Markets fade as Walmart warns

Markets in Toronto and particularly New York were downbeat on Thursday as Walmart warned of slowing sales as well as profit growth due to consumer weakness in 2025. The stock sank 6.53% in trading as its CFO warned that the retailer “is not going to be completely immune” from Trump tariffs. Walmart is not the only company to have recently issued weak guidance, but it is the bellwether of the American economy, and the sentiment helped push the S&P down 1% during the day until the the index closed -0.43%. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq ended he session -0.47% and the Dow -1.01%.

Elsewhere, Royal Caribbean ended the day -7.62%, Palantir -5.17% as fears over defence spending continued, though Hasbro jumped 12.95% on cost-cutting measures. While the U.S. 10-year yield held at 4.5%, Bitcoin added 2% to US$98,250.

Similarly, the TSX sank 0.44% or 112 points during the day as sectors were mixed. Healthcare and materials led while tech and staples lagged. Major movers: Cenovus -2.78%, Celestica -5.41%, B2gold 4.76%, Manulife up 6.66% on an earnings beat, and TFI International tanked by 20.79% on an earnings miss. Gold added US$6 to US$2,939 while WTI climbed 0.45% to US$72.55.

🛒 Walmart Inc (WMT-N) -6.53%

🚢 Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL-N) -7.62%

💾 Palantir Technologies (PLTR-Q) -5.17%

🧸 Hasbro Inc (HAS-Q) +12.95%

🅱 Bitcoin (BTCUSD) (CRYPTO:BTC) +2%

🛢 Cenovus Energy (CVE-T) -2.78%

🧬 Celestica Inc (CLS-T) -5.41%

🥇 B2Gold Corp. (BTO-T) +4.76%

🏛 Manulife Financial (MFC-T) +6.66%

🚚 TFI International Inc (TFII-T) -20.79%