The world's largest retailer, company, and employer, Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT), continues to defy gravity as its stock keeps floating higher, rising 54% year-to-date (YTD). Even after the 3 for 1 stock split on Feb. 26, 2024, shares climbed an additional 52%. The company demonstrates the power of scale as the nation's largest importer of goods. Walmart is also making headway in China as it gains market share against its incumbent retail leaders. While firing on all cylinders, Walmart continues to grow, indicating more upside.
Walmart operates in the retail/wholesale sector, competing with retailers like Target Co. (NYSE: TGT), Costco Wholesale Co. (NASDAQ: COST) and Amazon.com Inc.
Defying Gravity As the U.S. Dollar Spikes
In a high interest rate environment, the U.S. dollar tends to stay strong, which hurts companies selling goods and services overseas, as reflected in their earnings reports as FX or currency headwinds. Falling interest rates tend to weaken the dollar, enabling other currencies to have more purchasing power for U.S. goods and services. However, since the Fed's 50 bps interest rate cut, the U.S. dollar index has recovered from a low of $99.866 to surge up to $102.223.
As the nation's largest importer of goods, Walmart is one of the major companies that has benefited from a strong U.S. dollar. For Walmart, a rising dollar counts as a currency tailwind. Its buying power grows, enabling it to buy more goods overseas for less money (in U.S. dollars). The jump in the U.S. dollar index has pushed Walmart shares back up near its all-time high. The spike in the U.S. dollar is a net positive for Walmart's gross margins.
Challenging the Incumbents in China
Walmart grew sales in China by 17.7% YoY in its second quarter of 2024. Its Sam's Club warehouse business saw membership income rise by 26% YoY. Nearly 50% of Walmart's sales in China come from its e-commerce and ...
