US stocks fell Thursday as Wall Street assessed an unexpected decline in jobless claims, complicating the calculus for interest rate cuts amid uncertainty about Federal Reserve unity on policy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) dipped about 0.3%, and the S&P 500 (^GSPC) lost 0.6%. Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) fell 0.9%. The declines come after the major gauges closed lower for a second day Wednesday. Markets are putting the brakes on stocks' recent record-breaking rally amid ...

US stocks fell on Thursday as Wall Street assessed an unexpected decline in jobless claims and a sharp upgrade in GDP growth, complicating the calculus for interest rate cuts amid uncertainty about Federal Reserve unity on policy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) dropped 0.2%, and the S&P 500 (^GSPC) lost roughly 0.4%. Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) slid around 0.5% as Oracle (ORCL) stock added to losses. The declines came after the major gauges closed lower for a second day Wed ...

Core Insights - Agentic AI could represent an estimated $6 billion total cost savings opportunity for major U.S. retailers, potentially boosting profit estimates by up to 20% by 2026 [1][3] - Gap, Macy's, and Victoria's Secret are identified as the top three retailers best positioned to benefit from AI advancements [1] - Wall Street maintains a strong interest in AI-driven margin improvements in the retail sector, which has historically faced challenges with low profits and high inventory levels [2] Cost Savings and Margin Impact - The analysis estimates approximately $6 billion in annual cost savings from agentic AI tools, which include inventory planning, supply chain automation, and automated customer service [3] - If these savings are realized, it could add about 200 basis points to sector margins [3] Skepticism and Practical Applications - There is skepticism regarding the actual implementation and quantification of AI benefits in retail, as noted by Morningstar's senior equity analyst [3][4] - Practical applications of AI in retail include marketing, product recommendations, and inventory management, which could enhance customer targeting and promotion testing [5][6] - Improved demand prediction through AI could reduce markdowns and waste, significantly impacting margins if executed effectively [6] Adoption and Long-term Outlook - While AI adoption is expected to provide some benefits, it is unlikely to transform the retail industry overnight [7]

Group 1: Target Circle Week - Target Corporation is preparing for its largest Target Circle Week from October 5-11, offering significant savings on various products with discounts starting at 40% [1][6] - The event will feature top brands like Apple and GE, and Target Circle members will receive exclusive benefits, including early access to deals [1][6] Group 2: Stock Performance and Downgrade - Wolfe Research downgraded Target to an "Underperform" rating on September 17, 2025, citing the need for significant reinvestment which may affect financial performance [2][6] - Currently, Target's stock is priced at $87.50, reflecting a slight increase of $0.94 or 1.09% for the day, with a trading range between $86.73 and $87.88 [3][6] - Over the past year, the stock has experienced volatility, with a high of $161.50 and a low of $86.30 [3] Group 3: Market Capitalization and Community Support - Target's market capitalization is approximately $39.76 billion, with a trading volume of 3,766,821 shares, indicating a substantial presence in the retail market [4] - The company operates nearly 2,000 stores nationwide and offers convenient shopping options like free Order Pickup, Drive Up, and fast delivery services [5] - Target donates 5% of its profits to community support, amounting to millions weekly, as it aims to attract more customers during Circle Week [5]

U.S. stock markets experienced a mixed but largely muted afternoon on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, as investors digested a flurry of economic data and awaited key remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average continued its ascent, hitting fresh intraday records, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite showed signs of hesitation, pulling back slightly after a relentless rally that saw all three major indexes close at all-time highs on Monday. The afternoon trading session ...

Core Insights - Target Corporation is preparing for its largest shopping event, Target Circle Week, from October 5 to October 11, 2025, aiming to attract shoppers with early holiday deals and fall essentials [1][6] - The event will feature significant discounts, exclusive perks for loyalty program members, and a focus on creating excitement for the upcoming holiday season [1][6] Group 1: Target Circle Week Details - Target Circle members will have access to daily "Deal of the Day" offers starting at 40% off, with discounts on popular brands like Apple, GE, Crocs, and Champion [2][8] - Discounts will include up to 50% off kitchen appliances, 30% off adult denim, and substantial savings on toys, books, music, and Halloween costumes [2][8] - Seasonal items such as trick-or-treat candy, cozy bedding, and trendy apparel will also see significant markdowns [2] Group 2: Membership Benefits - Target Circle 360 subscribers will receive 24-hour early access to top deals, special in-store giveaways, and exclusive product drops [3][8] - Subscribers can earn $10 in Target Circle Rewards for every $100 spent, along with ongoing benefits like unlimited same-day delivery on orders over $35 [3] Group 3: Shopping Options - Shoppers can access deals at nearly 2,000 Target stores or utilize options like free Order Pickup, Drive Up, or fast same-day delivery [4] - Joining Target Circle is free and provides everyday savings, personalized bonuses, and partner perks, with an additional 5% off for using a Target Circle Card during the event [4] Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The holiday shopping season is crucial for retailers, with major competitors like Macy's, Amazon, and Walmart also launching seasonal initiatives to attract customers [7][9] - Target's strategy aims to capture early holiday sales and provide a festive shopping experience, positioning itself against these competitors [6][7]

Core Insights - Inventory planning is significantly impacted by tariffs and geopolitical trade uncertainties, leading to challenges in demand projections [1] - Retailers are increasingly utilizing real-time data and artificial intelligence to enhance coordination with suppliers [2] - The industry has advanced in agility and response times, with improvements noted over the past two years [3] Inventory Strategies - **Digital Twins**: Retailers are employing digital twin technology for contingency planning, which aids in maintaining agility in operations [4][5] - **SKU Mix Optimization**: Retailers are focusing on assortment standardization to enhance productivity and reduce reliance on discounts for inventory clearance. Companies like Levi Strauss are analyzing their SKU mix to maximize sales from the top 20% of products [5][6] - **Focus on High-Performing Products**: Companies such as Hasbro, Nike, Coach, and Uniqlo are optimizing their inventory by prioritizing high-demand products, including those sourced from India over more expensive alternatives from China [6]

Investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence has helped drive stock-market gains. - Getty Images Investors keep pushing the S&P 500 index to fresh all-time highs that leave it looking both expensive and top-heavy, with just 22 stocks in the index comprising half of its weighting, according to DataTrek Research. While the S&P 500’s lofty valuation has a lot to do with Big Tech stocks, its top 22 stocks by highest weighting extend to industries beyond technology, said Nicholas Colas, co-founder of DataT ...

BENTONVILLE, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Walmart is taking pharmacy delivery to the next level. Same-Day Pharmacy Delivery now includes refrigerated and reconstituted medications—such as insulin, GLP-1s, and pediatric amoxicillin—and is available across the United States. With this move, Walmart becomes the first retailer to deliver refrigerated and reconstituted prescriptions alongside groceries and everyday essentials in a single, convenient online order. "We continue to unlock new levels of conve. ...

Core Insights - Walmart Inc.'s financial results indicate significant growth in membership income, particularly from the Walmart+ program, which surged 15.3% in Q2 of fiscal 2026, contributing to a 5.4% increase in the "Membership and other income" segment [1][8] Membership Growth - Membership fees from Walmart+ and Sam's Club outpaced overall sales growth, showcasing strong customer engagement, with Walmart+ achieving double-digit growth in fee income and Sam's Club seeing a 7.6% increase due to higher Plus member penetration and renewal strength [2][8] Financial Strategy - Management emphasized that membership economics are now a crucial driver of revenue alongside advertising and e-commerce, with CFO John David Rainey noting that these higher-margin streams provide financial flexibility to counteract cost pressures while enhancing price leadership and market share [3][8] Customer Engagement Initiatives - New offerings, such as the OnePay Cash Rewards credit card providing 5% cash back for Walmart+ members, aim to enhance customer engagement and spending, indicating a shift in Walmart+ from a mere subscription service to a key component of customer loyalty strategy [4][8] Competitive Performance - Walmart's stock performance has been strong, with shares rising 28.9% over the past year, outperforming the industry growth of 26.9%, while competitors like Costco and Target have shown varied performance [5] Valuation Metrics - Walmart's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio is 37.01, higher than the industry average of 33.31, indicating a premium valuation compared to Target but a discount relative to Costco [6] Sales and Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects year-over-year growth of 4% in sales and 3.6% in earnings per share for the current financial year, with specific sales estimates for upcoming quarters indicating steady growth [9][10]