Walmart hikes sales and earnings forecast as it attracts shoppers across incomes

Core Insights - Walmart reported adjusted earnings of 62 cents, a 7% increase, exceeding analysts' expectations, with revenues of $179.5 billion, up 5.8% year-over-year, also above estimates [1] - The company raised its full-year sales and earnings forecast for the second time, expecting revenue growth between 4.8% and 5.1% and earnings in the range of 258 to 263 cents [1] - US comparable store sales grew by 4.5%, surpassing the 4% estimate, marking the 45th consecutive quarter of growth, with e-commerce sales increasing by 28% in the US [1] Financial Performance - Adjusted operating income is projected to grow between 4.8% to 5.5%, up from a previous forecast of flat [1] - Operating income for the quarter decreased by 0.2% due to a one-time compensation charge related to the planned public offering of its phone pay business [1] - Walmart's advertising business, Walmart Connect, saw a growth of 33% in the US and 53% globally [1] Consumer Behavior - Consumers across all income levels are opting for faster delivery services, with a 70% year-over-year increase in revenue from this segment [2] - Even lower-income consumers are utilizing expedited delivery options, indicating a shift in consumer preferences towards convenience [2][3] Market Position - Walmart is gaining market share among higher-income shoppers, with notable growth across all income cohorts [3] - The company plans to move its stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange to NASDAQ on December 9, maintaining its ticker symbol WMT [3][4] Leadership Transition - Doug McMillan, the current CEO, will retire after nearly 12 years, with John Ferner set to take over, who has been instrumental in the company's current success [5][6] - The leadership change is seen as a strategic move to ensure continuity and retain talent within the organization [7]