Amazon is rolling out new shopping features for its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant Alexa+.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.As reported Tuesday (Dec. 9) by TechCrunch, these features include a ...

Core Viewpoint - Walmart has transitioned its stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to the Nasdaq Global Select Market, marking a significant shift in its financial journey after over 53 years on the NYSE [1][2][4]. Group 1: Historical Context - Walmart's shares have been traded on the NYSE since 1972, following its public offering in 1970 [2][3]. - The company's stock has appreciated over 536,000% during its time on the NYSE, highlighting its substantial growth [3]. Group 2: Market Capitalization - As of its last trading day on the NYSE, Walmart's market capitalization exceeded $905 billion, making it the largest company to ever transfer stock exchanges [4][12]. - The previous largest company to switch exchanges was Linde, with a market value of $180 billion at the time of its move [12][13]. Group 3: Reasons for the Move - Walmart's decision to move to the Nasdaq is influenced by its desire to align with a more technology-focused image, distancing itself from legacy companies typically associated with the NYSE [5][7]. - The Nasdaq is home to many high-growth tech companies, which Walmart aims to be associated with as it integrates automation and AI into its operations [8][9]. Group 4: Potential Impact on Stock Performance - The move to the Nasdaq could psychologically position Walmart as a tech-focused growth stock, potentially attracting more investor interest [15]. - Walmart's shares have performed well in 2025, with a year-to-date increase of over 25%, and are nearing an all-time high [17]. - The company is approximately $95 billion away from reaching a market cap of $1 trillion, needing a 10.5% increase in stock price to achieve this milestone [17][18].

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) ranks among the best performing retail stocks in 2025. Truist Securities boosted its price target on Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) to $119 from $109 on November 21, while retaining a Buy rating on the retail giant’s shares. The rise follows Walmart’s solid third-quarter results, which included U.S. comparable sales growth of 4.5%, Sam’s Club growth of 3.8%, and overseas sales growth of 11% on a constant currency basis. The company’s grocery comparable sales rose in the low single digits ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the impact of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on U.S. retailers, highlighting that Amazon has increased prices more significantly than competitors like Walmart and Target during a period of persistent inflation [1][2][3]. Price Increases - Amazon's prices have risen by an average of 12.8% as of the end of September 2023, compared to a 5.5% increase at Target and a 5.3% increase at Walmart [3]. - The sharpest price increase for Amazon occurred between January and February, with a rise of 3.7%, which was ahead of the majority of the tariffs announced in April [5][6]. Category-Specific Price Changes - Across various categories, Amazon's price increases were notably higher than those of Target and Walmart. For instance, apparel prices at Amazon rose by 14.2%, while indoor and outdoor home goods prices increased by 15.3% [9]. - Overall, apparel prices increased by 11.5% on average across the three retailers, with Amazon leading in price hikes for specific categories [8][9]. Third-Party Seller Impact - Third-party sellers on Amazon are more exposed to tariff-driven cost increases, lacking the scale and inventory flexibility that larger retailers possess, leading them to pass higher costs onto consumers [11][12]. Economic Implications - The pricing trends observed at Amazon are expected to significantly impact the holiday season and the broader economy in Q4 2023, as Amazon is viewed as a bellwether for U.S. commodity goods pricing [13]. - Amazon's online store sales grew by 10% in Q3 2023, indicating that consumers are not deterred by the price increases [14]. Retailer Responses - Amazon's leadership emphasizes their commitment to competitive pricing, with CEO Andy Jassy stating the company aims to meet or beat prices of major competitors [15]. - Target has indicated that it would raise prices only as a last resort, while Walmart has permanently lowered prices on 2,000 items since February [16][17]. Inflation Context - The Federal Reserve estimates that tariffs contribute significantly to inflation, with core personal consumption expenditures price index being affected by these tariffs [19]. - The consumer price index showed a 3% year-over-year increase for September, with specific categories experiencing varying price changes [20].

Core Viewpoint - Walmart remains a strong investment prospect despite its aging brand and competitive retail environment, showcasing consistent revenue growth and operational strength [1][2]. Group 1: Market Position - Walmart is the largest retailer in the U.S. and globally, with over 5,200 domestic stores and nearly 5,600 international locations, generating $681 billion in sales last year, significantly surpassing Costco's $254 billion and even Amazon's projected sales for 2025 [4][5]. - The company's size allows it to negotiate favorable prices with suppliers, which it can pass on to customers, enhancing its competitive edge [5][6]. Group 2: Resilience in Economic Conditions - Unlike many consumer businesses, Walmart thrives in various economic environments, serving as a low-price leader for essential goods, which attracts customers even during economic downturns [7][8]. - Walmart has consistently reported quarterly sales growth since at least 2010, with only one exception in 2015 due to labor issues [9]. Group 3: Financial Health - Walmart maintains a relatively low debt level, with $35.6 billion in long-term obligations costing approximately $2.3 billion annually, against a net income of around $11 billion [11]. - This minimal debt allows Walmart to invest more in growth opportunities compared to its more indebted competitors [12]. Group 4: Shareholder Value - The company has been actively repurchasing shares, reducing the total number of outstanding shares by nearly half since 1995, which enhances the value of remaining shares [13][15]. - Although the pace of share buybacks has slowed since 2020 due to stock price increases, Walmart continues to allocate significant funds for this purpose [15]. Group 5: Adaptability and Innovation - Walmart is committed to evolving its business model in response to competitive pressures, including the rise of e-commerce and discount retailers [17][18]. - Online shopping now constitutes nearly 20% of total sales, and Walmart generated $4.4 billion in advertising revenue from its e-commerce platform last year [18]. - The company is also enhancing in-store experiences to align with consumer expectations, reflecting a shift towards more department store-like presentations [19].

Core Insights - Amazon's Prime Day generated record U.S. sales, with e-commerce consulting firm Momentum Commerce estimating over $750 million in online transactions during the event [2] - The event has evolved into an industry-wide phenomenon, generating $24.1 billion in online spending, a year-over-year increase of 30.3% [3][4] - Major competitors like Walmart have capitalized on Amazon's Prime Day, offering their own promotions and leveraging their physical store presence [5][6] E-commerce Landscape - Prime Day has transformed from a single company's event into a significant moment for the entire e-commerce industry, with over a hundred merchants participating [4] - Walmart's "Deals" event has been strategically timed to overlap with Prime Day, allowing the company to promote both online and in-store discounts [5][7] - Retail foot traffic surged at various store brands, indicating a shift in consumer behavior towards brick-and-mortar shopping during Prime Day [6][7] Competitive Dynamics - Amazon's inability to establish a strong presence in physical retail has been highlighted as a disadvantage compared to competitors like Walmart [5][9] - Despite Amazon's success in online sales, its efforts to connect with consumers in the physical retail space have not yielded significant results [10] - The competitive landscape is shifting, with brick-and-mortar retailers becoming more proactive in capturing consumer attention during Prime Day season [7][8]