Core Insights - Walmart reported revenue of $190.66 billion for the quarter ended January 2026, reflecting a 5.6% increase year-over-year and a surprise of +0.32% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $190.05 billion [1] - Earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $0.74, up from $0.66 in the same quarter last year, with an EPS surprise of +1.37% compared to the consensus estimate of $0.73 [1] Financial Performance Metrics - U.S. comparable store sales for Walmart U.S. (excluding fuel impact) increased by 4.6%, surpassing the average estimate of 4.2% [4] - U.S. comparable store sales for Sam's Club (excluding fuel impact) were 4%, slightly below the average estimate of 4.1% [4] - Walmart International reported a sales growth of 11.5%, exceeding the six-analyst average estimate of 10.1% [4] - Net sales for Walmart U.S. reached $129.22 billion, compared to the average estimate of $129.01 billion, marking a year-over-year increase of 4.6% [4] - Total revenues for Walmart were $188.91 billion, slightly above the average estimate of $188.52 billion, representing a 5.6% year-over-year change [4] - Net sales for Walmart International were $35.93 billion, exceeding the average estimate of $35.61 billion, with a year-over-year increase of 11.6% [4] - Net sales for Sam's Club were $23.76 billion, below the average estimate of $24.08 billion, reflecting a year-over-year change of +2.9% [4] Stock Performance - Walmart shares have returned +6.1% over the past month, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has seen a decline of -0.8% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Insights - Walmart is investing in its workforce by providing free AI training to its 1.6 million employees, contrasting with other companies that have used AI as a reason for job cuts [1][2] - The training includes an eight-hour course on AI fundamentals, developed in partnership with Google's AI Professional Certification, aimed at both frontline and corporate staff in the U.S. and Canada [2] - Only 5% of workers are considered "AI fluent," highlighting a significant skills gap, with only 40% of U.S. workers currently using AI in their jobs [3] Group 1: Training Initiative - Walmart's initiative aims to equip employees with AI skills to prepare them for a future that is increasingly automated and digitized [4] - The training is part of a broader trend among major employers, including Verizon and Deloitte, to provide access to AI education [2] - The goal is not just productivity but also talent retention, as employees with AI skills may qualify for higher-paying roles [5] Group 2: Industry Context - The widening skills gap represents both a risk and a responsibility for employers, as stated by Walmart's chief people officer [4] - Corporate leaders acknowledge AI's disruptive potential, with Walmart executives believing that while AI will change every job, it will not necessarily eliminate them [6] - Workers who are AI fluent are found to be 4.5 times more likely to receive higher wages, emphasizing the importance of bridging the skills gap [3]

Economic Data Summary - Jobless claims have significantly dropped to 206,000, indicating a strong labor market, aligning with the 4.3% unemployment rate reported in non-farm payrolls [1][2] - The four-week average for jobless claims is now at 219,000, reflecting a return to very strong jobless claims numbers [2] - The Philadelphia Fed index surprised with a rise to 16.3%, compared to expectations of around 7.5% [2][3] - The U.S. trade deficit widened to negative $70.3 billion, an increase from the previous $56.8 billion [3] Market Reactions - Pre-market trading shows a higher dollar and increased yields, with crude oil prices rising approximately 2% to $66.33 [4] - Walmart's stock, initially down, has slightly recovered, indicating its importance in the market narrative [5] Federal Reserve Insights - The latest Fed minutes reveal a divided stance among members regarding future interest rate adjustments, with some advocating for rate increases while others prefer lower rates [6][9] - Current economic indicators show a year-over-year inflation rate down to 2.4%, suggesting that the Fed's dual mandates are performing well [7][10] - The upcoming PCE number is anticipated to provide further insights into inflation trends [8] Geopolitical Factors - Crude oil prices have increased over 5% this week, influenced by ongoing tensions with Iran, which are contributing to a risk premium in the oil market [11][13] - The geopolitical situation is causing uncertainty, which is reflected in higher commodity prices, while stock market risks appear lower [13][14]

Company Overview - Proactive is a financial news and online broadcast organization that provides fast, accessible, informative, and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience [2] - The company operates across key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios located in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, and Perth [2] Content Production - Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations are overseen by a Managing Editor, who ensures quality control, editorial policy, and content production [1] - The company produces approximately 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually [1] Market Focus - Proactive specializes in medium and small-cap markets while also covering blue-chip companies, commodities, and broader investment stories [3] - The content delivered by the team includes insights across various sectors such as biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto, and emerging digital and EV technologies [3] Technology Utilization - Proactive is recognized for its forward-looking approach and enthusiastic adoption of technology to enhance workflows [4] - The company employs automation and software tools, including generative AI, while ensuring that all content is edited and authored by humans [5]

Core Viewpoint - Walmart Inc. has approved an annual cash dividend of $0.99 per share for fiscal year 2027, marking a 5% increase from the previous year's dividend of $0.94 per share [1] Dividend Details - The annual dividend of $0.99 per share will be distributed in four quarterly installments of $0.2475 per share [1] - The record and payable dates for the dividend payments are as follows: - Record Date: March 20, 2026, Payable Date: April 6, 2026 - Record Date: May 8, 2026, Payable Date: to be determined [1]

Company Insights - Walmart is expected to report fiscal Q4 EPS of $0.73 on revenue of $188.54 billion, with same-store sales forecasted to rise about 4.2% [3] - Walmart has recently joined the $1 trillion market-cap club, indicating strong market performance [3] - Grassroots Trading rates Walmart as a Strong Sell, citing extreme valuation and limited margin of safety if multiples revert [4] Economic Indicators - Economists anticipate Q4 GDP growth to be around 2.8%, with Wells Fargo suggesting it could be closer to 1.6% when accounting for the impact of a government shutdown [5][6] - The core PCE price index, which is the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, is forecasted to increase to 3% year over year [7] Market Events - The Supreme Court is expected to rule on President Trump's tariffs soon, with prediction markets indicating a 27% chance of ruling in favor of the tariffs [8][9] - Nvidia's CEO will not attend the India AI Impact Summit due to unforeseen circumstances, but the company remains committed to the event [9][10] Dividend Information - Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Hasbro, and Microsoft are set to go ex-dividend this week, with payout dates in March [10][11] Research Developments - Goldman Sachs has launched a software pair-trade basket, going long on companies perceived as insulated from AI disruption and short on those seen as vulnerable [11][12][13]

Company Insights - Walmart is expected to report fiscal Q4 EPS of $0.73 on revenue of $188.54 billion, with same-store sales forecasted to rise about 4.2% [3] - Walmart recently joined the $1 trillion market-cap club, highlighting its significant market presence [3] - Grassroots Trading rates Walmart as a Strong Sell, citing extreme valuation and limited margin of safety if multiples revert [4] Economic Indicators - Economists anticipate Q4 GDP growth to be around 2.8%, with Wells Fargo suggesting it could be closer to 1.6% when accounting for the government shutdown's impact [5][6] - The core PCE price index, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, is forecasted to increase to 3% year over year [7] Market Events - The Supreme Court is expected to rule on President Trump's tariffs soon, with prediction markets indicating a 27% chance of ruling in favor of the tariffs [8][9] - Major earnings reports are scheduled, including Palo Alto Networks and Medtronic on Tuesday, followed by DoorDash and Occidental on Wednesday [4] Dividend Information - Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Hasbro, and Microsoft are set to go ex-dividend this week, with payout dates in March [10][11] Investment Strategies - Goldman Sachs has launched a software pair-trade basket, going long on companies perceived as insulated from AI disruption and short on those seen as vulnerable [11][12][13]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses predictions for annual dividend increases for long-term dividend growth companies, emphasizing the effectiveness of investing in dividend growth stocks for wealth accumulation over time [1]. Group 1: Investment Strategy - The company has a history of exploring various investment styles over 25 years, ultimately finding that buying dividend growth stocks and reinvesting dividends is a straightforward method for long-term wealth growth [1]. - The company operates a blog, HarvestingDividends.com, which provides insights on S&P Dividend Aristocrats and other dividend growth stocks [1]. Group 2: Analyst Position - The analyst has a beneficial long position in Walmart (WMT) shares, either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives [2]. - The article reflects the analyst's personal opinions and is not influenced by compensation from any company mentioned [2].

Core Insights - Walmart Inc. is aggressively investing in AI technologies to enhance operational efficiency, particularly through the deployment of its assistant Sparky, which aims to optimize processes in a low-margin business environment [1] Group 1: Company Initiatives - The introduction of AI tools like Sparky is part of Walmart's strategy to improve efficiency across its extensive operations [1] Group 2: Industry Context - The move towards AI reflects a broader trend in the retail industry where companies are seeking innovative solutions to maintain competitiveness and profitability in challenging market conditions [1]

Walmart Inc. ( WMT ) is making an aggressive push into AI, rolling out tools like its assistant Sparky to squeeze more efficiency out of a sprawling operation that runs on thin margins. It's already helping the company work moreI focus on producing objective, data-driven research, mostly about small- to mid-cap companies, as these tend to be overlooked by many investors. From time to time, though, I also look at large-cap names, just to give a fuller sense of the broader equity markets.Analyst’s Disclosure: ...