How has Walmart stock done compared to the S&P 500?It's difficult for stock pickers to consistently beat a passive index like the S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.54%).That's why index investing has become so popular. But individual investors can find market-beating stocks. And they can ride these winners, providing they still believe in the company's long-term prospects.Walmart (WMT +1.31%) has become a household name, and it's a familiar company to investors, having conducted its initial public offering (IPO) in 1970. B ...

Core Viewpoint - Walmart has demonstrated resilience in a challenging retail environment impacted by tariffs and changing consumer behavior, showcasing its reliability as a long-term investment option [2][3][7]. Financial Performance - Walmart's Q3 fiscal year 2026 results showed a revenue increase of 5.8% year over year to $179.5 billion, with U.S. comparable sales rising 4.5% [5]. - E-commerce revenue surged by 27% compared to the previous year, while the advertising business grew by 53% [5]. - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) reached $0.62, reflecting a 6.9% increase from the prior year [6]. - The company raised its sales growth guidance for fiscal year 2026 to between 4.8% and 5.1%, up from 3.75% to 4.75% [6]. Competitive Positioning - Walmart maintains thousands of rollbacks to attract price-sensitive customers, reinforcing its commitment to low prices despite rising costs [4]. - The company is the second-lowest-priced retailer in the U.S., which helps it remain competitive [4][5]. - Approximately 90% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a Walmart location, providing a significant advantage in retail accessibility [8]. Long-term Investment Appeal - Walmart is recognized as a "Dividend King," having increased its dividends for 52 consecutive years, indicating strong operational stability [7][8]. - The company has a strong brand association with low prices, which drives consumer loyalty and foot traffic [9]. - Walmart is actively investing in technology, including a partnership with OpenAI to enhance the shopping experience, demonstrating its adaptability in a rapidly changing retail landscape [10].

Core Insights - Retail investors have shown significant interest in five stocks this week, driven by earnings reports, retail hype, AI developments, and corporate news [1] Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) - Walmart's Black Friday event commenced online on November 25, with early access for Walmart+ members starting on November 24, featuring substantial discounts on various products [6] - The stock is trading around $109 to $111 per share, reflecting a year-to-date increase of 21.22% and a 17.95% rise over the year [7] Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE:BABA) - Alibaba reported second-quarter results on November 25, with a revenue increase of 5% to $34.81 billion, driven by a 34% growth in cloud services [7] - Following news of the Pentagon considering adding Alibaba to a list of Chinese military-linked firms, some retail investors began to sell off BABA shares [7] Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) - GOOG shares surged due to AI-driven growth, with the company approaching a historic $4 trillion valuation [11] - The stock is trading around $157 to $160 per share, with an 85.52% increase year-to-date and an 80.38% rise over the year [11] Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META) - META shares rebounded amid optimism surrounding AI trading and analyst upgrades, despite facing allegations regarding internal research on social media's impact on youth [15] - The stock is trading around $633 to $635 per share, with a year-to-date increase of 5.74% and a 10.32% rise over the year [16] Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:NVDA) - NVDA shares initially dipped due to reports of Meta's potential multi-billion-dollar deal with Google for data centers, but the CEO asserted that NVIDIA remains ahead in technology [16] - The stock is trading around $320 to $322 per share, reflecting a year-to-date increase of 68.01% and an 87.86% rise over the year [16] Market Overview - Retail focus has combined meme-driven narratives with earnings outlooks and corporate news, contributing to positive market action in the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq [19]

Core Insights - Retail sales on Black Friday increased by 4.1% compared to last year, indicating continued consumer spending despite economic concerns [1] - In-store sales rose by 1.7%, while online sales increased by 10.4%, although the latter was lower than last year's growth [3] Consumer Behavior - US shoppers are demonstrating resilience amid rising costs and job-market uncertainties, with retailers responding by offering discounts and exclusive items [2][5] - Many consumers perceive deals as less attractive compared to previous years, leading retailers to adjust their strategies to appeal to cautious shoppers [7] Retail Performance - Retailers targeting younger demographics saw significant traffic, with popular items including electronics and seasonal toys [6] - The holiday season is a critical indicator of consumer demand, with ongoing monitoring of spending habits by executives and economists [3][5]

Core Viewpoint - Walmart Inc. is viewed positively after a strong quarterly performance, with expectations of continued success despite leadership changes [1]. Company Overview - Walmart operates retail stores, warehouse clubs, and online platforms selling a variety of products including groceries, home goods, and electronics [1]. - The company is recognized as one of the best performers in its sector, with a current valuation around 40 times earnings [1]. Recent Performance - Following a strong earnings report, Walmart's stock surged over 6%, making it the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 for the day [1]. - The stock had previously experienced a dip in the early morning before rebounding significantly [1]. Leadership Transition - Longtime CEO Doug McMillon is set to retire, with plans to pass leadership to the head of Walmart US in February [1].

All right. Well, for more on who could come out on top this holiday shopping season, let's bring in Jerry Storch. He's CEO of Storch Adviserss and former Toys R Us CEO.Jerry, it's great to have you on. Welcome. >> My pleasure.>> All right, winners and losers. What are you seeing. >> Well, the, you know, the same same folks have been winning for quite a while now, and I see no reason to think it's going to change.That's Walmart, Costco, TJX, and Amazon. These four retailers have been ga g g g g g g g g g g g ...

Get instant access to exclusive stock lists, expert market analysis and powerful tools with 2 months of IBD Digital for only $20! Walmart (WMT) stock notched a record high Friday, precisely on Black Friday, which kicks off the holiday shopping season for the retail universe. Chipmaker Analog Devices (ADI) and Fortuna Mining (FSM) also reached price peaks in the holiday-shortened session and week. Each company has shares in buy zones, and one sported a bullish blue dot on its chart, as the… Related news Amaz ...

Retailers are marketing affordability and value to attract increasingly cautious consumers. Consumer sentiment is at historic lows, driving demand for lower prices and essentials. Retailers are adjusting their promotional strategies and messaging to encourage spending. Retailers are responding to the affordability crisis this holiday season. In recent earnings calls, Target, Walmart, and Sally Beauty Holding addressed the cratering consumer sentiment and discussed their pricing strategies as the b ...

As businesses dive into Black Friday following a year upended by tariffs, the rule seems to be that the bigger you are, the more optimistic you feel. ...

Good Friday morning on Wall Street. I'm Yahoo Fights executive editor Brian Sazy and this is opening bid. You may be getting ready to do some Black Friday shopping, but markets are still open for business at least until 1 p.m. and we are still getting after it here on the show. Here's what's on my watch list right now.It has been a month to forget as November winds to a close. The S&P 500 is on track for its first monthly loss since April. Blame AI bubble fears and a major pullback in crypto.Nvidia shed 13% ...