ZACKSยท2025-08-23 00:41Core Insights - Walmart outperformed Target in Q2 results, showcasing stronger growth driven by e-commerce and grocery sales [1][3][4] - Target is facing challenges with declining sales and leadership changes, impacting its growth trajectory [2][10] Walmart Performance - Walmart reported Q2 earnings of $0.68 per share, slightly below expectations of $0.73, but up from $0.67 in the same quarter last year [3] - Q2 sales reached $177.4 billion, a nearly 5% increase year-over-year, surpassing estimates of $175.51 billion [3][4] - Global e-commerce sales surged by 25% in Q2, and advertising revenue increased by 46% [4] - Walmart raised its full-year revenue growth guidance to 3.75%-4.75% and adjusted EPS guidance to $2.52-$2.62 for fiscal 2026 [8] Target Performance - Target's Q2 sales were $25.11 billion, down from $25.45 billion a year ago, but above estimates of $24.91 billion [5] - Q2 EPS of $2.05 fell short of expectations of $2.09 and decreased by 20% from $2.57 in the prior period [5][6] - Target experienced a 4% increase in digital sales but a 2% decline in comparable sales, with store traffic down over 1% [6] - Target maintained its full-year outlook, expecting a low-single-digit decline in sales and adjusted EPS between $7.00-9.00 [9] Leadership Changes - Target's CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February after 11 years, transitioning to executive chair, with COO Michael Fiddelke set to replace him [10] Valuation and Dividend - Target's stock is trading at 12X forward earnings, a discount compared to its decade-long median of 15X, while Walmart and Amazon trade at over 30X [11][12] - Target offers a higher annual dividend yield of 4.7% compared to Walmart's 0.96%, with both companies classified as Dividend Kings [13] Investment Considerations - Walmart's operational performance is currently stronger, appealing to growth-focused investors, while Target may attract income and value investors despite its challenges [17]