Fear Walmart At $96?

Core Insights - Walmart has shown significant stock performance, surging 75% last year and adding another 7% in 2025, positioning itself prominently in the S&P 500 [1] - The company's growth is driven by strong in-store execution, thriving e-commerce, and efficient Walmart+ delivery services [1] Valuation Concerns - Walmart is trading at 41 times earnings and 21 times free cash flow, resulting in a low cash flow yield of 4.7% [2] - Compared to Amazon, which has a lower multiple and faster revenue growth, Walmart's high valuation raises concerns about its growth narrative [2] Growth Drivers - Management is focusing on high-growth areas such as e-commerce, advertising, memberships, and marketplace growth, with global e-commerce sales increasing by 22% and ad revenues growing by 31% in Q1 [3] - Walmart reported a profit in e-commerce for Q1'26, marking a significant achievement [3] Slowing Momentum - Despite a 1.6% increase in customer transactions in Q1, this marks the fourth consecutive quarter of slowing momentum [4] - Gross margins improved only slightly by 12 basis points, indicating limited improvement in profitability [4] Future Projections - For FY 2026, management projects only 4% revenue growth, 4.5% operating income growth, and under 2% EPS growth, which is modest for a company with a high valuation [5] Tariff Risks - New U.S. tariffs on imports from several countries could lead to higher prices, with Walmart reducing purchase quantities on sensitive products [6] - With one-third of its U.S. merchandise sourced from imports, the company faces significant exposure to tariff risks [6] Competitive Advantages - Walmart's leadership in groceries ensures steady customer traffic, contributing to a 4.5% increase in U.S. same-store sales in Q1 [7] - The company continues to expand in high-margin sectors, positioning itself for long-term resilience despite valuation pressures [8]