Walmart Stock: A Millionaire Maker in the Making?

Core Business Performance - Walmart's U.S. sales in the fiscal fourth quarter rose by 5%, driven by e-commerce growth, price leadership, and an expanding product assortment, outperforming competitors like Target and Kroger [3] - Customer traffic increased by 3%, building on a previous year's 4% rise, indicating strong customer loyalty and potential for future sales growth [4] Growth Segments - Walmart's global advertising business grew by 29%, membership income by 16%, and marketplace segment by 34%, contributing to a 9% rise in adjusted operating profit, nearly double the net sales growth [5] - There is potential for Walmart's operating margin to increase from the current 4% to high single digits as these growth segments develop [6] Valuation Concerns - Walmart's stock is currently valued at 40 times earnings and 1.1 times sales, close to 10-year highs, which raises concerns about its elevated price [7] - Despite the high valuation, Walmart could justify its premium by continuing to gain market share and improving profitability towards 6% of sales, potentially supporting another decade of market-beating returns [8] Investment Outlook - Walmart's leadership position and multiple growth pathways make it a valuable addition to a retirement portfolio, with the potential to exceed $1 million in value [10]