Second US port strike averted as union, employers reach deal
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 09 2025
0mins
Source: Reuters
Tentative Contract Agreement: The International Longshoremen's Association and the United States Maritime Alliance have reached a tentative six-year contract for 45,000 dock workers, avoiding potential strikes that could disrupt supply chains in the U.S.
Impact on Supply Chains: The agreement addresses automation concerns while ensuring job protection and modernization of ports, which is expected to enhance efficiency and stability in ocean shipping for major retailers like Walmart and Target.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy WMT?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on WMT
Wall Street analysts forecast WMT stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for WMT is 125.75 USD with a low forecast of 119.00 USD and a high forecast of 136.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
26 Analyst Rating
25 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 131.180
Low
119.00
Averages
125.75
High
136.00
Current: 131.180
Low
119.00
Averages
125.75
High
136.00
About WMT
Walmart Inc. is a technology-powered omnichannel retailer. The Company is engaged in the operation of retail and wholesale stores and clubs, as well as eCommerce Websites and mobile applications, located throughout the United States (U.S.), Africa, Canada, Central America, Chile, China, India and Mexico. It operates in three reportable segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International and Sam's Club U.S. The Walmart U.S. segment includes the Company's mass merchandising concept in the U.S., as well as eCommerce, which includes omni-channel initiatives and certain other business offerings such as advertising services. The Walmart International segment consists of the Company's operations outside of the U.S. through its subsidiaries, as well as eCommerce and omni-channel initiatives. The Sam's Club U.S. segment includes the warehouse membership clubs in the U.S., as well as samsclub.com and omni-channel initiatives.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Walmart Is Allowing Major Tech Companies to Cover AI Costs. Who Else Stands to Benefit?
- Walmart's AI Strategy: Walmart is not investing heavily in artificial intelligence but is prepared to utilize AI tools developed by major tech companies.
- Collaboration with Big Tech: The retail giant is waiting to implement AI advancements that come from the significant research and development efforts of Big Tech firms.
See More
Consumer Staples Appear Expensive: Explore Clorox and Other High-Yield Stocks with Strong Dividends.
- Market Shift: There is a significant rotation from software stocks to safer investments like consumer staples.
- Investor Sentiment: Investors are concerned that advancements in AI, such as ChatGPT, may negatively impact service-oriented businesses while benefiting manufacturers of household products.
See More
Walmart Reaches $1 Trillion Market Cap Amid Valuation Concerns
- Milestone Achievement: Walmart's market cap has surged by 28% over the past year, reaching $1 trillion, making it one of the few non-tech stocks in this exclusive club, yet this high valuation raises concerns among investors about potential overvaluation.
- Valuation Comparison: Currently, Walmart's P/E ratio stands at 45, significantly higher than its five-year average of 35 and the S&P 500's average of 25, indicating that the market has high expectations for its future growth, which is only at 6%, making such a premium hard to justify.
- Limited Growth Potential: Despite Walmart's expansion in e-commerce and the acquisition of Vizio providing new opportunities for its advertising business, its growth rate remains in the single digits, prompting investors to carefully assess the sustainability of its high valuation.
- Investment Advice: Given Walmart's elevated valuation, analysts recommend avoiding the stock, suggesting that there are other retail investment options available that may offer better long-term returns, despite Walmart's strong business fundamentals.
See More
Kyndryl Shares Plunge 55% Amid Audit Review and Executive Departures
- Kyndryl Stock Plunge: Kyndryl Holdings' shares tumbled 55% following the disclosure of an audit committee review of cash management practices, which not only undermines investor confidence but may also pose greater challenges for future financing and operations.
- Executive Departures Impact: The immediate departure of CFO David Wyshner and General Counsel Edward Sebold indicates potential internal management issues, which could exacerbate market concerns regarding the company's governance structure.
- Cleveland-Cliffs Poor Performance: Cleveland-Cliffs reported a wider-than-expected adjusted EBITDA loss of $21 million, primarily due to weakness in the auto and Canadian markets; although the company anticipates improvements by 2026, it still faces short-term market challenges.
- Valaris Acquisition News: Valaris shares surged 28% after agreeing to be acquired by Transocean for $5.8 billion, with Valaris shareholders set to receive 15.235 shares of Transocean stock for each Valaris share held, reflecting strong demand in the offshore drilling services market.
See More
Market Update: Microsoft Downgrade, Kroger's New CEO Announcement
- Microsoft Downgrade: Melius Research downgraded Microsoft from buy to hold, citing that CEO Satya Nadella has lost the AI narrative and that the stock appears overpriced based on new free cash flow estimates, which may undermine investor confidence.
- Eli Lilly Acquires Orna: Eli Lilly announced the acquisition of biotech firm Orna Therapeutics for up to $2.4 billion, leading to a premarket surge in Eli Lilly and rival Novo Nordisk shares, indicating a positive market response towards biotech investments.
- Kroger's New CEO: Kroger's stock advanced nearly 7% in premarket trading after reports indicated that former Walmart executive Greg Foran will be appointed as the new CEO, having previously led Walmart's U.S. division for six years, suggesting a strategic shift for Kroger.
- Robinhood Upgrade: Wolfe Research upgraded Robinhood from hold to buy, despite the stock's recent decline amid a major cryptocurrency sell-off, as analysts believe its future potential remains strong, which could attract renewed investor interest.
See More
Wall Street Analysts Adjust Ratings
- Analyst Rating Changes: Top Wall Street analysts have adjusted their ratings on several companies, indicating a shift in market sentiment that could influence investor decisions and market trends.
- Upgrades and Downgrades: While specific stock names are not mentioned, such rating changes typically lead to price fluctuations in the affected stocks, prompting investors to closely monitor these adjustments for portfolio optimization.
- Market Reaction Expectations: Analyst rating adjustments may trigger short-term market reactions, especially when investor sentiment is sensitive towards certain stocks, thereby impacting overall market sentiment.
- Information Access Channels: Investors can access a comprehensive view of rating changes through Benzinga's analyst ratings page, enabling them to make more informed investment decisions.
See More
Walmart Is Allowing Major Tech Companies to Cover AI Costs. Who Else Stands to Benefit?
- Walmart's AI Strategy: Walmart is not investing heavily in artificial intelligence but is prepared to utilize AI tools developed by major tech companies.
- Collaboration with Big Tech: The retail giant is waiting to implement AI advancements that come from the significant research and development efforts of Big Tech firms.
See More
Consumer Staples Appear Expensive: Explore Clorox and Other High-Yield Stocks with Strong Dividends.
- Market Shift: There is a significant rotation from software stocks to safer investments like consumer staples.
- Investor Sentiment: Investors are concerned that advancements in AI, such as ChatGPT, may negatively impact service-oriented businesses while benefiting manufacturers of household products.
See More
Walmart Reaches $1 Trillion Market Cap Amid Valuation Concerns
- Milestone Achievement: Walmart's market cap has surged by 28% over the past year, reaching $1 trillion, making it one of the few non-tech stocks in this exclusive club, yet this high valuation raises concerns among investors about potential overvaluation.
- Valuation Comparison: Currently, Walmart's P/E ratio stands at 45, significantly higher than its five-year average of 35 and the S&P 500's average of 25, indicating that the market has high expectations for its future growth, which is only at 6%, making such a premium hard to justify.
- Limited Growth Potential: Despite Walmart's expansion in e-commerce and the acquisition of Vizio providing new opportunities for its advertising business, its growth rate remains in the single digits, prompting investors to carefully assess the sustainability of its high valuation.
- Investment Advice: Given Walmart's elevated valuation, analysts recommend avoiding the stock, suggesting that there are other retail investment options available that may offer better long-term returns, despite Walmart's strong business fundamentals.
See More
Kyndryl Shares Plunge 55% Amid Audit Review and Executive Departures
- Kyndryl Stock Plunge: Kyndryl Holdings' shares tumbled 55% following the disclosure of an audit committee review of cash management practices, which not only undermines investor confidence but may also pose greater challenges for future financing and operations.
- Executive Departures Impact: The immediate departure of CFO David Wyshner and General Counsel Edward Sebold indicates potential internal management issues, which could exacerbate market concerns regarding the company's governance structure.
- Cleveland-Cliffs Poor Performance: Cleveland-Cliffs reported a wider-than-expected adjusted EBITDA loss of $21 million, primarily due to weakness in the auto and Canadian markets; although the company anticipates improvements by 2026, it still faces short-term market challenges.
- Valaris Acquisition News: Valaris shares surged 28% after agreeing to be acquired by Transocean for $5.8 billion, with Valaris shareholders set to receive 15.235 shares of Transocean stock for each Valaris share held, reflecting strong demand in the offshore drilling services market.
See More
Market Update: Microsoft Downgrade, Kroger's New CEO Announcement
- Microsoft Downgrade: Melius Research downgraded Microsoft from buy to hold, citing that CEO Satya Nadella has lost the AI narrative and that the stock appears overpriced based on new free cash flow estimates, which may undermine investor confidence.
- Eli Lilly Acquires Orna: Eli Lilly announced the acquisition of biotech firm Orna Therapeutics for up to $2.4 billion, leading to a premarket surge in Eli Lilly and rival Novo Nordisk shares, indicating a positive market response towards biotech investments.
- Kroger's New CEO: Kroger's stock advanced nearly 7% in premarket trading after reports indicated that former Walmart executive Greg Foran will be appointed as the new CEO, having previously led Walmart's U.S. division for six years, suggesting a strategic shift for Kroger.
- Robinhood Upgrade: Wolfe Research upgraded Robinhood from hold to buy, despite the stock's recent decline amid a major cryptocurrency sell-off, as analysts believe its future potential remains strong, which could attract renewed investor interest.
See More
Wall Street Analysts Adjust Ratings
- Analyst Rating Changes: Top Wall Street analysts have adjusted their ratings on several companies, indicating a shift in market sentiment that could influence investor decisions and market trends.
- Upgrades and Downgrades: While specific stock names are not mentioned, such rating changes typically lead to price fluctuations in the affected stocks, prompting investors to closely monitor these adjustments for portfolio optimization.
- Market Reaction Expectations: Analyst rating adjustments may trigger short-term market reactions, especially when investor sentiment is sensitive towards certain stocks, thereby impacting overall market sentiment.
- Information Access Channels: Investors can access a comprehensive view of rating changes through Benzinga's analyst ratings page, enabling them to make more informed investment decisions.
See More
