Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Walmart (NYSE:WMT), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in WMT usually suggests something big is about to happen.We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 34 extraordinary options activities for Walmart. This ...

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on Costco Wholesale.Looking at options history for Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) we detected 50 trades.If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 44% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 34% with bearish.From the overall spotted trades, 19 are puts, for a total amount of $1,861,411 and 31, calls, for a total amount of $2,471,674.Predicted Price RangeAnalyzing the Volume and Open ...

When Home Depot reported earnings early this week, it gave us the first real signal about how freight could shape up heading into Q1. They told us the consumer wasn’t collapsing, but they also weren’t opening their wallets like they used to. Big home projects were getting delayed. DIY was soft. And inventory levels were steady enough that a big January restock wasn’t coming. Now Lowe’s and Walmart have stepped up to the mic — and they’ve basically confirmed everything Home Depot hinted at. And for small c ...

Core Insights - The article contrasts the performance and outlook of Walmart and Target, highlighting Walmart's strong position and Target's ongoing struggles as both companies prepare for leadership changes [2][8]. Walmart Performance - Walmart's third-quarter sales increased by 6% year-over-year to $179.5 billion, with adjusted operating income rising 8% to $7.2 billion on a constant-currency basis [3][5]. - U.S. sales grew by 5.1% to $120.7 billion, with comparable sales up 4.5%, attracting higher-income customers alongside budget-conscious consumers [4]. - International sales rose 11.4% to $33.7 billion, driven by strong performances in Flipkart, China, and Walmex, while global e-commerce sales surged 27% [5]. - Walmart raised its fiscal year guidance for growth to between 4.8% and 5.1% [5][6]. Target Performance - Target reported a 1.5% decline in revenues to $25.2 billion, with comparable sales dropping 2.7% and operating income falling 19% to $948 million [8][9]. - This marks Target's third consecutive quarter of declining comparable store sales, with previous declines of 3.2% and 5.7% in the second and first quarters, respectively [9]. - Target did not adjust its revenue guidance but lowered the top end of its adjusted full-year earnings per share forecast from $8.00 to $9.00 to between $7.00 and $8.00 [10]. Merchandise and Sales Trends - Target's revenues in key discretionary categories like home furnishings and apparel fell by 7% and 4%, respectively, while food and beverage sales increased by 1.5% [13]. - Target's in-store traffic showed a decline of 5% in September but a slight recovery of 1% in October [14]. - The company is planning a significant holiday season with exclusive collaborations and promotions, including a partnership with Starbucks [15][19]. Strategic Initiatives - Target is implementing a Gen-AI-powered gift finder and enhancing its app for a better shopping experience [19][20]. - The company is remodeling stores and improving backroom operations to allow staff more time for customer interaction [21][22]. - Target introduced a "10-4" policy to enhance customer service, although this initiative has faced mixed reactions from employees [23][24]. Market Outlook - Walmart is positioned strongly for the holiday season, while Target is described as being in a "doom loop" with ongoing sales declines and pressure on profits [25][26]. - Analysts express concern that Target's brand goodwill is at risk due to operational issues like messy stores and long wait times [26][27].

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) delivered a powerhouse third-quarter performance on Thursday, beating Wall Street expectations and raising its full-year guidance. However, amidst reports of strong revenue growth, executives cautioned that while grocery prices are stabilizing, tariffs remain a lingering variable that could impact the cost of household items.Check out WMT’s stock price here.Tariff Impact ‘Less Than Expected’ But Prices Could RiseDuring the earnings call, Walmart leadership noted that overall inflatio ...

The gap between those who can and those who cannot afford everyday essentials is widening, according to Walmart (WMT). "The disparity between the low-income cohort and the upper-income cohort has grown a little bit in recent months," Walmart CFO John David Rainey said on Yahoo Finance's Market Catalysts. "If you look at October wage growth … [the difference] was as large as it's been in almost a decade," he said. Walmart stock jumped over 6% in Thursday trading after the company posted better-than-expec ...

Walmart just delivered a banger of a quarter—but the news doesn’t bode well for the financial health or confidence of American consumers. In the third quarter, Walmart’s revenue jumped nearly 6% to $179.5 billion. Same-store sales at Walmart U.S. rose almost 5%. Online sales surged 27%. The retailer’s advertising segment saw sales climb over 30%. Memberships grew 9%. Operating costs rose slightly, but gross margins increased by two percentage points. The cherry on top? Walmart raised its full-year sales ...

Core Insights - Walmart Inc. raised its outlook after exceeding Wall Street expectations, driven by strong e-commerce performance and increased sales across various categories despite a cautious consumer environment [1] Financial Performance - Walmart reported revenue of $179.5 billion for the three-month period ending on October 31, surpassing Wall Street's projection of $177 billion and reflecting a 6% increase year-over-year [1] - Total sales for Walmart U.S. increased by 5.1% to $120.7 billion, with online sales rising by 28%, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of over 20% e-commerce growth [2] - Comparable store sales in the U.S. rose by 4.5%, driven by more shoppers and larger purchases, with transactions up 1.8% and the average spend per trip increasing by 2.7% [3] Market Trends - The company is gaining market share among higher-income consumers seeking value, a trend observed over several quarters [5] - Sales in health, grocery, and general merchandise categories increased, with general merchandise sales rising despite a general decline in discretionary spending [5] Future Outlook - For fiscal 2026, Walmart expects net sales growth between 4.8% and 5.1%, an increase from the previous forecast of 3.75% to 4.75% [6] - Adjusted operating income is anticipated to rise by 4.8% to 5.5%, compared to the earlier range of 3.5% to 5.5%, and adjusted earnings per share are projected to be between $2.58 and $2.63, up from $2.52 to $2.58 [8] Corporate Developments - Walmart announced the transfer of its common stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange to Nasdaq, effective December 9, under the ticker symbol "WMT" [9] - The CFO stated that this move aligns with the company's tech-driven strategy, emphasizing the integration of automation and AI to enhance customer experiences and operational efficiency [12]

Walmart (WMT) reported third quarter profits and sales that topped forecasts on Thursday as the world's largest retailer continues to see growth in an uncertain consumer environment that has challenged some of its key rivals. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.62, above the $0.60 that Wall Street analysts were expecting, according to data from Bloomberg. Revenue rose 6% from the prior year to $179.5 billion, above the $177.6 billion that had been expected. Same-store sales at its US b ...

Walmart (WMT) reported third quarter profits and sales that topped forecasts on Thursday as the world's largest retailer continues to see growth in an uncertain consumer environment that has challenged some of its key rivals. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.62, above the $0.60 that Wall Street analysts were expecting, according to data from Bloomberg. Revenue rose 6% from the prior year to $179.5 billion, above the $177.6 billion that had been expected. Same-store sales at its US b ...