Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is offering a special Thanksgiving discount. ...

Core Insights - Tractor Supply Company (TSCO) reported strong second-quarter 2025 results, with record sales of $4.44 billion, reflecting a 4.5% year-over-year increase and a 1.5% growth in comparable store sales, driven by steady customer traffic and improving ticket trends [1][9] - The gross margin expanded by 31 basis points to 36.9%, attributed to disciplined cost management, efficiency gains in the supply chain, and strong performance in core consumable, usable, and edible (C.U.E.) categories [2][9] - Despite the positive results, management noted that tariff-related cost pressures are emerging and expected to intensify in the second half of 2025, which may modestly impact margins [3][4] Financial Performance - The company anticipates net sales growth of 4-8% for the full year and expects earnings per share (EPS) to be between $2.00 and $2.18, reaffirming its outlook despite the challenges posed by tariffs and inflation [4][5] - Customer engagement remains strong, with Neighbor's Club membership exceeding 41 million, contributing to over 80% of total sales [2] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Ulta Beauty, Five Below, and Sally Beauty are facing similar tariff pressures, impacting their margins and profitability [6][7][8] - Ulta Beauty is experiencing margin contraction due to rising costs, while Five Below is struggling with limited pricing power amid steep tariff headwinds [6][7] - Sally Beauty is also under pressure from tariffs and weak consumer sentiment, although it is attempting to mitigate impacts through vendor cost-sharing and selective price hikes [8]

Core Insights - Target's stock has decreased by almost 35% this year, while Walmart's stock has increased by around 18% and is nearing its all-time high [1] Group 1: Target's Strengths - Target has positioned itself as a premium brand offering exclusive products, contrasting with Walmart's focus on low prices [4] - Despite a 0.9% year-over-year revenue decline in Q2, Target's memberships, marketplace, and advertising platform saw a revenue growth of 14.2% [5] - Target is a Dividend King with 54 consecutive years of dividend increases, offering a 5% dividend yield, significantly higher than Walmart's 0.8% [6][7] Group 2: Walmart's Strengths - Walmart is also a Dividend King and has been expanding into higher-margin businesses such as membership, advertising, and e-commerce [9] - Walmart operates approximately 4,600 stores in the U.S. and 10,750 globally, providing a competitive advantage in growing its Walmart+ membership through same-day delivery [10]

Retail giants Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) and Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) are riding a massive boom in collectible trading cards, with Target projecting more than $1 billion in annual sales from the category.CNBC reports that analysts say the surge could keep the retailers ahead in the competitive holiday season.Sales of trading cards featuring Pokémon, athletes, and celebrities have jumped sharply in 2025, becoming one of the hottest toy categories. Target says trading card revenue has soared about 70% this ...

Group 1 - Walmart received a significant boost from AI advancements, positioning it as a strong stock in the current volatile market [1] - FTAI Aviation, Cloudflare, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, and Guardant Health are highlighted as stocks to watch this week [1] - The market is experiencing choppy conditions with notable intraday swings, indicating increased volatility [1] Group 2 - Walmart offers a dividend yield of 0.84%, which can be enhanced through long-term covered call strategies [2]

Core Insights - Walmart Inc. has been recognized as one of the 15 Dividend Stocks that have raised payouts for over 20 years [1] - DA Davidson maintains a Buy rating and a price target of $117.00 for Walmart following its partnership with OpenAI [2] - The partnership allows customers to shop at Walmart through ChatGPT using the Instant Checkout platform, positioning Walmart as a leader in the "Agentic Commerce" trend [3][4] Financial Performance - Walmart has increased its dividend payouts for 52 consecutive years, currently offering a quarterly dividend of $0.235 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 0.89% as of October 16 [4] Strategic Positioning - The collaboration with OpenAI is expected to enhance Walmart's competitive edge in the evolving commerce environment, leveraging its scale and proactive adoption of AI technologies [3][4] - DA Davidson believes Walmart will excel in the "Agentic Commerce race" among traditional retailers due to its technological advancements [4]

Core Insights - Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan, expressed a cautious acceptance of gold as a potential investment, suggesting it could reach prices of $5,000 to $10,000 per ounce in the current economic environment [1][2] - Gold has experienced a significant price increase, with a 63% gain in 2025, outperforming JPMorgan's stock, which is up 26%, and the S&P 500, which has risen by 12.5% [2] Market Dynamics - The surge in gold prices is primarily driven by central banks and large institutions purchasing gold in bulk, while private collectors in the US are also seeing substantial increases in the value of their gold assets [3] - The price of one-ounce gold bars has increased by over $1,300 in seven months, indicating strong demand despite high prices [4] - Sales of new gold coins and bars from some mints are beginning to decline due to elevated prices, although demand for physical gold remains robust [4][5] Consumer Behavior - High prices have not deterred consumers, as evidenced by strong sales at retailers like Costco, where gold bars are selling quickly [5] - There is a psychological threshold in the market that may stabilize prices temporarily, but profit-taking could occur as well [5][6] - Increased interest in gold among novice investors has been noted, partly attributed to retail experiences at places like Costco [6]

About this content About Emily Jarvie Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, ...

Retailers in the United States anticipate that nearly $850bn worth of merchandise will be returned this year, according to the 2025 Retail Returns Landscape report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Happy Returns, a UPS company. The projected return rate of 15.8% of total annual sales is slightly lower than last year’s 16.9%, when returns reached $890 billion. Katherine Cullen, NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights, highlighted that returns are increasingly viewed as a ke ...

Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) is included among the 10 Best Beaten Down Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now. DA Davidson Cuts Target Price to $108, Keeps Buy Rating on Target Corporation (TGT) Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash On October 13, DA Dav⁠idson cut its price target on Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) from $115 to $108 b⁠ut maintained a Buy rating on the stock. The firm also added‌ T​ar​g‌et to its “Stampede List,” noting that a‌n “Equity/Debt‍ Recapitalization”‌ c‍ould act as a potential‌ c‌atalyst. A‍ ...