From Yahoo Finance: 2025-06-02 08:54:00

Walmart’s stock remains attractive despite trade war concerns, says JPMorgan. The retailer’s strong food business and market share make it a standout in tough times. Analyst sees shares climbing 33% to $130. Walmart’s recent performance has lagged behind the S&P 500.

First quarter sales for Walmart missed estimates, but adjusted earnings beat expectations. US same-store sales rose 4.5%, driven by health and wellness and groceries. However, transaction growth weakened compared to last year. Full-year earnings outlook falls below analyst estimates despite beating Q1 expectations.

Retailers like Gap, Macy’s, and Best Buy are warning about profit impacts from Trump’s tariffs. Market reacts swiftly to tariff concerns in the retail sector. Investors are watching economic trends closely, especially ahead of the back-to-school shopping season in July. Recent economic data shows mixed results.

US GDP shrank by 0.2% in Q1, marking the first contraction since 2022. CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs believes the economy is growing, not booming. Hinrichs notes that CSX’s order requests remain stable, indicating no lack of demand or recession. Economic growth is stagnant but not as bleak as in previous years.

Read more: Why Walmart stock is a still a ‘port in the storm’ in the Trump economy