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Investing.com - Bernstein SocGen Group has raised its price target on Walmart (NYSE:WMT) to $113.00 from $108.00 while maintaining an Outperform rating on the stock.
The price target increase represents a nearly 5% upward revision from the firm’s previous valuation of the retail giant’s shares.
Bernstein SocGen analyst Zhihan Ma noted that investors will closely examine Walmart’s gross margins in upcoming financial results, particularly after management highlighted potential impacts from Retail Inventory Management (RIM).
The firm indicated that market expectations for Walmart’s top-line growth remain high, driven by management’s stated ambitions to gain market share.
Ma also pointed out that given Walmart’s position as an economic barometer, investors will pay close attention to any commentary about consumer behavior and demand elasticity in the second half of the year. The company maintains a strong financial health score of "GOOD" according to InvestingPro metrics, with a notably low beta of 0.68 indicating relatively stable stock performance.
In other recent news, Walmart has announced its financial results, partnerships, and strategic initiatives. The retail giant has opened its first company-owned beef processing facility in Olathe, Kansas, which will package and distribute Angus beef sourced from Sustainable Beef LLC. This move follows Walmart’s equity investment in Sustainable Beef in 2022, aiming to establish an end-to-end beef supply chain. Additionally, Walmart has entered a multi-year partnership with Major League Soccer and Leagues Cup to enhance fan engagement through stadium activations, merchandise offerings, and digital content.
Walmart also plans to convert Vizio into a private-label brand, with sales exclusively at Walmart and Sam’s Club locations by the end of 2025. This follows Walmart’s acquisition of Vizio for $2.3 billion, as part of its strategy to expand its advertising business. Meanwhile, some suppliers have paused orders from Bangladesh due to potential tariffs, affecting the garment sector, which is crucial for the country’s economy. In response to safety concerns, Walmart has recalled approximately 850,000 Ozark Trail water bottles due to reports of injuries related to the product’s lid.
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