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Walmart is a leading retailer in the United States, with its strategy predicated on superior operating efficiency and offering the lowest priced goods to consumers to drive robust store traffic and product turnover. Walmart augmented its low-price business strategy by offering a convenient one-stop shopping destination with the opening of its first supercenter in 1988.Today, Walmart operates over 4,600 stores in the United States (5,200 including Sam's Club) and over 10,000 locations globally. Walmart generated over $460 billion in domestic namesake sales in fiscal 2025, with Sam's Club contributing another $90 billion to the company's top line. Internationally, Walmart generated $120 billion in sales. The retailer serves around 270 million customers globally each week.

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Everybody "knows" that value investing doesn't work anymore. It's in all the headlines.
Investing today is about technology, everyone says. It's about artificial intelligence. It's about quantum computing, about the rebirth of nuclear energy.
Some of this is true, some isn't, but what's really not true is that value investing doesn't work. In fact, it still works better than just about any other investing approach.
The reason people say otherwise is because they've got value all wrong. "Value," they think, is just another word for "cheap." But most cheap stocks are cheap because they're bad investments.
Here's how to invest in value the right way using just two metrics – and beat the markets handily.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What People Get Wrong About Value</h2>
There are a couple of problems with the way people define value investing. First, we need to address the fact that the sound of it is boring.  Value investing sounds like a professor with tweed elbow patches smoking a pipe in an old dusty office in some brick and ivy university somewhere up in Vermont or Maine during a snowstorm. It just sounds boring.
Perhaps if we could call it vulture investing, market pillaging, or some other equally interesting name, it would attract more attention.
But then again, since we seem to have a corner on it, do we really want to attract all that much attention?
Second, let's talk about the way people track value. For instance, the Russell Value Index is supposed to represent value. When you compare it, growth has outperformed value for several hundred consecutive years, according to the literature.
That may be a slight exaggeration, but you get the point.
When you examine the Russell 1000 Value index, it's allegedly the bottom half of the Russell 2000 weighted by value components.
The top holdings include Berkshire Hathaway, Cisco Systems, McDonald&#8217;s, Walt Disney, Raytheon, and Caterpillar. These are all great companies.
What they are not is value companies.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Truth About Value</h2>
When we really look at the hard data, the truth is that absolute value never stopped working. When you look at companies that are trading at discounts to asset value, low multiples of the cash produced by the business, and low multiples of liquidation value, which is still one of my favorites, the truth is that they have continued to work and work very well.
The key thing that most people leave out is they will run a list of companies trading below book value and will say, &#8220;Look, these underperformed the market.&#8221; That is, in fact, true.
More than half of those companies are unprofitable and overleveraged, and their products are going completely out of style. You know, they are CD-ROM manufacturers or buggy whip makers in the business of making something we are never going to use again.
Many of the companies that trade below book value, in all honesty, do so for a reason. They are headed for the garbage pile.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Making Value Work: Financial Strength</h2>
How do we get rid of those? You have to adjust for a couple of factors:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>You want strength in the financial statements.</li>
<li>You want the ability to survive, and you prefer that they are profitable.</li>
</ul>
Two papers, with several follow-ups, have come out in the last twenty-five years that show us how to do this.
One of these is Joseph Piotrowski&#8217;s publication &#8220;Value Investing: The Use of Historical Financial Statement Information to Separate Winners from Losers.&#8221; The F-score is based on that paper.
Value plus the F-score crush the market. When we add value plus the F-score plus credit scores, I prefer the Altman Z score—then you annihilate the market.
The key variable here is profitability and financial strength.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Missing Factor: Profitability</h2>
The other paper, which very few people seem to have read, is important.
In 2013, an economist, Robert Novy-Marks, published a paper that should have but didn&#8217;t redefine the entire playing field for investing. It is called &#8220;The Other Side of Value: The Gross Profitability Premium.&#8221;
Basically, they found that highly profitable companies outperform, no matter how cheap or expensive they may look. It is a single idea that gross profitability is the missing dimension, the missing factor.
It has found its way into some of the academic models. Novy-Marksed followed up on it with &#8220;Profitability Retrospective: What Have We Learned?&#8221;
This is key because many people today will tell you that quality matters. We have got to buy these quality companies. Everyone has a 16, 17, or 18-factor model that supposedly helps us identify truly high-quality companies.
Novy-Marks has found in both the original 2013 study and the retrospective today that you only need one factor to identify quality. That factor is profitability, which is defined in the original paper as gross profits as a percentage of assets.
The higher that is, the better the company is.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quality Simplified</h2>
It explains all of the excess returns from so-called quality investing. When you ask what exactly we are looking for here, it turns out it all boils down to one simple measure.
You can use an 18-factor model, or you can use just gross profitability as a percent of assets. When you look at the largest cap companies that are in the upper end of the range: Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Alphabet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), Meta (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), Visa (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>), Eli Lilly (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>), MasterCard (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>), Oracle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>), Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), Procter &amp; Gamble (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PG#NYSE">PG</a>), UnitedHealth (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) &#8211; all of the same companies that would show up if we use that super sophisticated, 18-factor quality model for which you will pay a massive premium to have access to the data – it turns out you can get the same list using just gross profitability.
Gross profitability also explains all of the defensive strategies.
All of the defensive low beta stocks are just highly profitable companies that also are growing their asset base slowly. They are doing very conservative investing. They are not de-worsifying the business. They are not trying to grow at a high rate.
They are just ridiculously profitable companies that are willing to sit in place and do what they are good at and continually pile up profits and cash.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Unifying Factor</h2>
Profitability explains quality. It explains the low beta and low volatility phenomena.
Many investors have looked for new ways to define value. Cash flow to price, earnings forecast, intangible adjusted tangible book value, adjust for a lot of different factors in R&amp;D. These are going to "fix" value's alleged shortcomings in a day and age of high technology.
The truth is that all these newer value strategies sneak in profitability as a factor in addition to value. Profitability by itself delivers market-beating returns.
Profitability plus value, whether that is price to book or a different model that works, like enterprise value to earnings before interest and taxes, beats the market even more.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Value Appears to Have Underperformed</h2>
When we look at the underperformance of "value" since 2007, the truth is that it's because we junked up the value universe. We put a lot of garbage in there. There are many stocks trading below book value that are biotech startup companies. They are below the cash balance on the balance sheet, but they are burning cash at a rapid rate and will soon be out of money. The book value will, in fact, disappear.
There are all these companies that look cheap but are wildly unprofitable. They are burning through money.
Then you have a lot of garbage that came in through the two SPAC movements in 2007 and then again in 2020 when companies that were still basically at the garage stage of existence suddenly went public.
We really junked up the value universe with a lot of garbage.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Foundation of Investment Success</h2>
Profitability is not just another factor but another tool.
It is a foundational tool that unifies multiple styles. It is part of quality, defensive value, and even some growth stocks.
Profitability explains a lot of the strategies that people use without relying on complicated, expensive 18-factor models.
If we take low-volatility companies and buy the most profitable, we are going to outperform the market.
If we just buy the most profitable companies, we are going to outperform the market.
If we buy the most profitable companies that are trading at low multiples of the cash produced by the business, we are going to absolutely crush the markets.
This is not a day trading system or a short-term trading system. It is the single best way to build long-term portfolios that beat the market and produce lasting wealth.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Unified Theory of Investing</h2>
Profitability explains almost everything that happens in the market. If you have a great business, it is wildly profitable.
If you are a quality company with high returns on equity, low leverage, and earning stability, you are a very profitable company.
If you are a defensive company with low volatility and lower beta, all of the outperformance of these strategies is because they are profitable companies that are not reinvesting in the business to rapidly grow the asset base.
You have low-investment, profitable companies. There is your entire defensive strategy.
The underperformance of value investing over the last fifteen years or so is entirely because of the addition of so many unprofitable companies. If we use F-scores and profitability to screen out just the profitable undervalued companies, performance goes through the roof.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Simple Path to Success</h2>
Most people won't do it because it doesn't make you rich by next Tuesday. It is not the absolute most exciting strategy on the planet. What it does is give you a very easy, quick way to uncover opportunities.
Two scores.
That is all you have to check. You can put together a universe of companies that can crush the market.
Basically, no folks, value investing is not dead.
If anything, if you understand that financial strength and profitability are the key to making value investing go from boring to the most exciting thing you can possibly do with your money, value investing is very much alive and still very successful.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Want to Trade the Next Reversal? Start Here</h2>
Matt Maley is watching one ultra-liquid ETF that surges when the market pulls back. He's used it time and time again—and this Wednesday at 6 PM ET, he'll be live to show you how to time it with precision. It's perfect for short-term traders looking to get ahead of the next move. Register <a href="https://events2.benzinga.com/matt-maley-webinar-wed-may28-2025-registration/?utm_campaign=webinar052825&amp;utm_adType=sponsorad&amp;utm_ad=RD052725">HERE</a> for this free masterclass now.
Editorial content from our expert contributors is intended to be information for the general public and not individualized investment advice. Editors/contributors are presenting their individual opinions and strategies, which are neither expressly nor impliedly approved or endorsed by Benzinga.
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Value Investing Is Not Dead - It Just Got Smarter

President Donald Trump has sparked fear again of an all-out trade war, causing shockwaves in the stock market and leaving investors in the dark. In a post on Truth Social, Trump directly targeted tech giant Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), threatening a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45584696/trump-threatens-tim-cook-to-manufacture-iphones-in-the-us-or-face-at-least-25-tariffs">25% tariff on iPhones produced outside America</a>. Not resting there, he threatened a sweeping<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45585283/trump-tariff-threat-hits-europe-stocks-sink-as-50-duties-loom"> 50% tariff on all imports from the European Union</a> beginning June 1.
Although it is uncertain if Trump can unilaterally impose company-specific tariffs, the markets didn&#8217;t wait for answers. Apple stocks fell almost 3% on Friday trading, and investors are now left wondering how to rebalance their portfolios if protectionism returns.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/05/45574690/nvidia-amd-and-the-ai-arms-race-3-explosive-etfs-to-watch-right-now">Nvidia, AMD And The AI Arms Race: 3 Explosive ETFs To Watch Right Now</a>
Tech ETFs: Industry Giants In The Crosshairs
Trump&#8217;s words shone a bright light on Apple, which constitutes meaningful portions of most <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">technology ETFs</a>. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) holds more than 12.5% in Apple, and the Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VGT#NYSE">VGT</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) also hold 17.2% and 7.7% respectively.
Investors seeking to trim their exposure to Apple-focused funds could look to diversified global tech ETFs or equal-weight rivals that soften concentration risk. The iShares Global Tech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IXN#NYSE">IXN</a>) can be a good choice. Despite having significant exposure to Apple, the fund dedicates around 20% of its portfolio to international tech stocks.
Retail Rout? ETFs Exposed to Walmart and Amazon
Retailing behemoths Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) and Amazon are also in Trump&#8217;s sights. Last week, Walmart suggested it might have to raise prices because of higher tariff costs. Trump responded, telling the retailer to &#8220;eat the tariffs.&#8221;
The SPDR S&amp;P Retail ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XRT#NYSE">XRT</a>), whose holdings include both Walmart and Amazon, may experience more volatility. 
European Exposure On The Edge
A 50% tariff on EU imports, if invoked, would be one of the toughest trade policies in recent U.S.-EU relations. ETFs with high European exposure, such as the iShares Europe ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IEV#NASDAQ">IEV</a>), SPDR EURO STOXX 50 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FEZ#NYSE">FEZ</a>), and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VGK#NYSE">VGK</a>), now find themselves under the scanner.
EU leaders have already proposed a $108 billion retaliatory tariff package, raising further uncertainty. For investors, this also poses questions regarding currency risk, macro exposure, and the durability of European equities.
Inverse ETFs such as the ProShares Short MSCI EAFE (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EFZ#NYSE">EFZ</a>) or currency-hedged ETFs like the iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HEZU#NYSE">HEZU</a>) could provide short-term defensive opportunities for those who see turmoil coming.
Made-In-America ETFs: A Patriotic Pivot?
If <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45584696/trump-threatens-tim-cook-to-manufacture-iphones-in-the-us-or-face-at-least-25-tariffs">Trump&#8217;s tariff threats</a> push corporations to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., a new class of ETFs could benefit. Funds like the ARK Autonomous Technology &amp; Robotics ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKQ#BATS">ARKQ</a>) and 3D Printing ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PRNT#BATS">PRNT</a>) focus on American innovation and reshoring trends. These could gain momentum now.
Bottom Line
As Trump again heats up tariff rhetoric, ETF investors should prepare for a possible second installment of trade war drama. Whether hedging against exposure, playing rotation into domestic names, or diversifying out of vulnerable sectors, the moment to prepare may be at hand. Because in this political market theater, even passive investors must remain actively vigilant.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/05/45571270/byd-outsells-tesla-in-europe-but-these-etfs-still-back-elons-ev-empire">BYD Outsells Tesla In Europe, But These ETFs Still Back Elon&#8217;s EV Empire</a></li>
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Trump Targets EU, Apple With Tariff Threats: ETFs Could Feel The Heat

On May 7, the Ninth Circuit <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/ftc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">affirmed the decision</a> of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, FTC versus Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), denying the Commission&#8217;s application for a preliminary injunction to block Microsoft&#8217;s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Inc.  
The Commission has now determined that the public interest is best served by dismissing the administrative litigation <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/2210077-microsoftactivision-blizzard-matter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in this case</a>.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45541908/supermicro-eyes-texas-mississippi-for-ai-server-growth-as-microsoft-amazon-increase-spending" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Supermicro Eyes Texas, Mississippi For AI Server Growth As Microsoft, Amazon Increase Spending</a>
Microsoft sold the Xbox gaming console and offered a video game subscription service called Xbox Game Pass and a cloud-based video game streaming service. The agency alleged that the deal would enable Microsoft to suppress competitors to its Xbox gaming consoles and its rapidly growing subscription and cloud-gaming business. The Commission withdrew the matter from adjudication in July 2023 and returned it to adjudication on Sept. 26, 2023. 
Recently, the FTC also dropped a lawsuit against PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) for allegedly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45582935/ftc-scraps-pepsico-price-discrimination-case-in-3-0-vote-marking-major-shift-as-trump-era-leadership-reverses-biden-crackdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offering preferential pricing</a> to major retailers like Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>). The case marked broader Biden administration efforts to target price discrimination.
The FTC also paused cases against CVS Health Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), Cigna Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>), and UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) over pharmacy benefit manager practices, citing commissioner shortages after President Donald Trump&#8216;s personnel changes.
President Trump named FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42428224/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-mirror-stock-declines-ahead-of-crucial-inflation-data-release-top-analyst-says-buy-the-dip-predicts-275k-btc-target" target="_blank" rel="noopener">his choice</a> for FTC chair last December, replacing Lina Khan. This could potentially reshape the agency&#8217;s approach to tech regulation and antitrust enforcement.
Under Khan&#8217;s leadership, the federal firm has aggressively targeted tech giants, including&nbsp;Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>),&nbsp;Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), and&nbsp;Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>).
Price Action: MSFT stock is down 1.06% at $450.31 at last check Friday.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45565087/cramer-backs-marvell-again-as-ai-deals-with-amazon-microsoft-fuel-stock-surge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cramer Backs Marvell Again As AI Deals With Amazon, Microsoft Fuel Stock Surge</a></li>
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The Federal Trade Commission voted 3-0 on Thursday to dismiss a lawsuit against PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) that accused the beverage giant of offering preferential pricing to major retailers, marking a significant shift from former President Joe Biden-era corporate scrutiny under the President Donald Trump administration.
What Happened: The FTC dropped the case filed in January&#8217;s final days of the Biden administration, with NBC News <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/biden-era-pepsi-price-discrimination-suit-dropped-ftc-rcna208635">reporting</a> that Chair Andrew Ferguson criticized it as &#8220;a nakedly political effort to commit this administration to pursuing little more than a hunch that Pepsi had violated the law.&#8221; 
Ferguson, who dissented when the case was originally filed as a commissioner, now leads the agency after President Trump fired two Democratic commissioners in March.
The original lawsuit alleged PepsiCo violated the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43063862/whats-going-on-with-pepsico-stock-todayhttps://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43063862/whats-going-on-with-pepsico-stock-today">Robinson-Patman Act</a> by providing unfair pricing advantages to Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) through promotional payments and advertising allowances not extended to competing retailers. 
PepsiCo welcomed the decision, stating it &#8220;has always and will continue to provide all customers with fair, competitive, and non-discriminatory pricing.&#8221; 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45581873/top-amd-exec-bets-nearly-1-million-on-stocksignals-confidence-amid-buybacks-easing-tariffs-and-saudi-deal">Top AMD Exec Adds Nearly $1 Million Of The Chipmaker&#8217;s Stock: Signals Confidence Amid Buybacks, Easing Tariffs And Saudi Deal</a> Why It Matters: The case was part of broader Biden administration efforts targeting price discrimination, following a December action against Southern Glazer&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43063862/whats-going-on-with-pepsico-stock-todayhttps://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43063862/whats-going-on-with-pepsico-stock-today">wine and spirits distributor</a>.
The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/04/44627279/ftc-pauses-lawsuit-against-cvs-cigna-unitedhealths-pbms-amid-commissioner-shortage?utm_source=chatgpt.com">FTC also paused separate cases</a> against CVS Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), Cigna Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>), and UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) over pharmacy benefit manager practices, citing commissioner shortages after Trump&#8217;s personnel changes. 
Image Via Shutterstock 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45581845/judge-blocks-trumps-mass-federal-layoffs-citing-need-for-congressional-approval">Judge Blocks Trump&#8217;s Mass Federal Layoffs, Citing Need For Congressional Approval</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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FTC Scraps PepsiCo Price Discrimination Case In 3-0 Vote, Marking Major Shift As Trump-Era Leadership Reverses Biden Crackdown

Walmart Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) has announced plans to cut approximately 1,500 corporate jobs as part of a broader strategy to reduce costs and improve <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45536218/walmart-responds-to-trumps-eat-the-tariff-remark-worked-to-keep-our-prices-as-low-as-possible-and-we-wont-stop">decision-making efficiency.</a>
What Happened: Walmart, the largest private employer in the U.S., will eliminate the positions as part of its restructuring efforts, according to <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/walmart-cut-about-1500-corporate-jobs">a report</a> from Fox Business. 
The changes are aimed at simplifying operations and fostering innovation and will impact teams within the&nbsp;global tech and Walmart U.S.&nbsp;divisions. 
In a memo to employees sent Wednesday,&nbsp;Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner&nbsp;and&nbsp;global chief technology officer Suresh&nbsp;Kumar&nbsp;highlighted the rapid evolution of technology as a key factor driving these organizational changes. 
&#8220;The world of technology is&nbsp;evolving at an unprecedented pace,&nbsp;and reshaping our structure allows&nbsp;us to accelerate how we&nbsp;deliver and adapt to the&nbsp;changing environment around us,&#8221; the memo stated
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45561695/bitcoin-shatters-110000-xrp-dogecoin-ethereum-surge-bulls-emerge-victorious-trader-concludes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Shatters $110,000, XRP, Dogecoin, Ethereum Surge: &#8216;Bulls Emerge Victorious,&#8217; Trader Concludes &#8211; Benzinga</a>
Despite the job cuts, Walmart is also creating new positions aligned with its business priorities and growth strategy. The restructuring is part of a broader effort to address challenges posed by tariffs, which have been a significant concern for the retail industry. 
Although Walmart reported strong first-quarter earnings, it has warned of potential price increases due to tariffs on imported goods.
Why It Matters: The announcement of job cuts comes amid ongoing challenges related to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. On May 16, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon informed analysts on the company&#8217;s earnings call that the retailer would be raising prices on certain items <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/05/45473067/walmart-prices-will-rise-within-weeks-as-trump-tariffs-drive-up-costs-will-other-retailers-follow-suit">due to these tariffs.</a>
Despite some reductions in tariff rates, the financial burden remains substantial, necessitating price adjustments. This development follows a public exchange between Walmart and President Donald Trump, who urged the company to &#8220;Eat The Tariffs&#8221; instead of passing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45536218/walmart-responds-to-trumps-eat-the-tariff-remark-worked-to-keep-our-prices-as-low-as-possible-and-we-wont-stop">costs onto consumers.</a>
Walmart responded by emphasizing its commitment to keeping prices as low as possible, despite the tariff pressures. The company&#8217;s decision to restructure and cut jobs may be part of a strategic response to these economic challenges, aiming to maintain competitiveness in a rapidly changing market.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45562884/steve-bannon-reveals-the-moment-everything-changed-and-elon-musk-chose-to-scale-back-white-house-role-rep" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steve Bannon Reveals The Moment &#8216;Everything Changed&#8217; And Elon Musk Chose To Scale Back White House Role: Report</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Large Cap

Walmart Cuts 1,500 Corporate Jobs To Streamline Operations Amid Tariff Pressures

Target Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) shares are trading higher on Thursday. On Wednesday, Target registered first-quarter sales of $23.85 billion (down 2.8% year over year), which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45540759/target-stock-slips-as-q1-earnings-miss-estimates-fy2025-outlook-cut-amid-slowing-sales" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">missed the Street view of $24.32 billion</a>.
The retail giant lowered its FY2025 adjusted EPS guidance from $8.80–$9.80 to $7.00–$9.00. Following the results, analysts have made several adjustments to their ratings and price forecasts for the stock. Here are the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TGT/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">key analysts&#8217; takes on the stock</a>:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>BofA Securities analyst Robert F. Ohmes downgraded Target from Buy to Neutral, lowering the price forecast from $145 to $105.</li>
<li>Telsey Advisory Group analyst Joseph Feldman downgraded the stock from Outperform to Market Perform, decreasing the price forecast from $130 to $110.</li>
<li>JP Morgan analyst Christopher Horvers reiterated the Neutral rating on the company, raising the price forecast from $105 to $109.</li>
</ul>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45560388">$1 Items, Made Outside China: Here&#8217;s How Target Has Been Tariff-Proofing Its Shelves, With Price Hikes &#8216;The Very Last Resort&#8217;</a>
BofA Securities: Ohmes notes that while Target is experiencing overall softness in comparable sales, the company continues to perform well in areas like digital channels, seasonal categories, and brand partnerships, including the recent Kate Spade launch.
The analyst writes that merchandising efforts could help strengthen Target&#8217;s appeal and value perception over time. However, the stock is now notably lagging behind peers such as Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>).
Ohmes has lowered the FY26 adjusted EPS estimate to $6.95 from $9.10. For the second quarter, the analyst projects EPS of $1.50 and a 2% decline in comps.
Ongoing margin pressures are likely, and he flags increased uncertainty due to persistent top-line weakness, pressure from tariffs, and a delayed comp recovery. Softer sales are also expected to lead to more markdowns, which would further weigh on margins. Over the long term, Ohmes believes expansion in high-margin segments like marketplace and digital advertising could help improve margin stability.
Telsey Advisory Group: Feldman observes that competitors like Walmart are gaining ground in several of Target&#8217;s key product areas, holding or increasing share in 15 of 35 categories in Q1 FY25, particularly by appealing to higher-income shoppers through broader assortments, better pricing, and greater convenience.
The analyst also expressed a cautious stance on the newly formed Enterprise Acceleration Office. As a result, he has reduced his 2025 EPS estimate to $7.71 from $8.80 and now expects comparable sales to decline 2.5%, versus a previous estimate of a 0.3% drop.
The revision in rating reflects the continued challenging macro environment, inconsistent operating execution, limited visibility on the progress of initiatives, and potential risks related to tariffs, the analyst noted.
JP Morgan: Per Horvers, Target continues to hold relevance as a retailer over the long term but emphasizes that a more supportive macroeconomic environment is needed to drive stronger goods demand, similar to the backdrop in Q4 FY24 when Target&#8217;s market share losses were at their lowest in over two years.
The current backdrop is complicated by tariffs (which could accelerate share to value players like Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cost#NASDAQ">COST</a>), Walmart Inc., and Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)), the analyst notes.
Target has reiterated its tariff strategy, which includes negotiating with vendors, re-evaluating assortment, diversifying countries of production, adjusting ordering timing, and taking price as a last resort.
The analyst also points out that management reported 36% year-over-year growth in same-day delivery, driven by the Target Circle 360 program. The service now includes no markups for hundreds of partner retailers, which Horvers views as an effort to grow subscription revenue and better compete with offerings like Amazon Prime, Walmart+, and Instacart.
Price Action: TGT shares are trading higher by 2.31% to $95.22 at last check Thursday.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45567507/advance-auto-parts-surprises-street-with-profit-outlook-despite-tariffs-ceo-vows-focus-on-turnaround" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advance Auto Parts Surprises Street With Profit Outlook Despite Tariffs, CEO Vows Focus On Turnaround</a></li>
</ul>
Image by bluestork via Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Downgrades

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

Movers

General

COST

Target Under Pressure From Tariffs, Rising Competitive Gaps: Analysts

As tariffs rattle retailers in the U.S., Target Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) is showing how years of quiet supply chain maneuvering can pay off.
What Happened: During its first-quarter earnings call on Wednesday, Target highlighted its commitment to keeping entry-level price points intact, even as it braces for widespread tariff-related impact on its margins and supply chain.
&#8220;We have many levers to use in mitigating the impact of tariffs, and price is the very last resort,&#8221; CEO Brian Cornell told investors.
The company&#8217;s efforts are most prominently visible at its Bullseye&#8217;s Playground storefront, where it sells a range of seasonal and trending items, with price points of $1, $3, and $5, which the company plans to hold firm on, despite tariff-related headwinds.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45559653/steve-jobs-once-invited-marc-benioff-to-his-office-with-two-ipads-in-2010-the-lesson-that-shaped-a-270-billion-salesforce-empire">Steve Jobs Once Invited Marc Benioff To His Office With 2 iPads In 2010: The Lesson That Shaped A $270 Billion Salesforce Empire</a>
This is the result of years of effort by the company in reducing its reliance on Chinese imports. &#8220;Going back to 2017, we were 60% coming out of China. We brought that down to 30%, and we are well on our way to be less than 25% by the end of next year,&#8221; Chief Commercial Officer Rick Gomez said.
Target is now sourcing across Asia, the Western Hemisphere, and even domestically. &#8220;We're also exploring opportunities here in the U.S.,&#8221; Gomez said, noting the company is working closely with vendors to &#8220;provide the best value that we can for the consumer.&#8221;
Why It Matters: Analysts such as JPMorgan&#8217;s Christopher Horvers have raised concerns regarding the <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/05/45548732/target-under-strain-analyst-cautions-on-inventory-margins-amid-dei-and-tariff-issues">company&#8217;s rising inventory</a>, which rose 11% year-over-year, alongside weak same-store sales, and a miss on gross margin estimates during the first quarter.
This comes as the company&#8217;s chief rival, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/05/45473067/walmart-prices-will-rise-within-weeks-as-trump-tariffs-drive-up-costs-will-other-retailers-follow-suit">cautioned shoppers last week</a> that they could expect to see a rise in prices towards the end of May.
Price Action: Target shares were down 5.21% on Wednesday, trading at $93.01 per share, and down 0.35% after hours, following the company&#8217;s first quarter earnings results.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="136" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/22060221/Screenshot-2025-05-22-at-3.32.10-PM-1024x136.png" alt="" class="wp-image-924109" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/22060221/Screenshot-2025-05-22-at-3.32.10-PM-1024x136.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/22060221/Screenshot-2025-05-22-at-3.32.10-PM-300x40.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/22060221/Screenshot-2025-05-22-at-3.32.10-PM-768x102.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/22060221/Screenshot-2025-05-22-at-3.32.10-PM-1536x205.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/22060221/Screenshot-2025-05-22-at-3.32.10-PM.png 1592w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Target shares score well on Value and Growth, but are ranked poorly when it comes to Momentum and Quality. The price trend is unfavorable in the short, medium, and long terms. You can find deeper insights on the stock <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">here</a>.
Read More:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45559682/why-urban-outfitters-shares-are-trading-higher-by-18-here-are-20-stocks-moving-premarket">Why Urban Outfitters Shares Are Trading Higher By 18%; Here Are 20 Stocks Moving Premarket</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: bluestork / Shutterstock.com

$1 Items, Made Outside China: Here's How Target Has Been Tariff-Proofing Its Shelves, With Price Hikes 'The Very Last Resort'

Long before Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) became a trillion-dollar giant, Jeff Bezos shrugged off <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/01/36606013/happy-60th-birthday-jeff-bezos-the-billionaire-survived-the-dot-com-bubble-burst-what-if">internet hype and leaned hard</a> into customer obsession—even as critics questioned his company's razor-thin margins and relentless expansion.
What Happened: In a 1999 interview with CNBC during the height of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40178601/global-market-crash-sparks-reflection-on-jeff-bezos-2000-dotcom-comments-after-amazons-80-plunge">dot-com boom</a>, the Amazon founder offered a candid view of his company's strategy and why customer satisfaction, not internet buzz, was Amazon's true north.
"It doesn't matter to me whether we're a pure internet play," Bezos said. "What matters to me is: do we provide the best customer service. Internet, shminternet … That doesn't matter."
At the time, Amazon was a fast-growing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42935158/whats-the-internet-jeff-bezos-faced-clueless-investors-before-launching-amazon-had-to-give-up-20-of-the-company-for-only-1-million">online bookstore expanding</a> into new verticals like electronics and toys, all while facing skepticism from investors about profitability and sustainability.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/05/45484235/facebook-vs-orkut-one-became-meta-with-a-1-6-trillion-market-cap-the-other-was-shut-down-by-google-heres-why" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook Vs. Orkut: One Became Meta With A $1.6 Trillion Market Cap, The Other Was Shut Down By Google: Here's Why</a>
Bezos acknowledged the challenges but maintained that customer experience would define the company's long-term value.
"There's no guarantee that Amazon.com can be a successful company. What we're trying to do is very complicated," he admitted. "There's huge execution risk involved."
Bezos was especially adamant about aligning customer and shareholder interests. "In the long term, there is never any misalignment between customer interests and shareholder interests," he said.
When asked if that's a statement even Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) could make, he replied, "I think they should make that argument. It's the correct argument."
Bezos also rejected the idea that Amazon's growth, marked by sprawling warehouses and thousands of employees, was an expensive gamble. Compared to opening an equivalent network of retail stores, Amazon's distribution centers are not the same, he stated.
"You can't compare a big chain of retail stores to half a dozen distribution centers," he told the interviewer, "It's bad math."
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
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</figure>
Why It's Important: Bezos' early insistence on customer-centricity helped Amazon weather the brutal dot-com crash of the early 2000s, which wiped out competitors like Pets.com and Webvan.
Despite Amazon's stock plunging from $113 to just $6 in less than a year, the company survived—thanks to what CNBC later <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/18/dotcom-bubble-amazon-stock-lost-more-than-90percent-long-term-investors-still-got-rich.html">described</a> as "shrewd management and a lucky last-minute infusion of capital."
After branching out beyond books in 1998, Amazon reportedly first turned a profit in the final quarter of 2001, following a strong holiday shopping season.
From there, 2003 marked its first full year of profitability. Net income rose sharply from $3 million in the fourth-quarter of 2002 to $73 million in the same period in 2003, resulting in a total annual profit of $35 million—an impressive recovery from a $149 million loss the year before, <a href="https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/mje/2023/05/01/the-history-of-amazon-and-its-rise-to-success/">according</a> to the Michigan Journal of Economics which cited reports from ABC and the New York Times.
Today, with Amazon operating everything from cloud services to logistics and groceries, Bezos' 1999 vision, centered not on buzzwords but on customers, appears remarkably prescient. The company currently has a market capitalization of $2.16 trillion, whereas Walmart has a market capitalization of $782.48 billion.
Based on Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings, AMZN showed solid price performance over short and long-term periods. It ranked in the 66th percentile for momentum and the 91st percentile for growth. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">More details on these metrics are available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/21045411/Screenshot-2025-05-21-at-2.23.15%E2%80%AFPM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-922433" /></a></figure>
Photo Courtesy: Lev Radin on Shutterstock.com
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45421526/mark-zuckerberg-once-set-up-a-facebook-account-for-brooklyn-nine-nine-star-andy-samberg-then-persona" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Zuckerberg Once Set Up A Facebook Account For Brooklyn Nine-Nine Star Andy Samberg, Then Personally Played Tech Support When Things Went A Bit Haywire</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with&nbsp;the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was&nbsp;reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Jeff Bezos At Peak Dot-Com Hype Identified A Winning Strategy That Made Amazon Into A 2 Trillion Success Story Today: 'Internet, Shminternet … That Doesn't Matter'

<a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/walmart-layoffs-reorganization-2abd46eb">https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/walmart-layoffs-reorganization-2abd46eb</a>

'Walmart to Cut 1,500 Jobs'- WSJ

Amidst a week of market volatility, heightened by a weak Treasury auction and a jump in long-term yields, some of America&#8217;s largest retailers posted first-quarter profits that indicate the consumer machine might be slowing. The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">retail proxy ETF market</a>, so hotly followed, is getting shaken. This is how leading funds are positioned in response to the prevailing mood:
VanEck Retail ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTH#NASDAQ">RTH</a>): 
Exposure: Market cap-weighted, heavily skewed towards Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Home Depot (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HD#NYSE">HD</a>), and Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>).
Impact: RTH could be slightly more durable, given Amazon&#8217;s ongoing e-commerce strength and Walmart&#8217;s focus on essentials. However, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45536218/walmart-responds-to-trumps-eat-the-tariff-remark-worked-to-keep-our-prices-as-low-as-possible-and-we-wont-stop" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Walmart&#8217;s tariff warning</a> introduces a risk factor to this fund.
ProShares Online Retail ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ONLN#NYSE">ONLN</a>)
Exposure: Concentrates on digital-native retailers such as Amazon and Chewy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHWY#NYSE">CHWY</a>).
Impact: A shift to e-commerce, accelerated by inflation fatigue and convenience demands, could support ONLN. Target and Lowe's are leaning into digital services, which may benefit ONLN's broader theme.
Amplify Online Retail ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBUY#NYSE">IBUY</a>)
Exposure: A mix of U.S. and global e-commerce platforms. Amazon, Chewy, Wayfair (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/W#NYSE">W</a>) are among its top holdings.
Impact: Legacy players&#8217; renewed emphasis on convenience, expedited delivery, and promotions can drive competition for IBUY and ONLN members—but also affirm the long-term e-retail expansion story.
Also Read:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/05/45551463/ishares-tlt-falls-to-6-month-low-on-moodys-us-credit-downgrade-rising-yields"> iShares TLT Hits 6-Month Low After Weak Treasury Auction</a>
What&#8217;s Happening In the Retail World?
Target (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) took the cautionary lead, reducing its full-year earnings estimate to $7.00–$9.00 a share, from an earlier $8.80–$8.90. The firm <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45540759/target-stock-slips-as-q1-earnings-miss-estimates-fy2025-outlook-cut-amid-slowing-sales">fell short of the top- and bottom-line estimates </a>with sales of $23.85 billion that missed the consensus and decreased by 2.79% YoY. Management attributed the marked decline in discretionary spending and the more conservative U.S. consumer. The company stock was down 5.2% on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Lowe's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LOW#NYSE">LOW</a>) narrowly beat earnings expectations with $2.92 per share but posted a 2.03% YOY <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45548489/jpms-take-on-lowes-mixed-q1-highlights-weather-headwinds-and-gross-margin-strength">decline in revenue</a>. The retailer maintained its full-year guidance, signaling steady, if uninspiring, confidence. Its message echoed Target's: high interest rates and economic uncertainty are reshaping consumer priorities. LOW was down 1.7% on Wednesday.
TJX Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TJX#NYSE">TJX</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45540766/tjx-boosts-q1-sales-with-more-shoppers-says-tariffs-wont-hurt-2026-outlook">stood firm on its perspective</a>, subject to existing tariff rates not changing. That position, though, did little to support shares, which declined 2.8% in tandem with peers. Walmart and Home Depot, in prior comments, emphasized the pricing squeeze of fresh tariffs, with Walmart cautioning for potential increases while Home Depot vowed to cover costs.
Tariffs, Yields, And The Retailer&#8217;s Dilemma
The macro backdrop is compounding retail headwinds. The 10-year Treasury yield climbed toward 4.6% and the 30-year breached 5% after a lackluster $16 billion auction in 20-year bonds, stoking fears of a higher-for-longer rate regime. With borrowing costs elevated, big-ticket purchases and home improvement projects are being shelved, a scenario confirmed by Lowe's soft revenue.
Tariffs are the other elephant in the shopping aisle. Retailers facing Chinese imports are rethinking pricing and supply chain strategies, but consumers have only so much tolerance for higher prices. Walmart&#8217;s caution is in stark contrast with Target&#8217;s vow to keep increases in check, a risk that could strain margins.
A Sector In Search Of A Spark
Retail ETFs continue to be a gauge of consumer spending and attitudes. The prevailing story—declining foot traffic, lagging discretionary sales, and economic conservatism—supports the view that funds such as XRT and RTH could be stuck in their ranges or lag unless attitudes shift or there are earnings surprises.
The bright spots? Retailers doubling down on digital tools, delivery innovation, and loyalty perks may insulate themselves from broader weakness. Investors should watch for ETF managers rebalancing exposure toward more resilient names—especially those boosting digital margins or catering to professional buyers, as Lowe's is attempting.
With warning lights flashing on the U.S. consumer horizon, retail ETFs are taking a hit. Investors would be wise to follow not only earnings, but forward guidance and how retailers are responding. In a more discerning market than ever, the right retail exposure may be the difference-maker.
Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45550710/investors-ditch-us-stocks-as-international-etfs-hit-52-week-highs-heres-whats-driving-the-portfolio-pivot">Investors Ditch US Stocks As International ETFs Hit 52-Week Highs, Here&#8217;s What&#8217;s Driving The Portfolio Pivot</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Aksana Mestnaya/Shutterstock

Sector ETFs

CHWY

IBUY

ONLN

Merrill Lynch Retail HOLDRS Trust due 12/31/41

Retail ETFs Rattle As Tariffs, Yields, Consumer Caution Pressure Big-Box Stocks

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with WMT, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 10 uncommon options trades for Walmart.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 40% bullish and 60%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 4 are puts, for a total amount of $190,392, and 6 are calls, for a total amount of $315,840.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $40.0 and $105.0 for Walmart, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Walmart stands at 1897.33, with a total volume reaching 1,253.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Walmart, situated within the strike price corridor from $40.0 to $105.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Walmart Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1747850648_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>WMT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$10.95</td>
<td>$10.8</td>
<td>$10.8</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$127.4K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
<td align="right">120</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$47.9</td>
<td>$46.3</td>
<td>$47.9</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$71.8K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
<td align="right">15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$5.25</td>
<td>$5.1</td>
<td>$5.1</td>
<td>$87.50</td>
<td>$62.2K</td>
<td>969</td>
<td align="right">122</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/13/25</td>
<td>$2.36</td>
<td>$2.13</td>
<td>$2.36</td>
<td>$97.00</td>
<td>$47.2K</td>
<td>104</td>
<td align="right">200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/15/25</td>
<td>$3.25</td>
<td>$3.2</td>
<td>$3.2</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$43.5K</td>
<td>5.7K</td>
<td align="right">203</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Walmart</h3>
Walmart is a leading retailer in the United States, with its strategy predicated on superior operating efficiency and offering the lowest priced goods to consumers to drive robust store traffic and product turnover. Walmart augmented its low-price business strategy by offering a convenient one-stop shopping destination with the opening of its first supercenter in 1988.Today, Walmart operates over 4,600 stores in the United States (5,200 including Sam's Club) and over 10,000 locations globally. Walmart generated over $460 billion in domestic namesake sales in fiscal 2025, with Sam's Club contributing another $90 billion to the company's top line. Internationally, Walmart generated $120 billion in sales. The retailer serves around 270 million customers globally each week.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Walmart, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Walmart's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 8,960,780, the price of WMT is down by -1.49%, reaching $96.34.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 85 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Walmart</h3>
5 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $109.0.
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&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Truist Securities keeps a Buy rating on Walmart with a target price of $107. 
&#x2A; An analyst from RBC Capital downgraded its action to Outperform with a price target of $102. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Truist Securities has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Walmart, which currently sits at a price target of $111. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Telsey Advisory Group keeps a Outperform rating on Walmart with a target price of $115. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Baird keeps a Outperform rating on Walmart with a target price of $110. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Walmart with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Options

A Closer Look at Walmart's Options Market Dynamics

It was reported on May 20, that Walton Family Holdings Trust, 10% Owner at Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) executed a significant insider sell, according to an SEC filing.
What Happened: According to a Form 4 filing with the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000104169/000112760225015072//Archives/edgar/data/104169/000112760225015072/0001127602-25-015072-index.htm">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</a> on Tuesday, Trust sold 7,563,945 shares of Walmart. The total transaction value is $740,914,939.
Walmart shares are trading down 0.58% at $97.23 at the time of this writing on Wednesday morning.
<h3>Discovering Walmart: A Closer Look</h3>
Walmart is a leading retailer in the United States, with its strategy predicated on superior operating efficiency and offering the lowest priced goods to consumers to drive robust store traffic and product turnover. Walmart augmented its low-price business strategy by offering a convenient one-stop shopping destination with the opening of its first supercenter in 1988.Today, Walmart operates over 4,600 stores in the United States (5,200 including Sam's Club) and over 10,000 locations globally. Walmart generated over $460 billion in domestic namesake sales in fiscal 2025, with Sam's Club contributing another $90 billion to the company's top line. Internationally, Walmart generated $120 billion in sales. The retailer serves around 270 million customers globally each week.
<h3>A Deep Dive into Walmart's Financials</h3>
Decline in Revenue: Over the 3 months period, Walmart faced challenges, resulting in a decline of approximately -8.28% in revenue growth as of 30 April, 2025. This signifies a reduction in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Consumer Staples sector.
Holistic Profitability Examination:
<ul>
<li>
Gross Margin: Achieving a high gross margin of 24.94%, the company performs well in terms of cost management and profitability within its sector.
</li>
<li>
Earnings per Share (EPS): Walmart's EPS reflects a decline, falling below the industry average with a current EPS of 0.56.
</li>
</ul>
Debt Management: With a below-average debt-to-equity ratio of 0.8, Walmart adopts a prudent financial strategy, indicating a balanced approach to debt management.
Insights into Valuation Metrics:
<ul>
<li>
Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: Walmart's stock is currently priced at a premium level, as reflected in the higher-than-average P/E ratio of 41.79.
</li>
<li>
Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: With a higher-than-average P/S ratio of 1.15, Walmart's stock is perceived as being overvalued in the market, particularly in relation to sales performance.
</li>
<li>
EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation &amp; Amortization): Walmart's EV/EBITDA ratio, surpassing industry averages at 20.43, positions it with an above-average valuation in the market.
</li>
</ul>
Market Capitalization: Boasting an elevated market capitalization, the company surpasses industry averages. This signals substantial size and strong market recognition.
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<h3>The Impact of Insider Transactions on Investments</h3>
Insider transactions are not the sole determinant of investment choices, but they are a factor worth considering.
When discussing legal matters, the term "insider" refers to any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities, as stipulated in Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This includes executives in the c-suite and significant hedge funds. Such insiders are required to report their transactions through a Form 4 filing, which must be completed within two business days of the transaction.
A new purchase by a company insider is a indication that they anticipate the stock will rise.
On the other hand, insider sells may not necessarily indicate a bearish view and can be motivated by various factors.
<h3>Transaction Codes To Focus On</h3>
Delving into transactions, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/investing-tools">investors</a> typically prioritize those unfolding in the open market, as precisely outlined in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 indicates a purchase, while S signifies a sale. Transaction code C signals the conversion of an option, and transaction code A denotes a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/search/index?company_cik=0000104169">Check Out The Full List Of Walmart's Insider Trades.</a>
Insider Buying Alert: Profit from C-Suite Moves
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Insider Trades

Insider Decision: Walton Family Holdings Trust Offloads $740.91M Worth Of Walmart Stock

Amid the ongoing tariff dispute between President Donald Trump and Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), the retail giant has responded to the potential impact of these tariffs on consumer prices.
What Happened: The President took to social media to chastise Walmart for suggesting that his administration&#8217;s tariffs would lead to increased prices for consumers. In a post on Truth Social on May 17, Trump insisted that Walmart should &#8220;Eat The Tariffs&#8221; rather than passing the cost onto consumers.
Walmart responded to Trump&#8217;s criticisms on May 20, with spokesperson Joe Pennington <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/05/20/walmart-response-trump-tariffs-directive/83742350007/">telling </a>USA Today, &#8220;We&nbsp;have always worked to keep&nbsp;our prices as low as&nbsp;possible and we won&#8217;t stop.&#8221; He added, &#8220;We'll keep prices as low as we can for as long as we can given the reality of small retail margins."
SEE ALSO: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45533976/mr-wonderful-kevin-o-leary-says-elizabeth-warren-taking-an-un-american-position-by-challen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mr Wonderful Kevin O&#8217;Leary Says Elizabeth Warren Taking An &#8216;Un American&#8217; Position By Challenging Crypto Law: &#8216;Bill Has Nothing To Do With Trump&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: This dispute follows Walmart&#8217;s warning about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45484675/trumps-tariff-challenge-amid-rising-price-concerns-president-tells-walmart-to-eat-the-tariffs">potential </a>price hikes due to tariffs, as reported. The President&#8217;s directive to Walmart sparked a backlash, with economist Peter Schiff criticizing the economic logic of Trump&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45530403/peter-schiff-slams-trumps-eat-the-tariffs-message-to-walmart-he-might-as-well-ask-it-to-eat-rent-wag">stance </a>in a post on X on Tuesday.
The tariff uncertainty comes amid a mixed first-quarter results <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/earnings-beats/25/05/45472271/walmart-growth-prospects-remain-solid-but-tariff-uncertainty-lingers-analysts-say">report from</a> Walmart. Walmart CFO John David Rainey expressed concern in a May 15 CNBC interview that proposed tariffs would significantly impact retailers, suppliers and ultimately consumers. Prices are expected to increase later this month and into June, especially for electronics, toys and food. 
Walmart President Douglas McMillon stated that the company aims to keep food prices low, but tariffs on countries like Costa Rica, Peru and Colombia are driving up costs for imported goods such as bananas, avocados, coffee and roses.
Benzinga's Edge Rankings place Walmart in the 92nd percentile for momentum and the 83rd percentile for growth, reflecting its strong performance in both areas. Check the detailed report <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WMT">here</a>.&nbsp;
Over the past month, Walmart climbed 5.83%. 
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<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45535142/jamie-dimon-who-flagged-trouble-before-2008-lehman-brothers-collapse-now-warns-sp-earnings-could" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jamie Dimon, Who Flagged Trouble Before 2008 Lehman Brothers Collapse, Now Warns S&amp;P Earnings Could Fall To 0%: &#8216;Rougher Time For Markets,&#8217; Says Dan Niles</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Walmart Responds To Trump's 'Eat The Tariff' Remark: '...Worked To Keep Our Prices As Low As Possible And We Won't Stop'

Fox News co-host Jessica Tarlov was openly critical last week when reacting to news that Walmart will raise prices because of President Donald Trump's tariffs. "It's going to get worse before it gets better (if it does). A completely man-made crisis," she <a href="https://x.com/JessicaTarlov/status/1923029831584776678">posted on X</a> on Thursday.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Retail Giants Warn of Price Hikes, Supply Problems</h2>
Top executives from Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), Target (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) and Home Depot (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HD#NYSE">HD</a>) met with Trump in April and issued a direct warning: his tariffs could result in higher prices and even empty shelves. "Shelves will be empty," one <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45404626/walmart-target-home-depot-ceos-tell-trump-prices-will-rise-shelves-will-be-empty-if-tariffs-persist">executive reportedly told him</a>. They explained that while prices hadn't yet spiked, they soon would if tariffs remained in place.
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After facing growing pressure, the U.S. and China struck a temporary deal to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45367206/sp-500-rallies-over-3-on-us-china-90-day-tariff-truce-but-experts-warn-it-doesnt-guarantee-a-complete-resolution-of-the-trade-war">ease tariffs for 90 days starting on May 12</a>. Still, the damage was already being felt. "We will do our best to keep our prices as low as possible. But given the magnitude of the tariffs, even at the reduced levels announced this week, we aren't able to absorb all the pressure given the reality of narrow retail margin," Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said during an <a href="https://corporate.walmart.com/content/dam/corporate/documents/newsroom/2025/05/15/walmart-releases-q1-fy26-earnings/q1-fy26-earnings-call-transcript.pdf">earnings call</a> on May 15.
He added that the increases will hit imported goods hardest—items like electronics, toys and seasonal back-to-school supplies. Some food products like bananas, avocados and coffee may also get more expensive.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Retailers Brace For Impact</h2>
Walmart declined to provide profit guidance for the next quarter, citing uncertainty around the tariffs. However, it kept its full-year forecast intact, expecting <a href="https://corporate.walmart.com/content/dam/corporate/documents/newsroom/2025/05/15/walmart-releases-q1-fy26-earnings/q1-fy26-earnings-call-transcript.pdf">3.5% to 4.5%</a> annual sales growth.
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Walmart&#8217;s warnings have ripple effects across the retail sector. The company is often seen as a bellwether, and its decision to raise prices suggests that competitors may soon follow. "If Walmart is raising prices, it certainly means that other retailers are going to be raising prices as well," Justin McAuliffe, a research analyst at Gabelli Funds, told <a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/15/walmart-store-prices-trump-tariffs">Axios</a>.
Economists warn that the tariffs&#8217; full impact hasn&#8217;t been felt yet. April inflation remained steady, but U.S. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/45098824/tariffs-hit-hard-as-us-economy-shrinks-for-first-time-since-2022">GDP shrank by 0.3% in the first quarter</a>—the first decline in three years. Consumer sentiment also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45470155/consumer-sentiment-crashes-to-5-year-lows-as-inflation-fears-reach-1981-levels">dropped to 50.8</a>, the lowest since June 2020.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45459474/sounds-familiar-mohamed-el-erian-calls-out-powells-deja-vu-on-supply-shocks-economist-draws-historic-parallels-on-fed-chairs-latest-message">addressed the broader concerns</a>, noting on Thursday that the economy may face "more frequent, and potentially more persistent, supply shocks" due to shifting trade policies.
For now, Walmart says it will try to shield food prices from further hikes. "Food prices in the US have gone up in recent years and our customers have been feeling that all along," McMillon said during the earnings call. "We won&#8217;t let tariff-related cost pressure on some general merchandise items put pressure on food prices."
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'A Completely Man-Made Crisis'—Fox News Host Comments On Walmart's Price Hikes Due To Trump's Tariffs

Target Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) could provide a gauge for consumer spending and the impact of tariffs when the company reports its first-quarter financial results before the market opens<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings"> Wednesday.</a>
Here are the earnings estimates, what analysts are saying ahead of the report and key items to watch.
Earnings Estimates: Analysts expect Target to report first-quarter revenue of $24.32 billion, down from $24.53 billion in last year's first quarter, according to data<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0520"> from Benzinga Pro.</a>
The company beat analyst estimates for revenue in the fourth quarter and has beaten analyst estimates in seven of the last 10 quarters.
Analysts expect the company to report first-quarter earnings per share of $1.65, down from $2.03 in last year's first quarter. The company beat analyst estimates in the fourth quarter and has beaten them in seven of the last 10 quarters overall.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45516206/target-how-to-earn-500-a-month-from-stock-ahead-of-q1-earnings">How To Earn $500 A Month From Target Stock Ahead Of Q1 Earnings</a>
What Analysts Are Saying: Analysts have been lowering their price targets ahead of the quarterly financial results.
Telsey Advisory Group analyst Joseph Feldman reiterated an Outperform rating on Target and lowered the price target from $145 to $130 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/05/45474952/analyst-lowers-target-q1-forecast-amid-spending-slump-rising-consumer-tariffs">ahead of the report.</a>
The analyst said Target&#8217;s quarterly report could show weaker consumer spending, particularly in areas like general merchandise and discretionary items.
Feldman also cautioned about rising costs due to promotions, increased labor costs, higher-tech investments, and the impact of tariffs.
The analyst said Target gets around 50% of its cost of goods sold from within the United States, with around 30% from China. Target could use items like vendor negotiations, sourcing diversification and price increases to offset the tariff impact, he said.
Here are other recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TGT/analyst-ratings">analyst ratings on Target</a> and their price targets:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Barclays: Maintained Equal-Weight rating, lowered price target from $140 to $102</li>
<li>Citigroup: Maintained Neutral rating, increased price target from $95 to $97</li>
<li>Piper Sandler: Maintained Neutral rating, lowered price target from $124 to $105</li>
<li>Bernstein: Downgraded stock from Market Perform to Underperform, lowered price target from $97 to $82</li>
<li>JPMorgan: Maintained Neutral rating, lowered price target from $120 to $95</li>
</ul>
Key Items to Watch: Tariffs remain one of the key items investors and analysts will be watching in Target's report and commentary. The report comes days after retail peer Walmart Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>)<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45436534/walmart-doesnt-alter-annual-outlook-yet-ceo-says-all-tariffs-create-cost-pressures-but-china-has-biggest-impact"> reported earnings per share</a> that beat analyst estimates and sales that missed estimates.
Walmart said that price increases were coming soon to offset the impact of tariffs, a comment <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45484675/trumps-tariff-challenge-amid-rising-price-concerns-president-tells-walmart-to-eat-the-tariffs">that upset</a> President Donald Trump.
Target was one of several companies whose CEOs <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44920573/ceos-of-walmart-target-home-depot-meet-trump-to-push-back-on-tariffs-impacting-consumer-prices">met with Trump</a> to discuss the tariff impacts and potential for empty shelves for consumers.
After Walmart was pressured for its comments about increasing prices to offset tariffs, Target could be faced with the tough choice of upsetting Trump by raising prices or finding other ways to offset costs.
Target reported sales down 3.1% in the fourth quarter, with comparable sales up 1.5%. Based on a Placer.ai report, the company could be in for another down sales quarter.
The report said Target visits were down 4.1% in the first quarter, compared to a 2.4% drop for Walmart. Both figures are based on a year-over-year basis. Target&#8217;s visits were up 3.5% year-over-year in January, with declines of 9.1% and 6.5% in February and March.
In April, Target visits were down 3.3% year-over-year, compared to a 4.5% gain for Walmart.
The company trailed Walmart's year-over-year performance in each of the months except for January.
Target's previous guidance called for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44106754/targets-q4-earnings-beat-estimates-warns-consumer-uncertainty-impact-in-q1-profits">full-year sales growth</a> of 1% with comparable sales flat. The company warned that the first quarter could experience year-over-year profit challenges due to tariffs, the timing of expenses and consumer uncertainty.
Investors and analysts will be watching to see if Target maintains its full-year guidance or pulls back due to a weak quarter and/or more uncertainty ahead.
TGT Price Action: Target stock was up 0.3% to $98.29 on Tuesday, versus a 52-week trading range of $87.35 to $167.40. However, it is down 28% year-to-date in 2025 and over 37% in the last year.
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Photo: Shutterstock

Previews

Reiteration

Target Q1 Earnings Preview: Will The Company Blame Tariffs, Price Increases After Trump Scolded Walmart?

&#8220;Shark Tank&#8221; investor Kevin O&#8217;Leary rejected President Donald Trump&#8217;s suggestion that retailers should absorb the costs of tariffs rather than passing them onto consumers, highlighting growing tensions between the administration and major retailers over trade policy implementation.
What Happened: O&#8217;Leary directly challenged Trump&#8217;s demand that retailers like Walmart should bear the financial burden of tariffs. &#8220;This idea that the president says, &#8216;Listen, retailers, eat the tariffs.&#8217; That&#8217;s not going to happen,&#8221; O&#8217;Leary said in an <a href="https://thehill.com/business/5308558-kevin-oleary-on-trump-walmart-retailers-tariffs/">interview</a> on NewsNation&#8217;s &#8220;The Hill.&#8221;
The investor predicted that the cost increases would be shared between consumers and retailers, though he noted the uncertainty around specific tariff rates pending future negotiations. &#8220;There&#8217;s going to be some distribution of the pain between increased prices, and retailers will take some of the hit, but it really depends what the hit is,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;We don&#8217;t know. Is it 10%? 20%? 25%? What is it? Nobody knows.&#8221;
O&#8217;Leary characterized the situation as &#8220;jawboning between the retailer and Trump,&#8221; suggesting that &#8220;we&#8217;re at the beginning of a negotiation.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45511929/coinbase-ceo-brian-armstrong-hails-huge-win-as-genius-act-advances-with-bipartisan-senate-support">Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Hails &#8216;Huge Win&#8217; As GENIUS Act Advances With Bipartisan Senate Support</a>
Why It Matters: The comments came after Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) announced plans to raise prices on imported goods, prompting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45484675/trumps-tariff-challenge-amid-rising-price-concerns-president-tells-walmart-to-eat-the-tariffs">Trump to respond on Truth Social</a>: &#8220;Walmart should stop trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain. Walmart made billions of dollars last year, far more than expected.&#8221; Trump added, &#8220;Between Walmart and China, they should, as is said, &#8216;eat the tariffs,&#8217; and not charge valued customers anything.&#8221;
The clash represents a significant shift in O&#8217;Leary&#8217;s stance, as he previously advocated for even more aggressive trade actions against China. In April, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45443149/enough-is-enough-kevin-oleary-pushes-for-400-tariffs-in-cnn-debate-with-ross-gerber-get-ready-for-the-fight-of-your-life">O&#8217;Leary demanded a 400% tariff on Chinese imports</a> during a CNN appearance, saying, &#8220;Let&#8217;s just level the playing field. The [Chinese] government cheats, steals, robs, and does not play by any rules. I don&#8217;t think 125% is enough—400%!&#8221;
Economic indicators suggest mounting costs from the trade conflict. According to a Yale Budget Lab study tariffs implemented in 2025 have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45443149/enough-is-enough-kevin-oleary-pushes-for-400-tariffs-in-cnn-debate-with-ross-gerber-get-ready-for-the-fight-of-your-life">already led to a 2.3% spike in consumer prices</a>—amounting to an average $3,800 loss per household. Additionally, U.S. GDP shrank by 0.3% in the first quarter.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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Macro Economic Events

Retail Sales

Economics

Kevin O'Leary Pushes Back On Trump's Call For Retailers To 'Eat The Tariffs': 'That's Not Going To Happen' — Warns Of Shared Pain As Walmart Raises Prices

A professor from the Wharton Business School has suggested that tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump are likely to continue despite political opposition.
What Happened: Professor Joao Gomes of the Wharton Business School, in a <a href="https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/podcast/wharton-business-daily-podcast/the-trade-war-playbook-tariffs-uncertainty-and-u-s-economic-policy/">podcast, </a>The Trade War Playbook: Tariffs, Uncertainty, and U.S. Economic Policy, stated that both Democrats and Republicans are likely to support tariffs due to their potential to generate revenue.
&#8220;I&nbsp;think the end game is&nbsp;some tariffs are here to&nbsp;stay,&#8221; Gomes said, adding that they are &#8220;addictive for every country in&nbsp;the world.&#8221; He further suggested that the nature and extent of these tariffs are uncertain but they are &#8220;definitely not a thing of&nbsp;the past.&#8221;
"The truth is governments need revenues and once you see the amount of revenue the tariffs bring, I think Democrats will be addicted to them as Republicans—or are as likely to be,"&nbsp;explained Professor Gomes.
While the British government has secured a &#8216;first mover&#8217;&nbsp;deal with the Trump administration, Gomes stated that the number of such deals to be made remains uncertain.
SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45489390/crypto-traders-who-secured-a-dinner-with-donald-trump-walked-away-with-major-profits-says-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crypto Traders Who Secured A Dinner With Donald Trump Walked Away With Major Profits, Says Analysis</a>
Why It Matters: Analysts are now exploring the potential for targeted tariffs on particular industries or products. In a recent note, UBS Group AG indicated that such measures could be implemented as soon as this summer, following trade investigations into key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, lumber, copper, and semiconductors.
Trump&#8217;s steep tariffs on countries have received widespread criticism from Democrats and major economists. On Monday,  JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) CEO Jamie Dimon cautioned the market <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/05/45508514/jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-warns-huge-deficits-complacent-central-banks-could-lead-to-stagflation">about </a>displaying an &#8220;extraordinary amount of complacency&#8221; amid the risks posed by tariffs, record U.S. deficits and geopolitical tensions.
However, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dismissed concerns over the inflationary impact of tariffs on companies such as Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>). Meanwhile, former PIMCO CEO and current Allianz's chief economic adviser, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45491438/mohamed-el-erian-says-era-of-us-exceptionalism-is-paused-but-not-over-yet-too-early-to-say-if-the-damage-inflicted-is-irreversible">Mohamed El-Erian</a>, has suggested that the era of U.S. exceptionalism is on pause due to tariff wars and economic uncertainty, but it&#8217;s not over. He believes it&#8217;s too early to say if the damage inflicted is irreversible.
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Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

'Addictive' Trump Tariffs Are 'Here To Stay' Even If Democrats Come Back To Power, Says Wharton Professor: 'The Truth Is Governments Need Revenues'

Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), is not holding back in his criticism of President Donald Trump over rising consumer prices, placing blame squarely on the latter&#8217;s tariff policies.
What Happened: On Monday, in a post on X, Schumer called out Trump for &#8220;trying to bully&#8221; Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) for being transparent about price increases resulting from the tariffs.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/05/45508514/jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-warns-huge-deficits-complacent-central-banks-could-lead-to-stagflation">JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon Warns &#8216;Huge Deficits,&#8217; &#8216;Complacent Central Banks&#8217; Could Lead To Stagflation</a>
The Democratic leader believes Trump is targeting businesses to deflect attention from the consequences of his trade policies. &#8220;Trump can try to blame businesses,&#8221; he said, &#8220;but he [Trump] can't escape the economic realities of his own trade war.&#8221;
Schumer says &#8220;he [Trump] made this mess,&#8221; and it was Trump, and not Walmart, who is responsible for &#8220;sending prices up&#8221; in recent months.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Trump is now trying to bully Walmart for being transparent about raising prices due to Trump&#39;s tariffs. Trump can try to blame businesses, but he can't escape the economic realities of his own trade war. He made this mess. He&#39;s sending prices up. <a href="https://t.co/b1zhdJBK6b">pic.twitter.com/b1zhdJBK6b</a>
&mdash; Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenSchumer/status/1924615261564334444?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: This comes just days after Trump posted on Truth Social, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45484675/trumps-tariff-challenge-amid-rising-price-concerns-president-tells-walmart-to-eat-the-tariffs">urging Walmart</a> to &#8220;Eat The Tariffs,&#8221; instead of passing on the costs to its consumers
Others, such as economist Peter Schiff, have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45486985/peter-schiff-slams-trumps-tariff-logic-higher-prices-are-necessary-to-shrink-trade-deficit">expressed similar views</a>, calling out the lack of logic in Trump&#8217;s arguments. &#8220;If the goal of tariffs is to reduce our trade deficit, the only way that will happen is if Walmart and other importers raise their prices,&#8221; he said.
The CEOs of Walmart, Target Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) and Home Depot Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HD#NYSE">HD</a>) told Trump during a meeting at the Oval Office last month that &#8220;the shelves will be empty&#8221; if the <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/05/45404626/walmart-target-home-depot-ceos-tell-trump-prices-will-rise-shelves-will-be-empty-if-tariffs-persist">tariffs continue to persist</a>.
&#8220;The big box CEOs flat out told him [Trump] the prices aren't going up; they're steady right now, but they will go up,&#8221; one leading administration official said. 
Price Action: Walmart shares were down 0.12% on Monday, trading at $98.12, and are down 0.11% in after-hours trading. 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="131" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19215753/Screenshot-2025-05-20-at-7.27.37-AM-1024x131.png" alt="" class="wp-image-920513" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19215753/Screenshot-2025-05-20-at-7.27.37-AM-1024x131.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19215753/Screenshot-2025-05-20-at-7.27.37-AM-300x38.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19215753/Screenshot-2025-05-20-at-7.27.37-AM-768x98.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19215753/Screenshot-2025-05-20-at-7.27.37-AM-1536x196.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19215753/Screenshot-2025-05-20-at-7.27.37-AM.png 1616w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Walmart shares show a favorable price trend in the short, medium, and long-term, according to Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings. Take a look at some deeper metrics and figures <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">here</a>. 
Photo Courtesy: Bumble Dee On Shutterstock.com
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Chuck Schumer Slams Trump Over Rising Prices, Says Walmart's Transparency Exposes 'Economic Reality' of Tariffs: 'He Made This Mess'

Economist Peter Schiff is once again calling out President Donald Trump&#8217;s logic on trade and tariffs, arguing that the economic logic behind this stance does not hold up.
What Happened: On Saturday, Schiff posted on X in response to Trump&#8217;s warning to Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) not to increase prices due to the tariffs imposed by his administration.
Trump suggested that companies like Walmart should absorb the cost increases rather than pass them on to consumers. Schiff pushed back, saying, &#8220;Trump said Walmart should eat the tariffs. He might as well tell Walmart to eat its rent, wages, insurance, utilities, and all of its other costs too.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45486508/scott-bessent-signals-liberation-day-2-0-coming-if-countries-dont-sign-trade-deals-president-trump-has-put-them-on-notice">Scott Bessent Signals Liberation Day 2.0 Coming If Countries Don&#8217;t Sign Trade Deals: &#8216;President Trump Has Put Them On Notice&#8217;</a>
Schiff, a long-time critic of protectionist trade policies, argued that higher consumer prices aren't a side effect of tariffs but a necessary feature of how they work. &#8220;If the goal of tariffs is to reduce our trade deficit, the only way that will happen is if Walmart and other importers raise their prices,&#8221; he said.
He added, &#8220;It's higher prices that will cause consumers to buy fewer imports, thus reducing the size of our trade deficits.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Trump warned Walmart not to increase prices because his tariffs increased the cost of their imports. Trump said Walmart should eat the tariffs. He might as well tell Walmart to eat its rent, wages, insurance, utilities, and all of its other costs too. Ironically, if the goal of…
&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1923795892009586741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Why It Matters: Several other eminent intellectuals have echoed similar concerns in recent weeks. Economist Justin Wolfers recently called <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/04/45091467/trump-can-either-have-his-cake-or-eat-it-economist-justin-wolfers-calls-out-presidents-fundamental-incoherence-on-trade-deals-and-tariffs">Trump's tariff stance</a> &#8220;fundamentally incoherent,&#8221; pointing to shifting goalposts and an apparent attempt to have it both ways on taxes and trade policy.
Schiff has been a vocal critic of the tariffs for months, having said recently that the tariffs put &#8220;American Last&#8221; for investors, while <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44781938/trump-tariffs-have-put-america-last-for-investors-peter-schiff-warns-of-a-financial-crisis-worse-than-2008">warning of a financial crisis</a> worse than 2008, if they remained. 
Last week, Schiff warned that the only way to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45404821/dollar-correction-imminent-sans-tariffs-to-reduce-the-us-trade-deficit-says-peter-schiff-minor-decline-would-make-trade-deficit-larger">cut the U.S. trade deficit</a> is via either a significant decline in the value of the dollar or high tariffs, both of which will result in high inflation. 
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned on Friday, during an interview with NBC's&nbsp;Meet the Press with Kristen Welker, that he had spoken to Walmart&#8217;s CEO, Carl McMillon, and said that the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45484954/treasury-secretary-bessent-addresses-moodys-downgrade-and-tariff-impact-n-walmart">retailer will absorb</a> some of the impacts from the tariffs, as it had done in prior inflationary periods.
&#8220;Walmart is, in fact, going to, as you describe it, eat some of the tariffs just as they did in '18, '19 and '20,&#8221; Bessent said.
Price Action: Walmart&#8217;s shares were up 1.96% on Friday, at $98.24, they are currently down 1.07% after hours, following Trump&#8217;s post over the weekend.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="131" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19015531/Screenshot-2025-05-19-at-11.25.17-AM-1024x131.png" alt="" class="wp-image-919230" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19015531/Screenshot-2025-05-19-at-11.25.17-AM-1024x131.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19015531/Screenshot-2025-05-19-at-11.25.17-AM-300x38.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19015531/Screenshot-2025-05-19-at-11.25.17-AM-768x98.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19015531/Screenshot-2025-05-19-at-11.25.17-AM-1536x196.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19015531/Screenshot-2025-05-19-at-11.25.17-AM.png 1614w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
According to Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings, Walmart scores in the 90th percentile on Momentum and 80% percentile on quality. It also has a favorable price trend in the short, medium, and long terms. You can take a look at more deeper insights <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">here</a>.
Photo Courtesy: Lightspring on Shutterstock.com
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Peter Schiff Slams Trump's 'Eat The Tariffs' Message To Walmart: He Might As Well Ask It To Eat 'Rent, Wages, Insurance…'

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has issued a fresh warning to the U.S.&#8217;s biggest trading partners, global markets, and economies on trade and tariffs.
What Happened: On Sunday, Bessent warned that U.S. tariffs could soon snap back to their &#8220;reciprocal&#8221; levels seen during &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; if countries fail to strike trade agreements within the current 90-day window, while speaking at CNN&#8217;s State of the Union with Jake Tapper. 
&#8220;President Trump has put them on notice that if you do not negotiate in good faith, you will ratchet back up to your April 2 level,&#8221; Bessent said, referring to America&#8217;s 18 most important trading partners, which the administration is currently focused on.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45486452/jim-cramer-recalls-2011s-6-7-market-decline-after-us-debt-downgrade-says-it-ultimately-meant-nothing-dan-niles-sees-limited-downside-amid-tariff-rollbacks-fomo">Jim Cramer Recalls 2011&#8217;s 6.7% Market Decline After US Debt Downgrade, Says It &#8216;Ultimately Meant Nothing:&#8217; Dan Niles Sees Limited Downside Amid Tariff Rollbacks, FOMO</a>
For smaller trading partners, Bessent said the administration may pursue regional agreements. &#8220;We will do a lot of regional deals,&#8221; he said. &#8220;This is the rate for Central America, this is the rate for this part of Africa.&#8221;
When asked about the impact of unpredictable tariff policy on American businesses, Bessent described the White House strategy as one of &#8220;strategic uncertainty,&#8221; adding that &#8220;If we were to give too much certainty to the other countries, then they would play us in the negotiations.&#8221;
Bessent also addressed criticism from companies like Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), which warned of rising consumer prices. &#8220;Walmart will be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45484675/trumps-tariff-challenge-amid-rising-price-concerns-president-tells-walmart-to-eat-the-tariffs">absorbing some of the tariffs</a>,&#8221; he said, adding that &#8220;some may get passed on to consumers.&#8221;
Why It Matters: This comes amid tariffs pushing Walmart and Target Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) toy suppliers to the <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45342977/trumps-tariffs-reportedly-push-walmart-and-target-toy-suppliers-to-the-brink-of-closure-if-nothing-changes-well-be-crippled">brink of closure</a> in recent weeks.
On Saturday, President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45484675/trumps-tariff-challenge-amid-rising-price-concerns-president-tells-walmart-to-eat-the-tariffs">posted on Truth Social</a>, asking Walmart to &#8220;eat the tariffs,&#8221; in response to the company&#8217;s warnings of tariff-related price hikes.
Trump also said last week that tariff revenues could <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/05/45447473/trump-says-tariff-money-could-replace-the-income-tax-april-customs-collections-hit-record-15-4-billion-as-new-duties-take-effect">replace income taxes</a>, with April customs collections hitting $15.4 billion. 
However, several economists and policy experts, such as former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, have claimed that it was Trump who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45365521/larry-summers-says-trump-blinked-on-china-tariffs-sometimes-its-good-to-blink-as-markets-breathe-a-sigh-of-relief">blinked on the tariffs</a>. 
&#8220;Whenever the commitment to the Liberation Day policies increases, markets go down. Whenever there's signs of backing off, markets go up,&#8221; Summers said, clearly highlighting that tariffs aren&#8217;t good for the markets.
Shutterstock/Maxim Elramsisy
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Scott Bessent Signals Liberation Day 2.0 Coming If Countries Don't Sign Trade Deals: 'President Trump Has Put Them On Notice'

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