As Crypto Collapses, Buy This 1 Trillion-Dollar Dividend Stock Instead

Core Insights - The company has made significant investments in automation, AI, and digital advertising, which facilitated its transition from the NYSE to the Nasdaq in December last year [1][7] - Walmart has achieved a market capitalization of $1 trillion, marking it as the first major brick-and-mortar retailer to reach this valuation tier typically associated with tech companies [4][8] - The stock has shown strong performance, with a 27.5% increase over the past 52 weeks and a 17.8% rise in 2026 alone, outperforming the S&P 500 Index [8][9] Company Overview - Walmart operates as a tech-enabled omnichannel retailer, serving approximately 270 million customers weekly across over 10,750 stores and various online platforms in 19 countries [3][4] - The company has a long history of steady growth since its public listing in 1972, driven by continuous improvements in retail operations and digital commerce capabilities [2] Financial Performance - In Q3 of fiscal 2026, Walmart reported net sales of $179.5 billion, a 5.8% year-over-year increase, surpassing Wall Street's expectations [11] - Global eCommerce sales surged by 27%, while the global advertising business grew by 53%, indicating strong operational momentum [12] - The company’s adjusted earnings per share rose by 7% year-over-year to $0.62, exceeding the consensus estimate [13] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - As of October 31, 2025, Walmart held $10.6 billion in cash and cash equivalents, with total debt at $53.1 billion [14] - Operating cash flow increased to $27.5 billion, up $4.5 billion from the previous year, and free cash flow rose to $8.8 billion [14] Future Outlook - Management has raised its fiscal 2026 outlook, expecting net sales growth of 4.8% to 5.1% and adjusted operating income growth of 4.8% to 5.5% [15] - Adjusted EPS is projected to be between $2.58 and $2.63, indicating continued momentum [15] Analyst Sentiment - Walmart stock holds a consensus "Strong Buy" rating from Wall Street, with 29 out of 38 analysts recommending a "Strong Buy" [16] - The average price target is $125.41, with a Street-high target of $147, suggesting further potential upside of about 12.1% [16]