Target is expanding next-day delivery for online orders to the 35 top U.S. metropolitan areas as it looks to better compete with Walmart, Amazon and other retailers. The company said last week that the faster service option will be available in those markets, including Cleveland; Orlando, Florida; and Pittsburgh by the end of October. The rollout comes ahead of the busy holiday shopping season. The nation’s eighth largest retailer by revenue said it plans to expand next-day delivery to more than 20 are ...

Group 1 - Walmart Inc. is recognized as one of the 10 Best NYSE Dividend Stocks to Buy [1] - The company is the largest retailer globally, operating over 5,200 stores in the U.S. and nearly 5,600 locations internationally [2] - Walmart has a strong history of generating solid profits, which it utilizes for shareholder value through stock buybacks, reducing its share count by almost half since 1995 [3] Group 2 - Walmart is classified as a Dividend King, having achieved 52 consecutive years of dividend growth, currently offering a quarterly dividend of $0.235 per share with a yield of 0.92% as of September 20 [4]

Group 1 - Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) is recognized as one of the 13 best high dividend stocks to buy under $100 [1] - The company offers a unique mix of everyday essentials and exclusive merchandise, making it a popular shopping destination across various categories [2] - Despite a nearly 35% drop in stock price since the beginning of 2025, Target Corporation still possesses significant long-term growth potential through store expansions and online channels [3] Group 2 - Target Corporation has a reliable dividend history, having increased its payouts for 54 consecutive years [4] - The company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.14 per share, maintaining its previous dividend level, with a dividend yield of 5.10% as of September 18 [4]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the historical context and decline of the layaway payment system, contrasting it with the modern "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) options that have gained popularity among consumers [1][2]. Group 1: History and Popularity of Layaway - Layaway originated during the Great Depression in the 1930s as a means for retailers to help customers pay over time without incurring credit risk [3]. - The system remained popular into the 1980s and 1990s, allowing consumers to reserve items without credit checks and without interest, making it accessible for lower-income shoppers [4]. - Major retailers like Sears, Kmart, and Walmart promoted layaway, which served as an inclusive marketing strategy, especially during holiday shopping [5]. Group 2: Decline of Layaway - Layaway lost its appeal over time due to the emergence of new financial tools and changing shopping habits, which made it feel slower and less convenient compared to modern payment options [6]. - Factors contributing to the decline included easier access to credit and the rise of online shopping, which shifted consumer preferences away from traditional layaway systems [6].

Core Viewpoint - Target is facing significant challenges that have led to a decline in investor confidence and stock value, but it has potential for a turnaround due to its extensive store network and strong dividend history [1][2][15]. Group 1: Current Challenges - Target's stock has decreased by about two-thirds since its peak in November 2021, while the S&P 500 has more than doubled in total returns over the same period [1]. - The company is grappling with elevated inventories from past supply chain issues and has faced backlash from its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies [4]. - The appointment of COO Michael Fiddelke as CEO has disappointed investors who preferred an outsider, adding to the challenges of regaining investor confidence [5]. - In the first half of fiscal 2025, Target's net sales were $49 billion, a 2% decline from the previous year, while costs of sales and depreciation increased, leading to an 8% decline in earnings [6]. Group 2: Future Outlook - Target forecasts a low single-digit decline in sales for fiscal 2025, but analysts predict a 2% increase in net sales for fiscal 2026 [7]. - Despite concerns, Target's extensive footprint of nearly 2,000 stores and plans to add about 300 stores provide a competitive advantage for omnichannel retailing [9]. - The company offers a dividend of $4.56 per share, yielding 5.1%, significantly higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.2%, and has a history of 54 years of annual dividend increases, indicating strong financial health [10][11]. - Target's dividend cost over the last 12 months was just over $2 billion, while it generated over $2.9 billion in free cash flow, suggesting it can sustain its dividend payments [12]. - The company's P/E ratio of 10 is below the S&P 500 average of 31, indicating that Target's stock may be undervalued compared to its competitors [13]. Group 3: Long-term Potential - Although immediate growth is uncertain, Target's strong market position and planned store expansions could lead to positive growth over the next five years [15][16]. - The combination of a high, sustainable dividend and a low earnings multiple suggests that any improvement in Target's business could result in a significant increase in stock value [17].

Core Viewpoint - Shares of British retailer Next experienced a decline of over 6% in early trading due to warnings about a potential decrease in employment opportunities in the UK during the second half of the year [1] Company Summary - Next's stock price fell significantly, indicating market concern regarding its future performance [1] - The company highlighted a negative outlook for employment opportunities, which could impact consumer spending and overall retail performance [1] Industry Summary - The warning from Next reflects broader economic concerns in the UK, particularly regarding employment trends that may affect the retail sector [1] - A potential decrease in employment opportunities could lead to reduced consumer confidence and spending, posing challenges for retailers [1]

Core Insights - Walmart shares increased by 2% during Wednesday's trading session, reaching a new all-time high of $106.10 [1] - Bank of America emphasized Walmart's expanding leadership in artificial intelligence, contributing to the stock's performance [1]

Core Insights - Walmart demonstrated stronger sales trends, growing customer demand, and early leadership in artificial intelligence during investor meetings [1][2] - The company signaled confidence in long-term growth through expanding omnichannel capabilities, rising private-label adoption, and momentum in Sam's Club [1][5] Financial Performance - Analyst Robert Ohmes from Bank of America Securities maintained a Buy rating on Walmart and raised the price forecast from $120 to $125, citing stronger-than-expected revenue and profit trends [1][2] Artificial Intelligence Initiatives - Walmart's AI agent, Sparky, is evolving from answering questions to taking action, positioning the company at the forefront of AI-driven commerce [3] - With data from 180 million customers and a broad online and offline reach, Walmart is well-positioned to capture market share in retail media and transactions [3] Consumer Trends - There is steady growth in new customers, pharmacy expansion, and adoption of private-label products, with grocery penetration in the mid-20% range [4] - Omnichannel momentum remains strong, with 95% of U.S. households reachable within three hours and a quarter within 30 minutes [4] Sam's Club Performance - Sam's Club is attracting Millennials and Gen Z, showing higher renewal rates and premium assortments [5] - Integration with Walmart's Spark driver network is expected to boost sales and ROI faster than the core business [5] International Growth - Walmart sees potential for growth in Mexico, Canada, India, and China, aiming to double e-commerce penetration from under 30% [5] - Sam's Club units are generating annual revenues of $300–$400 million [5] Stock Performance - Walmart shares were up 2.21% at $105.72 at the time of publication [5]

Economic Outlook - The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates by 25 basis points, with a very small chance of a 50 basis point increase [1][2] - The updated economic projections for 2025 and 2026 are anticipated to indicate two rate cuts in 2025 and two in 2026, which is one more than previously stated [4][6] - Inflation pressures are expected to remain elevated, as companies are beginning to restock at higher prices and pass those costs onto consumers [5][6] Market Reactions - A surprise jumbo rate cut could lead to a positive market reaction, but the language from the Fed Chair regarding future cuts will be crucial [3][9] - If the Fed delivers a 25 basis point increase and indicates fewer cuts than the market expects, it may lead to a "sell the news" event [9][10] Company Insights - Companies like Walmart are experiencing inflationary pressures and are adjusting their pricing strategies accordingly [5] - The AI sector is expected to benefit from increased demand, particularly in data centers, with companies like Meta, Amazon, and Google ramping up their business [11] - Dutch Bros is seen as a potential investment opportunity due to its expansion and the recent IPO of Black Rock Coffee, which may lead to a return to normalcy in the market [12][13]

Group 1 - Walmart Inc. is recognized as one of the 13 Best Consistent Dividend Stocks to Buy Now, highlighting its strong dividend performance [1] - The company is the largest retailer globally and continues to expand through e-commerce and improved product selection [2] - Walmart's long-standing strategy focuses on maintaining low costs and passing savings to customers, which has been effective for over 60 years [3] Group 2 - Earlier this year, Walmart's board raised the quarterly dividend by 13%, achieving 52 consecutive years of dividend increases, which qualifies it as a Dividend King [4] - The current quarterly dividend is $0.235 per share, with a dividend yield of 0.91% as of September 12 [4]