This story was originally published on CFO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Walmart on Wednesday announced it is promoting Chief Audit Executive Dwayne Milum, 50, to serve as the retailer’s controller and senior vice president, effective Feb. 1, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.   Milum, who joined the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retail giant just over two decades ago, will serve as its principal accounting off ...

Core Viewpoint - Target's stock has experienced a significant decline of 65% since its peak in 2021, but it remains a strong long-term investment opportunity for dividend investors [1][8]. Group 1: Dividend History and Strength - Target has been recognized as a "Dividend King," having increased its dividend annually for over five decades, placing it among a select group of retailers [3][6]. - The trailing-12-month dividend payout ratio is around 50%, indicating that the dividend is likely secure despite the stock price drop [6][8]. - The board of directors raised the dividend in mid-2025, signaling confidence in Target's future despite current challenges [9]. Group 2: Market Position and Comparison - Target is positioned as an elite retailer, with Walmart being its closest competitor, although their operational strategies differ significantly [4][5]. - While Walmart focuses on "everyday low prices," Target aims to provide a more premium shopping experience, which can lead to greater vulnerability during economic downturns [5][12]. Group 3: Current Challenges and Opportunities - Target's stock decline has resulted in a historically high dividend yield of 5%, presenting a potential opportunity for capital appreciation if the company successfully executes a turnaround [8][11]. - The company has recently appointed a new CEO and shifted to a team-based strategy for oversight, indicating a proactive approach to addressing its challenges [10].

Core Insights - Walmart has paused all job offers to candidates requiring H-1B visas due to the newly imposed $100,000 fee for new applicants, primarily affecting corporate positions rather than in-store roles [2][3][9] - The company employs approximately 2,390 H-1B visa holders and has historically relied on the H-1B program to meet its workforce needs [3][4] - Despite a revenue growth of 4.8% year over year to $177.4 billion in Q2 of fiscal 2026, Walmart is navigating uncertainty and has withdrawn its earnings guidance due to global market instability [5][6] Company Performance - Walmart's U.S. sales also grew by 4.8% to $121.6 billion in the same quarter, indicating strong performance despite external challenges [5] - The company has invested heavily in expansion through its "Investing in America" plan, which aims to modernize stores and create more domestic jobs, although this has led to an 8.2% decrease in operating income to $0.7 billion [8] Labor Market Context - The U.S. labor market is weakening, with 911,000 fewer jobs added than expected over the past year, and the unemployment rate rising to 4.3%, the highest in nearly four years [10][11] - The hiring rate is low, making it difficult for job seekers, including those affected by Walmart's decision, to find new positions [12][13]

Core Thesis - Costco Wholesale Corporation is positioned positively due to its strategic partnership with Novo Nordisk to sell GLP-1 drugs, which aligns with its low-margin, high-volume business model [2][3][4] Company Overview - As of October 7th, Costco's share price was $914.80, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 50.34 and 45.87 respectively [1] - The company's pharmacy revenue is growing at approximately 15% year-over-year, indicating strong performance in this segment [3] Strategic Partnership - The partnership with Novo Nordisk will allow Costco to sell Ozempic and Wegovy at $499 per month starting October 2025, enhancing its healthcare offerings [2][3] - This initiative is expected to increase member engagement and potentially boost renewal rates and average spend per member [3][4] Market Positioning - Both Costco and Novo Nordisk are trading at elevated valuations, with Costco around 45x earnings and Novo Nordisk near 40x [4] - The collaboration illustrates the intersection of retail and healthcare, showcasing Costco's ability to leverage its scale and brand trust to enter high-demand categories [4] Historical Context - A previous bullish thesis on Costco highlighted its membership-driven revenue model and operational efficiency, despite a 12.61% depreciation in stock price due to broader market pressures [5]

Core Points - Walmart is pausing the hiring of job candidates requiring H-1B visas, reflecting the impact of the Trump administration's immigration policies on corporate strategies [1][2] - The decision follows President Trump's announcement of increased fees for H-1B visas, which are now set at $100,000 per application, aimed at protecting American jobs and preventing visa abuse [2][6] - Walmart's corporate workforce primarily operates from its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, and major U.S. cities, with H-1B visa holders representing a small fraction of its total workforce [4][5] Company Specifics - Walmart is the largest employer in the U.S., with approximately 1.6 million employees, most of whom work in retail and warehouse positions [4] - As of June 30, Walmart employed 2,390 individuals on H-1B visas, ranking it as the ninth largest U.S. employer utilizing this visa category [5] - The company has stated its commitment to hiring top talent while being cautious about its H-1B hiring approach, with potential exceptions to the hiring pause [3][4] Industry Context - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit against the new H-1B visa fee, arguing it could hinder U.S. employers, particularly startups and small to midsize businesses, from accessing global talent [6] - The H-1B visa program was established to help American businesses of all sizes recruit necessary global talent for growth [6]

Group 1: Women in Sports - Forbes has released its inaugural list of America's Most Powerful Women In Sports, featuring 25 influential figures including NFL franchise owners, athletes, and coaches [2] - Notable individuals on the list include Gayle Benson, Coco Gauff, Dawn Staley, and Billie Jean King, the latter being the first athlete to earn over $100,000 in a year [2] Group 2: Market Reactions and Economic Trends - Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery increased by 11% following news of potential sales interest from multiple parties, as the company plans to split into two publicly traded firms [11] - Investors are retreating from metals like gold and silver, with gold's value dropping over 5% amid a technical correction, as noted by Standard Chartered analyst Suki Cooper [5] - Cathie Wood's Ark Innovation ETF has surged more than 80% in the past year, outperforming most ETFs and mutual funds, despite concerns about an AI bubble [6] Group 3: Technology and Data Privacy - TikTok has altered its data-sharing policies, now allowing sharing with regulatory authorities and law enforcement, raising concerns about user privacy [12][14] - The Trump Administration is negotiating a sale of parts of TikTok's U.S. business, which is subject to approval from both President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping [15] Group 4: Cryptocurrency and Investment - Joe Naggar is launching an independent hedge fund with $300 million under management, focusing on digital asset markets and frontier technologies [7]

Core Points - Walmart Inc has paused offers to candidates requiring H-1B visas due to the Trump administration's new $100,000 visa fees, impacting its corporate workforce [1][2] - The new fee structure aims to overhaul the H-1B visa program and reduce its overuse, affecting various industries that employ H-1B visa holders [2] - Walmart is the largest user of H-1B visas among major retail chains, employing approximately 2,390 H-1B visa holders, which is a small fraction of its total US workforce of about 1.6 million [2] Company Insights - Walmart's commitment to hiring and investing in talent remains, but the company is being cautious about its H-1B hiring approach in light of the new regulations [3] - Compared to tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta, Walmart's reliance on H-1B visa holders is relatively minor [3]

Core Points - Walmart Inc., the largest private employer in the US, has stopped making offers to candidates requiring H-1B visas due to the recent $100,000 visa fee imposed by the US administration [1][2] - The new fee primarily affects Walmart's corporate staff and is part of a broader effort to reform the H-1B visa program [2][5] - Walmart employs approximately 2,390 H-1B visa holders, which is a small fraction of its total US workforce of around 1.6 million [2][3] Impact of H-1B Visa Fee - The $100,000 visa fee is expected to deter US employers, particularly startups and small to midsize businesses, from utilizing the H-1B program, which was designed to help businesses access global talent [5] - The White House claims that the changes to the visa program are legal and represent necessary reforms, while critics argue that the program undermines job opportunities for skilled US workers [6]

Core Insights - Walmart is a leading global retailer with a diverse product range and a strong e-commerce presence, competing with major players like Amazon and Target [1] - Evercore ISI has maintained an "Outperform" rating for Walmart, raising the price target to $111 from $110, reflecting confidence in the company's growth prospects [1][5] Financial Performance - The current stock price of Walmart is $107.05, showing a slight decrease of 0.63%, with a trading range between $106.61 and $108.25 for the day [3] - The stock's 52-week range indicates volatility, with a high of $109.58 and a low of $79.81 [3] - Walmart's market capitalization is approximately $853.49 billion, highlighting its significant presence in the retail sector [4] Strategic Initiatives - Walmart has partnered with Abbott Laboratories to offer the Lingo continuous glucose monitor over-the-counter, available in over 3,500 locations and online, enhancing accessibility to medical devices [2] - This partnership aligns with Walmart's strategy to expand its healthcare offerings, demonstrating its commitment to innovation in the retail space [2]

Key Takeaways Walmart's Q2 e-commerce sales rose 25%, with all segments posting more than 20% growth.Store delivery volumes jumped 50%, with one-third of orders arriving in under three hours.Walmart's store-fulfilled delivery now reaches 93% of U.S. homes, targeting 95% by year-end.Walmart Inc.’s (WMT) second-quarter fiscal 2026 results underscore how delivery has become a core growth engine, driving both digital penetration and market expansion. The company’s continued investments in speed, coverage and fu ...