the unemployment rate ticking up for a fourth straight month to 4.6%. Joining me now, Muhammad Alerian, Alian's chief economic advisor. And Muhammad, the listen, I'm having a little bit of trouble with this jobs report.I don't know about you, just in terms of getting that clear picture of what is really going on. >> So, we should really look through this report. >> Okay.>> There are so many distortions and I think Sher Pal was absolutely right when he said we shouldn't take anything out of it. But if you pu ...

Core Insights - Walmart is on track to potentially reach a trillion-dollar market cap by 2026, with its stock currently valued at $930 billion and needing a growth of approximately 7.5% to achieve this milestone [2][17] - The company has seen significant stock performance, with an increase of over 29% year-to-date, outperforming the S&P 500 [1] E-commerce Expansion - Walmart is expanding beyond traditional brick-and-mortar sales, closing the gap with Amazon in e-commerce by leveraging its extensive store network as delivery hubs [4][5] - In the fiscal third quarter, Walmart's U.S. e-commerce revenue grew by 28%, while global e-commerce revenue increased by 27%, both outpacing total revenue growth of 5.8% [6] Advertising Growth - Walmart is enhancing its profit margins through its advertising business, Walmart Connect, which saw global advertising growth of 53% in the fiscal third quarter, with U.S. advertising growing by 33% [9][11] - The advertising sector is high-margin, benefiting from Walmart's large customer base and data for targeted campaigns [11][12] Dividend Consistency - Walmart is recognized as a Dividend King, having increased its dividend for 52 consecutive years, providing reliable income for investors [13][14] - The current quarterly dividend payout is $0.235, yielding around 0.80%, appealing to investors seeking consistent returns [14] Valuation Concerns - Walmart's stock is considered expensive, with a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 44.2, higher than many tech companies [15][17] - This high valuation suggests that Walmart is being viewed as a high-growth tech stock rather than a traditional retailer, which may limit room for error in future performance [17]

Core Insights - Expectations of stable economic growth and improving financial conditions are influencing investor strategies as they approach 2026 [1] - Blue-chip retail stocks like Walmart, Costco, and Lowe's are gaining attention due to their operational resilience and steady earnings performance [1] Economic Context - The economic growth in 2025 moderated as the transition from post-pandemic momentum to sustainable expansion occurred, with business investment softening and global trade remaining uneven [2] - Ongoing policy uncertainties regarding taxation and tariffs led many firms to delay major capital expenditures [2] - Inflation remained above the Federal Reserve's long-term target, prompting cautious interest rate cuts to ease financial conditions [3] Market Performance - Equity markets showed positive sentiment with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining approximately 14%, the S&P 500 advancing about 16%, and the Nasdaq Composite rising 19% year-to-date [4] Blue-Chip Retail Stocks - Blue-chip retail stocks are characterized by financial strength and a history of reliable returns, making them less volatile and dependable for investors [5] - These retailers possess strong market positions, brand recognition, and loyal customer bases, providing a competitive edge and growth opportunities [6] Company-Specific Insights Walmart - Walmart is enhancing its omnichannel retail position through technology, e-commerce, and high-margin profit streams [10] - The company has a market capitalization of $931.1 billion and pays a quarterly dividend of about $0.24 per share, with a payout ratio of 37% and a five-year dividend growth rate of 4.9% [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests growth of 4.5% in sales and 4.8% in EPS for the current financial year [11] Costco - Costco's membership-driven model is driving strong traffic and brand loyalty, supported by digital capabilities and operational technology [12] - The company has a market cap of $382 billion and pays a quarterly dividend of $1.30 per share, with a payout ratio of 28% and a five-year dividend growth rate of 13.7% [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates growth of 7.5% in sales and 11.3% in EPS for the current financial year [13] Lowe's - Lowe's is implementing a Total Home Strategy to enhance its competitive position through improved Pro capabilities and online experience [14] - The company has a market cap of $139.6 billion and pays a quarterly dividend of $1.20 per share, with a payout ratio of 39% and a five-year dividend growth rate of 15.6% [15] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests growth of 2.9% in sales and 2.2% in EPS for the current financial year [15]

Key Takeaways Walmart U.S. comp sales increased 4.5% in Q3, supported by higher transactions and unit volumes. Walmart saw traffic growth in stores and online, showing strength in its omnichannel model. Faster fulfillment and value pricing helped Walmart attract shoppers across income groups. Walmart Inc.’s (WMT) U.S. segment delivered a solid performance in the third quarter of fiscal 2026, with comp sales rising 4.5%. This growth was supported by increases in both transactions and unit volumes, signaling ...

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to four major retailers for selling baby formula associated with a bacterial illness outbreak in infants, despite prior advisories [1] Group 1: Regulatory Actions - The FDA's warning letters highlight ongoing concerns regarding the safety of baby formula products in the market [1] - The retailers involved have been identified as continuing to sell products linked to the outbreak, raising questions about compliance with health regulations [1] Group 2: Health Implications - The bacterial illness outbreak has significant implications for infant health, necessitating immediate action from both retailers and regulatory bodies [1] - The situation underscores the importance of stringent safety measures in the baby formula industry to protect vulnerable populations [1]

Calls of the daytime. We start with LBS today. Uh that's Las Vegas Sands upgraded to a buy from neutral at Goldman.The target to 80 from 64. So it already got past 64. Now they bump it up to 80.Joe T, you own this name. >> I think it's the right casino name to own because of its balance sheet. A little bit better.Sorry Jimmy Leventhal, if you're out there watching than win. Also consistent on their buyback strategy. Strong exposure to Macau, strong exposure to Singapore.Macau only that growth to intensify i ...

Target, Walmart and other large grocery chains were warned by US regulators for continuing to sell ByHeart infant formula that’s been recalled because it’s potentially contaminated with spores that cause botulism. https://t.co/DisWEfTyOk ...

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced the award of $3.6 million in grants through Acres for America, a land conservation partnership with Walmart, to permanently protect more than 145,000 acres of wildlife habitat across five states. These grants will leverage $56 million in public and private matching funds for a total conservation impact of $59.6 million.  For more than two decades, the Acres for America program has exemplified ...

Core Insights - Walmart is a leading global retailer with over 10,000 locations across 19 countries and has been publicly traded since October 1970 [1] Financial Performance - Walmart's current annual dividend is $0.94 per share, translating to a quarterly payout of $0.235 [2] - To achieve $500 in annual dividend income, an investor would need to own 532 shares, costing approximately $61,457 at the current stock price of $115.52 per share [2] - Walmart has increased its annual dividend for 52 consecutive years, qualifying it as a Dividend King [4] - The current dividend yield is 0.80%, which is lower than the S&P 500 average and its own 1.34% average yield over the past five years [4] Market Data - As of the latest market data, Walmart's stock price is $116.70, with a market capitalization of $930 billion [5] - The stock has a day's range of $115.06 to $116.94 and a 52-week range of $79.81 to $116.95 [6] - The average trading volume is 18 million, with the current volume at 619,000 [6] Investment Rationale - Investing in Walmart is seen as a commitment to a company with strong financials, a significant economic moat, and resilience against economic challenges, particularly appealing for dividend-focused investors [6]

Group 1 - Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) is highlighted as a stock that could benefit from the recent Fed rate cut, with potential for a turnaround if it can demonstrate improved performance [1] - The company reported disappointing financial results, including a slight revenue miss and a 2.7% decline in same-store sales, along with a modest earnings beat of 7 cents off a $1.71 basis [2] - Target has reduced the high end of its full-year earnings forecast, indicating ongoing challenges for the retailer [2]