target /; AmE / noun, verb

■ noun [C]

1

a result that a business or an organization tries to achieve:

The company has set an ambitious target of 20% sales growth.

The group is likely to meet its earnings targets this year.

We are still on target (= likely to reach our target) to achieve 12% growth this year.

Production was well below target this year.

The target date for the rollout is mid 2006.

The country has missed its targets for reducing the budget deficit.

The company has lowered its 2005 earnings targets.

The business has exceeded its growth targets.

❖ to lower/set a target

◆ to exceed/meet/miss/reach a target

◆ earnings/financial/growth/performance/price/sales targets

2 (Finance )

a company that another more powerful company wants to buy:

The company has become a possible target for Interbrew.

They are seeking potential acquisition targets.

SYN TARGET COMPANY

an acquisition/a takeover target

3 (Finance ; Marketing )

the price at which a company or person aims to sell or buy sth:

Deutsche Bank raised its target for the shares from €150 to €190.

The target price for the model currently being developed is €3 500.

Telet Financial Analysts recommend Digitalsoft shares at a target price of €18.

IDIOMS

(be/make) an easy target (for sb/sth)

(to be) open to attack or not able to defend yourself:

Is your computer system an easy target for hackers?

The company makes an easy target for a takeover.

■ verb [+ obj] (targeting, targeted, targeted)

1 target sb/sth | target sth at/to sb/sth (often be targeted at sb/sth)

to try to have an effect on a particular group of people or a particular area:

Their campaigns specifically target young people.

a carefully targeted marketing campaign

magazines targeted at teens

Targeted market research has become an indispensable tool for business.

The computer is targeted to fashion conscious buyers.

SYN AIM

2

to choose to attack sb/sth or treat sb/sth in a particular way:

The EU has published a list of products targeted for sanctions.

We are targeting to expand our broadband subscriber base.

• account payee
• accounts
• accounts payable
• accounts receivable
• account terms
• accreditation
• accredited
• accretion
• accrual
• accrual accounting
• accruals basis
• accrue
• accrued benefits
• accrued depreciation
• accrued income
• accrued interest
• accumulate
• accumulated depreciation
• accumulated dividend
• accumulated profit
• accumulation unit
• accuse
• acetate
• achieve
• achievement