Latest news with #JohnFurner
Bloomberg
11-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Walmart US CEO Furner to Address Largest House GOP Caucus
Walmart US CEO John Furner will address a gathering of House Republicans in the Capitol on Wednesday, hours after President Donald Trump announced a trade framework with China has been completed. The meeting with the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus in the House GOP conference, was confirmed by a person familiar with the gathering. Taiwan's top diplomat to the USA, Alexander Yui, is also expected to attend the midday lunch. Another person familiar with Furner's plans said he will also meet with Democrats to discuss Walmart's views on US manufacturing and small businesses.
Globe and Mail
30-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Walmart Layoffs 2025: Should You Sell WMT Stock as Tariffs Drive the Retailer to Job Cuts?
Over the past year, retail giants have been navigating a perfect storm of rising costs, shifting consumer habits, and geopolitical headwinds, putting even the most resilient chains under pressure. While Walmart (WMT) has long been viewed as a bulwark against inflation thanks to its scale and low‐price positioning, escalating tariffs threaten to squeeze margins and force difficult decisions. In late May, Walmart announced plans to cut roughly 1,500 corporate jobs as part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at 'removing layers and complexity, speeding up decision‐making and helping associates innovate rapidly,' according to a memo from CTO Suresh Kumar and U.S. CEO John Furner. The layoffs, focused on its global tech teams, advertising arm, and e-commerce fulfillment operations, come alongside warnings that the retailer will have to raise prices if the highest‐impact tariffs remain in place. MarketWatch reports that the job cuts are 'another way to deal with tariffs.' For investors weighing whether to hold or sell WMT stock, these moves could signal both short‐term headwinds and long‐term efficiency gains. Here's what to consider before deciding. About WMT Stock Walmart is an American retail powerhouse operating supercenters, discount department stores, and extensive grocery outlets worldwide. Over the past few decades, the company has grown into the largest retailer by revenue, known for its everyday low-price strategy. Currently, it owns 10,771 stores and clubs across 24 countries. With a market capitalization of about $780 billion, Walmart's shares slid more than 22% from mid-February through early April as investors braced for tariff headwinds. Since hitting a low of $81 in early April, however, the stock has rallied by over 20% to around $97. Overall, the stock is up approximately 8% year-to-date, outperforming the broader market. In terms of valuation, Walmart is currently trading at premium levels. Its trailing price-earnings ratio of 38x is significantly higher than the sector median of 16.5x as well as its historical norms of 26x. This means investors expect above-average growth but have less room for error. Walmart Delivered Mixed Q1 Results On May 15, the retail giant reported its Q1 results for fiscal year 2026. Despite beating earnings estimates, it was the weakest quarter since 2022. Walmart posted adjusted EPS of $0.61 that topped the $0.58 consensus by 5%, while revenue of $165.6 billion fell just shy of the $165.84 billion forecast. Notably, inventory climbed nearly 4% year over year, marking the first time since early 2022 that stockpiles have outpaced revenue growth, a reversal of the retailer's typical business cadence. The e-commerce business reported revenue growth of 20% and turned profitable this quarter, thanks to higher delivery density, with U.S. and Sam's Club online operations in the black and international channels slightly unprofitable. Meanwhile, Walmart Connect, the company's advertising business, jumped 31% in the U.S. and 50% globally, highlighting its margin-rich contribution amid pressure on core retail margins. Looking ahead, management reaffirmed full-year fiscal 2026 guidance for 3%–4% sales growth and expects Q2 sales to rise 3.5%–4.5%. What Do Analysts Think About WMT Stock? Wall Street analysts remain highly optimistic about Walmart's growth prospects, as reflected in a consensus 'Strong Buy' rating. Of 38 covering the stock, 32 rate it a 'Strong Buy,' five a 'Moderate Buy,' and one a 'Hold,' with no 'Sell' recommendations. The average 12-month price target is $108.79, implying roughly 11% upside potential from here. The Bottom Line Walmart's 2025 corporate cuts and tariff-driven price hikes aim to shore up margins and boost efficiency, but risk straining staff and testing consumer loyalty. Strong e-commerce results, solid guidance, and widespread analyst support suggest WMT remains a buy-and-hold pick for those weathering near-term volatility.
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Walmart plans to open 5 new stores and one Sam's Club: Check out the new locations
Walmart is gearing up for significant expansion, with plans to open five new stores by the end of September. CEO John Furner announced in a January 2024 press release that the retail giant intends to build or convert over 150 locations, while also undertaking renovations at more than 650 stores across 47 states. Also Read: PlayStation Plus June 2025 games announced early by Sony: See the full lineup along with bonus free download In a press release from April, Walmart announced that it will repair Sam's Club at all 600 locations in addition to opening 30 new clubs as it was originally planned and reveal in 2023 along with building 'a pipeline to open approximately 15 new clubs each year.' According to USA Today, A spokesperson for Walmart revealed that teh company has plans to open 10 more stores by the end of this year. They also revealed that, following are the five locations where Walmart will open its new stores by the end of September 2025. Walmart Neighborhood Market – 8600 Hwy 69, Tuscaloosa, Alabama – Mid-June Walmart Supercenter Conversion – 600 Showers Dr., Mountain View, California – July Walmart Supercenter – 9399 North Spring Run Parkway, Eagle Mountain, Utah – August Walmart Neighborhood Market – 6275 US-90, Milton, Florida – August Walmart Neighborhood Market – 4239 Berryhill Road, Pace, Florida – September The retail giant will also open a new Sam's Club in Tempe, Arizona, in early August 2025. Also Read: Two Secret Service agents fired after violent altercation outside Barack Obama's DC residence: Watch 'wild' video Walmart's announcement of new store openings comes in the wake of yet another boycott. From May 20 to May 26, the advocacy group People's Union USA led a protest against the retail giant, accusing it of 'crushing small businesses' and 'underpaying' employees. The action followed March's economic blackout and highlighted growing criticism of Walmart's business practices. The Walmart boycott is part of a broader series of weekly protests organized by the People's Union. Target is next on the list, with a boycott scheduled for June 3 to 9, followed by McDonald's from June 24 to 30. The group is also planning a nationwide consumer blackout on July 4, aiming to draw attention to corporate practices they deem harmful to workers and small businesses.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Walmart to Cut Around 1,500 Corporate Jobs in Restructuring Drive
On May 21, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) announced plans to cut ~1,500 corporate jobs as part of a restructuring effort aimed at increasing efficiency, speeding up decision-making, and simplifying its organizational structure. The layoffs will primarily affect only corporate employees and not store associates across its Global Tech team, advertising business (Walmart Connect), and e-commerce fulfillment operations. A manager standing in a hypermarket, pointing out items available for wholesale. In a memo to employees, Walmart's global chief technology officer & chief development officer, Suresh Kumar, and president and CEO of Walmart US, John Furner, stated that the changes are necessary to adapt to the evolving technology landscape and accelerate delivery and innovation. While some roles are being eliminated, Walmart also indicated that it is creating new positions aligned with its current business priorities. This restructuring follows earlier efforts by Walmart to consolidate its corporate workforce, such as closing its Charlotte, North Carolina office in February and asking employees in smaller offices to relocate to its Bentonville, Arkansas headquarters or Sunnyvale, California hub. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is the world's largest retailer and has ~1.6 million employees and 4,600 locations in the US. While we acknowledge the potential of WMT to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than WMT and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Walmart to Cut Around 1,500 Corporate Jobs in Restructuring Drive
On May 21, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) announced plans to cut ~1,500 corporate jobs as part of a restructuring effort aimed at increasing efficiency, speeding up decision-making, and simplifying its organizational structure. The layoffs will primarily affect only corporate employees and not store associates across its Global Tech team, advertising business (Walmart Connect), and e-commerce fulfillment operations. A manager standing in a hypermarket, pointing out items available for wholesale. In a memo to employees, Walmart's global chief technology officer & chief development officer, Suresh Kumar, and president and CEO of Walmart US, John Furner, stated that the changes are necessary to adapt to the evolving technology landscape and accelerate delivery and innovation. While some roles are being eliminated, Walmart also indicated that it is creating new positions aligned with its current business priorities. This restructuring follows earlier efforts by Walmart to consolidate its corporate workforce, such as closing its Charlotte, North Carolina office in February and asking employees in smaller offices to relocate to its Bentonville, Arkansas headquarters or Sunnyvale, California hub. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is the world's largest retailer and has ~1.6 million employees and 4,600 locations in the US. While we acknowledge the potential of WMT to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than WMT and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
