Certain Walmart managers are getting a pay bump, pushing their total compensation, including stock grants and bonuses, to well over $600,000.  The nation’s largest private employer is raising the salary range for its market managers, who supervise store managers in about a dozen locations, from $130,000–$260,000 to $160,000–$260,000. However, Walmart said that the majority of the 440 market managers across the U.S. already fall within the new pay range. The company is also raising its annual stock grant fro ...

Stock Performance - Walmart's shares have rallied 13% over the past three months, outperforming the broader industry's rise of 11.7%, the Zacks Retail – Wholesale sector's growth of 11%, and the S&P 500's increase of 5.7% [1] - WMT stock closed at $93.81, just 2.5% below its 52-week high of $96.18, and trades above its 50 and 200-day moving averages, indicating strong upward momentum and price stability [4] Growth Drivers - Walmart's omnichannel strategy integrates online and in-store shopping, with initiatives like curbside pickup, delivery services, and Sam's Club "Just Go" checkout system enhancing customer convenience [6] - Global e-commerce sales grew 27% in Q3 FY2025, driven by expanded pickup and delivery options, a thriving marketplace, and advanced supply-chain automation [7] - High-margin businesses, including advertising, membership programs, and marketplace services, contributed to a 28% rise in advertising revenues and double-digit growth in Walmart+ and Sam's Club memberships [8] Financial Outlook - For FY2025, Walmart expects consolidated net sales growth of 4.8-5.1% (at constant currency), adjusted operating income growth of 8.5-9.25%, and adjusted EPS in the range of $2.42-$2.47, up from $2.22 in FY2024 [9] - Analysts have upgraded earnings estimates for the current fiscal year, reflecting optimism around Walmart's prospects [10] Valuation - Walmart's forward 12-month P/E ratio of 34.35 exceeds the industry average of 31.09, indicating market confidence in the company's long-term growth potential and resilience [11] Strategic Positioning - Walmart's expansive scale, digital transformation, and focus on value have made it a preferred destination for cost-conscious shoppers, with higher-income households now accounting for 75% of its U.S. market share gains [5][6] - International operations in key regions such as Mexico (Walmex), India (Flipkart and PhonePe), and China are vital components of Walmart's long-term growth strategy [8]

Walmart (WMT 0.62%) surged 71.9% in 2024, making it the second-best-performing component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average behind Nvidia. Investors may be wondering if Walmart can carry the momentum forward in 2025.Walmart's investment thesis has evolved from a stodgy dividend-paying value stock to a high-octane growth stock. With over 50 consecutive years of dividend increases, Walmart is also a Dividend King that sports a coveted combo of passive income potential and outsized market gains -- but only if ...

Retail Sector Performance - The retail sector concluded 2024 with robust consumer spending, as December retail sales rose 0.4%, building on November's upwardly revised 0.8% gain, reaching a total of $729.2 billion [2] - Categories such as miscellaneous stores, sporting goods and hobby stores, and furniture and home furnishings outlets showed standout performance [2] - Consumers defied challenges due to a resilient labor market and steady wage growth, with retailers capitalizing on promotional strategies to drive spending on big-ticket items and essentials [3] Retail Sales Breakdown - Motor vehicle & parts dealers saw a 0.7% month-on-month increase in sales [4] - Furniture & home furnishing stores and electronics & appliance outlets experienced sales increases of 2.3% and 0.4%, respectively [4] - Food & beverage stores and clothing & clothing accessories stores witnessed sales growth of 0.8% and 1.5%, respectively [4] - Sporting goods, hobbies, musical instruments & bookstores saw a 2.6% rise in sales, while gasoline stations reported a 1.5% increase [5] - Non-store retailers (primarily online) reported a 0.2% jump, and general merchandise stores experienced a 0.3% increase [5] - Miscellaneous stores registered growth of 4.3%, while building material, garden equipment & supplies dealers saw a 2% decline [5] - Health & personal care stores and food services & drinking places saw sales declines of 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively [5] Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) - Abercrombie & Fitch excels in integrating digital and physical retail channels, driving higher customer satisfaction and loyalty [6] - The company revised its Q4 net sales outlook upward to a range of 7% to 8%, up from the prior forecast of 5% to 7%, due to a successful holiday sales season [7] - The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 14.8% on average, with Zacks Consensus Estimate suggesting 15.1% sales growth and 69.3% EPS growth for the current financial year [8][9] Amazon (AMZN) - Amazon's robust e-commerce platform and efficient delivery services continue to drive revenue growth, with Prime membership fostering customer loyalty and recurring revenues [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests 10.9% sales growth and 82.4% EPS growth for the current financial year, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 25.9% on average [11] Costco (COST) - Costco's success is driven by strategic investments, a customer-centric approach, and a strong emphasis on memberships, with high renewal rates and efficient supply chain management [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests 7.2% sales growth and 11.8% EPS growth for the current financial year, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2% on average [13] Walmart (WMT) - Walmart is strengthening its market presence through strategic e-commerce initiatives, including acquisitions, partnerships, and improvements in delivery and payment systems [14] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests 4.8% sales growth and 11.3% EPS growth for the current financial year, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.3% on average [15]

For Immediate ReleasesChicago, IL – January 22, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include, Walmart Inc. (WMT) , Marvell Technology, Inc. (MRVL) and Amphenol Corp. (APH) .Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:Earnings Season Scorecard and Analyst Reports for Walmart, Marvell and OthersToday's Rese ...

About this content About Josh Lamb After graduating from the University of Kent in the summer of 2022 with a degree in History, Josh joined Proactive later that year as a journalist in the UK editorial team. Josh has reported on a range of areas whilst at Proactive, including energy companies during a time of global crisis, aviation and airlines as the sector recovers from the pandemic, as well as covering economic, social and governance issues. Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and ...

Walmart's DEI Policy Changes - Walmart scaled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, joining other companies like Harley-Davidson, John Deere, and Tractor Supply [1][5] - The decision was celebrated by conservatives but faced pushback from shareholders and Democratic officials [1][2] - Over 30 Walmart shareholders, representing more than $266 billion in combined assets, expressed concerns about the business impact of abandoning DEI initiatives [3][4] - Shareholders accused Walmart of giving in to pressure from anti-DEI groups and ignoring risks associated with racial inequity [4] - A group of 13 Democratic state attorneys general also criticized Walmart's decision, urging the company to reconsider and protect civil rights in the workplace [5][6] Shareholder and Investor Reactions - Some investors praised Walmart's move, while others urged the company to recommit to DEI strategies that reduce bias and create inclusive workplaces [2][5] - Shareholders requested a meeting with Walmart's leadership to discuss the reversal and its implications [5] - The attorneys general warned that Walmart's decision could alienate customers and employees, negatively impacting the company's bottom line [7] Walmart's Response and Future Plans - Walmart defended its decision, stating it remains committed to creating a sense of belonging for all associates and customers [8] - The company announced it would stop funding the Center for Racial Equity and discontinue the use of terms like "LatinX" and "DEI" in official communications [9] - Walmart will no longer participate in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, which rates companies on LGBTQ employee policies [9] - Walmart U S CEO John Furner emphasized the company's ongoing journey to ensure inclusivity and belonging for all customers and associates [9]

The Federal Trade Commission sued PepsiCo on Friday for offering preferential pricing to a large retailer, whom a source familiar with the matter confirmed was Walmart.The practices fed high consumer prices by placing at a disadvantage other retailers, from large grocery chains to independent convenience stores, the FTC said.“PepsiCo strongly disputes the FTC’s allegations, and the partisan manner in which the suit was filed,” the company said in a statement.PepsiCo said it strongly disputed the FTC’s alleg ...

Walmart and Symbotic Partnership - Walmart deepens partnership with Symbotic to enhance supply chain and delivery efficiency through the acquisition of Walmart's Advanced Systems and Robotics business [1] - Symbotic will integrate its AI-powered robotics platform into Walmart's operations to automate online pickup and delivery processes at 400 stores initially, with potential for further expansion [2] - The deal includes a $200 million cash payment at closing and up to $350 million in contingent consideration based on APD system orders, with Walmart funding a $520 million development program [3] - The collaboration could add over $5 billion to Symbotic's backlog and expand its addressable market, while Walmart aims to optimize e-commerce operations and enhance customer value through automation [4] Walmart's E-Commerce Strategy - Walmart leverages technology to meet growing customer demand for seamless online shopping and efficient local fulfillment, with 90% of the U.S. population living within 10 miles of a Walmart store [7] - Store-fulfilled deliveries surged nearly 50% year-over-year for the quarter ended Oct 31, 2024, as Walmart uses its stores to fulfill e-commerce orders, reducing costs and increasing delivery speed [7] - Walmart's global e-commerce sales rose 27% in Q3 fiscal 2025, driven by store-fulfilled pickup and delivery and marketplace growth [8] - The company has invested in data analytics, digital presence expansion, and in-store operations optimization, alongside initiatives like buyouts, alliances, and improved delivery and payment systems [8] Walmart's Stock Performance - Walmart's shares rallied 12.3% in the past three months, outperforming the industry's growth of 11.8% [9] Other Retail Industry Highlights - Costco Wholesale (COST) carries a Zacks Rank of 2, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2% on average and consensus estimates suggesting 7.2% sales growth and 11.8% earnings growth for the current financial year [10] - The TJX Companies (TJX) carries a Zacks Rank of 2, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4% on average and consensus estimates indicating 3.7% sales growth and 11.2% earnings growth for the current financial year [11]

About this content About Oliver Haill Oliver has been writing about companies and markets since the early 2000s, cutting his teeth as a financial journalist at Growth Company Investor with a focusing on AIM companies and small caps, before a few years later becoming a section editor and then head of research. He joined Proactive after a couple of years freelancing, where he worked for the Financial Times Group, ITV, Press Association, Reuters sports desk, the London Olympic News Service, Rugby World Cup ...