Walmart Inc. engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, other units, and eCommerce worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites; and mobile commerce applications. The company offers grocery and consumables, including dairy, meat, bakery, deli, produce, dry, chilled or frozen packaged foods, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, floral, snack foods, candy, other grocery items, health and beauty aids, paper goods, laundry and home care, baby care, pet supplies, and other consumable items; fuel, tobacco and other categories. It is also involved in the provision of health and wellness products covering pharmacy, optical and hearing services, and over-the-counter drugs and other medical products; and home and apparel including home improvement, outdoor living, gardening, furniture, apparel, jewelry, tools and power equipment, housewares, toys, seasonal items, mattresses and tire and battery centers. In addition, the company offers consumer electronics and accessories, software, video games, office supplies, appliances, and third-party gift cards. Further, it operates digital payment platforms; and offers financial services and related products, including money transfers, bill payments, money orders, check cashing, prepaid access, co-branded credit cards, installment lending, and earned wage access. Additionally, the company markets lines of merchandise under private brands, including Allswell, Athletic Works, Equate, and Free Assembly. The company was formerly known as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and changed its name to Walmart Inc. in February 2018. Walmart Inc. was founded in 1945 and is based in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Walmart appears to be a high-quality but already expensive defensive retailer with a strong operating base and a noticeable valuation premium. Revenue, EBITDA, operating income, and net income remain high and have generally increased compared with last year, which supports the fundamental resilience of the business. ROE, ROA, and ROI are above the industry median, and return on tangible equity is also strong, indicating good capital efficiency. At the same time, net profit margin and operating margin are below industry benchmarks, so profitability per unit of revenue does not look outstanding. Gross margin has improved and remains at an acceptable level, partly offsetting the weakness in lower-level margin indicators. Leverage is moderate: debt/equity is below the median, but absolute debt remains significant, while liquidity is weak due to low quick and current ratios. This means the company comfortably services its obligations thanks to its scale and stable cash flow, but its short-term liquidity cushion is limited. Dividend yield is low, although it has improved slightly, so the dividend factor only moderately supports the valuation. The main limiting factor is the very high P/E, P/B, P/S, and especially P/FCF multiples, which are well above industry medians and indicate a premium valuation. Given such a premium, even strong operating results are already largely priced in. The trend in valuation multiples does not show a sustained and rapid re-rating lower, so the room for further upside revaluation is limited. Overall, the fundamentals rather justify maintaining a cautious view: the business is high-quality and resilient, but the current price looks stretched relative to earnings and free cash flow. For an investor, this is a story about stability and defensive characteristics, not about high potential for multi-bagger growth over the next year.

Walmart Inc.

Сильный индекс, значительно упал. Оптимистичный взгляд на свои позиции резко сменился на неуверенность.

Strong index, significantly down. An optimistic view of his position suddenly changed to uncertainty.

Средний индекс, значительно упал. Рынок не поддерживает быков.

Medium index, significantly down. The market does not support the bulls.

Средний индекс, незначительно вырос. Отток средств из лонгов на высоком уровне.

Medium index, slightly up. Outflow of funds from longs at a high level.

A strong and resilient Walmart trades at a notable premium on valuation multiples; operating metrics are solid, but liquidity is weak and upside is limited.

Key Points
Coca-Cola shares have soared since 2024 as investors seek out safety and income.
Costco stock has performed well in recent years too, even if it’s lagged of late.
Every stock goes through hot and cold periods. Aim to buy during the latter, and be patient when you see the former.
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) has officially caught up with club retailer Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST)... almost. Thanks to KO stock's year-to-date 34% rally to record highs, the beverage behemoth's market cap has just eclipsed the $400 billion mark, moving within sight of Costco's $440 billion. That's impressive. Coca-Cola is simply extending a long-lived growth trend that puts it on track to eventually join the $1 trillion club.
Only one of these dividend payers has a realistic shot at getting there within the next 10 years, however. Here's why.
Missed AI’s "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our analysts, we’re only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
Good, but not built for growth
This isn't to cast any shade on Coca-Cola. It's a fine company with a portfolio of perpetually marketable products like Minute Maid juices, Gold Peak tea, and Powerade sports drinks, in addition to its namesake cola. Its stock is also an income juggernaut, not only paying a quarterly dividend like clockwork for decades now, but raising its dividend payment for 64 consecutive years. Even with this ticker's recent gains, newcomers will be plugging into a respectable forward-looking yield of 2.3%.
However, Coca-Cola is already the leader of a highly saturated drinks market that grows -- at best -- in the mid-single digits. Its opportunity for net growth is limited. For its market cap to reach $1 trillion by 2035, its stock would need to gain 250%. That's an annualized growth rate of nearly 10%, which is possible, but a stretch.
Shareholders reinvesting the beverage company's dividends might achieve such a gain. Given the stock's current elevated price and the fact that roughly half of its profits are consumed by dividend payments, however, the stock itself is unlikely to achieve that sort of gain.
That's not the case for Costco.
A bigger, better growth runway
Yes, the brick-and-mortar retailing industry is saturated too. The industry's growth is in the single digits as well. That doesn't mean its growth opportunities are limited, though. The opportunity rests in the ongoing evolution of how people shop.
Cost-effective shopping -- like that offered by Costco's membership-based offering -- is increasingly popular. In addition to last fiscal year's (ending in August) total revenue growth of just over 10%, Costco's same-store sales improved by an industry-beating 6.6%, extending a well-established streak.
However, Costco's growth potential is rooted in what it hasn't done yet.
The much bigger Walmart's (NASDAQ: WMT) 602 Sam's Club warehouses compete directly with Costco. At the same time, the company's leveraging its several thousand stores to serve its paying Walmart+ members. This reach is nothing to dismiss. Surprisingly, though, Costco remains unfazed. The original powerhouse in this space now boasts a record-breaking 84.1 million paid club memberships, extending a growth trend that's essentially been uninterrupted since the club retailer's launch. Membership renewal rates that are consistently around 90% help on this front.
This still only scratches the surface of what awaits. As of August, Costco operates only 647 domestic stores, plus another 292 outside the United States. There's room for more. There are immediate plans for more as well; the company expects to open 28 more locations this fiscal year alone. For comparison, Walmart -- arguably Costco's top threat -- operates around 11,000 stores worldwide.
Although Walmart's massive established presence could be interpreted as a barrier to Costco's expansion, it's also an indication of what consumers are willing to support in terms of a total physical retailing footprint. Indeed, the presence of a Walmart store in a particular market may indicate that the area is already primed for a cost-effective alternative. Whereas Walmart obviously won't want to cannibalize its own stores, Costco's smaller store count means it's got plenty of places to build new locales without competing with itself.
Again, we continue to see a growing consumer preference for smarter shopping.
Do-able
Costco still has plenty of growth to achieve before joining the trillion-dollar club, to be clear. At its current market cap of $440 million, COST shares would need to gain an average of around 8.5% per year to make the company worth $1 trillion by 2036. That's no small feat.
However, Costco's stock has gained more than enough over the past 10 years to do exactly that. While past performance is no guarantee of future results, when the key drivers of that growth haven't really changed, history is a reasonably good indication of what to expect in the future.
Granted, although it's trailed COST's net return for this same time frame, KO has technically achieved the feat as well. It's only done so because of the uncharacteristic run-up just since 2024, and even then, only with reinvested dividends. You can't count on unusual action repeating itself.
There's one important nuance here. While both stocks are technically dividend payers, with a forward-looking yield of only 0.6%, COST isn't really much of an income holding. It should only be viewed and used as a long-term growth investment, albeit a good one right now after a few months of underperformance. If you need immediate income, Coca-Cola is still the better option.
Should you buy stock in Costco Wholesale right now?
Before you buy stock in Costco Wholesale, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Costco Wholesale wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $350,756!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,363,905!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 922% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 213% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of October 22, 2026.
James Brumley has positions in Coca-Cola. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Coca-Cola Joins Costco in the $400 Billion Club. I Predict Only 1 of These Dividend Stocks Will Surpass $1 Trillion by 2036.

Key Points
Nuclear energy is experiencing a global revival, driven by energy security, decarbonization efforts, and soaring electricity demand.
Uranium supplies are struggling to keep pace as inventories shrink and utilities compete to secure long-term fuel contracts.
Uranium prices could remain near $100 per pound, benefiting producers such as Cameco and Uranium Energy.
The nuclear revival is gaining momentum. Governments worldwide are turning to nuclear energy to strengthen energy security. Meanwhile, hyperscalers need reliable, around-the-clock power to support surging electricity demand. Nuclear energy stands out for its emission-free, 24/7 baseload power, unlike intermittent renewables.
That combination is strengthening the outlook for nuclear energy and its essential fuel, benefiting uranium miners like Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) and Uranium Energy (NYSEMKT: UEC). With spot prices near $90 per pound and approaching historic highs, investors are asking a crucial question: Where does uranium go from here? Here's what I predict will happen to uranium next.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
New nuclear reactors are coming online at a rapid rate
In the mid-2000s, nuclear energy was enjoying a resurgence. However, economic shifts, project delays, and the 2011 Fukushima disaster derailed this momentum and delivered a final blow to the industry for a decade.
However, things have shifted recently. At COP28 in 2023, over 20 nations, including the U.S., U.K., Japan, Canada, South Korea, and France, pledged to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050. The driving force behind this pledge was net-zero carbon-emission goals, which would be nearly impossible without nuclear energy.
China is leading the charge, with 38 commercial reactors under construction. The country aims to approve 10 to 15 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity annually and hopes to surpass the U.S. in nuclear generation by the end of the decade. In Japan, reactor restarts are working through regulatory approval. Meanwhile, in the U.S., power purchase agreements are bringing decommissioned plants, such as Three Mile Island Unit 1 and Palisades, back online.
In addition, President Donald Trump's administration wants to quadruple nuclear energy capacity by 2050. As part of this, policymakers want to have 10 new large-scale commercial nuclear reactors under construction by 2030. The Department of Energy is also fast-tracking testing of advanced nuclear reactors through its Reactor Pilot Program.
Uranium faces structural shortages as demand surges
Nuclear fuel procurement differs from oil and gas. Nuclear fuel accounts for no more than 10% of a plant's operating expense, so utility fuel buyers are price-insensitive and lock in long-term supplies. After Fukushima, utilities could secure cheap secondary supplies and rely on the spot market for uranium. However, buyers are now looking to secure fuel commitments for the next decade.
Uranium markets are reaching an inflection point. Inventories have dwindled, so buyers must rely on the primary mine supply. The market is facing bottlenecks. For example, in Kazakhstan, which accounts for 40% of global output, in situ recovery (ISR) mining operations have been hampered by shortages of sulfuric acid.
On top of that, energy demand is booming. Rising artificial intelligence (AI) workloads and growing data center infrastructure are driving incredibly strong demand for power. Total data center power consumption is projected to double by 2030, while total U.S. electricity demand is estimated to expand 25% by 2030.
Technology companies are making deals left and right to secure energy. Constellation Energy (NASDAQ: CEG), which owns and operates the largest nuclear energy fleet in the U.S., has signed long-term power purchase agreements with Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Walmart.
As part of this, Constellation, Vistra, and other power providers are using power uprates to extend the life of their nuclear plants and bring decommissioned plants back online.
What's next for uranium prices
Uranium prices are around $90 per pound, but supplies are likely to remain tight over the next decade. Utilities face a widening uncommitted supply gap, with cumulative uncommitted uranium requirements estimated to exceed 800 million pounds of triuranium octoxide, also called yellowcake, through 2035.
Spot uranium prices will likely remain elevated around $100 per pound for the next few years, as demand surges amid the deficit, with some experts arguing this is necessary to justify the investments needed to finance the next generation of underground and open-pit mines. Bank of America projects uranium could jump to $130 per pound by next year, a nearly 44% increase over today's spot price.
Global energy demand is growing, and nuclear energy is poised to play a crucial role in filling those gaps, benefiting uranium miners. Cameco uses long-term contracts and has agreements to deliver 28 million pounds of yellowcake annually over the next five years. Meanwhile, Uranium Energy is completely unhedged, giving investors exposure to rising spot prices but also adding volatility if spot prices decline meaningfully.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again
In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. If you’d invested $5,000 then, you’d be sitting on $2,885,382 today.*
Now, for the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. It’s a key player in the $1.8 trillion space race, and with the stock recently sitting 20% off its highs, the window to get in early is closing fast.
*Stock Advisor returns as of October 22, 2026.
Courtney Carlsen has positions in Alphabet, Cameco, Constellation Energy, Microsoft, and Vistra. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Cameco, Constellation Energy, Microsoft, Vistra, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Uranium Is Near $90 a Pound. Here's My Prediction for What's Ahead for the Fuel.

Key Points
Essentials makers like P&G and Coca-Cola are resilient even under pressure, and they're also Dividend Kings.
Discount retailers like Costco and Walmart thrive when there's a challenging economy.
TJX offers brand-name items at lower prices, and shoppers flock to its stores when every penny counts.
Is a market crash coming? That's the question investors are asking as the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) gets closer to ending its fourth year in a row with double-digit gains.
Understandably, a market crash is a scary thought. However, it's part of investing. When you set up your portfolio, keep that in mind and create your stock mix accordingly. When you do your annual review, swap out different stocks based on where you see gaps. And if you haven't done that yet and anticipate a market crash on the horizon, you should make your move now.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Although a market crash can affect even defensive and value stocks, some manage through better than others, and some actually thrive under adverse circumstances. Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST), TJX Companies (NYSE: TJX), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), and Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT) all have a history of holding up through market crashes.
What's more, they all pay dividends, and Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, and Walmart are Dividend Kings, meaning they've raised their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years. That's reliability under pressure. Here's how they performed in 2008, 2018, and 2022, when the S&P 500 lost value:
1. Costco
Costco's low prices are a draw all the time, but they become even more valuable under pressure, and that's why the market loves it during a downturn. As inflation persists, rising another 3.7% in September, Costco's sales growth has accelerated, reaching 13% year over year in September.
That's great news for Costco investors. Costco stock is neck and neck with the market, up 14% year to date, and if there's a correction or crash, it's likely to manage through.
Notice that in the last chart, Costco underperformed the S&P 500. However, it gained 49% the next year, nearly double the index's gain. Often, the resilience is in how quickly the stock bounces back after a downturn.
2. TJX
TJX is an off-price retail chain that buys overstock and off-season merchandise from designer brands. It works with 21,000 vendors and therefore can be very selective about what it buys.
The company sells products at 20% to 60% off retail prices in its 5,200 global stores, and it becomes a magnet for shoppers during periods of inflation or economic distress. Sales increased 4% year over year in the fiscal 2027 second quarter (ended Aug. 1), and earnings per share were up 24%.
TJX barely beat the market in 2008, and that's another example of a lag period -- it gained 81% in 2009, triple the market's rebound.
3. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is the world's largest beverage company, and the company has developed brands that people love and are willing to pay for. That gives it sticking power despite whatever's happening in the economy. It generally outperforms when the market's having a tough time, because investors know it has a resilient business, and because of its storied dividend, which it has raised for the past 64 years straight.
Coca-Cola stock has been outperforming this year despite the market's rise for similar reasons, and it's up a fantastic 40%, outperforming many hot tech stocks. Sales increased 7% year over year in the second quarter, and EPS rose 16%.
4. Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble makes many of the world's leading household and hygiene brands, such as Tide laundry detergent, Oral-B oral care, and Bounty paper towels. People are willing to pay extra for these products because they feel they're getting good value, and they're essentials people buy no matter what. Procter & Gamble stock soared early in the pandemic, for example, when people were loading up on toilet paper (it makes the Charmin brand).
Procter & Gamble has one of the longest dividend-raise track records, at 70 years, another reason it's valuable in a downturn.
5. Walmart
Finally, Walmart is the largest retailer in the world, with almost 11,000 stores, and it reaches 90% of the U.S. population within 10 miles. Its discount prices are even more attractive when people are penny-pinching.
Today, it's also reaching more people with its e-commerce channels. E-commerce sales increased 23% year over year in the 2027 fiscal second quarter (ended July 31), driving total sales growth of 5.9%.
Walmart is also a Dividend King, having raised its dividend annually for the past 53 years.
Should you buy stock in Walmart right now?
Before you buy stock in Walmart, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Walmart wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $380,363!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,315,732!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 919% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 211% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of October 17, 2026.
Jennifer Saibil has positions in Walmart. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale, TJX Companies, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

If a Stock Market Crash Is Coming, These 5 Stocks Have a History of Holding Up

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) is down by -0.57% today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) is up by +0.30%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down -1.71%. December E-mini S&P futures (ESZ26) are down -0.58%, and December E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQZ26) are down -1.54%.
Stock indexes are mostly lower today, with the S&P 500 falling to a 2-week low and the Nasdaq 100 dropping to a 3.5-week low. The broader market is under pressure today as the rout in chipmakers and AI-infrastructure stocks spreads globally, with South Korea’s Kospi Index sinking more than -7% and China’s Shanghai Composite falling to a 14-month low. Today’s drop in chipmakers followed Anthropic PBC's disclosure of $16.8 billion in Q3 growth to prospective investors, figures that suggest growth has slowed even as it remains robust.
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Stocks extended their losses today on rising US producer price pressures after the Sep PPI final demand rose +6.3% y/y, stronger than expectations of +5.4% y/y and the most in 3.75 years. Also, Sep PPI ex-food and energy rose +5.0% y/y, stronger than expectations of +4.4% y/y and the most in more than 3.5 years.
Other US economic news today was mixed, with Sep retail sales and the Oct Empire manufacturing survey rising more than expected and weekly jobless claims near expectations. However, the Oct Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey fell more than expected.
On the positive side, the slump in global equity markets has sparked a rally in government bond markets, knocking yields lower. The 10-year German Bund yield fell to a 5-week low today of 3.35%, and the 10-year T-note yield fell to a 3-week low of 5.04%. Also, investors rotating out of chip stocks into software companies and defensive pharmaceuticals stocks are lifting the Dow Jones Industrials.
US weekly initial unemployment claims rose by +1,000 to 199,000, close to expectations of 200,000.
US Sep retail sales rose +0.8% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.3% m/m, and Sep retail sales ex-autos rose+0.9% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.5% m/m.
The US Oct Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey fell by -16.9 to 20.9, weaker than expectations of 28.0.
The US Oct Empire manufacturing survey of general business conditions rose +17.9 to a 4.75-year high of 25.5, stronger than expectations of 12.0.
Stocks and bonds got some support today after San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly said she thinks rate hikes are likely needed, just not immediately, and that she would hold interest rates steady at the October 27-28 FOMC meeting.
Stocks have support from the prospect of solid quarterly earnings results starting this week. Goldman Sachs on Monday raised its three-month view on global equity markets to overweight from neutral, saying. “Earnings growth remains supportive for equities and the recent valuation de-rating has improved asymmetry into the third-quarter earnings season.” According to data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence, Q3 S&P 500 earnings are expected to climb by +25% from a year earlier, up from a July estimate of 22%. As of today, 32 of the S&P 500 companies have reported results, with 78% beating estimates.
Nov WTI crude oil prices (CLX26) are up +0.20% today. Crude prices are supported by risks to global oil supplies as Yemen's Houthi rebels continue drone and missile attacks across Saudi Arabia, including energy infrastructure. Also, Iranian attacks on shipping attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz have increased in recent weeks, threatening a rebound in energy supplies from the Middle East. However, today’s selloff in global equity markets is curbing demand for risk assets, including crude.
Markets are discounting a 29% chance of a +25 bp Fed rate hike at the next FOMC meeting on October 27-28.
Overseas stock markets are lower today. The Euro Stoxx 50 is down -0.62%. China's Shanghai Composite fell to a 14-month low and closed down -1.59%. Japan's Nikkei-225 Stock Average dropped to a 4-week low and closed down sharply by -4.90%.
Interest Rates
December 10-year T-notes (ZNZ6) are up by +23 ticks today. The 10-year T-note yield is down -12.5 bp to 5.060%. Dec T-notes rallied to a 3-week high today, and the 10-year T-note yield fell to a 3-week low of 5.041%. Today’s selloff in global equity markets has boosted safe-haven demand for T-notes. Also, dovish comments from San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly were bullish for T-notes when she suggested she would support holding interest rates steady at the October 27-28 FOMC meeting.
Hawkish US economic news is limiting gains in T-notes after US Sep producer prices and Sep retail sales rose more than expected, and the Oct Empire manufacturing survey's general business conditions rose to a 4.75-year high.
European government bond yields are moving lower today. The 10-year German bund yield fell to a 5-week low of 3.353% and is down -10.7 bp to 3.359%. The 10-year UK gilt yield fell to a 1.5-week low of 5.301% and is down -11.3 bp to 5.312%.
Eurozone Aug industrial production fell -0.5% m/m, weaker than expectations of no change and the biggest decline in 7 months.
ECB Governing Council member Martins Kazaks said the ECB can afford to take its time adjusting interest rates, despite persistent energy price rises that are set to keep consumer price growth elevated, as the recent surge in government bond yields may start to weigh on economic activity.
UK Aug manufacturing production rose +1.2% m/m, stronger than expectations of no change and the largest increase in 9 months.
Markets are discounting an 11% chance of a +25 bp ECB rate hike at the ECB’s next meeting on October 29.
US Stock Movers
Chipmakers and AI-infrastructure stocks are falling today on demand concerns after Anthropic disclosed Q3 revenue growth that likely slowed from the previous quarter. The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) is down more than -3% at a 1-month low. SanDisk (SNDK) and Seagate Technology Holdings Plc (STX) are down more than -7%, and Intel (INTC), Lam Research (LRCX), and Western Digital (WDC) are down more than -6%. Also, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Applied Materials (APLD), and Marvell Technology (MRVL) are down more than -5%, and KLA Corp (KLAC) and Micron Technology (MU) are down more than -4%.
Cryptocurrency-exposed stocks are falling today, with Bitcoin (^BTCUSD) down more than -2% at a 3.5-week low. Iren Ltd (IREN) is down more than -10%, and Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY) and Riot Platforms (RIOT) are down more than -8%. Also, MARA Holdings (MARA) and BitMine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) are down more than -6%, and Robinhood Markets (HOOD) and Strategy (MSTR) are down more than -5%. In addition, Coinbase Global (COIN) is down more than -3%, and Circle Internet Group (CRCL) and Bullish (BLSH) are down more than -2%.
Cloud infrastructure stocks are under pressure today on debt concerns after credit-default swaps have priced in a more than 50% chance that CoreWeave could default on its debt within the next five years. Nebius Group NV (NBIS) and Lumentum Holdings (LITE) are down more than -8%, and CoreWeave (CRWV) is down more than -6%. Also, Arista Networks (ANET) and Applied Digital (APLD) are down more than -5%.
Software stocks are climbing today as investors rotate out of chip stocks into software. Intuit (INTU) is up more than +5% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100, and Autodesk (ADSK) is up more than +4%. Also, Workday (WDAY) and Adobe Systems (ADBE) are up more than +3%, and Salesforce (CRM) and Thomson Reuters (TRI) are up more than +2%. In addition, IBM (IBM) and ServiceNow (NOW) are up more than +1%.
Defensive pharmaceutical stocks are climbing today amid the broader market slump. Amgen (AMGN), Eli Lilly (LLY), Gilead Sciences (GILD), and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) are up more than +3%, and Biogen (BIIB), Merck & Co (MRK), Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY), and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) are up more than +2%. Also, Pfizer (PFE) is up more than +1%.
FMC Corp (FMC) is down more than -34% after cutting its Q3 adjusted Ebitda forecast to a loss of -$510 million to -$565 million, after previously expecting a profit of$120 million to $140 million.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) is down more than -13% to lead losers in the Nasdaq 100 after announcing that it will delay the launch of its inaugural Neutron medium-lift rocket until sometime in 2027.
Penske Automotive Group (PAG) is up more than +8% after entering a deal to be taken private for $212 a share in cash by Penske Corporation and Mitsui.
International Paper (IP) is up more than +5% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 after the Financial Times reported private equity firms Lone Star and Atlas Holdings are exploring bids to acquire the company.
Walmart (WMT) is up more than +3% after Deutsche Bank upgraded the stock to buy from hold with a price target of $136.
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) is up more than +3% after reporting preliminary Q3 net sales of $4.13 billion, above the consensus of $4.10 billion.
Commercial Metals (CMC) is up more than +2% after reporting Q4 net sales of $2.66 billion, better than the consensus of $2.54 billion.
Earnings Reports (10/15/2026)
Alcoa Corp (AA), Bank of New York Mellon Corp/The (BNY), Charles Schwab Corp/The (SCHW), First Horizon Corp (FHN), Interactive Brokers Group Inc (IBKR), JB Hunt Transport Services Inc (JBHT), Marsh & McLennan Cos Inc (MRSH), PNC Financial Services Group Inc (PNC), Prologis Inc (PLD), US Bancorp (USB).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
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Stocks Pressured as Chipmaker Selloff Deepens

Key Points
Walmart generates higher total revenue than Home Depot across all eight reported quarterly periods, consistently maintaining a wide absolute advantage that reflects the underlying baseline volume and the extensive geographic reach of its global retail operations.
Both retail companies experience distinct and predictable seasonal fluctuations quarter-over-quarter, with Walmart consistently posting steady, long-term upward revenue gains across most periods while Home Depot regularly navigates more pronounced cyclical peaks followed by occasional year-over-year top-line declines during its slower retail shopping seasons.
Investors should pay careful, ongoing attention to whether the absolute top-line revenue gap between the two companies continues to steadily expand over the long term, or if their comparative financial trajectories start gradually converging during upcoming seasonal retail reporting cycles.
Home Depot: Cyclical Shifts Shape Recent Revenue Patterns
Home Depot (NYSE:HD) primarily earns revenue by supplying building materials and home renovation services to homeowners and professional contractors.
It recently launched a new nationwide flat-fee express delivery alternative to help streamline direct product logistics for everyday online shoppers, and it simultaneously updated an extensive educational training program designed specifically to introduce younger students to various essential construction and skilled trade careers.
Walmart: Consistent Upward Momentum Anchors Recent Revenue Quarters
Walmart generates revenue through an international network of discount supercenters and digital storefronts that sell essential groceries and everyday merchandise.
It recently opened a large next-generation automated fulfillment center in California to further accelerate its regional consumer logistics operations, and simultaneously introduced a new proprietary women's apparel brand to continually broaden the lifestyle merchandise available across its vast physical retail store footprint.
Why Revenue Matters for Investors
Revenue here refers to the data provider's standardized income-statement revenue line item, which helps investors track overall business scale before any operating expenses are deducted.
Home Depot vs. Walmart Revenue over the last 8 quarters.
Reviewing Quarterly Revenue for Home Depot and Walmart
Calendar quarter
Home Depot Revenue
Walmart Revenue
Q3 2024
$40.2 billion (quarter ended Oct. 27, 2024)
$169.6 billion (quarter ended Oct. 31, 2024)
Q4 2024
$39.7 billion (quarter ended Feb. 2, 2025)
$180.6 billion (quarter ended Jan. 31, 2025)
Q1 2025
$39.9 billion (quarter ended May 4, 2025)
$165.6 billion (quarter ended April 30, 2025)
Q2 2025
$45.3 billion (quarter ended Aug. 3, 2025)
$177.4 billion (quarter ended July 31, 2025)
Q3 2025
$41.4 billion (quarter ended Nov. 2, 2025)
$179.5 billion (quarter ended Oct. 31, 2025)
Q4 2025
$38.2 billion (quarter ended Feb. 1, 2026)
$190.7 billion (quarter ended Jan. 31, 2026)
Q1 2026
$41.8 billion (quarter ended May 3, 2026)
$177.8 billion (quarter ended April 30, 2026)
Q2 2026
$47.9 billion (quarter ended Aug. 2, 2026)
$187.9 billion (quarter ended July 31, 2026)
Foolish Take
Of the two retail stocks, Walmart appears to be the clear choice over Home Depot for growth investors.
Admittedly, Home Depot’s steady revenue stream may appeal to investors, especially risk-averse investors. Consumers have a seemingly continuous need to fix or update their homes, ensuring its store footprint across the U.S. will continue to attract shoppers, even with its enduring business cycles.
Moreover, at a P/E ratio of 21, its valuation is far below Walmart’s 41 earnings multiple. With that, Home Depot shareholders will also earn a 3.2% dividend yield, even as Walmart yields less than 1%. This gives the home improvement retailer an edge with income investors.
However, Walmart holds a clear edge in the addressable market. Amid failed international expansion strategies, Home Depot operates only in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Walmart’s international expansion did not fare much better in terms of physical stores. Nonetheless, it has made strides internationally in Canada, Mexico, and Central America. Also, thanks to Flipkart in India, its international e-commerce has also experienced success.
Furthermore, Walmart remains a leader in supply chain efficiency, and higher-margin products such as memberships and advertising have also bolstered Walmart’s top line.
Ultimately, if looking for income, investors should probably choose Home Depot. However, Walmart is more likely to be the faster-growing stock over time, even with its higher valuation.
Should you buy stock in Home Depot right now?
Before you buy stock in Home Depot, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Home Depot wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $380,795!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,390,634!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 946% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 215% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of October 13, 2026.
Will Healy has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Home Depot and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Home Depot vs. Walmart: Comparing Scale and Revenue Seasonality

Key Points
According to a UBS analysis, Walmart is often the "default answer" for shopping-related AI queries.
More than one-third of consumers would be very willing to use AI for gift recommendations for the holidays, based on a recent survey.
Walmart's stock is expensive given its modest growth rate, and a boost from AI, while helpful, may not drastically change that.
More and more people are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots in search of not only answers to queries, but also shopping recommendations. And one thing that analysts have uncovered is that chatbots really like Walmart (NASDAQ:WMT), with it often being the go-to recommendation.
The company may benefit from this trend, and it could prove to be an underrated catalyst for the retail stock.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Image source: Getty Images.
Being the preferred retailer among AI chatbots could unlock more growth for Walmart
AI chatbots can make researching product decisions much quicker and easier for consumers. Increasingly, shoppers are becoming comfortable relying on them for advice on what to buy and where to buy it.
According to a recent survey by Gartner, approximately 34% of consumers in the U.S. would be very willing to use AI to get recommendations for holiday gift purchases. And that’s potentially great news for Walmart, as chatbots appear to gravitate toward it.
Analysts at UBS studied AI tools and found that Walmart was often the "default answer for everyday consumption.” It’s important to remember, however, that AI models evolve over time, and while Walmart may appear to be the preferred option today, it doesn't mean that it will remain the case several months from now.
It does, however, reinforce the strong brand that Walmart has built up over the years, which many consumers and now AI chatbots as well recognize as being synonymous with value.
Walmart's stock could use a boost, but AI chatbots might not offer enough of a spark
Thus far in 2026, Walmart's stock has generated underwhelming returns, up around just 2% and trailing the broader market. The challenge these days is that it's become too expensive over the years, and the stock now trades at more than 40 times its trailing earnings. For Walmart to remain a compelling buy at that level, its growth rate needs to be well into double digits, which it isn’t.
While AI chatbots may help drive more traffic to its stores, I don't think it'll be enough to drastically boost Walmart’s sales and profit numbers. The company has generated more than $730 billion in revenue over the trailing 12 months; it'll take a lot of additional revenue to meaningfully impact its growth rate.
Walmart's stock is expensive, but for investors who are looking to hang on for several years, potentially decades, the good news is that it can make for a solid investment to buy and hold, as it still has plenty of growth opportunities to tap into over the long haul.
Should you buy stock in Walmart right now?
Before you buy stock in Walmart, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Walmart wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $380,795!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,390,634!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 946% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 215% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of October 13, 2026.
David Jagielski, CPA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Gartner. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The Surprising Way Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chatbots Are Giving Walmart's Business a Boost

Key Points
Walmart and PepsiCo are Dividend Kings with more than 50 years of annual dividend increases.
Realty Income has outperformed the S&P 500 in 11 of its 13 corrections since the REIT's 1994 market listing.
Verizon has increased its high-yielding dividend every year for two decades.
The stock market can get choppy at times. In April 2025, the S&P 500 fell more than 10% over three days after President Trump announced his "Liberation Day" tariffs, one of the fastest corrections in recent history. By the time the market finally calmed down and selling subsided, the S&P 500 was down almost 19% from its February peak, just shy of an official bear market. However, almost as quickly as it happened, the market reversed much of its decline a week later after the President announced a 90-day tariff pause, and reclaimed almost all its losses within a month.
The thing about choppy markets like that is that no one can predict them in advance. What we can do is prepare for them by owning businesses built to weather the market's inevitable storms. Durable characteristics include resilient earnings throughout the economic cycle, a long track record of dividend growth, and demonstrated pricing power.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT), Realty Income (NYSE: O), PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP), and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) each have these key traits. That makes them steady stocks to own before the market gets choppy.
Walmart
Walmart is one of the world's largest retailers, with more than 10,900 stores in 19 countries and annual sales of $713 billion. That scale gives Walmart pricing power and the leverage to press vendors for lower prices. The company focuses on helping consumers save money, and primarily sells essential products such as groceries and household goods. The company's focus on delivering value to consumers drives more resilient sales during economic downturns as they trade down from higher-cost retailers.
The retailer has increased its dividend for 53 straight years, qualifying it as an elite Dividend King, a company with 50 or more years of annual dividend increases. That multi-decade dividend growth streak includes several recessions, showcasing the resilience of its earnings.
We saw Walmart's steadiness on full display during 2025's choppy market period. While the S&P 500 was down over 5% by the end of April, Walmart's stock was up over 7%.
Realty Income
Realty Income is one of the world's largest real estate investment trusts (REITs). It owns a diversified portfolio of retail, industrial, gaming, data center, and other properties, secured by long-term net leases with many of the world's leading companies (including Walmart, a top-20 tenant at 0.9% of its annual base rent). The company's leases provide it with very durable income, as most of its rent comes from tenants in industries resilient to economic downturns. Meanwhile, most of its leases feature annual rental escalation clauses (either fixed rate increases or those tied to inflation).
The REIT's stable, steadily rising rental income supports its growing monthly dividend. It has increased its dividend 136 times since its public market listing in 1994 (more than 31 straight years). Realty Income's strong financial profile also enables it to invest billions of dollars annually in new income-generating real estate.
Realty Income has proven to be very resilient in choppy markets. The REIT has outperformed the S&P 500 in 11 of the 13 drawdowns of 10% or more since its 1994 listing. Its stock has fallen by an average of 2.6% compared to the S&P 500's average decline of 22.6% during these corrections.
PepsiCo
PepsiCo is a global beverage and snacking leader with about $95 billion in annual sales. It owns leading brands, including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and Doritos. While the company is currently facing demand and cost headwinds, it still expects to deliver low-single-digit organic revenue and earnings-per-share growth this year. Its ability to deliver volume growth while pushing through price increases demonstrates its pricing power.
Like Walmart, PepsiCo is a Dividend King. It extended its streak to 54 straight years in 2026. With a rock-solid balance sheet and its business generating strong, growing free cash flow, PepsiCo can continue to grow its dividend during more challenging times. That's evident in its current headwinds, as it hiked its dividend by another 4% in 2026.
PepsiCo stock tends to be much less volatile than the S&P 500. It has a three-year beta of less than 0.5, compared with the S&P's 1.0. This implies that if the S&P 500 drops 10%, PepsiCo stock would typically fall only 5%.
Verizon
Verizon is a leading mobile and broadband company. It generates recurring revenue that tends to be highly durable because wireless and internet services are essential for most consumers. While it's easier to switch providers now than it was in the past, Verizon's high-quality network and scale help reduce customer churn.
The company has raised its dividend for 20 straight years. It generates significant free cash flow after investing in network expansion, more than sufficient to cover its dividend. That provides it with excess cash to repurchase shares and maintain its solid balance sheet.
Verizon offers a high dividend yield (nearly 7%). While that high yield reflects its slower growth and higher risk profile due to competition, it also provides investors with a meaningful real return in choppy markets.
Save havens when the market gets choppy
There's no telling when the next market downturn will occur. That's why it's smart to be prepared for choppy markets before they arrive by ensuring your portfolio includes steadier investments like Walmart, Realty Income, PepsiCo, and Verizon that can provide ballast during these more turbulent times. While they aren't risk-free investments, they should help lower your portfolio's overall volatility without giving up too much long-term upside potential.
Should you buy stock in Walmart right now?
Before you buy stock in Walmart, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Walmart wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $379,123!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,408,822!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 950% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 215% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of October 11, 2026.
Matt DiLallo has positions in PepsiCo, Realty Income, and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Realty Income and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Founded in 1993 in Alexandria, VA., by brothers David and Tom Gardner, The Motley Fool is a multimedia financial-services company dedicated to building the world's greatest investment community. Reaching millions of people each month through its website, books, newspaper column, radio show, television appearances, and subscription newsletter services, The Motley Fool champions shareholder values and advocates tirelessly for the individual investor. The company's name was taken from Shakespeare, whose wise fools both instructed and amused, and could speak the truth to the king -- without getting their heads lopped off.

How to Beat a Choppy Market With 4 Steady Stocks

Key Points
Dividend growers returned an annualized 10.2% from 1973 to 2023, versus 3.9% for non-payers, according to Hartford Funds and Ned Davis Research.
S&P's data shows dividend stocks have historically protected investors better in down months, not just delivered higher average returns.
The data rewards companies that consistently grow their dividend, not just any stock with a high yield, since dividend cutters performed worst of all.
Every few years, someone declares dividend investing old-fashioned, a strategy for retirees content with slow, boring gains while everyone else chases the next big thing. Then someone actually pulls the data, and the boring strategy wins again.
I'll throw myself into this discussion, too. I've always been pretty skeptical of dividends because they feel boring, unsexy, and slow. I'm naturally drawn to faster gains, but I've looked at this enough times now that I've stopped being surprised by it. The numbers just make the case better than I ever could.
Missed AI’s "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our analysts, we’re only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
What 50 years of market data actually shows
Hartford Funds, working with research firm Ned Davis Research, tracked S&P 500 companies back to 1973, sorting them into two simple buckets: companies that grew or began paying dividends, and companies that paid nothing at all. From 1973 through 2023, that first group returned an annualized 10.2%. The non-payers managed 3.9%. Run that gap forward over five decades and you're not talking about a modest edge, you're talking about the difference between a portfolio that multiplies many times over and one that barely keeps pace with inflation.
Here's the part I find more interesting than the headline return, though: The dividend growers did it with less volatility, not more. Standard deviation, a measure of how wildly a stock's returns swing around its average, came in meaningfully lower for the dividend growers than for the non-payers. That matters practically, not just academically, because a smoother ride is what actually lets an investor stay invested through the bad years instead of panic-selling near the bottom, which is usually the single biggest thing that wrecks a long-term plan.
A separate data set tells the same story
S&P Dow Jones Indices runs a related experiment worth paying attention to. It tracks an index limited to S&P 500 companies that have raised their dividends every year for at least 25 consecutive years, a high bar that filters out almost everything except businesses with genuinely durable cash flow. A hypothetical $100 invested in that index back in May 2005, with dividends reinvested along the way, had grown to roughly $730 by the spring of 2025. That's not a cherry-picked stretch either; it spans the 2008 financial crisis, a pandemic, and the most aggressive rate-hiking cycle in decades.
What stands out to me more than the raw return is how that index behaves relative to the broader market during rough stretches. It has outperformed the S&P 500 more often during down months than during up months, which is a specific and useful pattern. It means these companies aren't earning their long-term returns by having a handful of spectacular, high-flying years. They're earning them by simply falling less when everything else is falling, quarter after quarter, decade after decade, in a way that compounds into a very different outcome over 20 years than most investors expect from what looks, on the surface, like a sleepy, unglamorous group of stocks.
What this looks like in a real portfolio
Consider Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT), which has raised its dividend for more than 50 straight years, through multiple recessions, the rise of e-commerce, and a complete transformation of how people shop. Walmart is a Dividend King, a company that has delivered 50 or more consecutive years of annual dividend increases. Or consider Target (NYSE: TGT), which has extended its own streak past the half-century mark despite plenty of its own stumbles along the way, including a rough stretch in 2025 and 2026 tied to slower traffic and tariff pressure.
Neither stock has been smooth or uneventful to own. Both kept raising the dividend anyway, through good years and bad ones, which is closer to what this data is actually describing than any single winning quarter.
None of this means every dividend stock is a buy, and it doesn't mean the next 50 years will replay the last 50. Dividend cutters and eliminators, the companies that reduce or kill their payout, performed worst of all in the Hartford Funds data, worse even than companies that never paid one.
The lesson here should be that a long record of raising a dividend tends to reflect a business with real, durable cash flow behind it, and that's a trait that's compounded quietly, reliably, and with less drama than almost anything else in the market.
Where to invest $1,000 right now
When our analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor’s total average return is 950%* — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 215% for the S&P 500.
They just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now, available when you join Stock Advisor.
*Stock Advisor returns as of October 11, 2026.
Micah Zimmerman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

5 Decades of Data Confirm Long-Term Dividend Investing Delivers Real Returns

Key Points
Realty Income hasn't missed a monthly payment in more than 56 years.
Coca-Cola stock has crushed the market over the past year as investors prize its reliability.
Procter & Gamble is nearly unmatched in its dividend history.
Are you looking for some excellent dividend stocks this month? It's a great time to make sure you have some in your portfolio, as inflation remains strong and the market is becoming more expensive. Although there's no way to know what's going to happen next, you should be prepared for a market correction or crash at any time, and with signs pointing in that direction, there's no better time to correct your portfolio with protective stocks.
Realty Income (NYSE: O), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), and Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) are three top dividend stocks that have never cut their payouts, and they're excellent candidates.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
1. Realty Income
Real estate investment trusts (REIT) are generally excellent dividend stocks because they pay 90% of their earnings as dividends, and Realty Income is one of the best. It's one of the largest REITs in the world, with more than 15,000 properties, and it has the means and opportunities to keep buying more.
Nearly 80% of its properties are leased to major retail chains such as Walmart and Home Depot, and more than 20% are leased to grocery and convenience stores. That's a reliable revenue stream, and Realty Income has a 98.8% occupancy rate.
However, it has recently diversified into new areas outside of retail, including gaming and industrials. It's also become a global giant, and it's making a greater move into Europe, providing it with more purchase opportunities.
Realty Income is one of the few companies that pays a monthly dividend, and it has paid the dividend for 675 consecutive months -- that's more than 56 years. It has raised it for 116 quarters. That's as reliable as it gets.
At the current price, Realty Income's dividend yields 6%. The stock has fallen as investors weigh how it can perform in the high-bond-yield market, which sent the dividend yield higher. Whatever happens in the short term, Realty Income has a proven track record, and this is an excellent time for passive income investors to buy.
2. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola has Dividend King status, meaning it has raised its dividend for at least 50 consecutive years. The Atlanta-based company has reached 64 years of growing payouts without missing a beat. It has gone through some challenging times recently as the pandemic and inflation have stressed the business, but it has emerged even stronger, with investors valuing its resilience under pressure.
In the second quarter, despite a tough operating environment, sales increased 7% year over year. That's pretty impressive for a company that's 140 years old. Operating income outpaced it, increasing 9%, and comparable operating margin expanded from 34.7% to 35.6%. Management raised its outlook across revenue, earnings per share (EPS), and free cash flow.
Coca-Cola hasn't always been a market outperformer, and for years, it was predominantly seen as a great dividend play, with reliable payments and a high yield. However, it has crushed the market over the past year, up 32%, double the S&P 500's 16% total gain. It got a boost last year for the localized production that made it resistant to higher tariffs, and it's gone even higher in 2026 as fans keep buying its favored beverages, leading to stable earnings growth.
Consequently, its yield has come down to 2.5%, which is attractive. If you're looking for passive income that you can rely on under any circumstances, Coca-Cola is a top pick.
3. Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble has an even longer track record than Coca-Cola and a higher yield at today's price; it has raised the dividend for 70 years, and the dividend yields 3%.
The company is behind many well-known and loved brands, including Tide laundry detergent, Pampers diapers, and Crest toothpaste. It's a health, hygiene, and cleaning powerhouse, and its products command higher prices than many competitors' and generic brands. But since its products are essentials and their price tags are far from the prices of luxury goods, consumers continue to buy them despite inflation.
It's a slow grower, and it generally reports low-single-digit growth, such as a 3% year-over-year sales increase in fiscal 2026 (ended June 30). EPS was up 2%.
Despite rising costs, management provided a positive outlook for fiscal 2027, including similar performance to 2026. That's the kind of rock-solid business it has, and it's the kind of performance that fuels its almost unmatched dividend history. It's the same reason you can expect it to keep paying and raising the dividend for the foreseeable future, which is why Procter & Gamble is a great dividend stock to own forever.
Should you buy stock in Realty Income right now?
Before you buy stock in Realty Income, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Realty Income wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $361,650!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,437,517!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 936% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 213% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of October 5, 2026.
Jennifer Saibil has positions in Walmart. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Home Depot, Realty Income, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

3 Dividend Stocks to Buy in October That Have Never Cut Their Payouts

Key Points
Greg Abel pruned a bunch of the smaller consumer goods positions that Warren Buffett acquired while he was in charge.
The fact that Berkshire Hathaway is holding only a small number of these names makes this continued bullishness all the more meaningful.
While it’s not Berkshire’s highest-yielding stock, it is the holding with the fastest-growing dividend payment.
Picking up where predecessor Warren Buffett left off, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA) (NYSE: BRKB) CEO Greg Abel is keeping the conglomerate invested in many of its existing consumer staples trades. Its biggest and best-known holding from this sector is, of course, the $34 billion position -- Berkshire's fourth biggest -- in Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO). Then there's struggling Kraft Heinz (NYSE: KHC), which Buffett admittedly laments.
There's a third consumer goods stock Berkshire has owned for a while now, however, that's often overlooked, largely due to the trade's small size. That's grocery store chain Kroger (NYSE: KR). Of these three names, Kroger's the one I'd be most interested in buying right now.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Investors flinched at the unexpected change
This won't always be the case. Coca-Cola is still arguably the best of the best among Berkshire's consumer-facing holdings. It's just gotten a little expensive due to a 60% run-up from its late October low. Meanwhile, Kraft Heinz is distracted by its plans announced last year to split up the company into smaller, more manageable pieces. Kroger is the proverbial pick of the litter at this time, largely thanks to its pullback from March's peak.
The correction makes enough superficial sense, to be clear. New CEO Greg Foran -- who only took the helm in February -- soon began slashing prices in an effort to become more competitive with the likes of Walmart and Aldi, stoking concerns that profit margins would narrow.
And it did, somewhat. In step with fiscal Q2's same-store sales growth of only 0.25% compared to the year-earlier 3.4% (leaving revenue short of estimates), gross margins slipped 10 basis points year over year. The company also, unsurprisingly, lowered its full-year sales guidance in last month's second-quarter report. Sensing this was coming, investors began pricing in this headwind all the way back in April.
In retrospect, though, the sellers may have overshot their target.
Not a mistake after all
Foran's strategies seem to be working. While price cuts are taking a bite out of revenue and a small toll on profit margins, Kroger's full-year guidance for operating profits, free cash flow, and per-share earnings wasn't changed last month when its same-store sales growth outlook was lowered.
The stock's basic metrics have also turned attractive. The 20% pullback from March's high has inflated its forward-looking dividend yield to a healthy 2.6%. And that's based on a quarterly dividend payment that's now been raised for 20 consecutive years. By more than a little, too. With the most recent increase of 11%, Kroger's per-share payout has now more than tripled over just the past decade.
A combination of generous stock buybacks and persistent profits is a contributing factor. The number of outstanding Kroger shares has fallen by roughly one-third just since 2016, with no end to the streak in sight.
So, connect the dots. This rarely discussed Berkshire Hathaway holding may well be its best bet right now among all of its consumer staples names, particularly given that Abel stuck with it when he was cleaning out other consumer-facing names like Domino's and Constellation Brands earlier this year. That alone speaks volumes.
Should you buy stock in Kroger right now?
Before you buy stock in Kroger, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Kroger wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $361,650!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,437,517!*
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James Brumley has positions in Coca-Cola. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway, Domino's Pizza, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Constellation Brands, Kraft Heinz, and Kroger. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Walmart Inc.

Trend

Trend Class

Trend Power

Pattern

EMA

EMA-20

EMA-50

EMA-100

EMA-20

EMA-50

EMA-100

Oscillators

Stochastic

RSI

MACD

Candle pattern type