The results of the largest retail chain in the US, WalMart (WMT.US), confirmed the overall strength of the US consumer and the good health of the company’s business.
The report showed that the company’s focus on grocery products at the expense of ‘discretionary’ goods such as appliances, home appliances and others has yielded the intended results.
E-commerce sales increased by 24% year-on-year, with nearly 6.3% growth in revenue from sales in the US – the company’s main market. In comparison, rival Target (TGT.US) yesterday reported 5.4% lower y/y sales in the US and a weaker forecast for the full year.
Financial highlights
• Revenue was $161.6 billion vs. $160.22 billion forecast (5.7% increase y/y)
• Earnings per share (EPS): $1.84 vs. $1.71 forecasts
• Free cash flow (FCF): $9 billion vs. $0.2 billion in Q1 and $12 billion in Q4 2022
• Inventories: down 7.1% y/y
– The company raised its full-year outlook for the fiscal year during which it expects earnings per share of $6.36 to $6.46 US (analysts had expected $6.3, previously WalMart had indicated a range of $6.1 to $6.2) with net sales growth of 4 to 4.5% y/y (3.5% in previous estimates);
– Revenue from the e-commerce segment now accounts for 15% of the company’s net income, on $24 billion in revenue. Advertising revenue rebounded by 36%, and the average weekly number of users of WalMart’s digital apps increased by more than 20% with a 14% increase in marketplace activity;
– Comparable sales excluding fuel rose 5.5% versus Wall Street’s 4.1% forecast. Revenues from Sam’s Club membership cards rose 7%, with the company highlighting growing popularity in China and expansion in the market there;
– International sales revenue showed an 11% year-on-year increase. Adjusted operating profit rose 8.1% y/y, and net margin improved 1.5%. The excellent performance on the free cash flow side gives considerable hope for even better readings in the next two quarters – seasonally much stronger.
– Most notably, WalMart’s forecast shows that the company does not expect a recession or consumer slump in the US or globally.
In the first reaction after the results, the company’s shares gained 1.5% before the Wall Street open and, supported by higher guidance for the coming quarters, climbed to new highs above $161 per share.
WalMart shares, D1 interval. The price of the retail giant’s stock has quickly staved off mid-2022 declines, supported by a strong U.S. consumer and competitive pricing against competitors. Source: xStation5
