Core Insights - The Retail-Wholesale sector is expected to show growth in sales and earnings, influenced by consumer sentiment and spending trends [1][2] - Anticipated top-line growth of 5.6% year-over-year and bottom-line growth of 12.6% for the second quarter of 2025 [2] Company Performance - Walmart Inc. (WMT) is positioned for stability and growth with a Zacks Rank of 2 and an Earnings ESP of +1.26%, expecting a 9% increase in earnings per share [9][11] - Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) has a Zacks Rank of 3 and an Earnings ESP of +2.62%, with a consensus estimate suggesting a 9.2% decrease in earnings per share [12][13] - Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN) holds a Zacks Rank of 3 and an Earnings ESP of +3.60%, with a consensus estimate indicating a 16.1% increase in earnings per share [14][15] - Burlington Stores, Inc. (BURL) has a Zacks Rank of 3 and an Earnings ESP of +6.06%, with a consensus estimate suggesting a 5.8% increase in earnings per share [16][17] Market Trends - Retail earnings are influenced by consumer preferences shifting towards essentials and value-oriented products due to inflation [4] - Retailers focusing on competitive pricing and product diversification are likely to see improved foot traffic and conversion rates [4] - E-commerce growth and omnichannel capabilities are critical for retail success, with companies enhancing online shopping experiences [6] - Efficient inventory management is essential for profitability, with advanced analytics aiding in stock optimization [7]

I'm the finance executive editor Brian Saz and you're taking a look at a live shot of the opening bells on Wall Street on this Monday morning. Megaish ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange and CTW Cayman, a gaming platform company getting things popping over there at the NASDAQ. Now, there will be no shortage of market moving events this week.Ukraine President Vladimir Zalinski will be back in Washington after President Trump met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin last week. Other Europea ...

Core Insights - Walmart Inc. faces challenges in improving sales and accelerating profit amid tariff pressures, with membership income potentially providing a solution [1][4] Membership Income Growth - In Q1, Walmart's membership fee income increased by 14.8%, driven by strong growth in Walmart+ subscriptions and Sam's Club renewals, particularly in Sam's Club China where membership income grew over 40% [2][9] - Membership income is becoming a crucial part of Walmart's profit strategy, offering stability that traditional retail sales often lack [2][9] Consumer Engagement and Loyalty - Walmart+ subscribers are increasingly engaging with delivery and digital shopping, while Sam's Club Plus members are renewing at higher rates and utilizing digital tools like Scan & Go, enhancing customer loyalty and efficiency [3][9] Tariff Pressures and Profitability - The shift towards fee-based and service-driven profits is vital as tariff pressures increase, particularly in categories like electronics and toys, allowing Walmart to navigate pricing challenges without compromising its value proposition [4][9] Upcoming Earnings Focus - As Walmart prepares to unveil its second-quarter results, attention will be on whether membership growth can significantly drive profitability [5] Comparative Membership Growth - Costco reported a 10.4% year-over-year increase in membership fee income, totaling $1,240 million, with a 92.7% renewal rate in the U.S. and Canada [6] - BJ's Wholesale Club saw an 8.1% year-over-year increase in membership fee income to $120.4 million, with a high renewal rate of 90% [7] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Walmart's second-quarter sales implies a year-over-year growth of 3.7%, while earnings per share are expected to grow by 9% [8] - Walmart's shares have rallied 35.6% in the past year, closely aligning with the industry's growth of 35.5% [11] Valuation Metrics - Walmart's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio is 36.12, higher than the industry's 33.13, indicating a relatively high valuation [12]

[Music] Hello and welcome to Morning Brief Market Sunrise. I'm Raman Karamali live from Yahoo Finance Studios in London. It's Monday 18th August.Coming up on the show, geopolitics takes center stage as investors attention turns to Washington where President Trump hosts Ukraine's president alongside his European allies. The Fed is also in focus. Central bankers across the globe are to descend on Jackson Hole on Thursday.And we'll take a deep dive into what to expect when the big box retailers report earnings ...

Core Insights - Analysts project Walmart (WMT) will announce quarterly earnings of $0.73 per share, a 9% increase year over year, with revenues expected to reach $175.51 billion, reflecting a 3.6% increase from the same quarter last year [1] Earnings Estimates - Changes in earnings estimates are crucial for predicting investor reactions, with empirical studies showing a strong relationship between earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock performance [2] Revenue Projections - Analysts predict 'Revenues- Membership and other income' will reach $1.70 billion, indicating an 8.4% year-over-year change [4] - 'Net Sales- Walmart U.S.' is expected to reach $119.96 billion, reflecting a 4% increase from the prior-year quarter [4] - 'Revenues- Net Sales' is projected to be $173.88 billion, marking a 3.6% increase from the prior-year quarter [4] - 'Net Sales- Walmart International' is forecasted to reach $30.13 billion, indicating a 1.9% increase from the year-ago quarter [5] Comparable Store Sales - U.S. comparable store sales (YoY change) for Sam's Club (without fuel impact) is estimated at 4.9%, down from 5.2% in the previous year [6] - U.S. comparable store sales (YoY change) for Walmart U.S. (without fuel impact) is expected to be 4.0%, slightly down from 4.2% in the same quarter last year [6] - Total U.S. comparable store sales (YoY change) is projected at 4.2%, down from 4.3% in the previous year [7] Store Metrics - The number of stores for Sam's Club is expected to reach 602, up from 599 in the same quarter last year [7] - The estimated net square footage for Total is projected at 1,061 million square feet, an increase from 1,049 million square feet in the same quarter last year [8] - The net square footage for Sam's Club is expected to reach 81 million square feet, up from 80 million square feet in the previous year [8] - The consensus estimate for the number of stores internationally stands at 5,615, compared to 5,414 in the previous year [9] Stock Performance - Walmart shares have shown a return of +5.2% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.5% change, indicating a positive outlook for the stock [10]

I wrote a bearish idea on Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT ) in early June, and the stock is still trading near the same level after dropping around -3% last week. I will revisit the idea ahead ofAnalyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have ...

All right, joining us right now with more on the retail sector is Manny Cher, LNK partner, BCI Brands chairman, and former PVH chair and CEO. Manny, first of all, thanks for being here. Why don't you break this all down for us.What for for us. What are you going to be looking for from these earnings results. How much do you think we'll see on the tariffs front. How much do you think we'll see about the strength of the consumer.>> I think um business has been good through the se through the second quarter. I ...

Core Insights - Major U.S. retailers, including Walmart, are set to report quarterly earnings, which will provide insights into consumer behavior amid economic challenges [1] - Consumer sentiment has declined by 5% in August, primarily due to rising inflation concerns, indicating potential impacts on retail performance [3] Group 1: Economic Context - The upcoming earnings reports will reveal how U.S. consumers are managing the effects of White House tariffs, with a focus on consumer spending resilience amid inflation and job growth concerns [2] - A significant 10% drop in the current index of consumer sentiment reflects growing worries about personal finances, which may affect retail sales [3] Group 2: Consumer Behavior - Research indicates that 47% of American shoppers have faced difficulties in finding or affording everyday items due to tariffs, leading to supply chain disruptions [4] - Nearly one-third of consumers have postponed or canceled discretionary purchases, while 42% are now comparing prices at multiple retailers, up from 27% in January [5] Group 3: Retailer Challenges - Retailers are facing a consumer base that is increasingly price-sensitive and uncertain about product availability, which could impact long-term customer loyalty [6] - The ongoing effects of tariffs are transforming shopping habits, with consumers becoming more cautious and thrifty in their purchasing decisions [6]

Group 1 - Coca-Cola is identified as a leading Dividend King, having increased its dividend for 63 consecutive years, with a current dividend yield of 2.9%, which is higher than the average yield of consumer staples stocks [4][9] - The company has a strong market presence with 30 brands worth at least $1 billion and products sold in over 200 countries, yet it sees significant growth potential in developing and emerging markets where it holds only a 7% market share [6][7] - Coca-Cola reported $12.5 billion in revenue for the second quarter, a 1% increase year-over-year, with earnings per share rising 58% to $0.88, despite facing an 11-point currency headwind [7] Group 2 - The stock has appreciated by 12% in 2025 and 37% over the last five years, with a consistent dividend growth of more than 24% during the same period, making it an attractive investment despite lower stock returns compared to tech stocks [8][9] - Coca-Cola's gross margin improved to 62.4%, up 133 basis points from the previous year, indicating effective cost management in the face of rising commodity prices [12] - The company is positioned well to manage tariff impacts on commodity costs, which are more controllable compared to other companies facing higher import costs [11][12] Group 3 - Coca-Cola is viewed as a reliable investment choice in a tariff-centric environment, with a strong historical performance in dividend payouts and a solid market position [11][13] - The company is expected to continue its growth trajectory, leveraging its dominant market position and the potential for expansion in emerging markets [7][13]

Core Insights - Walmart (WMT) shares have significantly outperformed broader market indexes and peers, including Target (TGT) and Amazon (AMZN), with a year-to-date increase of +11.7% [1][2] - The upcoming quarterly results on August 21 will be crucial in determining if Walmart can sustain its stock momentum [1] Performance Comparison - Year-to-date performance shows Walmart up +11.7%, compared to the Magnificent 7 group at +15.6%, S&P 500 at +9.9%, Amazon at +5.3%, and Target down -22.8% [2] - Performance dynamics shifted post-April 8 market lows, with Walmart lagging behind the Magnificent 7, Amazon, and S&P 500 during that recovery period [3][7] Market Position and Strategy - Walmart's low-beta status and focus on essential goods contribute to its defensive stock attributes, providing stability amid market fluctuations [7][8] - The company has gained market share among higher-income households, driven by inflationary pressures and enhanced e-commerce capabilities [9][10] E-commerce and Revenue Growth - Walmart's e-commerce segment is now profitable, accounting for approximately 15% of total sales, with expectations to double this figure over time [12] - The company anticipates a +4% sales growth and operating income growth exceeding sales growth, having achieved +5.5% sales and +9.5% operating income growth in the past two years [15] Upcoming Earnings Expectations - Walmart is projected to report $0.73 in EPS on $175.51 billion in revenues, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +8.9% and +3.6%, respectively [16] - Same-store sales in the U.S. (excluding fuel) are expected to grow by +4.17%, slightly lower than the previous quarter's +4.8% [17] Retail Sector Overview - The retail sector is seeing strong earnings growth, with 21 of 32 S&P 500 retailers reporting a +20.5% increase in earnings year-over-year [21] - The overall earnings picture for the S&P 500 indicates a +11.4% increase in earnings and +5.8% revenue growth for 462 members that have reported [30][32]