BMO maintains Outperform rating on Walmart

Published 16/08/2024, 13:46
©  Reuters

On Friday, BMO Capital Markets maintained its Outperform rating on Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) shares, with a consistent price target of $80.00. The firm's assessment followed Walmart's second quarter fiscal year 2025 earnings report, which underscored the company's continued e-commerce profitability and solid top-line growth. The report also indicated a stable consumer environment, a notable achievement not shared by all major retailers.

Walmart's recent earnings highlighted not only its e-commerce strength but also a noteworthy consistency in its overall revenue. BMO Capital Markets pointed out that this consistency, along with an uptick in general merchandise sales and ongoing improvements in e-commerce profitability, suggests a durable and reliable earnings performance for the retail giant.

The analyst from BMO Capital Markets emphasized the significance of Walmart's ability to maintain a steady performance in a retail landscape where such stability is not always common. The positive outlook is based on the current trends and momentum observed in the company's operations, particularly in its general merchandise sector and the profitability of its online sales.

The firm's reiteration of the Outperform rating indicates a confidence in Walmart's potential to continue outperforming the market or its sector. The $80 price target suggests that BMO Capital Markets believes the stock has the potential to reach this price level in the future, based on the company's financial health and market position.

Finally, BMO Capital Markets has reaffirmed its positive stance on Walmart's stock, signaling trust in the company's earnings stability and growth prospects, while maintaining the previously set price target.

Walmart Inc. has reported strong sales and profit growth in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, with a notable performance across its international and e-commerce segments. This robust growth led to a series of positive revisions from Piper Sandler, Baird, and RBC Capital. Piper Sandler increased its price target for Walmart shares to $83, citing the company's strong Q2 performance and upgraded fiscal year 2025 guidance.

The retail giant's second-quarter results were driven by a surge in sales across all business segments, particularly its e-commerce operations. Notably, a significant portion of Walmart's earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) growth was driven by advertising revenue and membership fees, indicating a promising growth trajectory.

Walmart's management anticipates this trend of steady monthly results to persist throughout the year.

InvestingPro Insights

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) has been capturing investor attention with its recent performance, and the latest data from InvestingPro provides further context to BMO Capital Markets' optimistic outlook. With a robust market capitalization of $588.63 billion and a P/E ratio standing at 35.78, Walmart demonstrates substantial market presence and valuation. Notably, the company has experienced a revenue growth of 5.43% over the last twelve months as of Q2 2025, reinforcing the solid top-line growth highlighted in its earnings report.

InvestingPro Tips indicate that Walmart has raised its dividend for 29 consecutive years, a testament to its financial resilience and commitment to shareholder returns. Moreover, the stock's significant return over the last week, with a 1-week price total return of 7.7%, suggests a positive short-term investor sentiment. This aligns with BMO Capital Markets' reiteration of the Outperform rating and Walmart's potential for continued market performance.

For investors seeking more in-depth analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips on Walmart, including insights into analyst predictions, debt levels, and industry positioning. There are 17 more InvestingPro Tips available, which can provide valuable information for making informed investment decisions. Visit https://www.investing.com/pro/WMT for a comprehensive view of Walmart's financial health and market potential.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.