Walmart’s outlook remains bright

Article Excerpt

Walmart’s U.S. stores get about a third of their merchandise from China, Mexico and other countries. However, the company’s large size should make it easier to re-negotiate costs with its suppliers to offset the impact of new U.S. tariffs. Meantime, Walmart’s ongoing investments in its online and advertising businesses will take its earnings higher over the next few years. WALMART INC. $95 is a buy. The company (New York symbol WMT; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 8.0 billion; Market cap: $760.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.1; Dividend yield: 1.0%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.walmart.com) is the world’s largest retailer, with 10,771 outlets in 19 countries. Walmart’s U.S. operations supplied 69% of total sales in the latest fiscal year, followed by international stores (18%) and the Sam’s Club warehouse stores (13%) As an essential retailer, Walmart’s stores mostly remained open during the COVID-19 lockdowns. That’s partly why its sales gained 21.8% over the last five years, rising from $559.15 billion in fiscal 2021 (years end January…