<p>Target has recently published its latest Q4 2013 earnings report, which led to a positive tremendous jump in its shares yesterday. In after hours trading following the release of its report, Target’s shares climbed $3.98 to $60.49, a 7.04% increase – their highest level for nearly six weeks and perhaps one of the retailer’s best days in the past four and a half years. These shares suggest great relative strength, so is Target’s bottom line recovering following the data breach last December?<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The company reported Q4 net earnings of $520 million and $61 million in costs related to the breach, which was mostly covered by insurance. While sales fell by 3.8% to $21.52 billion in the fourth quarter following severe winter weather and news of the breach, investors seem to be relatively unconcerned about the impact of the cyber attack considering this recent rise in shares, however. In fact, sales have been improving recently. The company is reassuring its shareholders that customers are indeed returning to its U.S. stores, according to Reuters.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “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,” said Gregg Steinhafel, Chairman, President, and CEO.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> During an earnings conference call, Steinhafel mentioned that although the company cannot yet assess the full impact of the crime against Target and its guests, sales are recovering following breach-related announcements in December and January. “Importantly, because we are in a strong financial position, we expect to absorb any near-term financial impacts, while continuing to invest in projects that are key to our long-term success,” he added.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Soon after news of the cyber attack broke last December, Target’s shares fell 11%, but it seems clear that the company’s positive relative strength is a sign of its recovery. Analysts ensure it will take some time, but they appear confident Target will recover throughout its 2014 fiscal year.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://investors.target.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=65828&p=irol-irhome" target="_new"> Target </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
