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 remains a high-quality defensive business, but its current valuation is already noticeably ahead of its fundamental trajectory. On the multiples side, the picture is expensive: P/E of 38.38, P/S of 1.23, P/B of 8.05, and P/FCF of 61.91 are all materially above the industry median, which limits the potential for further upside without an acceleration in earnings and cash flow. At the same time, the trend in these multiples does not provide a strong argument for a downward re-rating: P/E and P/FCF have recently declined from their peaks, while P/S and P/B have fluctuated but remain at elevated levels. The company’s operating efficiency is strong for retail: ROE of 21.37%, ROA of 8.02%, and ROI of 15.24% are above industry benchmarks, while gross margin of 25.23% and gross profit are increasing, indicating the ability to preserve margins in a competitive environment. However, net profit margin of 3.13% and operating margin of 4.39% are notably below the industry median, meaning profitability on both the net and operating lines remains thin, as is typical for most large discounters. Revenue and operating profit are growing, and net income and EBITDA are at high absolute levels, supporting the resilience of the model. On the other hand, liquidity is weak: a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.77 point to dependence on working capital and the low short-term cushion typical of retail. Leverage appears manageable, since debt/equity of 0.41 is below the industry median, but absolute debt remains significant, and total liabilities are very large given the capital-intensive model. Dividend yield of 0.24% is low, so the dividend factor does little to offset the expensive valuation. Overall, the fundamentals point to a strong, stable, and scaled business, but one that already carries a substantial market premium. For an investor, this means fair value should be somewhat more cautious than the current operating benchmark, as upside is limited by expensive multiples and weak liquidity despite solid profitability metrics and steady business growth.

Walmart Inc.

Сильный индекс, значительно упал. Быки в растерянности.

Strong index, significantly down. The bulls are confused.

Слабый индекс, без изменений

Слабый индекс, незначительно вырос. Нейтральный рынок.

Сильный индекс, незначительно упал. Нейтральный рынок.

Strong index, slightly down. Neutral market.

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

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

Сильный индекс, без изменений. Приток средств в шорты на высоком уровне.

Strong index, flat. Inflow of funds into shorts at a high level.

A strong and resilient Walmart trades at a premium: high profitability and revenue growth support the valuation, but premium multiples and weak liquidity limit the upside.

Key Points
Home Depot remains a dominant force in the home improvement market, specifically targeting professional contractors through strategic acquisitions.
Walmart continues to leverage its massive scale and omnichannel strategy to capture value-conscious consumers across the globe.
Which of these retail titans deserves a spot in your portfolio as we head further into 2026?
Choosing between Home Depot (NYSE:HD) and Walmart (NASDAQ:WMT) involves weighing specialized home improvement against general retail scale. Both companies are navigating shifting consumer habits, but which offers better value today?
Home Depot focuses on the specialized needs of homeowners and professional contractors, making it sensitive to the housing market. Walmart operates as a diversified global giant, providing essentials and discretionary goods through an integrated physical and digital network. While both are leaders, their distinct business models offer different exposures to economic cycles and interest rate environments.
The case for Home Depot
Home Depot sells products for building, repair, and renovation to two main groups: DIY homeowners and Pros, like contractors and electricians. It recently expanded its specialized offerings for the Pro segment by acquiring companies like SRS and GMS. These moves allow the company to better serve complex project needs through its 2,364 retail stores and over 1,340 specialized locations.
As of its February 2026 balance sheet, the company carries a debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 5.1x. This ratio means total debt is about five times the value of shareholder equity, reflecting the company's use of borrowed money to fund operations. Its current ratio is roughly 1.1x, while free cash flow, or cash from operations minus capital expenditures, reached nearly $12.6 billion.
In the fiscal year ended Feb. 1, 2026, revenue reached nearly $164.7 billion, representing a year-over-year growth of roughly 3.2%. Net income for the same period was approximately $14.2 billion, which resulted in a net margin of close to 8.6%. This performance shows a slight dip in net margin compared with the prior fiscal year, when it stood at roughly 9.3%.
The case for Walmart
Walmart operates a global omnichannel model, serving roughly 280 million customers weekly through three main segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. The company is a massive player in retail stocks, providing groceries, health services, and general merchandise. Its strategy integrates physical stores with digital platforms, offering services like same-day delivery and the Walmart+ membership program.
In the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2026, revenue reached nearly $713.2 billion, a growth of approximately 4.7% compared with the previous year. Net income for this period was close to $21.9 billion, resulting in a net margin of roughly 3.1%. This reflects an improvement from the prior year when net margin was approximately 2.9%.
As of its January 2026 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was roughly 0.7x, meaning its total debt is lower than its total shareholder equity. The current ratio, which measures liquidity, is approximately 0.8x. Free cash flow for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2026, was close to $14.9 billion, providing significant capital for reinvestment or shareholder returns.
Risk profile comparison
Home Depot faces risks from cybersecurity threats and data privacy, including legal scrutiny over AI-powered surveillance tools. The business is highly sensitive to the housing market, where fluctuations in interest rates can dampen demand for major renovation projects. It also faces intense competition from online retailers and mass merchants who may undercut prices or offer faster digital fulfillment.
Walmart is exposed to legal risks from past settlements regarding pharmacy practices and consumer protection lawsuits in various states. Its global operations mean it must navigate trade barriers, tariffs, and currency fluctuations that can impact the cost of goods. The company also faces fierce competition from other omnichannel retailers and must constantly innovate to maintain its price leadership.
Valuation comparison
Walmart trades at a higher forward P/E than its peer, but Home Depot carries a higher P/S ratio.
Metric
Home Depot
Walmart
Forward P/E
20.6x
36.7x
P/S ratio
1.9x
1.2x
Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.
Which stock would I buy in 2026?
Both of these companies appear to be solid investments, and they are certainly well-known brand names. Your choice depends on several factors, particularly your risk tolerance and economic outlook.
While a soft economy may keep people from buying expensive electronics, they still need groceries, clothes, and other supplies that Walmart sells. Its everyday low-pricing model shields it from inflation, and convenience makes it a popular shopping destination in a booming economy, too.
The company reported impressive revenue and free cash flow during the last fiscal year. However, the company has recently faced challenges due to trade barriers and tariffs, as well as rising competition from e-commerce. Its biggest drawback may be its rich P/E ratio, which suggests that the market has priced in its expectations for growth.
Home Depot also has a durable business model, but it is tied to the cyclical housing market. The stock has pulled back over the past year, giving it a much more attractive P/E valuation.
The company carries a substantial debt load following its expansion in the Pro segment, which adds some risk. But if interest rates decline and the housing market picks up, it will be poised to take advantage of a resulting surge in sales. Its 3% dividend yield rewards investments while they wait.
Ideally, I would own both stocks. But if I had to choose just one, it would be Walmart as a defensive and predictable option.
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Home Depot vs. Walmart: Which Consumer Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

Consumer staples stocks could become increasingly attractive if stubborn inflation pushes the Federal Reserve, under new Chairman Kevin Warsh, toward renewed monetary tightening.
August's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% month over month and 3.4% annually, while core prices increased 0.3% monthly, coming in hotter than expected and strengthening the case for a potential Fed rate hike.
Higher interest rates typically cool consumer spending and economic growth, which can favor defensive businesses that sell everyday necessities.
In that environment, Coca-Cola (KO), Procter & Gamble PG), and Walmart WMT) stand out thanks to resilient demand, strong brands, and reliable dividends.
Adding to their defensive appeal, all three are Dividend Kings, with each having raised its dividend for more than 50 consecutive years.
Image Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; chart created by ChatGPT
Coca-Cola's Pricing Power
Coca-Cola's vast beverage portfolio and enormous global distribution network give the company considerable pricing power, which can help offset inflationary increases in commodities, packaging, transportation, and labor costs.
More importantly, consumers tend to keep purchasing beverages regardless of economic conditions, making KO a defensive holding if higher rates slow discretionary spending.
Income investors also receive an annualized dividend of $2.12 per share, equating to a yield of roughly 2.4%. Coca-Cola raised its dividend for the 64th consecutive year in 2026.
Procter & Gamble's Defensive Appeal
Procter & Gamble may offer similar protection as Coca-Cola, with household staples such as Tide, Pampers, Crest, Gillette, and Charmin generating relatively consistent demand even during weaker economic periods.
P&G's powerful brands also provide pricing flexibility when input costs rise. Furthermore, PG currently offers an annualized dividend of $4.35 per share, yielding 3%, after increasing its dividend for an impressive 70th consecutive year.
Walmart Could Benefit From Consumer Trade-Down
Walmart offers a slightly different defensive thesis. Persistent inflation and higher borrowing costs can squeeze household budgets, potentially driving more consumers toward Walmart's value-oriented stores and grocery business.
This could allow Walmart to capture additional market share if consumers trade down from higher-priced retailers. WMT also provides an annual dividend of $0.99 per share, currently yielding near 1%, with 2026 marking its 53rd consecutive annual dividend increase.
Bottom Line
Renewed Fed tightening wouldn't automatically make these consumer staples stocks winners, as higher Treasury yields can also make dividend stocks relatively less attractive.
Still, KO, PG, and WMT could offer investors a compelling defensive combination of resilient demand, pricing power, dependable cash flow, and recurring dividend income if persistent inflation forces the Fed to raise rates and weighs more heavily on economically sensitive areas of the market.
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3 Dividend Kings to Buy if the Fed Starts Raising Rates: KO, PG, WMT

Key Points
Walmart's stock price is down 5% thus far in 2026.
Higher internal fuel costs for the company and cautious shoppers are concerning the markets.
Despite near-term struggles, analysts forecast that Walmart's stock price could trade at $130 one year from now.
Walmart's (NASDAQ: WMT) stock price is struggling to find its footing in 2026, having fallen 5.1% as of this writing. Rising fuel costs, a cautious consumer, and already hefty expectations all appear to be weighing on the stock.
That said, by September 2027, analysts have a brighter outlook for Walmart's stock price than where it's currently trading. Here's how much a $10,000 investment could be worth by this time next year.
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Walmart stock price forecasts
To determine what a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Walmart could be worth, I'll base it on the Sept. 10 closing price of $105.73. At that price, a $10,000 investment would yield a little more than 94 shares through fractional investing.
According to CNN, the median price target for the next 12 months from the 47 analysts who cover the stock is $130, representing a gain of roughly 23%. If the stock price climbs that high, it would turn $10,000 into approximately $12,295.
To get the full picture of the possibilities, you can also look at the highest and lowest price targets. If Walmart reached the group's highest price target of $155, that would turn a $10,000 investment into $14,659. If Walmart traded at $110, the group's lowest price target, that would still be a gain, turning $10,000 into $10,403.
A tough stretch followed by upside potential
The stock price targets listed above aren't guarantees of where shares could trade. Rather, they serve as sentiment indicators and help establish a framework for weighing downside threats against upside potential.
Walmart still has to navigate higher fuel costs and a cautious consumer, both of which don't appear to be going away anytime soon. It will take some time for the retailer to regain investor favor, but the price targets suggest confidence that Walmart can get through this rough patch and reward patient shareholders.
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What a $10,000 Investment in Walmart Could Be Worth by September 2027

Best Buy Co., Inc. BBY raised its fiscal 2027 outlook after a better-than-expected second quarter, shifting attention to whether its improving profit model can hold through the second half. Stronger sales trends are now being reinforced by newer earnings streams.
Marketplace and Best Buy Ads are contributing to gross-margin expansion, while core categories remain supportive. Memory inflation, tougher computing comparisons and higher operating investments still limit how much of that benefit may reach the bottom line.
Best Buy Co., Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
BBY's Guidance Raise Resets FY27 Expectations
Best Buy lifted fiscal 2027 revenue guidance to $42.3-$42.8 billion from $41.2-$42.1 billion. Adjusted earnings guidance increased to $6.70-$6.90 per share from $6.30-$6.60.
The company also raised its adjusted operating income rate forecast to 4.4-4.5% from 4.3-4.4%. Comparable sales are now expected to increase 1.9-3%, versus the prior range of a 1% decline to 1% growth.
Best Buy's Margin Story Leans on New Profit Streams
Domestic gross margin expanded 60 basis points to 24% in the second quarter. The improvement reflected Marketplace, Best Buy Ads and about $34 million of tariff refunds, partly offset by lower product margin rates.
Management expects the fiscal 2027 gross profit rate to improve about 30-40 basis points, led by Ads and Marketplace. The outlook assumes similar tariff refunds in the third quarter.
BBY's Marketplace and Ads Businesses Are Scaling
Domestic Marketplace gross merchandise value reached about $300 million in the second quarter. Best Buy raised its full-year Marketplace expectation to $1.3 billion after stronger-than-anticipated performance.
Best Buy Ads is expected to grow 10% in fiscal 2027 after roughly $900 million in collections last year. Walmart Inc. WMT reported 38% global advertising growth and more than 50% marketplace net sales growth in its latest quarter. Target Corporation TGT said non-merchandise sales rose more than 20%, reflecting strength in Roundel, Target Circle 360 and Target+.
Best Buy's Core Categories Support the Higher Outlook
Computing, home theater and emerging categories were the largest weighted contributors to domestic comparable sales growth. Computing recorded its 10th consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales growth, while domestic TV sales rose more than 10%.
Management expects phones, TVs and emerging categories to grow in the second half. Major appliances also returned to slight sales growth, although the recovery still depends on pricing, availability, delivery speed and installation.
BBY Still Has Cost and Comparison Risks
Industry-wide memory cost increases are raising computing prices. Computing average selling prices rose in the mid-teens in the second quarter while unit volumes fell in the high single digits, showing demand sensitivity to higher price points.
Computing growth is expected to slow as Best Buy laps two years of gains and a particularly strong prior-year third quarter. Annual adjusted SG&A is planned to increase about 20 basis points, which could absorb part of the gross-margin benefit.
BBY's Hold Signal Tempers the Upbeat Outlook
The bottom line is that Best Buy has raised the earnings bar as new profit streams scale and core category trends improve. The second-half test is whether Ads and Marketplace can keep supporting profitability while computing and operating costs become less favorable.
BBY currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). It also has a Value Score of A, Growth Score of A, Momentum Score of A and VGM Score of A. Those favorable Style Scores reflect attractive characteristics across several investing styles, but they complement the Zacks Rank. With a Hold rank, the combined signal supports a measured near-term view. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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BBY Raises FY27 Outlook as Ads and Marketplace Lift Profitability

Best Buy Co., Inc. BBY has a stronger earnings setup, but investors must weigh that improvement against a valuation above its historical norm. Higher guidance, positive estimate revisions and stronger cash generation support further progress.
Memory-cost inflation, promotion-sensitive consumers and a forward multiple above its five-year median keep the risk-reward balance from becoming one-sided. Better fundamentals now have to justify a higher price.
Best Buy Co., Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
BBY's Earnings Picture Is Improving
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2027 earnings is $6.79 per share, above $6.43 in fiscal 2026. The fiscal 2027 earnings estimate has moved 3.8% higher over the past four weeks.
BBY's latest quarterly earnings surprise was 7.3%. That result adds to recent estimate momentum and strengthens the case that the earnings trajectory is improving.
Best Buy's Higher Guidance Raises the Earnings Bar
Best Buy raised fiscal 2027 revenue guidance to $42.3-$42.8 billion and adjusted earnings guidance to $6.70-$6.90 per share. Comparable sales are now expected to increase 1.9-3%, versus the prior outlook ranging from a 1% decline to 1% growth.
The higher outlook reflects first-half performance and momentum entering the second half. It also raises the execution bar because expectations for the fiscal year have improved.
BBY's Valuation Now Sits Above Its Five-Year Median
BBY trades at 12.5X forward 12-month earnings, above its five-year median of 11.5X. The multiple remains within its five-year range of 7.0X to 15.5X, but the stock is no longer below its historical midpoint.
The PEG ratio stands at 2.10. Continued earnings and margin progress could support the multiple, but a setback would leave less valuation cushion.
Best Buy Still Faces Demand and Margin Risks
Industry-wide memory cost increases are lifting computing prices. In the second quarter, computing average selling prices rose in the mid-teens while unit volumes fell in the high single digits, showing sensitivity to higher price points.
Consumers remain value-focused and attracted to sales events, while appliance improvement still requires pricing and service investments. The annual adjusted SG&A rate is planned to increase about 20 basis points, which could limit margin upside.
Target Corporation TGT reported 3.8% second-quarter comparable sales growth and said it had lowered prices on more than 10,000 frequently purchased items over the past year. That emphasis on value reinforces the promotional backdrop across retail.
Walmart Inc. WMT reported 23% global e-commerce growth in its latest quarter and highlighted price, speed and convenience as customer priorities. Its continued price investments underscore the competitive standard for omnichannel retailers.
BBY's Cash Flow and Yield Add Defensive Support
Best Buy generated $1.30 billion of operating cash flow in the first half, up from $783 million a year earlier. Cash and cash equivalents reached $2.26 billion at quarter-end compared with $1.46 billion a year ago.
BBY's dividend yield is about 4.4%, while the company continues to expect approximately $300 million of fiscal 2027 share repurchases. That cash return profile adds support as the operating recovery develops.
BBY's Hold Signal Balances Strong Style Scores
The bottom line is that BBY's earnings outlook has improved, but the valuation no longer offers the same historical discount. Better estimates, higher guidance and cash flow support the shares, while memory inflation and a higher multiple argue for a measured entry stance.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). BBY also has a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of A, a Momentum Score of A and a VGM Score of A. Those favorable grades complement rather than override the Zacks Rank, supporting a balanced near-term view instead of an outright buy signal. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.
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Is BBY a Buy as Growth Improves but Valuation Climbs Above Its Median?

Shares of Best Buy Co., Inc. BBY have gained 17.9% in the past three months, raising the bar for further upside. The advance now has better operating support, with earnings, revenues and comparable sales improving in the latest quarter. Broader category growth and higher fiscal 2027 guidance strengthen the case for sustained momentum. Memory-cost inflation, tougher computing comparisons and a valuation above recent norms keep the investment picture balanced.
Best Buy Co., Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
BBY's Three-Month Rally Meets Stronger Fundamentals
Second-quarter adjusted earnings rose 15% to $1.47 per share and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.37. Revenues increased 3.6% to $9.78 billion and topped the consensus mark of $9.56 billion, while enterprise comparable sales advanced 4.1%.
Best Buy raised fiscal 2027 revenue guidance to $42.3-$42.8 billion and adjusted earnings guidance to $6.70-$6.90 per share. Comparable sales are now expected to increase 1.9-3%, up from the prior range of a 1% decline to 1% growth.
Best Buy's Q2 Beat Adds Weight to the Momentum
Domestic comparable sales rose 4.5%, while domestic online comparable sales increased 5.1%. The domestic gross profit rate expanded 60 basis points to 24%, helped by Marketplace, Best Buy Ads and about $34 million of tariff refunds, partly offset by lower product margin rates.
Online revenues represented 33.1% of domestic revenues, up from 32.8% a year earlier. That mix reinforces Best Buy's omnichannel traction as Marketplace and Best Buy Ads scale alongside retail operations.
BBY's Growth Mix Is Broadening Beyond Computing
Computing delivered its 10th consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales growth, while mobile phones posted a sixth straight quarter of growth. Home theater also strengthened, with domestic TV sales rising more than 10% year over year.
Combined sales of AI glasses, trading cards and health rings more than doubled from a year earlier and contributed about one percentage point to comparable sales growth. Best Buy Business sales also increased 21%, adding another growth source.
Best Buy Faces Memory Inflation and Tougher Comps
Computing average selling prices increased in the mid-teens as unit volumes fell in the high single digits. Higher memory costs are flowing into the assortment, creating elasticity risk even as Best Buy uses promotions, financing, trade-ins and earlier inventory purchases to preserve key price points.
Management expects computing growth to slow in the second half as comparisons get tougher. Traditional gaming also declined as Best Buy lapped the prior-year Switch 2 launch, underscoring the category's exposure to uneven product cycles.
BBY's Valuation Leaves Less Room for Disappointment
BBY trades at 12.5X forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate, above its five-year median of 11.5X and slightly above the Zacks sub-industry's 12.3X. That premium leaves less valuation cushion if second-half sales or margin progress falls short.
Target Corporation TGT, one of BBY's retail peers, trades at 14.9X forward earnings. Walmart Inc. WMT, another peer, trades at 36.8X. Those comparisons place BBY below both peers on this measure, even as its own multiple sits above its five-year median.
BBY's Hold Signal Meets Strong Style Scores
The bottom line is that BBY's rally has broader fundamental support, but the recent move already reflects some of that progress. Memory inflation, tougher comparisons and a higher-than-median valuation argue for a measured view of additional upside.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). BBY also has a Value Score of A, Growth Score of A, Momentum Score of A and VGM Score of A. Those scores indicate favorable characteristics across multiple investing styles, but they complement rather than override the Zacks Rank, supporting a balanced near-term stance. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.
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From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
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Can BBY Sustain Its 17.9% Three-Month Rally as Growth Drivers Broaden?

Walmart Inc. WMT shares have lost 14.3% over the past six months, reflecting a notable cooling in investor sentiment toward the retail giant. The decline is slightly narrower than the industry’s 15% drop, but Walmart has sharply lagged the Zacks Retail – Wholesale sector’s 0.5% dip and the S&P 500’s 12.2% advance over the same period.
The divergence is striking because Walmart’s operating performance remains solid, with continued market share gains and strong digital growth. The pullback appears to reflect a combination of near-term cost and consumer concerns, softer U.S. comparable sales growth and a still-demanding valuation rather than a breakdown in the company’s long-term growth story.
Walmart has also lagged several prominent retail peers over the past three months. Shares of Target Corporation TGT have rallied 34.6 during the period, while Costco Wholesale Corporation COST and Dollar General Corporation DG have declined 10.2% and 9.5%, respectively.
What Is Weighing on Walmart Stock?
Despite Walmart’s resilient operating performance, several factors appear to be weighing on investor sentiment. A key concern is the increasingly challenging consumer backdrop. Management noted that shoppers, particularly those facing tighter household budgets, are making more deliberate spending choices amid elevated fuel costs and broader affordability pressures.
Walmart has responded by stepping up price investments and expanding rollbacks across categories. While this reinforces the company’s value positioning and can support market share gains over time, aggressive pricing can pressure near-term margins before higher volumes fully offset the investment. Management itself noted that the benefits from lower prices can take time to materialize.
Another drag is the health and wellness business, where regulatory changes have created considerable top-line pressure. Pharmacy deflation and brand-to-generic transfers associated with maximum fair price regulation have weighed on Walmart U.S. comparable sales. At the same time, the sales benefit from GLP-1 drugs has moderated from previous years. Management emphasized that these issues are largely affecting reported sales growth rather than undermining the underlying profitability or long-term attractiveness of the health and wellness business.
Cost pressures are another issue. Higher fuel expenses, depreciation tied to elevated capital spending, healthcare costs and self-insurance expenses are limiting operating leverage. Walmart is also reinvesting tariff refunds into lower prices and customer experience, which should strengthen its competitive position but may temper near-term profit growth. These factors, combined with a softer consumer environment, could explain why investors remain cautious despite Walmart’s otherwise healthy business momentum.
Walmart’s Estimate Revisions Signal Near-Term Caution
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Walmart’s current- and next-fiscal-year EPS has moved lower over the past 30 days. The negative revision trend indicates increasing analyst caution around the near-term earnings trajectory and could restrict meaningful multiple expansion until estimates stabilize or begin moving upward.
Walmart’s Growth Engines Remain Powerful
Despite the near-term concerns, Walmart continues to possess several durable growth drivers that support its longer-term investment case. Its core retail business remains healthy, aided by a strong value proposition, broad assortment and increasing convenience. Walmart continues to gain market share across categories and income groups, including higher-income households. Underlying U.S. sales trends outside health and wellness have remained relatively steady, indicating that regulatory-driven pharmacy weakness does not necessarily reflect deterioration across the broader retail business.
Walmart’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem remains one of its most important growth avenues. E-commerce continues to post strong growth across Walmart U.S., Sam’s Club and international markets, supported by store-fulfilled delivery and faster fulfillment. The company’s extensive physical store network gives it a significant last-mile advantage, enabling Walmart to combine low prices with increasingly rapid delivery. Higher delivery density, automation and improved fulfillment efficiency are also helping enhance the economics of the digital business.
Walmart is becoming less dependent on traditional retail margins as higher-margin businesses scale. Advertising, marketplace, membership and fulfillment services are becoming increasingly important contributors to growth and profitability. Management indicated that these newer businesses are already accounting for a meaningful portion of profit growth, supporting a structurally better earnings mix.
International expansion provides another avenue for growth as Walmart increasingly deploys its marketplace, membership and digital capabilities across markets. Investments in automation, technology and supply-chain infrastructure should further improve productivity and customer experience. Together, these initiatives strengthen Walmart’s ability to grow sales, deepen customer engagement and expand profitability over the long run.
WMT’s Premium Valuation Reflects Quality
WMT currently trades at a P/E multiple of 34.25, above the industry’s 31.33 and its five-year median of 24.9. The premium appears to reflect Walmart’s defensive business model, consistent market-share gains, expanding digital capabilities and improving contribution from higher-margin businesses such as advertising, marketplace and membership.
Walmart’s multiple is also substantially above Target and Dollar General, which trade at forward P/E multiples of 15.94 and 15.47, respectively. Costco, on the other hand, carries an even richer multiple of 40.01.
The valuation does not necessarily look excessive for a business with Walmart’s scale and consistency, but it does suggest that investors continue to assign meaningful value to successful execution of its growth strategy.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
WMT Stock Calls for a Balanced Approach
Walmart’s recent pullback has improved the stock’s entry point, while its long-term growth prospects remain supported by e-commerce, advertising, marketplace, membership and international expansion. Its strong value proposition should also aid continued market share gains.
However, pharmacy deflation, consumer pressure, elevated costs, ongoing price investments and downward earnings-estimate revisions warrant some caution. Given these near-term uncertainties and WMT’s still-premium valuation, a neutral stance appears appropriate. Existing investors may consider holding the stock, while prospective buyers may wait for a more attractive valuation or improving earnings estimate trends.
Walmart currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Should You Buy Walmart Stock After a 14% Decline in Six Months?

Key Points
To brace against market pullbacks, add some defensive stocks or funds to your mix.
Defensive industries include healthcare, utilities, and consumer staples.
Dividend payers can be great to hold in market downturns, too.
Is a stock market crash imminent? Well, no one knows for sure, but roughly 38% of investors surveyed by the American Association of Individual Investors reported expecting the stock market to decline over the coming six months (as of early September). Another worrisome sign is the S&P 500's historically high valuation. The cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings (CAPE) ratio was recently at 41.4, far higher than its long-term average of 17.4 and close to an all-time high of 44 reached in 1999 before the dot-com bubble turned into a crash.
It's generally not smart to jump out of the market fearing a crash -- because that's market timing -- and your timing may well be off. Instead, to calm your jitters, you might just invest in some exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are built to withstand bear markets better than average investments.
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 »
A market crash or correction will happen one of these days. Here are some ETFs to consider, to brace against that. Each is focused on a "defensive" part of the economy -- on businesses that consumers will generally keep buying from, no matter how the economy is doing.
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund ETF
The Vanguard Health Care Index Fund ETF (NYSEMKT: VHT) is a prime example. In a recession, people will still need healthcare -- they will still buy their medications (to the degree that they're able to) and will still visit doctors. This fund recently held 417 stocks, with top holdings including Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, and UnitedHealth Group. Its annual fee is just 0.09%, costing you $9 annually for every $10,000 you have invested in the fund, and its dividend yield was recently 1.5%.
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF
The State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEMKT: XLU) also has a low annual fee -- just 0.08% -- and its dividend yield was recently 2.8%. It's focused on utility-related companies, such as NextEra Energy, Southern Co., and Duke Energy, and it recently held about 31 of them. When the economy flags, people and businesses will still need to keep the lights on.
Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares
The Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (NYSEMKT: VDC) specializes in consumer staples companies, recently holding 103 of them, such as Walmart, Procter & Gamble, and Coca-Cola. Its annual fee is 0.09%, and its recent dividend yield 2.1%. Clearly, no matter whether the economy is up or down, gobs of people will want to keep buying shampoo, soda, and items from Walmart.
Schwab U.S. REIT ETF
The Schwab U.S. REIT ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHH) is another defensive ETF, in that it holds many real estate investment trusts (REITs) -- companies that buy properties and lease them out. These are typically multiyear leases, if not multidecade, so that income is likely to keep rolling to the REITS. The ETF's annual fee is just 0.07%, and its recent dividend yield 2.8%. Its recent 117 holdings included Prologis, American Tower, and Realty Income.
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF
A solid dividend-focused ETF such as the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHD) is also worth considering. (There are other good dividend ETFs, too, of course.) Why? Because dividend-paying companies tend to be established and profitable, with relatively dependable income. So they're more solid than the average stock. This ETF has an ultra-low annual fee of 0.06% and a recent dividend yield of 3%. Its top holdings (out of 98) recently included Merck, Chevron, and Verizon Communications.
Dividend income is particularly nice during recessions because while some stocks may be stagnating, healthy dividend payers will keep delivering cash to shareholders.
Whether the stock market pulls back this year, next year, or the year after, these ETFs will likely keep growing -- and delivering a little income regularly, too. Take a closer look at any of these funds that intrigue you.
Should you buy stock in Vanguard World Fund - Vanguard Health Care ETF right now?
Before you buy stock in Vanguard World Fund - Vanguard Health Care ETF, consider this:
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Selena Maranjian has positions in American Tower, NextEra Energy, Procter & Gamble, Realty Income, Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF, and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends American Tower, Chevron, Eli Lilly, Merck, NextEra Energy, Prologis, Realty Income, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Duke Energy, Johnson & Johnson, UnitedHealth Group, and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

These 5 ETFs Are Built for Bear Markets. History Says Now Is a Fantastic Time to Buy.

Key Points
Warren Buffett guided the Berkshire Hathaway holding company to market-beating returns for 60 years.
He regularly said that everyday investors could do well by purchasing an exchange-traded fund that tracks a diversified index like the S&P 500.
In February 2014, Buffett specifically recommended the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF for its low fees and its ability to help young investors secure their financial future.
Warren Buffett is one of the world's most iconic investors. He served as CEO of the Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA) (NYSE: BRKB) holding company from 1965 to 2025, turning it into a $1 trillion conglomerate with numerous subsidiaries, a stock portfolio worth over $350 billion, and another $365 billion in cash.
Berkshire stock returned 19.7% annually during Buffett's 60-year tenure, so an investment of $500 in 1965 would have grown to a whopping $24 million by the end of 2025. But he was a seasoned professional, so he always knew the average investor would struggle to replicate his performance. That's why he consistently advocated exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track a diversified index, like the S&P 500.
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 »
The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO) is one that Buffett specifically recommended in 2014 for its ultra-low fees. Here's how it could help young investors in their 20s build a financially secure future.
America's best stocks from 11 economic sectors
The S&P 500 is the most widely followed U.S. stock market index for a couple of reasons. First, it's made up of 500 companies from 11 different sectors of the economy, so it's highly diversified. Second, it has very strict entry criteria: its members must maintain a market capitalization of at least $22.7 billion and be profitable. But even after those boxes are ticked, a special committee ultimately decides which companies make the cut.
The S&P is weighted by market capitalization, so the largest companies in the index have a much higher representation than the smallest. Therefore, despite its diversified composition, the information technology sector has a massive weighting of 36.6% because it's home to five companies worth $1 trillion or more (Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Broadcom, and Micron Technology).
Below are the 11 sectors that make up the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, along with their weightings and the three largest companies in each.
S&P 500 Sector
Sector Weighting
Largest Companies
Information technology
36.6%
Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft
Financials
12.5%
Berkshire Hathaway, JPMorgan Chase, Visa
Communication services
9.9%
Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Netflix
Consumer discretionary
9.4%
Amazon, Tesla, Home Depot
Healthcare
9.1%
Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie
Industrials
8.7%
Caterpillar, GE Aerospace, RTX Corporation
Consumer staples
4.7%
Walmart, Costco, Coca-Cola
Energy
3.4%
ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips
Utilities
2.1%
NextEra Energy, Constellation Energy, Southern Co
Real estate
1.9%
Welltower, Prologis, Equinix
Materials
1.8%
Linde, Newmont, Freeport-McMoRan
Data source: Vanguard. Sector weightings are accurate as of July 31, 2026, and are subject to change.
The technology sector is exerting a particularly strong influence on the performance of the S&P 500 right now, thanks to the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, which began to gain momentum when OpenAI's ChatGPT application surpassed 100 million users in early 2023. In fact, if we exclude the sector's contribution over the last three-and-a-half years, the S&P 500's return drops from 101% to just 63%.
Simply put, the Vanguard ETF gives investors exposure to the fastest-growing area of the market in a diversified manner, which is why it's a popular long-term investment option.
Taking Buffett's advice could yield spectacular results
The S&P 500 has returned 10.7% since its inception in 1957 (assuming all dividends were reinvested). But it has delivered an accelerated return of 13.9% since Buffett recommended the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF in 2014, primarily thanks to the tech sector.
Past performance isn't always a reliable indicator of future results, but a 25-year-old investor could build a very nice retirement fund using the Vanguard ETF if its historical returns persist. Below are two potential outcomes.
Starting Balance at Age 25
Compound Annual Return
Balance at Age 65
$20,000
10.7%
$1,166,634
$20,000
13.9%
$3,647,362
Those results don't include costs, but with an expense ratio of just 0.03%, investors would incur an annual fee of just $3 for every $10,000 they have parked in the Vanguard ETF.
To conclude, investors probably shouldn't sell their entire position at retirement age, because compounding yields the greatest benefits over time. With a large enough balance after 40 years, the subsequent annual returns could provide a significant income to fund life after employment.
Should you buy stock in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF right now?
Before you buy stock in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, 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 Vanguard S&P 500 ETF 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 $421,997!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,413,876!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 978% — 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 September 8, 2026.
JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Anthony Di Pizio has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AbbVie, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Broadcom, Caterpillar, Chevron, Constellation Energy, Costco Wholesale, Eli Lilly, Equinix, GE Aerospace, Home Depot, JPMorgan Chase, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology, Microsoft, Netflix, NextEra Energy, Nvidia, Prologis, RTX, Tesla, Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, Visa, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends ConocoPhillips, Johnson & Johnson, and Linde. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

If I Were in My 20s, I'd Buy This Vanguard ETF Warren Buffett Recommended and Hold It Forever

The NASDAQ 100 After Hours Indicator is down -4.9 to 29,502.8. The total After hours volume is currently 204,756,119 shares traded.
The following are the most active stocks for the after hours session:
AtaiBeckley Inc. (ATAI) is +0.05 at $7.33, with 25,358,660 shares traded. ATAI's current last sale is 93.08% of the target price of $7.875.
Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU) is +0.0015 at $15.33, with 10,419,054 shares traded. NU's current last sale is 82.65% of the target price of $18.55.
Transocean Ltd. (RIG) is +0.02 at $5.78, with 7,728,392 shares traded. RIG's current last sale is 96.33% of the target price of $6.
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is -0.0617 at $225.67, with 6,274,218 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 10 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Oct 2026. The consensus EPS forecast is $2.47. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for NVDA is in the "buy range".
Coca-Cola Company (The) (KO) is +0.05 at $88.41, with 5,954,136 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for KO is in the "buy range".
AT&T Inc. (T) is -0.01 at $25.59, with 4,754,636 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for T is in the "buy range".
Amer Sports, Inc. (AS) is +0.11 at $28.80, with 4,530,897 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for AS is in the "buy range".
Walmart Inc. (WMT) is unchanged at $106.05, with 4,203,325 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 3 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Jul 2027. The consensus EPS forecast is $0.84. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for WMT is in the "buy range".
Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK) is unchanged at $148.46, with 3,866,958 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for MRK is in the "buy range".
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (HBAN) is unchanged at $16.76, with 3,624,129 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for HBAN is in the "buy range".
ON Semiconductor Corporation (ON) is +0.17 at $71.25, with 3,585,929 shares traded. ON's current last sale is 71.97% of the target price of $99.
Apple Inc. (AAPL) is +0.13 at $316.35, with 3,432,821 shares traded. AAPL's current last sale is 94.43% of the target price of $335.

Walmart Inc.

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