August 24, 2023
Top 10 Stock Walmart Strong Buy Recommendation
How to read the ranks
For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:
Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".
Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".
Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.
Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.
(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).
(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.
Snapshot: Walmart – Top 10 Stock in S&P Food & Beverage Index
Walmart is listed as a top 10 stock on August 24, 2023 in the market index S&P US Food & Beverage because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, it is a solid investment where the risk of paying too much for the shares is low. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 76 (top 76% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall strong buy recommendation for Walmart on August 24, 2023.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
| Country | USA |
| Industry | Hypermarkets, Super Centers |
| Index | Dow Jones, Dividends USA, Human Rights, S&P US Consumer, S&P US Food & Beverage, S&P 500 |
| Size class | XX-Large |
When Obermatt identifies the Top 10 stocks in a market, it’s based on a certain investment strategy. The best performing stocks usually aren’t the ones that everyone is talking about (those are often "over-priced" and have low Value ranks).
For each investment strategy, we provide you with more detailed analysis and our recommendation. You see the ranks of the top 10 stocks ranked by that particular investment strategy (360° View, Sentiment, Value, Growth, Safety and Combined Financial Performance).
360° View: Obermatt 360° View Walmart Strong Buy
| 360 METRICS | August 24, 2023 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 59 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 55 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 38 |
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| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 97 |
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| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 76 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 76 (better than 76% compared with alternatives) for 2023, overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Walmart are very positive. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Walmart. The consolidated Value Rank has an attractive rank of 59, which means that the share price of Walmart is on the lower side compared with the typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is lower than for 59% of alternative stocks in the same industry. The consolidated Growth Rank has a good rank of 55, which means that the company experiences above-average growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, and invested capital growth, as well as stock returns. In addition, professional market sentiment is above average compared with other stock investment alternatives with a Sentiment Rank of 97. But the company’s financing is risky with a Safety rank of 38. This means 62% of comparable companies have a safer financing structure than Walmart. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 76, Walmart is better positioned than 76% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, such as good value (Value Rank of 59), above-average growth (Growth Rank of 55), and positive market sentiment in the professional investor community (Sentiment Rank of 97), it is a solid stock investment where the risk of paying too much for the shares is limited, and disappointments are less likely, unless information not publicly available. Only the company financing structure is on the riskier side (Safety Rank of 38), but that would also mean better returns for shareholders if things work out well. Good value is sometimes an indication that the company's future is challenging. If they have been growing above average and are still a good value, it may indicate that this will not continue. We recommend evaluating whether the future of Walmart is as difficult as the low price of the stock, despite good growth and positive professional investor sentiment, suggests. Since the professional community is optimistic, you might have less to worry about, and the stock is just not sufficiently visible right now, which may indicate good timing. ...read more
Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Walmart very positive
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 97 (better than 97% compared with alternatives) for 2023, overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Walmart is very positive. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with all four indicators above average for Walmart. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 83 (better than 83% of alternative investments), which means that, currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. Analyst Opinions Change is also positive with a rank of 76, which means that stock research experts are changing their opinions for the better and recommending investing in the company. They are getting more optimistic about stock investments in Walmart. The Professional Investors rank is 91, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 91% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. Finally, Market Pulse has a rank of 94 which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the positive side when discussing this company (more positive news than for 94% of competitors). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 97 (more positive than 97% compared with investment alternatives), Walmart has a reputation among professional investors that is significantly higher than that of its competitors. Since all market sentiment indicators are positive, the professional community highly recommends investment in the company. Does this mean Walmart stocks are a safe investment? Far from it. Even professionals make mistakes. Especially in stock investing, there is a tendency to follow the leaders. Since trees don't grow to the heavens, such positive sentiment may also be interpreted as a danger sign. A lot of optimism can often be a sign of troubles to come, albeit unforeseen by most. ...read more
Value Strategy: Walmart Stock Price Value better than average
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 59 (better than 59% compared with alternatives), Walmart shares are more attractively priced than the majority of comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Walmart. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 75% of comparable companies, making the stock an attractive buy for dividend investors. However, dividend investors may get disappointed because all other critical financial indicators are below the market median: Price-to-Sales is 46 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 54% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Walmart's sales levels. The same is valid for Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a rank of 28 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 72% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 34 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 66% of comparable investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 59, is a buy recommendation based on Walmart's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Should dividend investors pick Walmart? The company-reported financials speak against it. The company is expensive compared with revenue and invested capital levels, two reliable company size indicators. In addition, it currently has a low level of profits. How can future dividends be paid in the case that profits remain low? Dividend investors should choose Walmart only if they reasonably expect the low current profit levels to be transitory. ...read more
Growth Strategy: Walmart Growth Momentum good
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 55 (better than 55% compared with alternatives), Walmart shows an above-average growth dynamic in its industry. Investors also speak of positive momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Walmart. Sales Growth has a below market rank of 40, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow less than 60% of its competitors. The same is valid for Capital Growth, with a rank of 39, and Profit Growth, with a rank of 47. Currently, professionals expect the company to grow its profits less than 53% of its competitors). Only shareholders are optimistic. Stock Returns are above average at a rank of 87, which means that the stock returns have recently been above 87% of alternative investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 55, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. That picture may be the result for a company that has reached the bottom. All went south for Walmart, and it still looks bad, but some investors already see light at the end of the tunnel, rewarding the stock with recent above-market stock returns. It could also mean that investors are correcting an overreaction to negative news. If that were the case, the positive stock returns are not yet a sign of recovery. Investors should look closely at the Value and Sentiment indicators before they make a stock purchasing decision, because growth is unlikely to be the driving argument behind this investment. ...read more
Safety Strategy: Walmart Debt Financing Safety below-average
| SAFETY METRICS | August 24, 2023 | |||||||
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| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 51 |
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| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 14 |
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| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 67 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 38 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 38 (better than 38% compared with alternatives), the company Walmart has financing practices on the riskier side, which means that their overall debt burden is above the industry average. This doesn't mean that the business of Walmart is also risky, it only means that the company is on the riskier side in respect to bankruptcy in case things turn sour, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, with two out of three indicators above average for Walmart. Leverage is at a rank of 51, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 51% of its competitors. Liquidity is also good at a rank of 67, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 67% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is on the safer side when it comes to debt service. But Refinancing is lower at a rank of 14, which means that the portion of the debt that is about to be refinanced is above-average. It has more debt in the refinancing stage than 86% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 38 (worse than 62% compared with alternatives), Walmart has a financing structure that is riskier than that of its competitors. The refinancing issues could be a short-term problem, especially if the company has reputation issues. Banks and investors don't like to refinance debt if there are clouds on the horizon. For this reason, investors should look at the refinancing environment for Walmart. Does it look safe that debt that is coming due can be covered with new debt? If that is the case, then the financing situation of the company is on the safer side. If not, it may be better to wait until refinancing has been completed and the Refinancing rank is good again. ...read more
Combined financial peformance: Walmart Above-Average Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | August 24, 2023 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 59 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 55 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 67 |
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| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 55 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 55 (better than 55% compared with investment alternatives), Walmart (Hypermarkets, Super Centers, USA) shares have above-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Walmart are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 59 (better than 59% of alternatives), show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 55) but are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 38), which means above-average debt burdens. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 55, is a buy recommendation based on Walmart's financial characteristics. As the company Walmart's key financial metrics exhibit excellent performance in two areas, such as good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 59) and above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 55), it could be argued that the risk-taking in financing (Obermatt Safety Rank of only 38) indicates that the company is optimistic about the future and sees debt as an opportunity to boost returns. More debt means more shareholder returns if everything goes well. However, higher debt burdens are risky when interest rates rise or the business deteriorates in a crisis. If you believe the company's future is market-typical or even better, this could be an argument for a share purchase. ...read more
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