Walmart(US:WMT) 雪球·2025-05-18 04:33Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the pressure on Walmart due to increased tariffs and the company's decision to raise prices, which has drawn criticism from former President Trump, who believes Walmart should absorb the costs instead of passing them on to consumers [4][10]. Group 1: Trump's Criticism of Walmart - Trump criticized Walmart for planning to raise prices due to tariffs, stating that the company, which made billions in profit last year, should absorb the costs [4][5]. - He emphasized that Walmart's price hikes should not be blamed on tariffs, as the company has already seen significant profits [4][10]. Group 2: Financial Performance of Walmart - Walmart reported total revenue of $165.6 billion for the first fiscal quarter of 2026, a 2.5% increase year-over-year, with adjusted operating income of $7.3 billion, up 4.3% [5][7]. - However, the net income attributable to Walmart fell by 12.1% to $4.49 billion, indicating the impact of rising costs on profitability [5][7]. Group 3: Impact of Tariffs on Costs - Walmart's management highlighted the significant cost pressures from tariffs, particularly those imposed on imports from China, which have accelerated since late April [9][8]. - The company is exploring various strategies to mitigate these costs, including diversifying profit sources through e-commerce [9][8]. Group 4: Broader Retail Price Increases - Walmart's price increases may signal a trend for other retailers, as it serves a large portion of American consumers [10]. - Other companies, including Ford and luxury brands, have also announced price hikes, indicating a potential widespread increase in retail prices [10]. Group 5: Inflation and Consumer Sentiment - Consumer confidence in the U.S. has dropped significantly, with the May index falling to 50.8, the second-lowest level recorded since 1978 [12][14]. - Inflation expectations among consumers have risen, with one-year expectations increasing to 7.3%, the highest since 1981 [14][12].