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Walmart serves as 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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Goldman Sachs analyst Eric Sheridan attended the 2025 Shoptalk Conference in Las Vegas from March 25 to March 27.
Based on his conversations with companies and industry participants, the analyst shared his key takeaways across <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/e-commerce" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eCommerce, digital advertising</a>, retail, and software:
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43431559/amazon-temu-and-shein-under-eu-scrutiny-regulators-target-illegal-products-and-tougher-e-commerce-rules" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon, Temu, and Shein Under EU Scrutiny, Regulators Target Illegal Products and Tougher E-Commerce Rules</a>
<ul>
<li>Search is evolving to meet rising customer expectations.</li>
<li>The future of eCommerce is conversational and personalized.</li>
<li>Video content is becoming critical from awareness to conversion.</li>
<li>AI is enabling a better brand experience.</li>
<li>Retail media is increasingly a differentiator.</li>
<li>The in-store environment remains an opportunity for retail media dollars ahead.</li>
<li>There are signs of stable demand for digital transformation but less visibility into the second quarter.</li>
</ul>
Sheridan&#8217;s internet picks:
<ul>
<li>Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) Buy with $255 price target</li>
<li>Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Buy with $220 price target</li>
<li>Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) Buy with $765 price target) and </li>
<li>Pinterest, Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PINS#NYSE">PINS</a>) Buy with $47 price target</li>
</ul>
Retail top picks:
<ul>
<li>SharkNinja, Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SN#NYSE">SN</a>) Buy, with a $133 price target</li>
<li>GAP Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GAP#NYSE">GAP</a>) Buy with a $34 price target and </li>
<li>Walmart Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) Buy with $106 1price target.</li>
</ul>
Software picks:
<ul>
<li>Shopify Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHOP#NASDAQ">SHOP</a>) Buy with a $150 price target and </li>
<li>Klaviyo, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KVYO#NYSE">KVYO</a>) Buy with a $51 price target.</li>
</ul>
Google continues to play an essential role in online commerce. Google and YouTube are present in 2/3rd of journeys where consumers discover new brands, products, or retailers.
Google was aligned with this vision of the future of multimodal search and spoke to their focus on Google Lens, which now serves over 20 billion monthly queries. Text-based search remains normative, and generative AI products augment the experience.
Amazon is also experimenting with visual search with Amazon Lens and is pleased with the various ways shoppers engage with the product, which suggests that users are deriving value from it.
Amazon launched its AI shopping assistant, Rufus, in 2024.
Google launched a more conversational version of Google Shopping last October. Over 1 billion people shop across Google every day, and the company sees Google Shopping as an essential part of its broader commerce strategy.
Walmart noted an opportunity to enhance the customer experience by cross-functionally driving its retail media stream. This collaboration across retail media, data, marketing, and other customer experiences will drive profit while enabling a frictionless customer experience.  
Sheridan expects Shopify to see traction in B2B due to the market&#8217;s legacy replacement cycle and relatively benign competitive backdrop.
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Shoptalk 2025: Goldman Sachs Analyst Unveils Insights On AI, Video, Retail And Stock Picks

NBA player Stephen Curry and&nbsp;former First Lady Michelle Obama&nbsp;have launched Plezi Hydration, a sports drink with a health-conscious twist.
What Happened: Curry and Obama unveiled Plezi Hydration under the umbrella of Obama&#8217;s public benefit firm, Plezi Nutrition. The drink is a fresh addition to the NBA player&#8217;s expanding portfolio of off-court business ventures, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/26/stephen-curry-teams-up-with-michelle-obama-to-launch-sports-drink-.html">reported</a> CNBC.
In 2023, Obama launched Plezi Nutrition to promote healthier eating for kids, building on her &#8220;Let&#8217;s Move!&#8221; campaign from her White House years.
Plezi Hydration steps into the highly competitive sports drink market with a distinct emphasis on health and wellness. The beverage contains no added sugars or artificial sweeteners, has lower sodium than its competitors, and provides a full day&#8217;s supply of vitamin C.
Plezi Hydration, translating to&nbsp;&#8220;fun&#8221; in Creole, will be&nbsp;available in three flavors: lemon lime,&nbsp;tropical punch, and&nbsp;orange mango twist. The beverages will be available in California at Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), Albertsons (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACI#NYSE">ACI</a>), and Safeway, and nationwide on Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>). Each 16.9-ounce bottle will be priced at $2.29 and contain 70 calories.
Curry said,&nbsp;&#8220;We&#8217;ve created something with smart&nbsp;ingredients and unbeatable flavor, so&nbsp;people can fuel their bodies&nbsp;the right way. No nonsense,&nbsp;no shortcuts — because the&nbsp;next generation deserves better.&#8221;
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Why It Matters: Functional beverages or healthier drinks are becoming a major part of the health and wellness market. According to NIQ research, innovation is transforming the industry, leading to 258 new product launches last year, featuring unique functions and ingredients.
The sports drink sector is dominated by three major brands: PepsiCo&#8217;s Gatorade (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) with a 61% market share, Coca-Cola&#8217;s Powerade (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>) at 14.5%, and BodyArmor at 11.8%, as per Euromonitor International.
The launch of Plezi Hydration comes at a time when the beverage industry is seeing a shift towards healthier options.&nbsp;Celsius Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CELH#NASDAQ">CELH</a>)&nbsp;is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/44512107/healthy-energy-drinks-celsius-holdings-building-out-the-space">leading the charge</a> in creating a new category of healthy energy drinks. Meanwhile,&nbsp;PepsiCo is reportedly in talks to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44339268/pepsico-reportedly-in-talks-to-acquire-poppi-amid-rising-demand-for-probiotic-drinks">acquire Poppi</a>, a healthier soda brand, indicating a rising demand for healthier beverages. 
Plezi Hydration&#8217;s&nbsp;focus on health and wellness&nbsp;could potentially disrupt the sports drink market, currently dominated by traditional high-sugar drinks.
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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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NBA Player Stephen Curry Joins Michelle Obama To Introduce Health-Focused Sports Drink

Walmart Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) has witnessed a massive $22 billion loss in market capitalization following declining consumer confidence data.
What Happened: Walmart&#8217;s stock price fell by 3.1% at market close on Tuesday, leading to a sharp decline in its market value to nearly $680 billion. The retail giant suffered the largest valuation drop on Tuesday, surpassing Nvidia&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) $17 billion market cap loss on the same day, <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/walmart-loses-22b-consumer-confidence-2050624">reported</a> Newsweek.
This decline aligns with the Conference Board&#8217;s monthly report on American consumer confidence, which recorded a drop for the fourth consecutive month. In March, the Consumer Confidence Index fell to 92.9 points, marking its lowest level since early 2021.
The Expectations Index, which gauges consumers&#8217; short-term outlook on income, business, and labor market conditions, also dropped to a 12-year low of 65.2,&nbsp;below the 80-point threshold, which typically signals a looming recession.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon&nbsp;had previously noted in February that customers were displaying &#8220;stressed behaviors&#8221; and reducing their spending.&nbsp;However, on tariffs, McMillon seemed unfazed and stated, "Tariffs are something we've managed for many years, and we'll just continue to manage that.&#8221;
Bill Adams, chief economist for&nbsp;Comerica Bank, attributed the falling consumer confidence to &#8220;layoff headlines, a falling stock&nbsp;market, and tariff fears.&#8221;
SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44508019/tesla-and-other-us-robotics-giants-demand-federal-strategy-to-compete-with-chinas-138-billion-push-warn-america-will-lose-the-race-without-it">Tesla And Other US Robotics Giants Demand Federal Strategy To Compete With China&#8217;s $138 Billion Push — Warn America Will Lose The Race Without It</a>
Why It Matters: Consumer confidence in the U.S. has been on a downward trend, with the Consumer Confidence Index falling to its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/03/44475192/consumer-confidence-falls-to-lowest-since-2022-as-inflation-tariff-worries-grow">lowest level </a>since late 2022. This decline is attributed to fears of inflation, stock market volatility, and tariff-driven price hikes.
Furthermore, Walmart&#8217;s operations in China have been under pressure, which could potentially lead to higher prices for U.S. customers, as reported by&nbsp;CNN Business. On this, a Walmart spokesperson told CNN, &#8220;Our conversations with suppliers are all aimed at making our purpose a reality for millions of customers, and we will continue to work closely with them to find the best way forward during these uncertain times."
These factors, combined with the declining consumer confidence, could further impact Walmart&#8217;s performance in the coming months. Kelly LaVigne, Vice President of consumer insights at insurance company Allianz Life, told Fortune, "That means inflation will continue to erode your purchasing power unless you have a long-term strategy to address it." 
Walmart holds a momentum rating of 86.91% and a growth rating of 54.55%, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/report/WMT" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga's Proprietary Edge Rankings</a>. The Benzinga Growth metric evaluates a stock&#8217;s historical earnings and revenue expansion across multiple timeframes, prioritizing both long-term trends and recent performance. For an in-depth report on more stocks and insights into growth opportunities,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/screener/top-momentum-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sign</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/screener/top-momentum-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">up for Benzinga Edge.</a>
Walmart stock edged 0.53% higher to close at $85.21 on Wednesday. Over the past month, the stock lost over 11%.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="448" height="284" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/27034033/Screenshot-2025-03-27-131021.png" alt="" class="wp-image-844139" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/27034033/Screenshot-2025-03-27-131021.png 448w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/27034033/Screenshot-2025-03-27-131021-300x190.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 448px) 100vw, 448px" /></figure>
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<li>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44492495/mark-cuban-suggests-taxing-robots-by-the-hour-as-new-source-of-federal-revenue-bats-for-ai-and-robotics-based-manufacturing-revival">Mark Cuban Suggests &#8216;Taxing Robots By The Hour,&#8217; Urges US To Invest In AI And Robotics</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 Suffers $22 Billion Valuation Drop On A Single Day Amid Declining Consumer Confidence

Where Walgreens and Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) failed, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44406845/stephanie-link-amazons-market-share-is-soaring-insights-on-amazon-palo-alto-networks-target-nextera-energy">Amazon</a> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) aims to succeed. As Americans age, primary healthcare has become an increasingly important target for retailers. However, it has proven elusive to conquer. According to<a href="https://www.costar.com/article/1985588933/amazon-slates-new-markets-for-expansion-of-its-primary-care-network"> CoStar News,</a> Amazon is trying a different approach.&nbsp;
By partnering with hospital chains and offering care to its Prime members —<a href="https://health.amazon.com/prime?ref_=nav_cs_all_health_ingress_onem_h"> currently with an additional cost</a> — it hopes to succeed where others have not. The San Francisco-based Amazon One Medical recently opened its first center in Edgewater, New Jersey. One Medical offers a hybrid virtual and in-person primary care service with further expansion plans in Jersey City and Englewood in New Jersey, Westchester County in New York, and Cleveland planned this year.&nbsp;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Partnering With Major Hospitals</h2>
In New Jersey, One Medical is partnering with Hackensack Meridian Health, the Garden State&#8217;s largest health network, according to CoStar News. In Westchester, it will facilitate treatments for members of the Montefiore Health System and the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
One Medical customers in Edgwater will be offered same-day and next-day in-person appointments and 24/7 virtual care. The facility will treat both short and longterm patients with chronic conditions.
As with other businesses under its umbrella, Amazon is hoping to leverage its vast<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1223385/amazon-prime-subscribers-in-the-united-states/"> Prime membership base</a> to build its healthcare business. Currently, Prime members can add One Medical membership for $9 a month or $99 a year. The<a href="https://www.onemedical.com/mediacenter/montefiore-health-system-partnership/#:~:text=Amazon%20One%20Medical%20also%20works,their%20employees%20and%20their%20dependents."> company&#8217;s website</a> states that One Medical also works with 10,000 U.S. employers as part of a benefit package for their workers and their dependents.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Reduced Competition</h2>
Two years after buying One Medical for<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-closes-purchase-of-one-medical-network-of-health-clinics-9ac7993c"> $3.9 billion</a> in February 2023 — one of the company&#8217;s biggest acquisitions — Amazon finds itself with two of its main competitors either out of the race or diminished.
Walmart exited the primary healthcare business last April, closing 51 locations.&nbsp;
"Through our experience managing Walmart Health centers and Walmart Health Virtual Care, we determined there is not a sustainable business model for us to continue," a <a href="https://corporate.walmart.com/news/2024/04/30/walmart-health-is-closing">company statement </a>read. "Escalating operating costs create a lack of profitability that makes the care business unsustainable for us at this time.&#8221;
Walgreens Village MD bought Summit Health and CityMD — an urgent-and-primary-care chain — for<a href="https://www.costar.com/article/1064194916/walgreens-89-billion-villagemd-deal-for-citymd-to-further-shift-americas-healthcare-real-estate?_gl=1&#x2A;1fzbd22&#x2A;_gcl_aw&#x2A;R0NMLjE3NDE5MTUxNTMuQ2owS0NRandoTXEtQmhDRkFSSXNBR3ZvMEtlMnVpUUFMMWJOcVBoazdwWTc5ZmFKV2NZMFp5WlVpVFY1S0VKX212YXpYLWI1cDlmVnRsOGFBdWxXRUFMd193Y0I.&#x2A;_gcl_au&#x2A;MTMxNzg4NDMzNi4xNzQwNTY2NzQ2&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;NDE3MjY0MTgxLjE3NDA1NjY3NDY.&#x2A;_ga_0VBY5KHBRL&#x2A;MTc0MjMyMTkzNC4xNy4xLjE3NDIzMjI1NjMuNTMuMC4w&#x2A;_ga_FZJZNHHEW2&#x2A;MTc0MjMyMTkzNC4xNy4wLjE3NDIzMjE5MzQuNjAuMC4w"> $8.9 billion in 2022</a>. However, recently, it appeared to be<a href="https://www.walgreensbootsalliance.com/news-media/press-releases/2025/wba-definitive-agreement-acquired-by-sycamore-partners#:~:text=Value%20Maximization%20Process%20for%20VillageMD%20Businesses&amp;text=WBA%20shareholders%20will%20receive,%20at,sale%20of%20the%20Divested%20Assets."> divesting from the primary healthcare space</a> and going private, announcing a<a href="https://www.costar.com/article/1510125664/walgreens-goes-private-in-10-billion-deal-to-drive-turnaround?_gl=1&#x2A;1hzyvhb&#x2A;_gcl_aw&#x2A;R0NMLjE3NDE5MTUxNTMuQ2owS0NRandoTXEtQmhDRkFSSXNBR3ZvMEtlMnVpUUFMMWJOcVBoazdwWTc5ZmFKV2NZMFp5WlVpVFY1S0VKX212YXpYLWI1cDlmVnRsOGFBdWxXRUFMd193Y0I.&#x2A;_gcl_au&#x2A;MTMxNzg4NDMzNi4xNzQwNTY2NzQ2&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;NDE3MjY0MTgxLjE3NDA1NjY3NDY.&#x2A;_ga_0VBY5KHBRL&#x2A;MTc0MjMyMTkzNC4xNy4xLjE3NDIzMjM2MDQuNTkuMC4w&#x2A;_ga_FZJZNHHEW2&#x2A;MTc0MjMyMTkzNC4xNy4xLjE3NDIzMjM2MDMuNjAuMC4w"> $10 billion deal</a> with Sycamore Partners.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lawsuits, The Loss Of Google, And A CEO</h2>
The loss of competition doesn&#8217;t mean that Amazon&#8217;s entry into primary healthcare hasn&#8217;t been without problems. Last year, its use of virtual medical visits resulted in a wrongful death lawsuit, which brought into question the efficacy of telehealth in diagnosing problems. According to the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/12/18/amazon-one-medical-lawsuit-wrongful-death/">Washington Post</a>, the lawsuit alleged poorly trained staff were used, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/12/18/amazon-one-medical-lawsuit-wrongful-death/">leading to the death</a> of a diabetic patient who was told to buy an inhaler to treat their symptoms.
In July, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44397597/google-to-pay-28-million-to-settle-employee-discrimination-lawsuit-we-continue-to-disagree-with-the-allegations-says-spokesperson">Google</a> announced it would not renew its contract with One Medical, according to<a href="https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/amazon-one-medical-google-contract-loss/722788/"> </a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-drops-amazon-one-medical-2024-7">Business Insider</a>. The longstanding agreement gave Google employees access to discounted medical care and was a big loss for One Medial as Google was the company&#8217;s biggest customer, accounting for<a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1404123/000156459021013897/onem-10k_20201231.htm"> 10% of its revenue</a> in 2020, before Amazon, a rival purchased it. That number dropped slightly in 2021, after which One Medical stopped publicly disclosing its finances.&nbsp;
One Medical suffered another setback in March when the chain lost CEO Trent Green, who left to head global insights and strategy firm National Research.
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Amazon Primary Care Is Coming To A Town Near You. E-Commerce Giant Steps Up Healthcare Chain Rollout

Mexico's economy is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/recession">slipping into recession</a>, and according to JPMorgan analyst Steven Palacio, it's no longer a question of if, but how deep. 
"We now think a recession is unavoidable" due to weak economic momentum, declining private consumption, and sluggish manufacturing, Palacio warned.
The bank now expects first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) to shrink by 1.5% quarter-over-quarter on an annualized basis. That&#8217;s a sharp revision from its previous forecast of 0.5% growth. This follows a 2.5% GDP decline in the fourth quarter, putting Mexico on track for a full-year contraction of 0.2%.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/03/44360564/trumps-tariffs-could-fuel-inflation-in-canada-mexico-warns-economic-expert">Trump&#8217;s Tariffs Could Fuel Inflation In Canada, Mexico Warns Economic Expert</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Shrinking Economy, Weak Consumer Demand</h2>
JPMorgan&#8217;s latest data shows Mexico&#8217;s GDP proxy was down 0.2% in January, following a 1.1% month-over-month drop in December. 
"Momentum was already weak coming into the new year," Palacio noted, adding that January's GDP level is tracking a 3.1% annualized contraction in the first quarter. Services, which had already declined 0.8% in December, remained flat in January, further confirming a deteriorating growth outlook.
Palacio pointed out that Mexico's economic drivers have shifted significantly.
"For many quarters domestic demand single-handedly drove growth, largely driven by private consumption, but also by investment,&#8221; he added.
Investment was the first to falter, followed by private consumption, which is now feeling the strain of slowing job creation. External demand, particularly in manufacturing, has failed to offset these weaknesses, as production has remained inconsistent.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Inflation Easing, Rate Cuts Incoming</h2>
While economic growth deteriorates, inflation is cooling faster than expected. Core inflation has dropped to 3.56% year-over-year, with core services inflation finally slipping below 5%. Palacio noted, "The downward pull from cyclical weakness in the economy is becoming more noticeable in non-tradable prices." He also highlighted a decline in housing inflation, with non-tourism services now following the same trend.
Given these developments, JPMorgan sees an increasingly dovish stance from the Bank of Mexico (Banxico). Palacio believes the case for "back-to-back 50 basis point rate cuts at least in the next couple of meetings is strong," with risks skewed toward even deeper easing. The bank continues to project a year-end interest rate of 7.5% but sees further downside potential.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Investor Implications: ETFs, Stocks To Watch</h2>
With Mexico's economic downturn accelerating and inflation cooling, investors should brace for further volatility in the Mexican peso and local equities. The iShares MSCI Mexico ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWW#NYSE">EWW</a>), which tracks major Mexican stocks, could face downward pressure if GDP contracts as sharply as JPMorgan predicts. 
Key Mexican companies with exposure to domestic demand, such as Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV (OTCPK:GRBMF) and Walmart Inc&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) Mexican entity, Walmart de México y Centroamérica, could also be impacted as consumer spending weakens.
Palacio's note follows a <a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-economic-outlook-interim-report-march-2025_89af4857-en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a> from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which blames the global trade war for hurting Mexico&#8217;s economy.
With Mexico's growth story shifting from expansion to contraction, investors will need to adjust their strategies accordingly.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/03/44473410/trumps-tariff-rates-could-be-double-what-market-participants-expect-goldman-sachs-warns">Trump&#8217;s Tariff Rates Could Be &#8216;Double What Market Participants Expect,&#8217; Goldman Sachs Warns</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

'Recession To Hit' Mexico, Says Analyst As GDP Contracts, Inflation Eases, Banxico Faces Pressure

Wall Street is buzzing with increasing speculation about a recession, as economists identify several indicators suggesting an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44448437/benzinga-bulls-and-bears-tesla-nvidia-fedex-and-the-market-digests-the-feds-rate-decision">impending economic downturn</a>.
What Happened: According to a report, Goldman Sachs&nbsp;has raised its likelihood of a recession in&nbsp;the next 12 months from&nbsp;15% to 20%. A March survey by&nbsp;Bank of America&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) showed that 55% of fund managers perceive&nbsp;a global recession triggered by&nbsp;a trade war as the&nbsp;primary&nbsp;tail risk for the market.
Consumer expectations of a recession in the upcoming year have also risen to a nine-month peak, according to the latest Consumer Confidence Survey by the Conference Board, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/recession-2025-warning-economy-outlook-growth-slowdown-debt-stocks-rates-2025-3">reports</a> Insider.
Economist David Rosenberg foresees a downturn in the next few months, highlighting several warning signs of a faltering economy.
Rosenberg points out several alarming signs including US households battling to keep up with inflation, an increased debt load, struggling small- and mid-cap stocks, and declining corporate earnings guidance. 
Rosenberg stated, &#8220;If the past is prescient, the recession which nobody believes will rear its ugly head will materialize as early as July.&#8221;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44211421/us-economy-teetering-recession-may-be-looming-as-bond-market-reacts-to-trump-policies">US Economy Teetering? Recession May Be Looming As Bond Market Reacts To Trump Policies</a>
Households are increasingly unable to handle emergency expenses, with&nbsp;the latest Survey of Consumer&nbsp;Expectations from the New York&nbsp;Fed indicating that only 63% of US households could manage a sudden $2,000 bill. 
This is the lowest percentage since Q4 2015, as per an analysis by&nbsp;Apollo Global Management&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APO#NYSE">APO</a>). Moreover, total household debt increased by $93 billion in Q4, hitting a record $18 trillion. 
Small- and mid-cap stocks are also struggling, with the iShares S&amp;P Small-cap 600 Value ETF down 16% from its November peak and the S&amp;P MidCap 400 down 13% from its November high.
Companies like&nbsp;Walmart&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>),&nbsp;Target&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>), and&nbsp;FedEx&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDX#NYSE">FDX</a>) have reduced their guidance for the year, with approximately 70% of companies attributing potential negative outlooks this year to&nbsp;uncertainty around new policies and&nbsp;tariffs.
Finally, bond investors are factoring in a higher risk of companies defaulting&nbsp;in the coming years. Credit&nbsp;spreads have significantly increased in the past month, indicating investors&#8217; anticipation of a higher risk of corporate borrowers struggling to repay debt.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43756824/market-instability-looms-in-trumps-second-term-warns-paul-tudor-jones-theres-no-room-for-mistakes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Market Instability Looms in Trump's Second Term, Warns Paul Tudor Jones: ‘There's No Room for Mistakes'</a>

Mid Cap

Recession Fears Escalate as Economists Identify Warning Signs: 'Will Materialize as Early as July'

Rumors

ULTA

Watching Ulta Beauty; Unconfirmed Analyst Comments Circulate 'Walmart Is Making A More Significant Push Into Beauty, Expanding Its Premium Beauty Offering, Today Added Numerous Brands On Its Beauty Marketplace And Plans To Add More'

Walmart's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) short percent of float has risen 5.62% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 40.33 million shares sold short, which is 0.94% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.47 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Walmart Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1742562921_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Walmart has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Walmart's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Walmart's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 4.70%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

What Does the Market Think About Walmart?

Ratings for Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) were provided by 24 analysts in the past three months, showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The following table provides a quick overview of their recent ratings, highlighting the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">17</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have recently evaluated Walmart and provided 12-month price targets. The average target is $108.67, accompanied by a high estimate of $120.00 and a low estimate of $93.00. Surpassing the previous average price target of $101.83, the current average has increased by 6.72%.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1742472046_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
In examining recent analyst actions, we gain insights into how financial experts perceive Walmart. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Mark Astrachan</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$93.00</td>
<td>$99.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Melich</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$107.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Robert Drbul</td>
<td>Guggenheim</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Steven Shemesh</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$107.00</td>
<td>$109.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Lasser</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$112.00</td>
<td>$113.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bill Kirk</td>
<td>Roth MKM</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$108.00</td>
<td>$97.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Vinh</td>
<td>Keybanc</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Peter Keith</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$114.00</td>
<td>$118.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joseph Feldman</td>
<td>Telsey Advisory Group</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Peter Keith</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$118.00</td>
<td>$93.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Peter Benedict</td>
<td>Baird</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Seth Sigman</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$108.00</td>
<td>$98.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Simeon Gutman</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$106.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joseph Feldman</td>
<td>Telsey Advisory Group</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Scot Ciccarelli</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$111.00</td>
<td>$98.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Paul Lejuez</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$98.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Christopher Horvers</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$112.00</td>
<td>$97.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rupesh Parikh</td>
<td>Oppenheimer</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Edward Kelly</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$108.00</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Lasser</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$113.00</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Simeon Gutman</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$106.00</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Steven Shemesh</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Edward Kelly</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$96.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Seth Sigman</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$98.00</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Walmart. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analyzing trends, analysts offer qualitative evaluations, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Walmart compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts predict movements in price targets, offering estimates for Walmart's future value. Examining the current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
To gain a panoramic view of Walmart's market performance, explore these analyst evaluations alongside essential financial indicators. Stay informed and make judicious decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WMT/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Walmart analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>About Walmart</h2>
Walmart serves as the preeminent 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 $440 billion in domestic namesake sales in fiscal 2024, with Sam's Club contributing another $86 billion to the company's top line. Internationally, Walmart generated $115 billion in sales. The retailer serves around 240 million customers globally each week.
<h3>Walmart: Delving into Financials</h3>
Market Capitalization Highlights: Above the industry average, the company's market capitalization signifies a significant scale, indicating strong confidence and market prominence.
Positive Revenue Trend: Examining Walmart's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 4.13% as of 31 January, 2025, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company surpassed expectations with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Consumer Staples sector.
Net Margin: Walmart's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional net margin, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable net margin of 2.91%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Walmart's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 5.87%. This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Walmart's ROA surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 2.0% ROA, the company effectively utilizes its assets for optimal returns.
Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 0.66.
<h2>What Are Analyst Ratings?</h2>
Analyst ratings serve as essential indicators of stock performance, provided by experts in banking and financial systems. These specialists diligently analyze company financial statements, participate in conference calls, and engage with insiders to generate quarterly ratings for individual stocks.
Some analysts will also offer forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide further guidance on stocks. Investors who use analyst ratings should note that this specialized advice comes from humans and may be subject to error.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

What Analysts Are Saying About Walmart Stock

Stifel analyst Mark Astrachan maintains Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) with a Hold and lowers the price target from $99 to $93.

Price Target

Stifel Maintains Hold on Walmart, Lowers Price Target to $93

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Walmart.
Looking at options history for Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) we detected 12 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 25% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 66% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 8 are puts, for a total amount of $568,380 and 4, calls, for a total amount of $1,087,243.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $82.5 to $130.0 for Walmart over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Walmart's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Walmart's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $82.5 to $130.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>Walmart 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1742396498_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>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>WMT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$2.06</td>
<td>$1.98</td>
<td>$2.03</td>
<td>$87.50</td>
<td>$842.4K</td>
<td>6.3K</td>
<td>4.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$19.6</td>
<td>$19.5</td>
<td>$19.6</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$241.0K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td>424</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/20/26</td>
<td>$8.45</td>
<td>$8.35</td>
<td>$8.45</td>
<td>$87.50</td>
<td>$118.3K</td>
<td>876</td>
<td>141</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$2.03</td>
<td>$2.0</td>
<td>$2.03</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$107.7K</td>
<td>3.4K</td>
<td>540</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$9.0</td>
<td>$8.9</td>
<td>$9.0</td>
<td>$86.67</td>
<td>$90.0K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
<td>101</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Walmart</h3>
Walmart serves as the preeminent 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 $440 billion in domestic namesake sales in fiscal 2024, with Sam's Club contributing another $86 billion to the company's top line. Internationally, Walmart generated $115 billion in sales. The retailer serves around 240 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>Where Is Walmart Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 2,949,876, with WMT's price up by 0.61%, positioned at $86.11.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 57 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Walmart</h3>
A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $109.6.
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&#x2A; An analyst from Roth MKM has revised its rating downward to Buy, adjusting the price target to $108. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from RBC Capital continues to hold a Outperform rating for Walmart, targeting a price of $107. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Piper Sandler has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on Walmart, which currently sits at a price target of $118. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Telsey Advisory Group continues to hold a Outperform rating for Walmart, targeting a price of $115. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Guggenheim downgraded its action to Buy with a price target of $100. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Walmart, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Options

Walmart Unusual Options Activity

Financial services provider for shoppers and merchants, Affirm Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFRM#NASDAQ">AFRM</a>) competitor&nbsp;Klarna announced a<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44356051/affirm-holdings-stock-is-falling-monday-whats-going-on" rel="noreferrer noopener"> partnership with&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44356051/affirm-holdings-stock-is-falling-monday-whats-going-on" rel="noreferrer noopener">OnePay</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44356051/affirm-holdings-stock-is-falling-monday-whats-going-on" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;</a>to offer installment loans at&nbsp;Walmart Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>).
The exclusive deal with Walmart means Affirm will no longer provide loan installment services for the retailer. Affirm has been offering installment loan services exclusively to Walmart customers since 2019.
Goldman Sachs analyst Will Nance reiterated a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AFRM/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy rating</a> on the shares and raised the price forecast from $50.00 to $56.00 on Monday.
Earlier yesterday, Nance reduced the price forecast for AFRM to $50 from $90. The analyst earlier estimated that Walmart&#8217;s contribution to CY2024 GMV to be roughly ~$2.2 billion (7% of total).
Subsequent to the publishing of the analyst note yesterday morning sizing the impact, Affirm published an 8-K in which the company noted that Walmart comprised 5% of GMV (vs the analyst&#8217;s ~5-10% estimate) and 2% of operating income (vs the analyst&#8217;s 10-19% impact estimate).
The financial impact of Walmart&#8217;s partnership termination on Affirm is now seen as lower than initially expected. This is due to Walmart&#8217;s history with third-party credit providers and the lower profitability of the Walmart partnership.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44372913/whats-going-on-with-nio-stock-today" rel="noreferrer noopener">What&#8217;s Going On With NIO Stock Today?</a>
Affirm&#8217;s lower operating income from this partnership (less than 1% margin) supports this view. The analyst increased price forecast for AFRM in line with the reduced operating income headwind, although still lower than before the announcement, reflecting lower peer multiples and the likely increase in investor sensitivity to competitive intensity.
AFRM recently extended its exclusive partnership with Shopify through 2028, securing a 3-year agreement. Both Shopify and Amazon, AFRM&#8217;s largest partners, hold long-term warrants for AFRM shares, suggesting a deeper, more strategic relationship compared to its previous partnership with Walmart, which was more distant.
AFRM is considered a leading underwriter in the subprime and near-prime credit space, with underwriting capabilities comparable to top incumbents like Capital One.
Its consumer-friendly approach, innovative products, and focus on e-commerce distribution are expected to drive market share gains, per the analyst.
AFRM is poised to benefit from the growth of BNPL in e-commerce, the younger generation&#8217;s preference for installment financing, and BNPL&#8217;s more tailored credit offerings compared to traditional credit cards, the analyst opined.
Walmart has a history of changing credit providers, including ending relationships with Synchrony and Capital One in recent years. This pattern of aggressive partner shifts will likely make investors more cautious about partner concentration risks and competitive pressures in the industry, noted the analyst.
Price Action: AFRM shares traded lower by 9.35% at $43.48 at last check Tuesday.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/03/44359600/hyperfine-nvidia-partner-to-make-brain-mris-more-affordable" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hyperfine, Nvidia Partner To Make Brain MRIs More Affordable</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock.

Equities

Reiteration

AFRM

How Walmart- Klarna Deal Impacts Affirm? Goldman Sachs Analyst Weighs In

Stocks were little moved during midday Monday trading in New York, as a mixed retail sales report failed to generate a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">bullish response from investors.</a>
Retail sales rose 0.2% month-over-month in February, rebounding from a concerning 1.2% decline in January but falling short of the 0.6% forecast. Yet, when excluding volatile categories, the picture looked slightly brighter.
The control group measure — which strips out sales from auto dealers, building materials, gas stations, office supply stores, mobile home dealers and tobacco retailers — rose 1% in February, fully offsetting January's 1% decline and significantly surpassing the expected 0.2% increase.
Despite this, concerns over a broader economic slowdown remain, with traders now looking ahead to Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech on Wednesday for reassurance that the U.S. economy is not headed for a recession.
Major indices remained broadly flat, though small caps outperformed. Energy led sector gains, while consumer discretionary lagged.
In currency markets, the U.S. dollar index softened 0.3%, heading towards six-month lows. Gold continued to edge higher, hovering around the symbolic all-time high of $3,000 per ounce level.
Oil prices rebounded 0.8%, as crude rallied following President Donald Trump's vow to strike the Houthis in the Red Sea. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) climbed 1.4%, recovering some ground after a 2% drop on Sunday.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Performance In Major U.S. Indices, ETFs</h1>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day % chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,059.31</td>
<td>0.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>41,698.02</td>
<td>0.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,649.40</td>
<td>0.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>19,690.47</td>
<td>-0.1 %</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:20 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) inched 0.2% up to $564.16.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) rose 0.5% to $417.56.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;eased 0.1% to $479.08.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) rose 0.7%. </li>
<li>The&nbsp;Energy&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) outperformed, up 1.6%; the&nbsp;Consumer Discretionary&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLY#NYSE">XLY</a>) lagged, down 0.6%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
<ul>
<li>Shares of NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) dropped 2.6% on Monday, as investors braced for the company&#8217;s highly anticipated GTC AI conference, set to begin later in the day.</li>
<li>Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) surged 3.6% after Moffett Nathanson upgraded its rating from &#8220;Neutral&#8221; to &#8220;Buy&#8221; and raised the stock's price target by $250 to $1,100.</li>
<li>Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) tumbled 6% decline, giving back some of the gains from Friday </li>
<li>Chipmaker Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) jumped 7.6% after a Reuters report indicated incoming CEO Lip-Bu Tan may streamline operations by reducing middle management layers, optimizing chip production and launching new AI-focused semiconductors.</li>
<li>Chinese tech giant Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>) climbed 7.5% following the unveiling of Ernie X1, its latest artificial intelligence model. Baidu asserts that Ernie X1 delivers performance levels comparable to rival DeepSeek's AI but at only half the cost. </li>
<li>Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NCLH#NYSE">NCLH</a>) gained 4.4%, reaching $20.04, after JPMorgan upgraded the cruise operator&#8217;s stock to &#8220;Overweight&#8221; from &#8220;Neutral.&#8221;</li>
<li>In contrast, Affirm Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFRM#NASDAQ">AFRM</a>) tumbled 10% after Swedish fintech Klarna announced it would become the exclusive Buy Now, Pay Later provider for Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>). Previously, Affirm held that exclusive partnership.</li>
</ul>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/03/44357674/restaurant-sales-sink-recession-warning-or-just-weather-driven-dip">Restaurant Sales Sink: Recession Warning Or Just Weather-Driven Dip?</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Large Cap

Sector ETFs

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Econ #s

$BTC

BIDU

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

INTC

NCLH

NFLX

TSLA

Select Sector SPDR-Consumer Discretionary

Wall Street Wavers On Mixed Retail Sales, Nvidia Falls Ahead Of GTC AI Conference, Intel Rallies: What's Driving Markets Monday?

Affirm Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFRM#NASDAQ">AFRM</a>) shares are trading lower Monday after competitor Klarna announced a partnership with OnePay to offer installment loans at Walmart Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) locations <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44353658/affirm-shares-lower-after-klarna-partners-with-onepay-to-exclusively-offer-installment-loans-at-walm">across the United States</a>.
What Happened: AI-powered payments and commerce network provider Klarna announced a partnership with consumer finance app OnePay to exclusively offer installment loan services for purchases at U.S. Walmarts. The new partnership will provide payment options for thousands of Walmart items online and in stores.
Klarna said the new offering will be directly integrated inside Walmart at checkouts later this year. OnePay is already integrated inside of Walmart channels and will expand its offering to add installment loans with repayment terms ranging from three to 36 months. Consumers will be able to manage their loans inside the OnePay app.
&#8220;This is a game changer. Millions of people in the U.S. shop at Walmart every day — and now they can shop smarter with OnePay installment loans powered by Klarna,&#8221; said&nbsp;Sebastian Siemiatkowski, co-founder and CEO of Klarna.&nbsp;
Affirm and Klarna are two of the world&#8217;s largest buy now, pay later providers. The exclusive deal with Walmart means Affirm will no longer provide loan installment services for the retailer. Affirm had been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38379284/affirm-stock-drops-as-walmart-rolls-out-new-payment-options-the-details">the exclusive provider</a> of installment loan services for Walmart customers since 2019.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44342459/4-auto-stocks-set-to-benefit-from-trumps-tariffs">4 Auto Stocks Set To Benefit From Trump&#8217;s Tariffs</a>
AFRM Price Action: <a href="http://benzinga.com/quote/afrm">Affirm shares</a> were down 7.13% at $46.51 at the time of publication Monday, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Photo: courtesy of Affirm.

Movers

Affirm Holdings Stock Is Falling Monday: What's Going On?

Recent moves by President Donald Trump have raised questions about the future stability of the U.S. economy and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43758634/mary-trump-warns-dni-gabbard-could-lead-to-catastrophic-outcome-a-known-russian-asset-defender-of-murderous-dictator-assad">programs</a>, and sparked new commentary from a familiar critic.
What Happened: These concerns were highlighted in an analysis by Mary Trump, the President&#8217;s niece and vocal critic.
In a Cubstack <a href="https://www.marytrump.org/p/watch-what-he-does">post</a>, Mary Trump scrutinized the President&#8217;s recent policy decisions. She expressed apprehension about the potential impacts on the U.S. economy and social security programs.
She drew attention to Trump&#8217;s recent interviews, where he defended his budget plan and dismissed concerns over potential economic slowdown. She criticized his lack of detailed plans and his dismissal of the potential impacts on social security, healthcare, and retirement savings.
She also noted that Trump&#8217;s policies, including his tariffs and trade disruptions, could lead to rising consumer prices and economic slowdown. 
She cited warnings from companies like&nbsp;Target Corporation&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>),&nbsp;Walmart Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), and&nbsp;Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMG#NYSE">CMG</a>) that they would&nbsp;pass these costs on to&nbsp;consumers.
Moreover, she highlighted the potential impacts of Trump&#8217;s policies on global alliances and U.S. credibility. She noted that&nbsp;China is positioning itself to&nbsp;replace the U.S. as a stable global leader in response to Trump&#8217;s tariffs and antagonism towards key economic partners.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43900927/mary-trump-slams-uncle-trump-and-his-corrupt-fascist-regime-are-aligned-with-the-agenda-of-vladimir-putin-and-moscow">Mary Trump Slams Uncle: &#8216;Trump and His Corrupt Fascist Regime Are Aligned With the Agenda of Vladimir Putin and Moscow&#8217;</a>
&#8220;Even if you don&#8217;t care about helping other people, there is still a benefit to the United States in the form of soft power. If you help other countries, particularly developing nations, they become loyal to you. They become, by virtue of our aid, spokespeople for America. That is soft power. We don&#8217;t have that anymore. China is going after that as well. The Trump regime is weakening us on every single front,&#8221; she wrote in the post. 
Lastly, she criticized Trump&#8217;s decision to halt&nbsp;military aid to and intelligence&nbsp;sharing with Ukraine, which she argued has emboldened Russia and weakened Ukraine&#8217;s position on the battlefield.
Why It Matters: The concerns raised by Mary Trump echo the sentiments of many economic analysts and policy experts. The potential impacts of Trump&#8217;s policies on the U.S. economy, social security programs, and global alliances are significant.
Rising consumer prices could affect the purchasing power of American consumers, while disruptions in global alliances could impact U.S. standing in the global economy.
Furthermore, the halt in military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine could have far-reaching implications for global security. As such, these concerns warrant close attention and scrutiny.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43581792/mary-trump-slams-uncle-says-president-isnt-just-destroying-democracy-hes-handing-unchecked-power-to-people-like-elon-musk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mary Trump Slams Uncle, Says President ‘Isn&#8217;t Just Destroying Democracy, He&#8217;s Handing Unchecked Power to People Like Elon Musk&#8217;</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Mary Trump Slams Uncle: 'The Trump Regime Is Weakening Us on Every Single Front'

J.P. Morgan analyst Christopher Horvers said the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in February rose by 2.8% year-over-year, with core CPI increasing by 3.1%.
This marked a slight moderation compared to January's inflation figures of 3% and 3.3%, respectively. Both headline and core indices saw a 0.2% month-over-month increase, underperforming the expected 0.3% rise, noted the analyst.
In February, significant pricing changes were observed across several categories. TV prices experienced deflation, dropping 8.7% year-over-year, a sharp contrast from the 6.6% drop the previous month.
Other categories such as Sporting Goods and Cosmetics also saw deterioration in prices, while some areas, including Appliances and Pet Food, experienced price increases.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/03/44271371/spotify-distributed-10-billion-in-music-royalties-in-2024-details" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spotify Distributed $10 Billion In Music Royalties In 2024: Details</a>
Notably, prices for Building Products flipped to inflation, rising 0.2% year-over-year vs. -0.7% last month.
On a sequential basis, some categories such as TVs and Sporting Goods showed declines in prices compared to the previous quarter, while others, including Pet Food and Toys/Games/Hobbies/Playground Equipment, saw pricing improvements.
Interestingly, Grocery prices remained relatively stable, with Food at Home inflation holding steady at 1.8% year-over-year, although Pet Food prices saw a slight uptick of 0.4%.
As the year progresses, comparisons in certain categories like Building Products and Pet Food are expected to ease, leading to potentially less inflationary pressure. 
Meanwhile, more challenging comparisons are anticipated in categories such as Appliances, TVs, and Computers. The analyst notes that durable goods prices are stabilizing, with signs of improvement in categories such as food, electronics, and home furnishings.
This trend suggests that the strain on consumers&#8217; wallets may be lessening, concluded the analyst.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44272819/porsche-ag-to-cut-3900-jobs-warns-of-challenging-market-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Porsche AG To Cut 3,900 Jobs, Warns Of Challenging Market Conditions</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock

General

COST

TSCO

JP Morgan Analyst Sees Inflation Easing, But Tougher Price Comparisons Loom For Key Categories

Peter Lynch, the legendary investor who turned Fidelity's Magellan Fund into a powerhouse, stood before an audience at the National Press Club back in 1994 and laid out what might be the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44211455/peter-lynchs-evergreen-market-advice-if-you-cant-find-growth-companies-in-innings-three-through-five-look-at-turnarounds">best investing advice</a> of all time: "The key organ in your body in the stock market is the stomach, not the brain."
His point? It's not about intelligence; it's about discipline. Investors lose money not because they lack knowledge, but because they can't stomach market volatility. Fast forward to March 10, and the markets are once again testing investors' nerves. With the Dow plunging over 890 points and the Nasdaq hitting a record low since 2020, it's the kind of environment where Lynch's words are more relevant than ever.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/qnetic-2">This 12,000 RPM Spinning Battery With Over $100 Million In LOIs Could Be The Missing Link For Green Energy — Here&#8217;s Why Early Investors Are Flocking To Invest Before Funding Closes</a></li>
<li>BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">"There's Always Something to Worry About"</h2>
Lynch was clear —investing is never smooth sailing. "All you must know is that it'll always be scary, there will always be something to worry about. You must forget all about it," he said.
Right now, investors are worrying about U.S. tariffs, global market instability, and interest rate hikes. But if <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44240968/history-repeats-market-enters-correction-zone-in-the-same-week-when-dot-com-bubble-burst-25-years-ago-heres-what-experts-are-saying">history has taught us</a> anything, it's that market downturns aren't anomalies—they're part of the game. According to Lynch, "History teaches you the market goes down. It goes down a lot." He pointed out that corrections of 10% or more happen about every two years, while bear markets (declines of 25% or more) hit roughly every six years.
Translation: If you're panicking about the market now, you might as well panic forever—because there's always going to be something.
Trending: Dogecoin millionaires are increasing –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/dogecoin-millionaires"> investors with $1M+ in DOGE revealed!</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Timing the Market Is a Waste of Time</h2>
A common mistake investors make is trying to predict the stock market. Lynch thought that was ridiculous: "People get too carried away. They try to predict the stock market. That is a total waste of time."
This is exactly what's happening now. Analysts at JPMorgan Chase, RBC Capital Markets , and Cit have downgraded U.S. stocks while upgrading China, signaling a shift in global confidence. But does it matter? Lynch would argue no.
If professional economists and even the head of the Federal Reserve can't predict long-term rates, why would an average investor think they can outguess the market? Instead of playing the guessing game, Lynch's advice was simple: own good companies, study them, and let time do the work.
Trending: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Invest in What You Understand</h2>
Lynch was famous for his "buy what you know" philosophy. He mocked investors who put money into stocks they couldn't explain: "If you can't <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42499608/investment-guru-peter-lynch-if-you-cant-explain-to-an-11-year-old-in-2-minutes-or-less-why-you-own-t">explain to a 10-year-old in two minutes</a> or less why you own a stock, you shouldn't own it."
He backed it up with a personal example: Dunkin' Donuts. He knew it was a business that made sense—people drink coffee no matter what the economy does. "I made 10 or 15 times my money in Dunkin' Donuts. Those are the stocks I can understand," he explained.
This is a lesson for today's investors drowning in AI stocks, meme stocks, and speculative plays with no profits. If you can't clearly say why a company is worth owning, maybe you shouldn't own it.
See Also: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Market Rewards Patience, Not Panic</h2>
Market crashes lead to panic selling, but Lynch believed that was a guaranteed way to lose money. He argued that some of the best investing days happen right in the middle of bear markets—a trend that Lazard Asset Management confirmed by analyzing decades of data.
His advice was ignore the noise and focus on the long game. He pointed out that companies like Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) rewarded patient investors who weren't in a rush. He told investors, "You could have bought Walmart 10 years after it went public and still made 35 times your money."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bottom Line: Lynch's Advice Still Holds Up in 2025</h2>
Markets rise, markets fall, and investors freak out just like they always have. But Lynch's message was clear: if you understand what you own, ignore the panic, and hold strong, you'll do well.
His investing philosophy worked in 1994, and it still works in 2025. The only question is—can your stomach handle it?
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<li>How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/tax-deferring-adv"> Tax deferring is their number one strategy</a>.</li>
<li>The secret weapon in billionaire investor portfolios that you almost certainly don't own yet. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">See which asset class has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 (1995-2024) – and with near-zero correlation.</a></li>
</ul>

Personal Finance

MSFT

Peter Lynch Said There's Always Something to Worry About—But Success in the Stock Market Depends on Your 'Stomach, Not The Brain'

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bearish approach towards Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in WMT usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 26 extraordinary options activities for Walmart. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 23% leaning bullish and 65% bearish. Among these notable options, 23 are puts, totaling $1,487,401, and 3 are calls, amounting to $391,600.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $77.5 to $105.0 for Walmart over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Walmart stands at 4051.33, with a total volume reaching 8,264.00. 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 $77.5 to $105.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Walmart Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741791879_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</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>03/14/25</td>
<td>$3.7</td>
<td>$2.94</td>
<td>$2.94</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$294.0K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$16.25</td>
<td>$16.2</td>
<td>$16.25</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$178.7K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
<td align="right">150</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$19.25</td>
<td>$18.65</td>
<td>$18.73</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$143.6K</td>
<td>651</td>
<td align="right">128</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$5.55</td>
<td>$5.2</td>
<td>$5.2</td>
<td>$92.50</td>
<td>$117.0K</td>
<td>8.7K</td>
<td align="right">235</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$14.05</td>
<td>$13.95</td>
<td>$13.96</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$108.8K</td>
<td>2.6K</td>
<td align="right">385</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Walmart</h3>
Walmart serves as the preeminent 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 $440 billion in domestic namesake sales in fiscal 2024, with Sam's Club contributing another $86 billion to the company's top line. Internationally, Walmart generated $115 billion in sales. The retailer serves around 240 million customers globally each week.
In light of the recent options history for Walmart, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Current Position of Walmart</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 6,066,180, the price of WMT is down by -1.05%, reaching $86.52.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 64 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Walmart</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $113.2.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Piper Sandler downgraded its action to Overweight with a price target of $114. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from RBC Capital keeps a Outperform rating on Walmart with a target price of $107. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from UBS keeps a Buy rating on Walmart with a target price of $112. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Baird continues to hold a Outperform rating for Walmart, targeting a price of $115. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Piper Sandler has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on Walmart, which currently sits at a price target of $118. 
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.

Spotlight on Walmart: Analyzing the Surge in Options Activity

Evercore ISI Group analyst Greg Melich maintains Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) with a Outperform and lowers the price target from $107 to $100.

Evercore ISI Group Maintains Outperform on Walmart, Lowers Price Target to $100

Press Releases

Tracy Dufault of Walmart Named 2025 Presidential Leadership Scholar

Walmart To Host Fourth Quarter Earnings Conference Call February 20th, 2025

Walmart reports strong revenue of 4.1%, up 5.3% in constant currency (cc) with operating income growing faster at 8.3%, or 9.4% adjusted (cc)

Walmart Raises Annual Dividend 13 Percent to $0.94 Per Share, Marking 52nd Consecutive Year of Dividend Increases

Walmart Leadership to Participate in Upcoming Investor Events

Walmart and Sam's Club 'Fight Hunger. Spark Change.' campaign kicks off 20 years of partnership with Feeding America

Walmart and Sam's Club Fight Hunger. Spark Change Campaign Returns to North Texas to Help People Facing Hunger

Hain Celestial Expands Partnership in Walmart's Fight Hunger. Spark Change. Campaign

Sam's Club Embraces a New Golfing Generation; Introduces Member's Mark Golf Ball to Broaden Sport Performance Accessibility

Hop to Walmart, the One-Stop Shop for Easter Savings

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