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Walmart IncWMTBUYMar 17, 2016Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Oct 16, 2026. Market Open.
WMT and COST are the dominant discount retailers in the US. They became priced for perfection, with multiples of 40-50x PE for a large, mature company. Might be a great company, but that multiple's for a younger company, growing at very high rates because it can get a lot bigger. Both are in the process of compressing to a 20x PE multiple.
Either earnings are better than expected and stock trends sideways. Or earnings are worse, and multiple goes down. Either way, not much upside.
Both great companies, but both very expensive. COST is over 50x PE, and WMT's in the 40s. Fairly low-margin model. Reliant on the consumer, and everyone's affected when that consumer is struggling.
WMT reported today. Earnings were OK, but projections on future quarters were tough. High fuel prices were highlighted.
Successful transition to e-commerce is why stock's been on fire. Topline growth is only 4-5%, and his team debates this company all the time. PE is 46x earnings for 2026, extremely expensive. Seen as a safe place to park $$ as they continue to execute.
See his Top Picks.
The kind of company that would fit in his portfolio although he has never bought it. It had a rough 52 weeks, but is up 10% this year. It has turned the corner. They are huge, 11k stores, 400 added last year. Part of the challenge has been online shopping. Shoppers try products at Wal-Mart and then buy online. Wal-Mart is trying to close the sale by price matching. They are going to sell organic foods at 25% less. There are good growth initiatives. They are a low cost provider and so margins are thin so they feel FX hits. He would not be opposed to buying it although he has not pulled the trigger. Will they raise the dividend on May 11?