Regarding a stock quote. How often is the 1 year target price reached?

I don’t know of a study regarding accuracy but in my experience they are only useful as a means of quantifying analysts opinions. The analysts typically do present a fundamental argument as to why they expect the target to be a reasonable one, but as you probably have experienced they are very often wrong. But, they can be wrong in either direction, the real price may move considerably higher than the target or fall very short. If you are seeing a price target with a quote and not within a research piece, it is an average of the analysts opinions who follow the stock. Like most stock data, it is somewhat helpful but no magic bullet.
References :

Different analysts use different methods to determine 1 year target prices. I don’t know of any analysts who have a long term good track record for correctly estimating prices. I have never heard of a legitimate formula with a long term good track record. I am very skeptical of 1 year target prices. My impression is that it is mostly speculation.
References :

i’m sure there have beeen many academic studies testing the reliability of analyst forecasts, and I am sure that the answer is that TAarget Prices are almost never accurate.

There are too many factors to consider when forecasting a stock’s value. it’s difficult to value a stock as of today, let alone one year from now.

Target prices are meant to be used as a general guide regarding the expected direction in price movements. The analysts themselves I’m sure would admit that it’s extremely rare for expectations to match reality. i’m sure plent of grad students have analyzed this, but it was never big news, b/c it’s just generally accepted that Target Prices are going to be wrong.
References :