related to our Canadian Segment of approximately (23) cents, more-than-offset by expected accounting impacts of approximately 35 cents associated with the sale of Target’s entire consumer credit card receivables portfolio to TD Bank Group.

U.S. Retail Segment Results

As previously reported, sales increased 6.8 percent to $22.4 billion in fourth quarter 2012 from $20.9 billion last year, reflecting a 0.4 percent increase in comparable-store sales combined with the contribution from new stores and one additional accounting week. Segment earnings before interest expense and income taxes (EBIT) were $1,677 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, an increase of 3.2 percent from $1,625 million in 2011.

Fourth quarter EBITDA and EBIT margin rates were 9.8 percent and 7.5 percent, respectively, compared with 10.3 percent and 7.8 percent in 2011. Fourth quarter gross margin rate declined to 27.8 percent in 2012 from 28.4 percent in 2011, reflecting the impact of the Company’s integrated growth strategies combined with the impact of markdowns on seasonal merchandise. Fourth quarter selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense rate was 18.0 percent in 2012, compared with 18.1 percent in 2011.

Full-year 2012 sales increased 5.1 percent to $72.0 billion from $68.5 billion in 2011, reflecting a 2.7 percent increase in comparable-store sales combined with the contribution from new stores and one additional accounting week1. Full-year segment EBIT was $5,019 million in 2012, an increase of 5.3 percent from $4,765 million in 2011.

Full-year 2012 EBITDA and EBIT margin rates were 9.8 percent and 7.0 percent, respectively, compared with 10.0 percent and 7.0 percent in 2011. Full-year gross margin rate was 29.7 percent in 2012, compared with 30.1 percent in 2011, reflecting the impact of the Company’s integrated growth strategies. Full-year SG&A expense rate was 19.9 percent in 2012, compared with 20.1 percent in 2011.