Here we are about to listen to Target's Q3 webcast. Target released earnings and financials before the market opened today. Here is the slim rundown of those numbers:

14% earnings rise to $506 million -- or $0.59 EPS on revenues of $13.57 billion. Analysts were expecting $0.55 EPS and $13.58 billion in revenue. Target also maintained estimates for November same-store-sales growth of 4% to 7%. TGT shares were up 2.5% at $59.25 in pre-market activity with the 52-week trading range is $44.70 to $60.34.

All times below are in EST, so with that said, let's hear what Target execs have to day along with what they *may* say about competitor Wal-Mart's moves into its higher-end territory -- as analysts are probably chomping at the bit to ask.

10:04am -- I'm on the webcast wating for it to start ... twiddles thumbs a bit....

10:07am -- CEO Bob Ulrich starts the conference call by saying he'll provide a competitive outlook for Target's next fiscal year. He states that TGT released excellent results this morning as he reads from the most marketing-laden script I've ever heard with robotic-like quality. Yeah!

10:09am -- Target's CFO starts to announce the results that I've wrapped up above -- nothing to see here really, except highlights like growth due to new stores and 2005's excellent growth as well, which fueled 2006's growth rate. Kool beans.

10:12am -- Credit card operations saw increased uptake with an 11% Y-o-Y growth -- meaning Target customers are signing up for an using Target-branded credit cards in increasing amounts. That's it -- put all your purchases on credit so you don't have to pay for them! That is, until later when that gallon of milk will cost you $15 due to finance charges. Heh.