Target - 10-Q quarterly report FY

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC  20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the quarterly period ended   October 30, 2004

Commission file number 1-6049

The registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days, and (3) is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

The number of shares outstanding of common stock as of October 30, 2004 was 895,425,855.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TARGET CORPORATION

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

* The January 31, 2004 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position is condensed from the audited consolidated financial statement.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Amounts in this statement are presented on a cash basis and therefore may differ from those shown elsewhere in this 10-Q report. See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Accounting Policies

The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statement disclosures contained in our 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders throughout pages 30-39.  The same accounting policies are followed in preparing quarterly financial data as are followed in preparing annual data. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of quarterly operating results are reflected herein and are of a normal, recurring nature, except for the adjustments in relation to the sale of Marshall Field’s and Mervyn’s.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Due to the seasonal nature of the retail industry, quarterly earnings are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year.

We operate as a single business segment.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51” (FIN No. 46). FIN No. 46 requires the consolidation of entities in which an enterprise absorbs a majority of the entity’s expected losses, receives a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interest in the entity. Currently, entities are generally consolidated by an enterprise when it has a controlling financial interest through ownership of a majority voting interest in the entity. FIN No. 46 was effective at the end of the first reporting period that ends after March 15, 2004. The adoption of FIN No. 46 did not have a material impact on our net earnings, cash flows or financial position.

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvements and Modernization Act of 2003 (The Act) was signed into law in December 2003.  The Act introduces a prescription drug benefit under Medicare (Medicare Part D), as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans that provide a prescription drug benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D.  In May 2004, the FASB issued Staff Position (FSP) No. 106-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.”  This FSP is effective for interim or annual periods beginning after June 15, 2004. Final regulations that would define actuarial equivalency have not yet been issued.  However, we have made a preliminary determination that our plans will be actuarially equivalent. As a result, we recorded a reduction in our accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation of $7 million in the third quarter. In addition, the expense amounts shown in the Pension and Postretirement Health Care Benefits Note reflect a $1 million reduction due to the amortization of the actuarial gain and reduction in interest cost due to the effects of the Act.

Discontinued Operations

On March 10, 2004, we began a review of strategic alternatives for Mervyn’s and Marshall Field’s which included, but was not limited to, the possible sale of one or both of these segments as ongoing businesses to existing retailers or other qualified buyers.  On June 9, 2004, we entered into an agreement to sell our interest in Marshall Field’s and the Mervyn’s stores located in Minnesota to The May Department Stores Company (May). The sale of Marshall Field’s was completed on July 31, 2004 while the sale of the Minnesota Mervyn’s stores was completed on August 24, 2004. May acquired total assets and liabilities with a net carrying value of $1.49 billion, in exchange for $3.24 billion cash consideration which resulted in a gain on sale of approximately $1 billion or $1.11 per share, net of tax. On July 29, 2004, we entered into an agreement to sell the balance of Mervyn’s retail stores and distribution centers to an investment consortium including Sun Capital Partners, Inc., Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., and Lubert-Adler/Klaff and Partners, L.P. and to sell Mervyn’s credit card receivables to GE Consumer Finance, a unit of General Electric Company, for total consideration of approximately $1.65 billion in cash. This sale transaction was completed as of August 28, 2004 and resulted in a gain on sale of approximately $200 million or $.23 per share, net of tax. To calculate the gains, we took into account certain transaction-related expenses such as professional fees and stock option expenses. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the financial results of Marshall Field’s and Mervyn’s are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Income taxes payable resulting from the gain on the Marshall Field’s and Mervyn’s transactions are included in current liabilities of continuing operations.

In connection with the sale of Marshall Field’s, May will secure transition support services from us until the earlier of March 31, 2005 or until May is able to develop long-term service providers for these services.  In connection with the sale of Mervyn’s, we will also provide transition services for a fee for a period of up to two to three years or until long-term service providers are developed for these services. Consideration received as a result of providing these services will essentially offset expenses incurred, which is consistent with our prior accounting practices.

The financial results included in discontinued operations were as follows:

The major classes of assets and liabilities of discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position on January 31, 2004 and November 1, 2003 are as follows:

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share amounts are based on the weighted-average outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average outstanding common shares including the dilutive effect of stock options amounting to a weighted average of 6.1 million, 6.8 million and 6.6 million shares, respectively, for the three, nine and twelve month periods ending October 30, 2004.  The dilutive effects of stock options for the same periods in 2003 were 6.7 million, 6.3 million and 6.0 million shares, respectively.

Long-term Debt and Derivatives

During the first nine months of 2004, we repurchased $542 million of long-term debt with a weighted average interest rate of approximately 7.0 percent. These transactions resulted in a pre-tax loss of $89 million ($.06 per share), which is included in interest expense in the Consolidated Results of Operations. There were no long term debt repurchases during the third quarter.

Our derivative instruments are primarily interest rate swaps which hedge the fair value of certain debt by effectively converting interest from a fixed rate to a variable rate. The fair value of our outstanding swaps is reflected in the financial statements as a component of other current assets, other long-term assets or other long-term liabilities. No ineffectiveness was recognized during the first nine months of 2004 related to these instruments.

At October 30, 2004, January 31, 2004 and November 1, 2003, interest rate swaps were outstanding in notional amounts totaling $2,150 million. At October 30, 2004, the fair value of our existing swaps and unamortized gains from terminated interest rate swaps was $69 million, compared to $97 million at January 31, 2004 and $89 million at November 1, 2003.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable is recorded net of an allowance for expected losses. The allowance, estimated from historical portfolio performance and projections of trends, was $363 million at October 30, 2004, compared to $352 million at January 31, 2004 and $341 million at November 1, 2003.

Stock Option Plans

In accordance with SFAS No. 148, “Accounting For Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure,” the fair value based method has been applied prospectively to awards granted subsequent to February 1, 2003 (the last day of our 2002 fiscal year). Awards granted in fiscal year 2002 and earlier years will continue to be accounted for under the intrinsic value method, and the pro forma impact of accounting for those awards at fair value will continue to be disclosed until the last of those awards vest in January of 2007.

Historically, and through February 1, 2003, we applied the intrinsic value method prescribed in APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” to account for our stock option plans. No compensation expense related to options was recognized because the exercise price of our employee stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the grant date. The expense related to the intrinsic value of performance-based and restricted stock awards issued was not significant to third quarter or year-to-date 2004 net earnings, cash flows or financial position.  If we had elected to recognize compensation cost based on the fair value of the awards at the grant date, earnings from continuing operations would have been the pro forma amounts shown below.

Defined Contribution Plans

In addition to our defined contribution 401(k) plan, we maintain non-qualified, unfunded plans that allow participants who are otherwise limited by qualified plan statutes or regulations to defer compensation and earn returns either tied to the results of our 401(k) plan investment choices or market levels of interest rates.  During the three and nine months ended October 30, 2004, certain current and retired executives accepted our offer to exchange our obligation to them in a frozen non-qualified plan for cash or deferrals in an existing plan, which resulted in a pre-tax net expense of approximately $1 million (less than $.01 per share) and $14 million ($.01 per share), respectively, for the three and nine month periods ending October 30, 2004. We expect lower future expenses as a result of these transactions because they were designed to be economically neutral or slightly favorable to us.

Pension and Postretirement Health Care Benefits

We have qualified defined benefit pension plans that cover all employees who meet certain age, length of service and hours worked per year requirements. We also have unfunded non-qualified pension plans for employees who have qualified plan compensation restrictions. Benefits are provided based upon years of service and the employee’s compensation. Retired employees also become eligible for certain health care benefits if they meet minimum age and service requirements and agree to contribute a portion of the cost. During the second and third quarters of 2004, we recorded pre-tax net curtailment gains of approximately $2 million and $4 million due to the sales of Marshall Field’s and Mervyn’s, respectively. These curtailment gains are included in the gain on disposal of discontinued operations as a result of freezing the benefits for Marshall Field’s and Mervyn’s team members and retaining the related assets and obligations of the plans.

Net Pension Expense

The expense amounts shown in the table above reflect a $1 million reduction in expense due to the amortization of the actuarial gain and reduction in interest cost due to the effects of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvements and Modernization Act of 2003.

Analysis of Continuing Operations

Earnings from continuing operations for the three and nine month periods ended October 30, 2004 were $330 million and $1,094 million, respectively, or $.37 and $1.20 per share, compared with $271 million and $920 million, or $.30 and $1.00 per share, for the same periods last year.  Our earnings from continuing operations in the third quarter were reduced by a pre-tax adjustment of $18 million, or about $.01 per share, related to accounting for certain store leases.  This adjustment resulted from a detailed review of our leases which we began in conjunction with the sale of Mervyn’s and Marshall Field’s.

Revenues and Comparable-Store Sales

Total revenues for the quarter increased 11.0 percent to $10,909 million compared with $9,827 million for the same period a year ago. For the nine month period ending October 30, 2004, total revenues increased 11.6 percent to $31,645 compared to $28,349 million for the same period a year ago. Our revenue growth for the quarter is due to a 4.5 percent comparable-store sales increase and the contribution from new store growth.

Total comparable-store sales (sales from stores open longer than one year) increased 4.5 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively, for the three and nine month periods ended October 30, 2004.

Gross Margin Rate

Gross margin rate represents gross margin (sales less cost of sales) as a percent of sales.  In the third quarter, our overall gross margin rate improved when compared to the prior year, primarily due to markup improvements.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense Rate

Our selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense rate represents payroll, benefits, advertising, distribution, buying and occupancy, start-up and other expenses as a percent of sales. SG&A expense excludes depreciation and amortization and expenses associated with our credit card operations because those items are separately disclosed in our Consolidated Results of Operations. In the third quarter of 2004, our operating expense rate was slightly unfavorable to last year with slightly more than half of the variance due to the lease accounting adjustment.

Other Performance Factors

In the third quarter and first nine months of 2004, total interest expense was $113 million and $463 million, representing an $18 million decrease and a $36 million increase from the third quarter and first nine months of 2003, respectively. The decrease in interest expense for the third quarter was due to lower average funded balances, partially offset by a higher average portfolio interest rate.  The increase in interest expense for the nine months ended October 30, 2004 was due mainly to a year-over-year pre-tax increase of $74 million in loss on debt repurchase in 2004 (reflecting a $89 million loss in the

nine months ended October 30, 2004 compared to a $15 million loss in the first nine months of 2003) along with higher average portfolio rates offset by lower average funded balances.

The estimated annual effective income tax rate in the third quarter 2004 and 2003 was 37.8 percent. The effective income tax rate for the third quarter of 2004 was 37.8 percent compared to the 37.3 percent rate reflected in the third quarter of 2003.

Credit Card Operations (millions)

Our credit card program strategically supports our core retail operation.  Credit card contribution to continuing operations was as follows:

The allowance for doubtful accounts on receivables was as follows:

A summary of other continuing credit card contribution information is as follows:

Analysis of Discontinued Operations

On March 10, 2004, we began a review of strategic alternatives for Mervyn’s and Marshall Field’s which included, but was not limited to, the possible sale of one or both of these segments as ongoing businesses to existing retailers or other qualified buyers.  On June 9, 2004, we entered into an agreement to sell our interest in Marshall Field’s and the Mervyn’s stores located in Minnesota to The May Department Stores Company (May). The sale of Marshall Field’s was completed on July 31, 2004 while the sale of the Minnesota Mervyn’s stores was completed on August 24, 2004. May acquired total assets and liabilities with a net carrying value of $1.49 billion, in exchange for $3.24 billion cash consideration which resulted in a gain on sale of approximately $1 billion or $1.11 per share, net of tax. On July 29, 2004, we entered into an agreement to sell the balance of Mervyn’s retail stores and distribution centers to an investment consortium including Sun Capital Partners, Inc., Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., and Lubert-Adler/Klaff and Partners, L.P. and to sell Mervyn’s credit card receivables to GE Consumer Finance, a unit of General Electric Company, for total consideration of approximately $1.65 billion in cash. This sale transaction was completed as of August 28, 2004 and resulted in a gain on sale of approximately $200 million or $.23 per share, net of tax. To calculate the gains, we took into account certain transaction related expenses such as professional fees and stock option expenses. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the financial results of Marshall Field’s and Mervyn’s are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Income taxes payable resulting from the gain on the Marshall Field’s and Mervyn’s transactions are included in current liabilities of continuing operations.

Pre-tax earnings from discontinued operations for the three and nine month periods ended October 30, 2004 were $6 million and $121 million, respectively, or $.00 and $.08 per share, compared with $49 million and $143 million, respectively, or $.03 and $.10 per share, for the same periods last year.

Analysis of Financial Condition of Continuing Operations

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our financial condition remains strong. In assessing our financial condition, management considers factors such as cash flows provided by operations, capital expenditures and debt service obligations. We continue to fund the growth in our business through a combination of internally generated funds and debt.  In addition, we intend to utilize a portion of the proceeds from dispositions to fund growth and pay down debt.

During the third quarter, total gross receivables increased $280 million, or 6.0 percent, over the third quarter of last year. Inventory increased $1,345 million, or 26 percent, over the third quarter of last year. More than half of this increase is due to our refinement of the measurement of the point in the supply chain where ownership of direct imports occurs. The remaining increase is attributable to additional square footage, same-store sales growth and our strategic focus on increasing direct imports. The inventory growth was more than fully funded by a $1,533 million, or 33 percent, increase in accounts payable.

Capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2004 were $2,206 million, compared with $2,110 million for the same period a year ago.

Store Data

During the quarter, we opened a total of 46 new stores. Net of relocations and closings, these openings included 31 discount stores and 10 SuperTarget stores. At October 30, 2004, our number of stores and retail square feet were as follows:

* In thousands, reflects total square feet, less office, warehouse and vacant space.

Outlook for Fiscal Year 2004

For the full year, we believe that Target Corporation is well-positioned to deliver meaningful growth in earnings from continuing operations, primarily due to expected increases in comparable store sales and new store expansion at Target. In addition we expect to benefit from continued growth in contribution from our credit card operations.

We may or may not enter into long-term debt repurchase transactions during the balance of the year.  Excluding the effect of any additional repurchase of debt, we expect interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2004 to be lower than the same period in 2003, due to lower average net debt outstanding resulting from the application of transaction proceeds, partially offset by higher portfolio interest rates.

Forward-Looking Statements

The preceding Management’s Discussion and Analysis contains forward-looking statements regarding our performance, liquidity and the adequacy of our capital resources.  Those statements are based on our current assumptions and expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.  We caution that the forward-looking statements are qualified by the risks and challenges posed by increased competition (including the effects of competitor liquidation activities), shifting consumer demand, changing consumer credit markets, changing health care costs, changing capital markets and general economic conditions, hiring and retaining effective team members, sourcing merchandise from domestic and international vendors, investing in new business strategies, achieving our growth objectives, the outbreak of war and other significant national and international events, and other risks and uncertainties.  As a result, while we believe that there is a reasonable basis for the forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on those statements.  You are encouraged to review Exhibit (99)C attached to our Form 10-K Report for the year ended January 31, 2004, which contains additional important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in the forward-looking statements.

As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, we conducted an evaluation, under supervision and with the participation of management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act).  Based upon that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.  Disclosure controls and procedures are defined by Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act as controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

There have been no significant changes (including corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies or material weaknesses) in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the evaluation date.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

The following table presents information with respect to purchases of common stock of the Company made during the three months ended October 30, 2004, by Target Corporation or any “affiliated purchaser” of Target Corporation, as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act.

(1)   In June of 2004, our Board of Directors authorized the aggregate repurchase of $3 billion of our common stock. The repurchase of our common stock is expected to be made primarily in open market transactions, subject to market conditions, and is expected to be completed within two to three years. Since the inception of this share repurchase program, we have repurchased a total of approximately 22 million shares of our common stock at a total cost of approximately $975 million ($43.48 per share).

(2)   In addition to shares purchased under our share repurchase program, we acquire shares of common stock held by employees who wish to tender owned shares to satisfy the exercise price on option exercises or tax withholding on equity awards as part of our long-term incentive plans. From August 1, 2004 through October 30, 2004, we purchased 4,829 shares at an average price per share of $42.01 which were tendered pursuant to our long-term incentive plans and are not included in the table above.

Signature

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Exhibit Index