Is it a good time to invest in Walmart stock?

Mar 25, 2023

Amidst the global economic and political turmoil marked by high inflation and surging interest rates, some things remain constant, like people buying groceries at Walmart. However, the stock price of the world's largest retailer by revenue has dropped by 13% from its all-time high in April last year. The question is whether it's a good time to invest in the company or hold back.

In the fiscal year that ended on January 31, 2022, Walmart's revenues stood at $611 billion, a 6.7% increase from the previous year. The same-store sales in the US or comps increased by 6.6%, and the e-commerce revenue in the country rose by 12%. Sam's Club warehouse brand sales also increased by double-digit percentages.

Despite its already vast base, Walmart's revenues grew at a rapid pace, but the macroeconomic factors weighed on its margins. Gross margins fell from 25.1% in the fiscal year 2021 to 24.1% in the fiscal year 2022. Operating margins also fell from 4.5% to 3.3%. The rising costs of commodities and supply chain costs are responsible for this decline.

During the Q4 2022 earnings report, the CEO stated that "In periods of inflation like this one, middle-income families, lower-middle-income families, and even wealthier families become more price sensitive." He also said, "Because of its price structure, Walmart should still be in a good position to perform well." The management expects the company's revenues to grow by 2.5-3% in the fiscal year 2023, which is more aligned with its historical performance.

Walmart is an attractive investment for several reasons in the current economic and market environment. It's a stable and long-established company that has been in business for over 60 years. The company's massive size allows it to offer low prices continuously, which is particularly important during economic downturns.

Additionally, Walmart is a consistently profitable company, with a net income of $11.7 billion last fiscal year. The company's bottom line looks appealing in times when investors favor solid assets over speculative growth stocks. Moreover, the company has been paying dividends since 1974, and the payments have increased each year. The management has enough flexibility to keep increasing the payout.

On the other hand, some investors may choose not to invest in Walmart. The company's scale is an advantage, but it also means that it has limited reinvestment opportunities. Its sales have grown at an average annual rate of 2.7% over the past decade, in line with the US GDP growth rate. The company doesn't seem to have any room for expansion to outpace the economy.

Furthermore, Walmart's stock price has only risen by 93% over the past ten years, compared to the S&P 500's growth rate of 152%. The company's inability to outperform the market during a time when asset prices were at their best due to quantitative easing does not bode well for its future earnings potential.

Finally, Walmart's current valuation may not justify its price. The company's stock trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 33, which is more expensive than the broader market. Moreover, at a projected price-to-earnings ratio of 23, Walmart's stock also trades at a premium compared to its competitors, such as Target. This discrepancy doesn't seem reasonable, given that Target has grown its earnings faster than Walmart over the past ten years and had higher average margins.

In conclusion, while Walmart's stock can be a good portfolio backbone and provide investors with a steady stream of income, it's unlikely to generate significant returns in the coming years.