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 performance. On valuation multiples, the picture is expensive: P/E of 46.2, P/S of 1.2, P/B of 8.61, and P/FCF of 68.93 are all significantly above industry medians, which limits the potential for further re-rating. At the same time, profitability metrics are strong: ROE of 22.44%, ROA of 8.02%, ROI of 15.94%, and return on tangible equity of 31.29% are above the median and have remained resilient over several years. Gross margin has deteriorated only slightly and remains around 25%, but net and operating margins are still below industry benchmarks, indicating intense price competition and limited operating flexibility in retail. The debt burden is moderate: debt/equity of 0.42 is below the median, but the current ratio of 0.77 and quick ratio of 0.23 show weak short-term liquidity, typical of a high-inventory-turnover model, though still warranting caution. The dividend yield of 0.19% is very low and does not provide meaningful support to the valuation, although the dividend profile itself remains stable. Revenue and assets are growing, while equity and operating profit also appear resilient, confirming the scale and defensive characteristics of the business. However, net income and EPS are not showing enough acceleration to justify such high multiples. Overall, fundamentals support a premium to the market more than aggressive valuation expansion, but the current price already reflects a significant portion of these advantages. For an investor, this means Walmart remains a reliable name for a defensive portfolio, but upside potential looks limited without stronger earnings acceleration or margin improvement.

Walmart Inc.

Сильный индекс, значительно упал. Быки в растерянности.

Strong index, significantly down. The bulls are confused.

Слабый индекс, значительно упал. Медведи сохранили, но резко ослабили уверенность в своих позициях.

Weak index, significantly down. The bears retained but sharply weakened their confidence in their positions.

Сильный индекс, значительно вырос. Рынок на стороне быков.

Strong index, significantly up. The market is on the bulls' side.

Сильный индекс, без изменений. Рынок не поддерживает медведей.

Strong index, flat. The market does not support the bears.

Сильный индекс, значительно вырос. Приток средств в лонги на высоком уровне.

Strong index, significantly up. Inflow of funds into longs at a high level.

Сильный индекс, незначительно вырос. Отток средств из шортов на высоком уровне.

Strong index, slightly up. Outflow of funds from shorts at a high level.

Walmart is fundamentally strong, but expensive valuation multiples and weak liquidity limit the upside, despite solid profitability and revenue growth.

Key Points
Retailers like Walmart, Costco, and Target have their fingers on the pulse of the consumer.
A higher Fed funds rate would slow the economy, but inflation is more important to these retailers.
As a primarily discretionary retailer, Target is the most sensitive of the group to interest rates.
The Fed chose to hold benchmark interest rates steady on Wednesday at 3.5%-3.75%.
The stock market initially cheered the decision as the S&P 500 popped when it was announced, and climbed through the first half of Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s comments. However, it then shifted around 3:00 p.m. as 30-year treasury yields spiked, a sign that investors seemed unsatisfied with Warsh’s plans to fight inflation.
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Investors still see a greater than 50% chance that the Fed will hike rates by 25 basis points in September, according to the CME FedWatch tool, and Warsh reiterated his commitment to price stability and bringing inflation down to its target of 2%.
Investors were certainly disappointed to see indexes plunge at the end of Wednesday’s session, with the S&P 500 losing 1.5% and other major indexes down even further. Still, no change in rates may be the best thing for major retailers like Walmart (NASDAQ:WMT), Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST), and Target (NYSE:TGT). Let’s take a closer look.
Image source: Getty Images.
Walmart, Costco, Target, and the Fed
The Fed’s rate decisions affect a wide range of businesses and industries, but no other companies have their fingers on the pulse of the American consumer like Walmart, Costco, and Target.
These companies are sensitive to the Fed’s actions in a number of ways. First, the Fed funds rate directly influences credit card rates, which are based on the prime rate, which is determined by the Fed funds rate. As credit card APRs move higher, consumers may be more reluctant to spend money.
Similarly, higher interest rates also act as a brake on the broader economy, disincentivizing borrowing by both businesses and consumers. For investors, that partly explains why stocks tend to fall as rates go up.
Higher rates then, if they come, are likely to be a challenge for these retailers, though a 25-basis-point hike may not be meaningful. The three companies have different degrees of exposure to interest rates.
Target is the most exposed. The company sells primarily discretionary goods and only has stores in the U.S., meaning it lacks the international exposure of Walmart or Costco. Discretionary products are also more sensitive to interest rates, inflation, and the macroeconomy, and consumers are more likely to cut back on spending on products like clothing, home goods, and electronics than on staples like food.
Walmart has the next-most exposure, as it generates most of its revenue from staples like groceries but has historically catered to price-sensitive customers, meaning economic pressure could impact its discretionary categories.
Finally, Costco seems to be the most resilient to outside factors like interest rates due to its membership model, which helps incentivize customer loyalty and accounts for most of its profits as it sells its goods near cost to attract members.
Notably, all three of these stocks rose on Wednesday, a sign that investors aren’t worried about the risk of modestly higher interest rates.
One other metric to watch
Investors in these companies are better off focusing on inflation rather than interest rates. Consumers are more sensitive to inflation, and that has a much more direct effect on consumer spending than interest rates.
If inflation rises, that’s likely to both take a bite out of spending at Walmart, Costco, and Target, and encourage the Fed to raise rates, which would also pressure these stocks. Over the long run, the best thing for these retailers is for both inflation and interest rates to fall while the broader economy remains stable.
Should you buy stock in Walmart right now?
Before you buy stock in Walmart, consider this:
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Jeremy Bowman has positions in Target. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale, Target, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

The Fed Held Rates at 3.5%-3.75%. Here's What That Means for Walmart, Costco, and Target.

Albertsons Companies, Inc. ACI is trying to modernize a traditional grocery model without losing the local-store convenience that anchors its business.
Albertsons Companies, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
The strategy rests on digital sales growth, loyalty data, artificial intelligence and Own Brands. Those levers can improve personalization and productivity, but they also bring fulfillment costs, technology spending and execution risk.
ACI’s Digital Sales Growth Changes the Revenue Mix
Albertsons’ first-quarter fiscal 2026 digital sales increased 13%, extending the role of e-commerce in its grocery model. The company’s delivery and Drive Up & Go curbside pickup services are built around store-based fulfillment, allowing stores to support online orders rather than relying only on separate warehouses.
That convenience can deepen customer engagement and support more frequent trips across grocery, pharmacy and digital channels. The offset is margin pressure. Gross margin declined in the quarter, with higher delivery and handling costs tied to digital sales growth among the primary factors.
Albertsons Uses AI to Fund Customer Investment
Albertsons is advancing technology across digital experience, merchandising intelligence, labor optimization and supply-chain efficiency. These tools are intended to improve shopping journeys, promotional planning, workforce scheduling, forecasting and replenishment.
The effort ties directly into a three-year, $2 billion productivity program. Albertsons expects savings to help fund pricing, fresh execution, personalization, digital convenience and store standards, rather than simply flowing through as short-term cost cuts.
ACI Turns Loyalty Data Into Personalized Growth
Albertsons’ loyalty ecosystem gives the company a larger base for targeted promotions and customer insights. At the end of fiscal 2025, the loyalty program had 51.2 million members and supported personalized offers across digital and in-store channels.
That data also supports Albertsons Media Collective, its retail-media business. Better personalization can improve offer relevance, lift marketing efficiency and connect grocery, pharmacy and digital shopping into a more integrated customer relationship.
The Kroger Co. KR and Walmart Inc. WMT provide useful peer context because grocery retailers are increasingly competing on value, omnichannel convenience and retail-media monetization. Their presence raises the bar for Albertsons to turn data scale into measurable traffic and margin benefits.
Albertsons Expands Own Brands as Consumers Seek Value
Own Brands remain another lever in Albertsons’ value strategy. The portfolio spans value, mainstream, premium and better-for-you products, including brands such as Signature Select, Lucerne and O Organics.
Management is targeting Own Brands sales penetration of 30% over time. Higher private-label adoption can improve differentiation, reinforce loyalty and support higher-margin growth, while helping cautious consumers manage grocery budgets.
ACI Stock Sell-Off Widens the Performance Gap
Albertsons stock plunged 32.6% in the year-to-date period, sharply underperforming the Zacks sub-industry's growth of 3.3%. The Zacks Consumer Staples sector is up 10.1%, and the S&P 500 is up 8.1% over the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
ACI’s Scores Reflect Promise With Uneven Growth
The bottom line is that Albertsons has a credible technology and value agenda, but investors still need proof that digital scale and productivity savings can translate into stronger earnings growth. The latest outlook reflects pressure from weaker industry unit trends, a cautious consumer and the need for accelerated customer investment.
ACI currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It also has a VGM Score of A, Value Score of A, Momentum Score of A and Growth Score of C. The A-rated value and momentum indicators are supportive, while the C Growth Score points to a less even growth profile.
For investors, that mix fits the current setup. Albertsons has tools to improve engagement and efficiency, but the Hold rank suggests a more balanced near-term view as the market waits for clearer evidence of earnings acceleration.
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How Albertsons Is Betting on AI, Digital Growth and Loyalty Scale

Albertsons Companies, Inc. ACI looks statistically cheap after a steep 2026 sell-off. The stock’s low earnings multiple, dividend yield and buyback program give value investors reasons to look again.
The harder question is whether the discount reflects an opportunity or a fair response to weaker grocery demand, lower guidance and margin pressure.
Albertsons Companies, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
ACI Trades Near the Bottom of Its Valuation Range
ACI trades at 5.33X forward 12-month earnings, one-year median of 8.35X. That gap is large enough to draw attention from investors focused on depressed consumer staples names.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock also trades at a deep discount to the Zacks sub-industry at 18.93X. Still, a low multiple does not automatically mean undervaluation. In ACI’s case, the market is also pricing in lower earnings visibility.
ACI’s sell-off makes it a useful comparison point against grocery and value-focused peers such as The Kroger Co. KR and Walmart WMT. Both remain relevant benchmarks for investors weighing scale, pricing pressure and consumer trade-down behavior in food retail.
Albertsons’ Earnings Reset Tests the Bull Case
First-quarter fiscal 2026 results weakened the deep-value argument. Adjusted earnings were 42 cents per share, and the last earnings surprise was negative 23.6%. Adjusted EBITDA declined 8.8% year over year to $1.01 billion.
Adjusted EBITDA margin fell 40 basis points to 4.1% of net sales and other revenue. The company also cut fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings guidance to $1.75-$1.85 per share from $2.22-$2.32, making stabilization in grocery demand central to any recovery case.
ACI Offers Income and Buyback Support
ACI still offers shareholder-return support. The board raised the quarterly dividend 13% to 17 cents per share, and the stock’s indicated annual dividend is 68 cents.
The company also expanded its remaining share repurchase authorization to $2 billion and bought back 13.4 million shares for $226.5 million in the first quarter. Buybacks at depressed prices can improve per-share outcomes, but cash is not unlimited. Debt, capital expenditures and investments in stores, digital platforms and technology all compete for the same resources.
Albertsons Faces More Than a Temporary Slowdown
Management cited softer industry unit trends and a more cautious consumer, particularly among lower-income households. Identical sales declined 0.8% in the first quarter, and the fiscal 2026 outlook now calls for a 1.5% to 0.5% decline.
The headwinds go beyond weak traffic. The Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program is expected to create a 150-basis-point identical-sales drag in fiscal 2026. Digital fulfillment costs, higher rent and occupancy expenses, business transformation costs and customer value investments may keep margins under pressure even if demand improves.
ACI’s Style Scores Do Not Erase Execution Risk
The bottom line is that ACI has the ingredients for a watchful value thesis, but not a clean one. The stock is cheap, income-supported and backed by a sizable repurchase plan, yet its earnings base has been reset lower.
ACI currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It has a Value Score of A, a Momentum Score of A and a VGM Score of A, which support its appeal for investors screening for valuation and trading characteristics. Its Growth Score of C and neutral rank, however, argue against treating the low multiple alone as a buy signal.
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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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Is ACI Stock a Deep Value Opportunity After Its Steep 2026 Sell-Off?

Albertsons Companies, Inc. ACI entered fiscal 2026 with two clear strengths: digital sales growth and pharmacy resilience. Those positives were not enough to offset softer core grocery trends.
The first-quarter earnings shortfall, reduced outlook and launch of ACI Edge now frame fiscal 2026 as a reset year. The company is trying to move faster, sharpen value and improve store-level execution while protecting cash returns.
Albertsons’ Q1 Results Reveal the Core Pressure
Net sales and other revenues increased 0.2% year over year to $24.94 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Identical sales declined 0.8%, showing that reported sales growth was not supported by broad-based demand strength.
Adjusted earnings fell to 42 cents per share from 55 cents a year earlier. Digital sales increased 13%, and pharmacy remained a source of growth, but softer industry unit trends and a more cautious consumer weighed on core grocery performance.
Albertsons Companies, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
ACI Edge Reshapes Albertsons’ Operating Model
ACI Edge reduces Albertsons’ structure from 11 divisions to four regions and centralizes center-store merchandising under one enterprise team. The goal is to simplify operations and improve accountability.
The new model is designed to speed decision-making, strengthen banner consistency and better align supplier relationships with enterprise scale. The Kroger Co. KR remains a relevant food-retail benchmark, as investors also watch how pricing, pharmacy and private-label execution shape supermarket demand. Walmart Inc. WMT adds another competitive reference point, especially on value, where grocers must protect traffic without giving up too much margin.
Albertsons Cuts Its Fiscal 2026 Outlook
Albertsons now expects identical sales to decline 1.5% to 0.5% in fiscal 2026 compared with its prior expectation of flat to 1% growth. Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be in the range of $3.550 billion to $3.625 billion.
Adjusted earnings are now expected to be $1.75 to $1.85 per share, down from the prior $2.22 to $2.32 range. The revision reflects a decision to accelerate customer-value investments before expected productivity benefits fully materialize.
ACI Balances Reinvestment With Shareholder Returns
Albertsons spent $522.1 million on capital expenditures in the first quarter. That included 15 remodels, four new stores and continued investment in digital and technology platforms.
Shareholder returns remain part of the plan. The board raised the quarterly dividend 13% to 17 cents per share, while Albertsons repurchased 13.4 million shares for $226.5 million and had a $2.0-billion remaining authorization.
ACI Trades Near the Bottom of Its Valuation Range
ACI trades at 5.33X forward 12-month earnings, close to its one-year low of 5.08X and well below its one-year median of 8.35X. That gap is large enough to draw attention from investors focused on depressed consumer staples names.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock also trades at a deep discount to the Zacks sub-industry at 18.93X. Still, a low multiple does not automatically mean undervaluation. In ACI’s case, the market is also pricing in lower earnings visibility.
Albertsons’ Mixed Signals Favor Investor Patience
The bottom line is that ACI’s reset carries both urgency and risk. Digital and pharmacy momentum show that the model still has productive assets, but weaker grocery units, lower guidance and investment pressure make fiscal 2026 harder to underwrite.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). It also has a Value Score of A, a Momentum Score of A and a VGM Score of A, alongside a Growth Score of C. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Those scores point to favorable valuation and market-characteristic signals, while the Growth Score reflects a more mixed earnings-growth profile. For now, ACI’s setup favors patience as investors wait for clearer evidence that ACI Edge can convert reinvestment into steadier sales and margin performance.
Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
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.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why Albertsons Faces a High-Stakes Fiscal 2026 Reset After Weak Q1

Key Points
Amazon has long seen the promise of warehouse automation, deploying over 1 million robots across its operation networks since 2012.
More companies will be following Amazon's playbook in robotics, as the global warehouse automation market is expected to reach $59.5 billion by 2030.
Robot and automation company Symbotic could be a long-term winner, but the stock price has dropped over 30% in 2026.
Amazon has been an early adopter of warehouse automation, deploying over 1 million robots across its operations network since 2012. Its fulfillment center in Shreveport, Louisiana, uses eight different robotics systems for package fulfillment and delivery, and robots are used across Amazon's other warehouses to also sort, lift, and carry packages.
One way to invest in warehouse robotics is just to buy Amazon stock. Those robots can help boost efficiency, which can lead to increased profitability; Amazon's advanced facilities can cut processing times by 25%.
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There is, however, another company in the warehouse robotics field trading at a fraction of Amazon's cost, around $40 as of this writing: Symbotic (NASDAQ: SYM).
Cooling down after heating up
Symbotic had a huge run in 2025 as it expanded its client base and reported solid revenue growth in a growing field that's catching investors' attention; shares climbed 150% in 2025. In 2026, however, it's been a different story, with shares dropping more than 30%.
Part of that drop is just that expectations were high after the stock price run-up in 2025. For instance, Symbotic reported revenue climbed 23% to $676 million in its fiscal 2026 second-quarter earnings report. The robotics company also swung from a net loss of $10 million to net income of $9 million in the second quarter of 2026. That said, it missed the mark for analysts on earnings per share (EPS), reporting EPS of $0.01 against expectations of $0.12.
With that context in mind, there are still plenty of reasons to like Symbotic's long-term potential.
A new acquisition
On July 2, Symbotic announced that it completed the acquisition of ARMS Innovation. ARMS provides real-time intelligence for automated warehouse environments, further enhancing Symbotic's offerings. The company said:
By integrating ARMS's advanced software capabilities, the Symbotic System will expand beyond industry-leading automation into a comprehensive, real-time operational solution that unifies and optimizes every element of warehouse performance -- across both automated systems and human workflows.
Essentially, a robot can be programmed to perform a task, but its ability to function can go awry if something out of the ordinary happens. Integrating ARMS into warehouse automation, however, enables real-time disruption identification and predictive maintenance. The software can also identify who is working on-site, assign workers to where they are needed most, and even order parts.
A strategic backstop
A worry some investors have with Symbotic is its reliance on Walmart, as 85% of its fiscal 2025 revenue came from the retail giant. In addition, a large portion of the company's $22.5 billion backlog at the end of 2025 was from Walmart.
That's a significant customer concentration risk, which is often counted as a knock against Symbotic. That relationship, however, has some nuance, as Walmart serves more as a protective backstop for Symbotic with upside potential than as a concentration risk.
For starters, as of March 31, Walmart owns an 11.7% stake in the robot company, which means it should be rooting for its financial success as much as anyone. Second, Walmart sold its advanced systems and robotics business to Symbotic in 2025 for $200 million while also paying Symbotic $520 million for automation systems it wants to add to 400 of its accelerated pickup and delivery centers.
All of that combined has both companies tied together for the foreseeable future.
Is Symbotic worth the investment?
Warehouse automation is not a trend that is going away. The global automation warehouse market is expected to grow from $27.4 billion in 2026 to $59.5 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. That gives Symbotic a lot of opportunity ahead, but it may still struggle to get out of its slump in 2026.
Symbotic will report earnings on Aug. 5, and with expectations so high, anything short of a stellar report could send the stock price lower. But in the long term, for investors who can handle the risk and want an investment in the growing robotics market in their portfolio, Symbotic could fit as a small, speculative position.
Should you buy stock in Symbotic right now?
Before you buy stock in Symbotic, 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 Symbotic 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 $390,394!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,209,184!*
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*Stock Advisor returns as of July 29, 2026.
Jack Delaney has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Symbotic, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Amazon's Warehouse Robot Army Keeps Growing. Is Symbotic Still the Best Way to Play It?

Key Points
Although most stocks ebb and flow with the broad market, there are exceptions.
These exceptions make sense, given the nature of the underlying companies’ businesses.
One particular ticker has already proven it’s capable of removing itself from the broad market’s flow when the tide turns bearish.
Every bull market eventually turns into a bear market. But for investors who make a point of only owning quality stocks, the right move is to ride out the storm with those same names, knowing they'll bounce back.
It wouldn't be wrong to also think a bit strategically when hints of a headwind start blowing, though, if only to dial back some of the adverse impact. And one name in particular is at the top of the list of tickers to own during these tough periods. That's mega-brick-and-mortar retailer Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT).
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Proven performance
Walmart is not necessarily immune to marketwide weakness. It can and does pull back when the market does.
However, Walmart shares are more likely than not to decouple from the broad market when things get bad, holding up when other stocks won't. That's what investors saw before, during, and shortly after the dot-com crash of 2000, anyway, as well as at the beginning of the subprime mortgage meltdown. Walmart shares remained volatile during these periods, but at least they sidestepped the brunt of the headwind.
Perhaps more important is what's not shown in the comparative chart. That's Walmart's cash dividend, which has continued to be paid during these bear markets. Its forward-looking dividend yield of just under 1% may not be thrilling, but that's based on a per-share payment that's now been raised for 53 consecutive years, with no end to the streak in sight.
Built for challenging economic environments
It's not tough to see why this ticker can push through prolonged market storms. It's the nature of the underlying company's business itself. More than half of Walmart's revenue reflects grocery sales, which consumers need regardless of the economic backdrop. It also doesn't hurt that the retailer is the low-price leader in most food categories, low prices made possible by its scale-based leverage with vendors and suppliers.
In this vein, Walmart has repeatedly touted that most of its market share gains over the course of the past four inflation-riddled years have come from affluent households (earning in excess of $100,000 per year) who are feeling just as much financial pressure these days as its core customers.
That being said, it doesn't hurt that about 90% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of one of its 5,215 domestic stores, which also offer low prices on nonfood consumer staples like clothing, cleaning supplies, medicines (prescriptions and OTC), hardware, baby goods, household items, and more. Sheer convenience counts for something, too.
Great for then, but also good in the meantime
No, it's not a guarantee that Walmart's shares will rally during the next marketwide storm, or even hold their ground. It's also worth mentioning that Walmart stock doesn't perform as well as most other stocks do at the beginning of new bull markets. Just make sure your expectations are fair and reasonable.
To the extent you're looking to mitigate your risk with a stock you can feel good about owning in any market environment, though, Walmart is a good one and arguably one of the best all-around ones.
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 $377,990!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,269,518!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 896% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 206% 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 July 28, 2026.
James Brumley has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

If I Could Only Buy and Hold 1 Stock Heading Into the Eye of a Stock Market Storm, This Would Be It

Walmart Inc. WMT is broadening its appeal beyond value-focused consumers as higher-income households respond to its mix of low prices, convenience and wider product selection. The sustainability of these gains will depend on whether those shoppers continue using Walmart across more categories and shopping occasions.
The first quarter of fiscal 2027 showed further progress. Walmart U.S. recorded broad-based share gains across categories and income tiers, led by upper-income households. Comparable sales rose 4.1%, driven by a 3% increase in transactions and a 1.1% rise in the average ticket.
Digital convenience is supporting that engagement. Walmart U.S. e-commerce sales advanced 26%, while store-fulfilled delivery grew about 45%. Nearly 36% of store-fulfilled orders were delivered in less than three hours, and Walmart can now reach about 60% of the U.S. population within 30 minutes.
A broader assortment is also helping attract higher-income customers. U.S. marketplace net sales increased nearly 50%, aided by greater engagement from higher-income households. Fashion posted its strongest share growth in five years, while expanded offerings supported results in patio and garden, sporting goods, furniture and toys.
While higher tax refunds may have supported some general merchandise demand during the quarter, Walmart’s combination of value, delivery speed and assortment breadth gives it several ways to stay relevant to higher-income shoppers. Sustained transaction growth and continued strength in marketplace and general merchandise would indicate that these customers are becoming a more consistent part of Walmart’s business.
What Do the Latest Metrics Say About Walmart?
Walmart, which competes with Costco Wholesale Corporation COST and Target Corporation TGT, has seen its shares rally 12.2% over the past year compared with the industry’s 10.1% growth. Shares of Costco have climbed 0.3%, while Target has gained 28.5% in the aforementioned period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Walmart's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 35.6, higher than the industry’s 32.49. The company is trading at a premium to Target (with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 15.88) while trading at a discount to Costco (41.93).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Walmart’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 5.2% and 9.5%, respectively.
Walmart currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Can Walmart Sustain Gains Among Higher-Income Customers?

Target Corporation’s TGT digital business is becoming much more than an online sales channel. Instead, the company is steadily building a broader digital ecosystem in which shopping, memberships, advertising and marketplace offerings reinforce one another.
Digital comparable sales rose 8.9% in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, comfortably outpacing store comparable growth of 4.7%. The strongest contributor was same-day delivery, which rose more than 27%, supported by growing adoption of Target Circle 360. At the same time, non-merchandise revenues climbed nearly 25%, driven by Roundel advertising, Target Circle 360 membership revenues and the expanding Target+ marketplace.
Management’s commentary revealed that these businesses are becoming increasingly interconnected. First-party digital sales advanced nearly 9%, while Target+ gross merchandise volume jumped nearly 60%. Target also highlighted that higher-margin businesses such as Roundel and Target+ contributed to gross margin improvement, demonstrating that digital expansion is creating value beyond transaction growth.
Another noteworthy aspect is that Target continues to leverage its store network to strengthen digital capabilities rather than replace physical retail. More than 95% of sales are fulfilled through stores, allowing investments in remodels and supply-chain improvements to enhance both in-store shopping and digital fulfillment. Management is also simplifying fulfillment processes and investing in technology to support rising digital demand without compromising store operations.
These developments indicate that Target is building an integrated digital structure that helps it engage customers across multiple touchpoints.
How Target Compares With Walmart and BJ’s Wholesale
Walmart Inc. WMT is also strengthening its digital ecosystem by integrating e-commerce, marketplace, advertising and membership into a unified platform. Walmart reported 26% global e-commerce growth, with U.S. advertising up 36%, marketplace sales rising nearly 50% and Walmart+ delivering record first-quarter net additions. Management also highlighted faster store-fulfilled delivery and expanding AI capabilities, reinforcing how Walmart is creating multiple digital engagement and monetization channels beyond traditional retail sales.
BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. BJ is taking a membership-led approach to digital ecosystem expansion. BJ’s Wholesale delivered 28% digitally enabled comparable sales growth, supported by stronger adoption of curbside pickup, same-day delivery and ExpressPay. Management noted that most digital orders are fulfilled through clubs, while ongoing AI investments are improving operations and member convenience. By combining digital services with its membership model, BJ’s Wholesale is steadily deepening engagement across multiple shopping touchpoints.
What the Latest Metrics Say About Target
Target has seen its shares jump 7.6% over the past three months against the industry’s decline of 1.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Target's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 15.88, lower than the industry’s ratio of 30.58. However, TGT is trading above its 12-month median level of 14.05.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Target’s current financial-year sales and earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 3.9% and 10.3%, respectively. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 2.9% rise in sales and 6.4% growth in earnings.
The consensus estimate for earnings per share for the current and next fiscal year has increased by 2 cents and 3 cents to $8.35 and $8.89, respectively, over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Target currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"
Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.
This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Target Is Quietly Building a Stronger Digital Ecosystem Than Expected

Key Points
Walmart's stock trades well below this year's high price.
Its low prices have drawn customers.
The shares still trade at a high P/E multiple.
Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT) has become the quintessential success story and has handsomely rewarded shareholders over the years. But even this venerable retailer's stock price doesn't go up in a straight line.
After closing above $134 in mid-May, the share price has dropped over 19% as of July 23. Market timing is typically an exercise in futility, since many things other than the company's long-term fundamentals can influence the share price. Still, it's useful to examine the stock's downdraft and measure it against the company's long-term growth potential.
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Taking that into consideration, is this the right time to buy, or is more pain in store for shareholders?
Strong execution
It's hard to find a retailer that can undercut Walmart on price. It's been pushing its low-cost, everyday-low-price business model since the company opened its first discount store in 1962. Hence, it's gotten very good at operating the business, and it attracts 280 million shoppers every week.
Management has also invested heavily in technology to become an omnichannel retailer. Customers can shop at Walmart in multiple ways, including getting fast delivery at home. Walmart's ultra-low prices have clearly appealed to consumers, particularly during these challenging economic times when prices have been broadly increasing, including for gas.
The company's biggest sales generator, Walmart U.S., saw fiscal first-quarter same-store sales (comps) increase 4.1% for the period ended on April 30. Importantly, higher traffic contributed 3 percentage points, with increased spending representing the balance. Total revenue, excluding foreign-currency translation effects, grew 5.9%, and adjusted operating income increased 5.1%.
Buying opportunity?
Walmart's sales improvement was partly due to gaining market share from rivals. Whether this can last when the economy picks up steam remains a question.
The company does have growth initiatives, such as advertising. This grew 37% year over year. Still, while it's a higher-margin business, it's unclear when this will significantly move the needle.
Walmart's stock price drop has resulted in a lower valuation, as measured by the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio. Since mid-May, the P/E ratio has fallen from 48 to 39.
Still, I'd hardly call Walmart a value stock. The shares have a 10-year median P/E ratio of 31. It's also more richly valued than typical large-cap stocks, with the S&P 500 index currently trading at a P/E multiple of 28.
While many retailers have struggled in the recent economic environment, Walmart deserves kudos for growing sales. Still, its fast-growth days are likely behind it. With Walmart's P/E multiple, the market is pricing in high growth that it might be unable to meet.
Hence, I'd pass on Walmart's shares right now.
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 $377,990!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,269,518!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 896% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 206% 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.
Lawrence Rothman, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Walmart's Stock Is Down 19% From Its High. Is It Too Late to Buy or Right on Time?

Key Points
Walmart's current valuation is expensive relative to its forward earnings projections.
The company's massive scale gives it a durable cost advantage.
Investors are better off waiting patiently for this retail stock to fall before buying.
Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT) has surprised investors. In the past five years, the share price has climbed 129% (as of July 23). If you can believe it, this outstanding performance is better than the gains posted by its two biggest industry peers, Amazon and Costco, over the same time period.
This popular retail stock trades at $108 as of early afternoon on July 23. Investors shouldn't rush to buy shares. It's best to pause.
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Expectations are currently high
Valuation expansion did play a part in lifting Walmart's stock price. Exactly five years ago, shares traded at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 33.1. Today, this has expanded to 38.1.
The market has started to appreciate the business more. It makes sense why. Walmart's diluted earnings per share (EPS) soared 107% from Q1 2022 to Q1 2027 (ended April 30). In the five-year period prior to this, that bottom-line figure was flat.
But the expectations investors have now are simply too high. Walmart's valuation represents a sizable 49% premium to the S&P 500 index.
And the valuation is more expensive than a dominant technology company like Alphabet, which is reporting much faster profit growth. It also has durable competitive advantages.
Walmart's EPS is projected to rise at a compound annual rate of 12% between fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2029. For a company that collected $176 billion in net sales in its latest fiscal quarter, a massive sum, this is a healthy outlook. It doesn't justify paying 38 times trailing-12-month earnings, however.
Buy shares only if this happens
The current setup, which should force investors to take pause, doesn't mean Walmart is off-limits for good. Here's where patience comes into play. Adding this retail stock to your watch list is the best thing to do right now.
At the right price, this high-quality business becomes more interesting as a potential portfolio addition. Walmart has a wide economic moat that stems from its tremendous scale advantage. It's able to secure merchandise at favorable costs. This supports permanently low prices, which keep attracting shoppers of all income levels.
In recent years, Walmart has found success generating new revenue streams. It's driving greater e-commerce sales. And its Walmart+ membership, a direct rival to Amazon Prime, brings in recurring subscription revenue.
Every single investor perceives value differently. In my view, should Walmart's P/E multiple fall to around 25, it would make for a very attractive buying opportunity. There's no telling if this will happen, though.
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 $377,990!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,269,518!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 896% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 206% 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 July 26, 2026.
Neil Patel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Costco Wholesale, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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