Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT - Free Report) is a multinational retailer that runs large department stores and warehouse store chains. The company has more than 11,600 stores in 28 countries.
Of late, Wal-Mart is delivering positive comps at Wal-Mart U.S., after delivering negative comps since the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Moreover, traffic improved for the eighth consecutive quarter, owing to the company’s efforts to modernize stores for higher footfall and improvement in consumer spending. However, the company has been facing huge expense burden of late. Huge investments in e-commerce initiatives, higher wages and training costs increased expenses. This along with unfavorable currency is taking a toll on the results. Given these factors, investors were eagerly waiting for the company’s latest earnings report.
This is especially true given the recent earnings estimate revisions for WMT as the consensus estimate has been declining since past 7 days. Nevertheless, WMT has an impressive earnings history. WMT has delivered positive earnings surprise in all the last four quarters, making for an average positive surprise of 5.10%.
Currently, WMT has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can seethe complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here. The Zacks Rank could definitely change following Wal-Mart’s earnings report which was just released. We have highlighted some of the key stats from this just-revealed announcement below:
Earnings: WMT posted earnings of $1.30 per share, beating our consensus of $1.29 per share. Investors should note that these figures take out stock option expenses.
Revenue: WMT posted revenues of $130.9 billion. This marginally beats our consensus estimate of $130.6 billion.
Key Stats to Note: Wal-Mart U.S. comparable store sales increased 1.8% in the fourth quarter, driven by 1.4% growth in traffic and 0.4% increase in ticket. Comp sales on the other hand increased 2.4% at the Sam's Club, without the impact of fuel, driven by growth in both ticket and traffic.
Stock Price: Shares of Wal-Mart increased 1.70% in the pre-market trading.
Check back later for our full write up on this WMT earnings report later!
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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.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT - Free Report) is a multinational retailer that runs large department stores and warehouse store chains. The company has more than 11,600 stores in 28 countries.
Of late, Wal-Mart is delivering positive comps at Wal-Mart U.S., after delivering negative comps since the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Moreover, traffic improved for the eighth consecutive quarter, owing to the company’s efforts to modernize stores for higher footfall and improvement in consumer spending. However, the company has been facing huge expense burden of late. Huge investments in e-commerce initiatives, higher wages and training costs increased expenses. This along with unfavorable currency is taking a toll on the results. Given these factors, investors were eagerly waiting for the company’s latest earnings report.
This is especially true given the recent earnings estimate revisions for WMT as the consensus estimate has been declining since past 7 days. Nevertheless, WMT has an impressive earnings history. WMT has delivered positive earnings surprise in all the last four quarters, making for an average positive surprise of 5.10%.
Currently, WMT has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can seethe complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here. The Zacks Rank could definitely change following Wal-Mart’s earnings report which was just released. We have highlighted some of the key stats from this just-revealed announcement below:
Earnings: WMT posted earnings of $1.30 per share, beating our consensus of $1.29 per share. Investors should note that these figures take out stock option expenses.
Revenue: WMT posted revenues of $130.9 billion. This marginally beats our consensus estimate of $130.6 billion.
Key Stats to Note: Wal-Mart U.S. comparable store sales increased 1.8% in the fourth quarter, driven by 1.4% growth in traffic and 0.4% increase in ticket. Comp sales on the other hand increased 2.4% at the Sam's Club, without the impact of fuel, driven by growth in both ticket and traffic.
Stock Price: Shares of Wal-Mart increased 1.70% in the pre-market trading.
Check back later for our full write up on this WMT earnings report later!
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2017?
Who wouldn't? Last year's market-beating Top 10 portfolio produced 5 double-digit winners. For example, oil and natural gas giant Pioneer Natural Resources and First Republic Bank racked up stellar gains of +44.9% and +44.3% respectively. Now a brand-new list for 2017 has been hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. See the 2017 Top 10 right now>>
Zacks 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.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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