Target Corp. is pushing the use of its Redcard credit card, which contributed to Target's 15 percent third-quarter profit gain. The card motivates customers to shop more often at Target and company CEO Gregg Steinhafel said the company expects to add 3 million credit and debit accounts this year.
Target reported third-quarter results Thursday and got a nice boost to its earnings from the increasing use by customers of its Redcard. During the quarter, Redcard spending rose to 14 percent of sales, up from 9.5 percent a year ago.
"I've noticed there is certainly a bigger push behind marketing the program," Colin McGranahan, an equity research analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., told the Star Tribune.
'STABLE' AT DELUXE
Moody's Investor Service assigned a Ba2 rating to a proposed corporate bond offering from Shoreview-based Deluxe Corp. earlier this month. Proceeds from the offering will be used to refinance $200 million in more expensive existing debt. The move is expected to result in some interest expense savings.
Deluxe continues to redefine its business to become less dependent on its legacy check-printing operation while providing more professional business services. Moody's analysts say the company could be in line for an upgrade if it properly manages the continued decline in check volumes.
The rating agency issued a "stable" outlook but Moody's senior analyst Scott Van den Bosch wrote: "Success diversifying the business away from its core check printing business, consistent revenue growth, stable to higher [cash flow] margins...could position the company for an upgrade."
PATRICK KENNEDY
