FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES
Walmart

Walmart

$WMT
NYSEConsumer Staples

161 stories mentioning WalmartUpdated 2d ago

Trading within a mixed consumer sector, where the Consumer Staples SPDR (XLP) slipped while the Consumer Discretionary SPDR (XLY) rose.

What are analysts saying about Walmart?

Recent broker actions mentioned in FINWIRES coverage. Compiled from wire headlines; not investment advice.

What's the latest news on Walmart?

Kroger Lowers Full-Year Identical Sales Growth Outlook Following Fiscal Second-Quarter Revenue Miss
US Markets

Kroger Lowers Full-Year Identical Sales Growth Outlook Following Fiscal Second-Quarter Revenue Miss

Kroger (KR) lowered its full-year identical sales growth outlook on Friday as the metric decelerated year over year in the fiscal second quarter and missed market estimates, while the supermarket chain's revenue fell short of expectations.The company now anticipates identical sales, excluding fuel, to increase by 0.2% to 0.8% for fiscal 2026, including a headwind of about 140 basis points from the Inflation Reduction Act. Kroger previously projected the metric to grow 1% to 2%, while the current consensus on FactSet is for a gain of 1.3%.The Inflation Reduction Act is a US law passed in 2022 that included measures to lower prescription drug costs for Medicare patients."The update reflects our first half results, together with pressures that remain in the balance of year in the opening weeks of the third quarter," Chief Financial Officer David Kennerley said during a conference call, according to a FactSet transcript.Identical sales without fuel rose 0.2% in the quarter ended Aug. 15, down from 3.4% the year before and below the Street's view of 0.8%. Overall revenue advanced to $34.62 billion from $33.94 billion, but missed the average analyst estimate of $34.64 billion."The top line was soft across the industry this quarter," Chief Executive Greg Foran said on the call. "We know that fuel over $4 has an impact on consumer spend."US retail gasoline prices averaged $4.2950 per gallon on Friday, compared with $4.1474 a week ago and $4.0116 a month prior, according to AAA motor club data that tracks fuel prices in the US.In a client note emailed last week, Oppenheimer said it expected Kroger's second-quarter identical sales to underperform amid a challenging grocery business environment, likely prompting a full-year outlook revision.The supermarket chain continues to expect adjusted earnings to be in a range of $5.10 to $5.30 per share for the ongoing fiscal year, while the Street is looking for $5.20. In the second quarter, adjusted EPS climbed to $1.09 from $1.04, surpassing the market's view for $1.06, buoyed by cost savings, robust pharmacy and fuel performance and improving e-commerce profitability, Kennerley said in the earnings release.Kroger expects identical sales without fuel to be "slightly better" in the third quarter than in the subsequent three-month period, "despite a lower sales outlook," Kennerley said on the call. The company sees additional sales headwinds in the fourth quarter, with the impact from the Inflation Reduction Act projected to rise to about 150 basis points as new high-cost drugs are added to the formulary, the CFO noted.Last month, retail giant Walmart (WMT) reported fiscal second-quarter US comparable sales growth that decelerated more than Wall Street expected amid a pharmacy-related headwind. In July, grocery chain Albertsons (ACI) lowered its fiscal 2026 earnings and identical sales outlook.Warehouse chain Costco (COST) is scheduled to release its latest financial results on Sept. 24.Price: $57.80, Change: $+0.84, Percent Change: +1.48%

$ACI$COST$KR$WMT
Sectors

Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Mixed Late Afternoon

Consumer stocks were mixed late Thursday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) adding 0.1% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) decreasing 0.5%.In corporate news, Starbucks (SBUX) is allotting $1 billion to improve its stores' interiors aiming to lure back customers and make them stay longer, the Financial Times reported, citing company senior vice president Dawn Clark. About 1,500 renovations will be done by the end of September, and the program will be expanded in the coming years to include 8,000 or 9,000 of over 11,000 company-operated stores in North America, the Times cited the company's CEO Brian Niccol as saying. Starbucks shares were down 0.9%.Macy's (M) lifted its full-year outlook on Thursday as the department store operator reported higher-than-expected fiscal Q2 earnings and revenue. Its shares still fell past 4%.Walmart (WMT) is expanding its delivery service with the addition of Papa John's International (PZZA), Bloomberg reported. The companies' delivery partnership is set to start in the coming weeks, initially in select markets before expanding to thousands of Papa John's locations in the US, the report said. Walmart shares shed 0.1%, and Papa John's declined 0.5%.Ford Motor (F) plans to invest $1 billion on a new paint shop at its Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, the company's largest and highest-revenue US manufacturing plant. Ford shares rose 3.3%.

$F$M$PZZA$SBUX$WMT
Sectors

Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Mixed Thursday Afternoon

Consumer stocks were mixed Thursday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) adding 0.3% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) decreasing 0.2%.In corporate news, Macy's (M) lifted its full-year outlook on Thursday as the department store operator reported higher-than-expected fiscal Q2 earnings and revenue. Its shares still fell past 4%.Walmart (WMT) is expanding its delivery service with the addition of Papa John's International (PZZA), Bloomberg reported. The companies' delivery partnership is set to start in the coming weeks, initially in select markets before expanding to thousands of Papa John's locations in the US, the report said. Walmart shares rose 0.2%, and Papa John's added 0.7%.Grab (GRAB) is in talks to potentially acquire a majority interest in Singapore-based buy-now-pay-later firm Atome Financial, Bloomberg reported. The acquisition could price Atome at over $2 billion, the report said. Grab shares were shedding 0.2%.

$GRAB$M$PZZA$WMT
Wire

Market Chatter: Walmart Adds Papa John's to Restaurant Delivery Service

Walmart (WMT) is expanding its delivery service with the addition of Papa John's International (PZZA), Bloomberg reported Thursday.The companies' delivery partnership is set to start in the coming weeks, initially in select markets before expanding to thousands of Papa John's locations in the US, according to the report.Walmart and Papa John's International did not immediately respond to' requests for comments.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)Price: $106.35, Change: $+0.52, Percent Change: +0.49%

$PZZA$WMT
Uneven Investor Sentiment Toward Hardline Retailers Could Persist Amid Macro Headwinds, UBS Says
US Markets

Uneven Investor Sentiment Toward Hardline Retailers Could Persist Amid Macro Headwinds, UBS Says

Investor sentiment toward US hardline retailers has become uneven and is likely to remain so unless macroeconomic headwinds dissipate, UBS Securities said in a note e-mailed Friday.Describing the prevailing mood as "a mix of apathy, caution, and chagrin," the brokerage said investors have become increasingly selective about hardline retail stocks amid a lack of long-term secular growth potential for the sector."Headlines surrounding affordability pressures, interest rates, inflation, labor market disruption, tariffs, freight costs, and geopolitical instability have created a backdrop that feels persistently unsettled," UBS analysts, including Michael Lasser, said in a note to clients. "As a result, many investors increasingly view the sector through a defensive lens rather than an aspirational one."Last month, official data showed that US inflation accelerated sequentially in July, while consumer spending growth eased. A University of Michigan survey showed that consumer sentiment in the country dropped in August amid concerns that inflation will continue to be high for the "foreseeable future."Dollar stores have seen an acceleration recently, while retail giant Walmart (WMT) and Costco Wholesale (COST) have seen a "moderation," sparking renewed debate about changing consumer behavior, UBS said."Investors continue to monitor credit card delinquencies, wealth effects tied to equity markets, and fuel prices as key variables that could shape spending patterns over the next several quarters," the analysts wrote.Walmart seems to be undergoing "a gradual regeneration" of its shareholder base, according to the brokerage. "The prevailing view is that the stock may remain range-bound near term as investors wait for proof that the most compelling elements of the investment thesis can translate into tangible financial outcomes," the analysts said.Costco's latest sales data reignited debate over whether the warehouse chain's recent performance reflects "continued deceleration or the early stages of stabilization," UBS said."Bulls remain focused on traffic growth, membership engagement, and the enduring strength of Costco's flywheel," the analysts wrote. "Skeptics question whether the stock can continue to command its premium valuation if the business settles into a slightly lower long-term comp framework."Following a few quarters of mid-single-digit comparable sales growth at Target (TGT), the investor discussion has moved to debating the retailer's long-term earnings potential from questioning the business' relevance, according to the note.Walmart, Dollar General (DG), Dollar Tree (DLTR), Best Buy (BBY), Home Depot (HD), and Tractor Supply (TSCO) are generally seen as tariff refund beneficiaries, while Target, Williams-Sonoma (WSM), and Five Below (FIVE) are "more commonly" viewed as the companies on the other end of the spectrum, UBS said."This distinction may become increasingly important as investors begin to focus on the anniversary of these benefits and their second- and third-order implications for margins, pricing strategies, and earnings growth moving into next year," the analysts said.Price: $107.27, Change: $-1.15, Percent Change: -1.06%

$BBY$COST$DG$DLTR$FIVE$HD$TGT$TSCO$WMT$WSM
Kroger Could Miss Quarterly Identical Sales Views Amid Challenging Grocery Backdrop, Oppenheimer Says
US Markets

Kroger Could Miss Quarterly Identical Sales Views Amid Challenging Grocery Backdrop, Oppenheimer Says

Kroger's (KR) fiscal second-quarter identical sales are expected to underperform market estimates amid a challenging grocery business environment, likely prompting the company to revise its full-year outlook, Oppenheimer said Thursday.The supermarket chain is scheduled to report results Sept. 11.Oppenheimer projects flat identical sales, excluding fuel, for the second quarter, compared with Wall Street's estimate of 1.1% growth."We have continued to see weaker industry data points lately, with softer growth at other conventional players from Publix to [Albertsons (ACI)], driven in part by ongoing headwinds on the pharmacy and (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) fronts and with a number of players citing a weaker consumer backdrop," Oppenheimer analysts, including Rupesh Parikh, said in a note to clients. "We also expect some adverse impact related to the Cyclospora outbreak."The brokerage projects Kroger's second-quarter earnings at $1.04 a share, versus the Street's $1.05 views, with the result likely driven by Oppenheimer's outlook for "stronger fuel profits," according to the note.The company is likely to trim guidance towards the lower end of its full-year outlook amid the tough grocery backdrop, continued pharmacy headwinds, and "still-elevated" diesel costs, the analysts said."We do not believe investors will be surprised by a (second-quarter) comp shortfall," the analysts wrote. "In addition, if management guides towards the lower end of the (full-year) range, we think this is largely already priced in."Kroger shares were up 1% in Thursday afternoon trade. The stock has lost 5.9% in value so far this year.In June, the company reiterated its fiscal 2026 outlook, including its expectations for identical sales growth, excluding fuel, of between 1% and 2%. Earlier this year, Kroger agreed to acquire food and pharmacy retailer Giant Eagle in a $1.65 billion deal."From here, we are focused on updated (full-year) guidance and more comprehensive details behind management's turnaround efforts, which we expect to hear more on at the company's investor day in late October," Oppenheimer said Thursday.Last month, Walmart's (WMT) fiscal second-quarter US comparable sales growth decelerated more than the Street expected amid a pharmacy-related headwind, while the retail giant issued a soft earnings outlook for the ongoing three-month period. Target (TGT) lifted its full-year outlook as tariff refunds helped double the retailer's fiscal second-quarter earnings year over year.Price: $58.89, Change: $+0.67, Percent Change: +1.15%

$ACI$KR$TGT$WMT
Wire

Market Chatter: Haleon Negotiates Better Shelf Placement at Walmart, Target

Haleon (HLN) has negotiated better shelf placement at Walmart (WMT) and Target (TGT), Reuters reported Thursday.Haleon was demerged from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in 2022.The company said it has offered major retailers better prices and promotions, as well as exclusivity on new products, in exchange for more prominent shelf space.Haleon, Target, and Walmart did not immediately respond to requests for comment from.Shares of Haleon were down 2%.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)Price: $9.76, Change: $-0.16, Percent Change: -1.61%

$GSK$HLN$TGT$WMT
Insider Trading

Walmart Insider Sold Shares Worth $415,298, According to a Recent SEC Filing

Daniel J Bartlett, Executive Vice President, on September 01, 2026, sold 3,950 shares in Walmart (WMT) for $415,298. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Bartlett has control over a total of 622,349 shares of the company, with 622,349 shares held directly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000157929926000024/xslF345X05/wk-form4_1788382695.xml

$WMT
Sectors

Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Rise Late Afternoon

Consumer stocks were higher late Friday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) increasing 0.4% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) adding 1%.US consumer sentiment dropped in August amid concerns that inflation will continue to be high for the "foreseeable future," final results of a University of Michigan survey showed Friday. The main sentiment index fell 6.3% sequentially to 51.7 this month. The gauge for current economic conditions decreased to 51.9 from 54.8, while the index of consumer expectations slid 7% to 51.5, according to the survey.In corporate news, Walt Disney's (DIS) Disney+ said Friday it signed a global distribution deal with The Pokemon Company International that includes a new stop-motion series created by Aardman, titled "Pokemon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd & Pichu," set to debut on Disney XD and stream exclusively on Disney+ in 2027. Disney shares rose 1.1%.Lucid (LCID) is recalling 27,185 of its Air luxury US sedans because an exterior lighting circuit could overheat and increase the risk of a fire, Reuters reported, citing the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Lucid is distributing an online software patch to fix the defect, with 20,719 affected vehicles already receiving the update, the report said. Lucid shares were down 1.9%.Walmart (WMT) has settled a US government lawsuit alleging its pharmacies unlawfully dispensed opioids and other controlled substances, Reuters reported Friday, citing a Justice Department statement. Walmart shares were up 0.3%.Gap (GAP) shares jumped 13% after the company raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings guidance.

$DIS$GAP$LCID$WMT
Sectors

Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Rise Friday Afternoon

Consumer stocks were higher Friday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) increasing 0.4% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) adding 0.7%.US consumer sentiment dropped in August amid concerns that inflation will continue to be high for the "foreseeable future," final results of a University of Michigan survey showed Friday. The main sentiment index fell 6.3% sequentially to 51.7 this month. The gauge for current economic conditions decreased to 51.9 from 54.8, while the index of consumer expectations slid 7% to 51.5, according to the survey.In corporate news, Walmart (WMT) has settled a US government lawsuit alleging its pharmacies unlawfully dispensed opioids and other controlled substances, Reuters reported Friday, citing a Justice Department statement. Walmart shares were up 0.2%.Gap (GAP) shares jumped 13% after the company raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings guidance.Fox (FOX) could still be part of a future re-merger with News Corp. (NWSA), Reuters reported Thursday, citing court filings and testimony tied to the Murdoch family succession dispute. Fox shares rose 1.6%, and News Corp. was shedding 0.6%.

$FOX$GAP$NWSA$WMT
Sectors

Sector Update: Consumer

Consumer stocks were higher Friday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) increasing 0.4% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) adding 0.7%.In corporate news, Walmart (WMT) has settled a US government lawsuit alleging its pharmacies unlawfully dispensed opioids and other controlled substances, Reuters reported Friday, citing a Justice Department statement. Walmart shares were up 0.3%.

$WMT
Best Buy's Comparable Sales Guidance Implies Growth Slow Down in Second Half, Wedbush Says
US Markets

Best Buy's Comparable Sales Guidance Implies Growth Slow Down in Second Half, Wedbush Says

Best Buy (BBY) second-half comparable sales guidance pointed to a sequential deceleration in growth, although the outlook appears to be achievable amid continuous strength in the mobile and emerging product categories, according to Wedbush Securities.Outgoing chief executive, Corie Barry, said during a Thursday conference call that the electronics retailer expects enterprise comparable sales to increase by 1% to 3% for the second half of fiscal 2027, according to a FactSet transcript. The current consensus on FactSet is for same-store sales to rise by 2.1% each for the third and fourth quarters.The metric grew 4.1% in the previous three-month period, which Wedbush believes was roughly in line with to modestly ahead of buy-side expectations, it said in a Friday client note. "The flow-through was less-than-expected due to elevated incentive compensation from the strong sales beat," analysts, including Matthew McCartney, said.The brokerage expects Best Buy to meet its guidance amid persistent strength in the mobile and emerging product categories, improvement in big-ticket spending and continued contributions from ads and marketplace."That said, we believe risk/reward is adequately priced at these levels when we consider the uncertain impact rising computing prices could have on the consumer and the prospect of tariff-refund-driven promotional intensity during the holiday period," according to McCartney.Wedbush believes the guidance doesn't fully reflect the strength of Best Buy's second-quarter results, with sales growth in the computing category to slow in the second half. Incoming Best Buy CEO Jason Bonfig told analysts on Thursday that the retailer will be lapping two years of growth in a "particularly strong" prior-year third quarter, which included tailwinds from the end of support for the Windows 10 operating system.Best Buy continues to tackle impacts from memory cost increases across the industry, with increasing product expenses and high prices flowing into its assortment, according to Bonfig, who is set to take over the top role on Nov. 1. The average selling price growth in computing was in the mid-teens in the second quarter, while units were down by high-single-digits, he added."We also have tools across trade-in, credit card financing and strategic promotions to help ease this impact on price increases," Bonfig said on the Thursday call. "This is a dynamic situation, and we will continue to partner closely with our vendors to mitigate impacts."Wedbush maintained its neutral rating on Best Buy's stock and its 12-month price target of $85.Shares of the company were down 0.7% in Friday trade, although the stock has gained 24% so far this year.Last week, retail giant Walmart (WMT) reported better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter results, although US comparable sales growth decelerated more than Wall Street projected amid a pharmacy-related headwind. Target (TGT) lifted its full-year outlook as tariff refunds helped double the retailer's fiscal second-quarter earnings year over year.Price: $83.10, Change: $-0.46, Percent Change: -0.55%

$BBY$TGT$WMT
Wire

Market Chatter: Walmart Reaches Settlement in US Government Opioid Lawsuit

Walmart (WMT) settled a US government lawsuit alleging its pharmacies unlawfully dispensed opioids and other controlled substances, Reuters reported Friday, citing a Justice Department statement.The department said the settlement resolves allegations that Walmart pharmacies failed to comply with their obligations under the Controlled Substances Act, according to the report.Terms of the settlement were not immediately available, Reuters said.Walmart said it was pleased to resolve the matter and would continue supporting its pharmacists in providing patient care, according to the report.Walmart did not immediately respond to' request for comment.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)Price: $102.77, Change: $+0.14, Percent Change: +0.14%

$WMT
Consumers Look to Congress for Relief as Companies Cash Tariff Refund Checks
US Markets

Consumers Look to Congress for Relief as Companies Cash Tariff Refund Checks

The majority of US companies holding $100 billion in potential tariff refunds haven't pledged to return the money to consumers, concerning advocates who say corporations have a "moral obligation" to return the funds to people who paid elevated prices for products they purchased.Companies including FedEx (FDX), Amazon (AMZN), Nike (NKE), Walmart (WMT), Target (TGT) and Apple (AAPL) have reported billions of dollars in collective tariff recoveries, temporarily boosting their earnings and cash flow.' review of earnings documents and conference calls found that the biggest reported refunds included Walmart, at nearly $2.9 billion; Target and Nike, at a little less than $1 billion each; FedEx, at $800 million; and Amazon, at $600 million.Apple hasn't disclosed the dollar amount for the windfall, but quantified the margin boost in its earnings release. The Wall Street Journal put Apple's tariff refund-related gain at nearly $2.2 billion. Tool manufacturer Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) booked a $118 million benefit.FedEx, Amazon and Costco Wholesale (COST) plan to return amounts to eligible customers, as per comments on their most recent earnings calls. But most businesses either have different plans for the additional money or have been mum on how to use tariff refunds.That doesn't satisfy some consumer advocacy groups that say regulatory or congressional intervention may be needed to make certain that money is passed through to hard-hit consumers.Companies have "a moral obligation" to return the money to consumers, ideally in the form of direct repayments, a spokesperson for the Consumer Federation of America said in remarks emailed to.While rebates and discounts are also viable options, those programs could be used as a tactic to charge consumers more on other products, Emily Peterson-Cassin, director of competition and market fairness at the advocacy group, said.Retail giants Walmart and Target plan to keep prices low generally, while Apple and Stanley Black & Decker intend to channel the additional cash back into the business, their executives told analysts on the earnings calls.Plumbing and home-improvement product maker Masco (MAS), which booked a $95 million net tariff refund, said it aims to use the money for share repurchases or acquisitions. Nike hasn't publicly stated its plans for the windfall."A profit-maximizing entity like a corporation will do what they think serves them best. And that could include keeping prices higher because we've gotten used to higher prices," Peterson-Cassin said."That's why we need regulatory intervention to ensure the money ends up in the hands of consumers where it belongs."Nonprofit group Public Citizen called on Congress to scrutinize the tariff refund processes "to prevent mismanagement and abuse," according to its statement to the House Ways and Means Committee in May.And the concern over a lack of a framework that guides the use of these refunds isn't limited to lobby groups. Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs said companies are using tariff refunds for a wide range of initiatives, including boosting marketing budgets and expanding share buyback programs."Companies are treating (more than $100 billion) in tariff refunds issued so far as a one-time windfall and using them to increase marketing budgets, offset ongoing cost headwinds, lower consumer prices, increase buybacks, and, in a few cases, issue refunds to customers," Goldman Sachs said in a weekly update on Aug. 17.US Customs and Border Protection has so far returned about $100 billion in tariff revenue to the Treasury Department for onward disbursement, according to a recent filing with the Court of International Trade. That followed the Supreme Court's February decision to strike down the Trump administration's tariffs implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.Earlier this year, the National Retail Federation said not every retailer lifted prices as a result of tariffs, suggesting consumers might not see broad-based price reductions."Many retailers absorbed the increased costs, adjusted their product mix or took other steps rather than increase prices," the National Retail Federation said at the end of April. "Their response to tariff refunds will be similar. Retailers will have a range of options to offset tariff-related costs and reinvest where it matters most: the business, their workforce and consumers."Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) introduced the Tariff Relief for Consumers Act in March to ensure that companies pass down tariff refunds to shoppers. Consumer Federation of America is one of the endorsers of the bill, which hasn't passed the House yet."I hope Congress steps in and sets some guardrails for consumers here, but unfortunately I don't think Congress has enough will around this issue to take bold steps yet," Peterson-Cassin of Consumer Federation of America said."I do think that putting money back in the hands of consumers during an affordability crisis should be among their top priorities, so perhaps they will prove me wrong!"When reached out for comment, Walmart and Amazon pointedto comments made on their most recent earnings calls. FedEx said it has started processing refunds to customers.Other companies mentioned in the article didn't respond to.

$AAPL$AMZN$COST$FDX$MAS$NKE$SWK$TGT$WMT
Insider Trading

Walmart Insider Sold Shares Worth $5,335,345, According to a Recent SEC Filing

Daniel Danker, Executive Vice President, on August 25, 2026, sold 50,644 shares in Walmart (WMT) for $5,335,345. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Danker has control over a total of 201,672 common shares of the company, with 201,672 shares held directly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000010416926000146/xslF345X05/wk-form4_1787864011.xml

$WMT
Wire

Nike Names Jane Ewing as Chief Commercial Officer

Nike (NKE) has named Jane Ewing as the company's chief commercial officer, effective Sept. 7, the company said Thursday.Ewing was most recently an executive at Walmart (WMT), where she served as interim CEO for Sam's Club China, Nike said.Price: $38.22, Change: $-0.38, Percent Change: -0.97%

$NKE$WMT
Best Buy Lifts Full-Year Outlook as Fiscal Second-Quarter Results Top Street Views
US Markets

Best Buy Lifts Full-Year Outlook as Fiscal Second-Quarter Results Top Street Views

Best Buy (BBY) raised its full-year outlook on Thursday as the electronics retailer's fiscal second-quarter results surpassed Wall Street's expectations.The company now anticipates adjusted earnings to come in between $6.70 and $6.90 per share for fiscal 2027, up from its previous guidance of $6.30 to $6.60. The current consensus on FactSet is for non-GAAP EPS of $6.62.Revenue is pegged at $42.3 billion to $42.8 billion, compared with the prior forecast of $41.2 billion to $42.1 billion. Comparable sales are expected to rise by 1.9% to 3%, up from the previous outlook range for a decline of 1% to an increase of 1%. The Street is looking for sales of $42.08 billion and same-store sales growth of 1.2%."We are raising our annual financial guidance due to the strong first half performance and our momentum as we enter the second half of the year," incoming Chief Executive Jason Bonfig said in a statement. Bonfig, who currently serves as the retailer's chief customer, product and fulfillment officer, is set to succeed Corie Barry in the top role, effective Nov. 1.Best Buy's shares fell 4.5% in Thursday trade, although the stock has gained about 25% so far this year.In an emailed client note, Truist Securities said it believes the downward stock movement is "all from positioning" given the 35% increase over the last few months "and the movement of the goal posts going into the print."For the three months through Aug. 1, Best Buy's adjusted EPS improved to $1.47 from $1.28 a year earlier, ahead of the average analyst estimate of $1.39. Revenue advanced to $9.78 billion from $9.44 billion, exceeding the Street's view for $9.59 billion.Comparable sales accelerated 4.1% from the prior-year quarter's 1.6% gain, defying the consensus on FactSet for a slowdown in growth to 1.3%. Domestic comparable sales moved 4.5% higher, buoyed by computing and home theater products, as well as some emerging categories, including artificial intelligence glasses and trading cards, according to the retailer."Every product category except entertainment (which was up against a huge comparison) comped positive, which we think helps support our bullish view that the combo of growing replacement demand, operational changes and the early stages of an AI-driven hardware upgrade cycle are gaining traction," Truist Managing Director Scot Ciccarelli wrote in the note.For the ongoing quarter, Best Buy expects enterprise comparable sales growth of 1% to 3%, Barry said during an earnings call, according to a FactSet transcript. "We have started the quarter with August month-to-date comparable sales growth at the high end of this range," Barry added. Analysts are currently estimating same-store sales to inch up by 0.1%.Last week, retail giant Walmart (WMT) reported better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter results, although US comparable sales growth decelerated more than Wall Street projected amid a pharmacy-related headwind. Target (TGT) lifted its full-year outlook as tariff refunds helped double the retailer's fiscal second-quarter earnings year over year.Price: $82.92, Change: $-4.52, Percent Change: -5.17%

$BBY$TGT$WMT
Wire

Walmart Shares Likely Facing Short-Term Breather, Oppenheimer Says

Walmart's (WMT) recent share pullback reflects a valuation reset and softer US comparable-sales trends, and the stock's short-term breather is likely to continue, Oppenheimer said Tuesday in a report.US comparable sales slowed both including and excluding Health & Wellness, while General Merchandise trends decelerated from mid-single-digit growth in Q1 to low-single digits in Q2, Oppenheimer said. Shares now trade at about 34 times next-12-month consensus earnings estimates, down from a peak of 44 times, the report said.Oppenheimer sees a bottom for the stock in the low $90s to low $100s and remains focused on upside potential in the US General Merchandise category, which it views as a swing factor.Walmart's management team under CEO John Furner "continues to execute quite well," the report said.Oppenheimer has a perform rating on Walmart stock and said its longer-term upbeat views on the company are unchanged.Price: $105.12, Change: $-1.37, Percent Change: -1.29%

$WMT
Sectors

Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Rise Late Afternoon

Consumer stocks were higher late Monday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) rising 1.4% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) up 0.2%.In corporate news, Paramount Skydance (PSKY) had its Monday meeting with California officials canceled after State Attorney General Rob Bonta accused the entertainment company of leaking details and negotiating in bad faith over its proposed multi-billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), The New York Times reported. Paramount shares were up 0.9%, and Warner Bros. added 0.7%.Walmart (WMT) is launching a new women's clothing, bag and accessories store brand this week aimed at younger shoppers, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. Most of the items under the new Scenario line will cost less under $25, the report said. Walmart shares gained 2.7%.Polestar Automotive (PSNY) said it still does not understand why it must stop US sales while its corporate cousin, Volvo Cars, was allowed to continue, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing an Aug. 18 letter from Polestar to its US dealers. The Trump administration is implementing a new rule to prevent China from spying through connected-vehicle technology, with Polestar becoming the first carmaker effectively blocked from selling vehicles in the US under the rule, the report said. Polestar shares fell 4.7%.PDD (PDD) reported Q2 earnings ahead of Wall Street estimates on Monday even as operating expenses rose annually, though revenue fell short of expectations. PDD shares were down 1.1%.

$PDD$PSKY$PSNY$WBD$WMT
Best Buy Set to Top Second-Quarter Comparable Sales Views Amid Positive Credit Card Data, Wedbush Says
US Markets

Best Buy Set to Top Second-Quarter Comparable Sales Views Amid Positive Credit Card Data, Wedbush Says

Best Buy (BBY) is poised to surpass expectations for its fiscal second-quarter comparable sales amid positive credit card data and other key indicators, Wedbush Securities said Monday.The brokerage raised its enterprise comparable sales growth estimate for the electronics retailer to 2.4% from 1% for the quarter. Wall Street is projecting an increase of 1.8%, Wedbush said in a note to clients.The brokerage expects second-quarter earnings of $1.38 a share on sales of $9.51 billion. Analysts polled by FactSet are looking for non-GAAP EPS of $1.38 on sales of $9.6 billion.Credit card data indicate a "milder" sequential slowdown than the roughly 900-basis-point implied by guidance, consistent with domestic comparable sales up about 2% in the quarter, Wedbush analysts, including Matthew McCartney, said. The brokerage's monthly regression of Bloomberg Second Measure card spend indicates comps growth of up to 3%, according to the note."Supplier read-throughs again show strong mobile and computing demand, with Apple (AAPL) posting June-quarter records for iPhone and Mac," the analysts wrote. "We also see some potential improvement in TV demand tied to the World Cup, based on Samsung commentary."The brokerage raised its price target on the Best Buy stock to $85 from $75 while maintaining its neutral rating.The company's shares were up 1.9% in Monday late-afternoon trade, bringing its year-to-date gains to 31%. Best Buy is scheduled to report second-quarter results Thursday."Forward guidance is the larger variable," Wedbush said. Any potential second-quarter beat is unlikely to be fully reflected in the company's guidance due to recent management changes, consumer pressure from higher computing prices, and expected promotional intensity tied to tariff refunds, according to the note.Best Buy recently appointed Anne Bramman as chief financial officer, ahead of incoming Chief Executive Jason Bonfig, who will assume the role from Corie Barry Nov. 1."Beyond (the second quarter), we see building headwinds: chip supply constraining computing availability, a '100-year flood' in memory pricing already lifting iPad/Mac prices and pushing out (do-it-yourself personal computer) builds, and rising promotional intensity into (second half)," Wedbush said.Earlier this month, Truist Securities said Best Buy was seeing improving sales momentum amid factors such as continued replacement demand and emerging mini-product cycles.Last week, retail giant Walmart (WMT) issued a soft earnings outlook for the ongoing three-month period after its fiscal second-quarter US comparable sales growth decelerated more than the Street's expectations.Price: $87.77, Change: $+1.88, Percent Change: +2.18%

$AAPL$BBY$WMT

Showing 1-20 of 161

Track with the FINWIRES app suite

FolioX
FolioX
Track Walmart in your portfolio
WheelAI
WheelAI
Analyze Walmart options with the wheel strategy
StockInsider
StockInsider
See market sentiment on Walmart