NEW YORK - Target Corp. on Wednesday became the latest in a string of companies that have lowered their business expectations as they contend with an uncertain economy.
The cheap chic retailer muted its annual profit forecast after reporting a 13 percent drop in second-quarter profit as its expansion into Canada - its first foray outside the U.S. - has proven more challenging than it previously thought.
But the company also is contending with mixed economic signals that have caused it and its rivals, from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to Macy's, to temper their forecasts for the remainder of the year. While jobs are easier to get and the housing market is gaining momentum, these improvements have not been enough to get most Americans who are facing stagnant wage growth to spend more freely.
"As we monitor the economy and consumer sentiment, we continue to see a mix of signals in which emerging optimism is balanced with continuing challenges," said Gregg Steinhafel, Target's chairman, president and CEO, in an earnings call with investors.
Shares fell 3.6 percent to end the day at $65.50.
Minneapolis-based Target earned $611 million, or 95 cents per share, in the quarter ended Aug. 3. That compares with $704 million, or $1.06 per share, a year earlier.
Excluding certain items related to its expansion into Canada, the retailer earned $1.19 per share.
Total revenue reached $17.12 billion, up 2 percent from $16.45 billion in the quarter. Analysts expected earnings of 96 cents per share on revenue of $17.28 billion, according to FactSet.
Revenue at stores open at least a year - a gauge of a retailer's health - rose 1.2 percent. That's below the 1.9 percent analysts had expected.
Like Wal-Mart, Target said that its customers continue to struggle with a 2 percentage-point increase in the Social Security payroll tax since Jan. 1. That means take-home pay for a household earning $50,000 a year has been sliced by $1,000.
Original Print Headline: Target reports 13 percent drop in 2nd-quarter profit
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