Stock price when the opinion was issued
Sold a couple of months ago on poor performance. Questions about health of lower-income consumer have been flagged on conference calls, and this concern is creeping up even to the medium-income consumer. Taking steps to increase price points. An improving consumer would be a tailwind. If he had to choose, this would be his pick.
They reported today: sales grew 11.3% and beat and earnings beat. DT reports the highest growth coming from their richest customers, namely over $100,000 annual income. Unlike DG, Dollar Tree could be hurt by Trump's tariffs; TF said that this quarter their earnings could slide 45-50%, then re-accelerate later this year. Also, DT faces pressure from divesting Family Dollar, which didn't work out. Tariffs: DT imports 40% directly from China, so they are heavily exposed.
The consumer is realizing that dollar stars no longer offer bargains. These stores were raising prices aggressively during Covid and can't call themselves dollar stores now. Look at places like Walmart instead for deals.