Canadian Segment dilution of (40) cents in the fourth quarter compares with prior guidance of approximately (45) cents.
Target's full-year 2013 Adjusted earnings per share of $4.38 reflect disciplined inventory and expense management despite softer-than-expected U.S. sales.
In 2013, the Company returned $2.5 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchase, representing more than 125 percent of net earnings.
Target's U.S. comparable sales decreased (2.5)% in the fourth quarter, consistent with prior guidance, driven by positive comparable sales prior to our December 19 announcement of a data breach, followed by meaningfully softer results following the announcement.

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) today reported fourth quarter net earnings of $520 million, or $0.81 per share, and full-year net earnings of $1,971 million, or $3.07 per share. Dilution related to the Canadian Segment affected fourth quarter and full-year GAAP EPS by (40) cents and $(1.13), respectively. Adjusted earnings per share1 were $1.30 in fourth quarter 2013, down 21.2 percent from $1.65 in 2012. Full-year 2013 Adjusted EPS of $4.38 was down 8.0 percent from $4.76 in 2012. The tables attached to this press release provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures. All earnings per share figures refer to diluted earnings per share.

"For more than 50 years Target has succeeded by focusing on our guests," said Gregg Steinhafel, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Target Corporation. "During the first half of the fourth quarter, our guest-focused holiday merchandising and marketing plans drove better-than-expected sales. However, results softened meaningfully following our December announcement of a data breach. As we plan for the new fiscal year, we will continue to work tirelessly to win back the confidence of our guests and deliver irresistible merchandise and offers, and we are encouraged that sales trends have improved in recent weeks."


1 Adj 1 Adjusted diluted earnings per share ("Adjusted EPS"), a non-GAAP financial measure, excludes the impact of certain matters not related to our routine retail operations, such as expenses related to the data breach and the reduction in the beneficial interest asset.


Fiscal 2014 Earnings Guidance

Fiscal 2014 will be Target's first full year of operating stores in Canada. As a result, beginning with first quarter 2014, the company will no longer exclude Canadian Segment results from Adjusted EPS. For comparison purposes, prior year Adjusted EPS will also include Canadian Segment results.

In first quarter 2014, the Company expects Adjusted EPS of 60 cents to 75 cents, reflecting operating results in our U.S. and Canadian Segments. This measure excludes approximately (2) cents related to the expected reduction of the beneficial interest asset2, as well as any net expenses related to the data breach. For full-year 2014, Target expects Adjusted EPS of $3.85 to $4.15, reflecting operating results in our U.S. and Canadian Segments. This measure excludes approximately (7) cents related to the expected reduction of the beneficial interest asset2, as well as any net expenses related to the data breach.

At this time, the Company is not able to estimate future expenses related to the data breach. Expenses may include payments associated with potential claims by the payment card networks for alleged counterfeit fraud losses and non-ordinary course operating expenses (such as card re-issuance costs), REDcard fraud and card re-issuance expense, payments associated with civil litigation, governmental investigations and enforcement proceedings, expenses for legal, investigative and consulting fees, and incremental expenses and capital investments for remediation activities. These costs may have a material adverse effect on Target's results of operations in first quarter and full-year 2014 and future periods.