Diamonds and Dogs

1/9/18

Target (TGT) back on target. Retailer, Target is up 4% after raising fourth quarter guidance to $1.30-1.40 from $1.05-1.25 a share. Fourth quarter comps rose 3.4% versus prior guidance of flat to up 2%. Comparable sales were positive and accelerated from the third quarter in all five of the Company's core merchandise categories. Target also issued upside guidance for 2019 of $5.15-5.45 verse consensus of $4.36 estimates.

Big 5 Sporting Goods (BGFV) is getting a little smaller today. The sports store that rivals Dicks is down 16% not far from a 52 week low after lowering fourth quarter guidance. Same store sales have declined for three straight months due in part to extraordinarily dry and warm weather conditions in most of their major markets. Fourth quarter net sales were $243.2 million vs $263 million consensus. The company will also report a loss per share in the range of $0.08 to $0.13. Tough time to be a sports retailer.