Wal-Mart Shares — 3 Pros, 3 Cons

If the legendary retailer Sam Walton were alive today, he would certainly be stunned by the performance of the company he founded,  Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT ).  Over the past 10 years, the annual average return has been a measly 1.7%. 

But as the world’s largest retailer, should Wal-Mart be able to do better?  It definitely has many benefits. It has the scale to extract great terms from vendors and its cash-flow generation is enormous.  The dividend yield is also a decent 2.8%.

Should investors consider buying shares?  Let’s take a look at the pros and cons:

Pros

New ideas.   Wal-Mart is in the early stages of launching a small-store format concept called Wal-Mart Express. 

No doubt, the company has reached a high degree of saturation in large markets.  But with a small-store strategy, Wal-Mart can potentially find new growth opportunities.  Besides, small stores have lower costs and higher returns on capital.

Global expansion.   This is key to Wal-Mart’s growth strategy.  To this end, the company has been aggressive with its acquisitions.   For example, it has purchased a majority stake in Massmart, which is a top retailer in Africa.  The continent represents a big opportunity and it looks like Wal-Mart will now have a strong foothold.

E-commerce.   This market should continue to grow at a hefty rate for the long haul.  To benefit from this trend, Wal-Mart has been investing more in its digital strategy.  Consider that the company has an online system to allow customers to pick up items.  There is also a move to provide for the delivery of groceries via an online system. 

Cons

Traction.   For the past two years, the same-store growth rate in the U.S. has been declining.  It’s a scary statistic.  Unless it is corrected, it will be extremely difficult for Wal-Mart’s stock to get traction again.

Competition.   The discount category has been red hot.  In other words, Wal-Mart now has to contend with many competitors.  These include Family Dollar (NYSE: FDO ), Target (NYSE: TGT ) and Costco (Nasdaq: COST ).  These companies have been successful in providing a wide assortment of products at fairly low prices.

Pros And Cons Of Walmart - News


Wal-Mart Shares — 3 Pros, 3 Cons

Let's take a look at the pros and cons: New ideas. Wal-Mart is in the early stages of launching a small-store format concept called Wal-Mart Express. No doubt, the company has reached a high degree of saturation in large markets.



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Best Buy Ups Value

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Wal-Mart Shares -- 3 Pros, 3 Cons | InvestorPlace

If the legendary retailer Sam Walton were alive today, he would certainly be stunned by the performance of the company he founded,  Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT ).  Over the past 10 years, the annual average return has been a measly 1.7%. 

But as the world’s largest retailer, should Wal-Mart be able to do better?  It definitely has many benefits. It has the scale to extract great terms from vendors and its cash-flow generation is enormous.  The dividend yield is also a decent 2.8%.

Should investors consider buying shares?  Let’s take a look at the pros and cons:

Pros

New ideas.   Wal-Mart is in the early stages of launching a small-store format concept called Wal-Mart Express. 

No doubt, the company has reached a high degree of saturation in large markets.  But with a small-store strategy, Wal-Mart can potentially find new growth opportunities.  Besides, small stores have lower costs and higher returns on capital.

Global expansion.   This is key to Wal-Mart’s growth strategy.  To this end, the company has been aggressive with its acquisitions.   For example, it has purchased a majority stake in Massmart, which is a top retailer in Africa.  The continent represents a big opportunity and it looks like Wal-Mart will now have a strong foothold.

E-commerce.   This market should continue to grow at a hefty rate for the long haul.  To benefit from this trend, Wal-Mart has been investing more in its digital strategy.  Consider that the company has an online system to allow customers to pick up items.  There is also a move to provide for the delivery of groceries via an online system. 

Cons

Traction.   For the past two years, the same-store growth rate in the U.S. has been declining.  It’s a scary statistic.  Unless it is corrected, it will be extremely difficult for Wal-Mart’s stock to get traction again.

Competition.   The discount category has been red hot.  In other words, Wal-Mart now has to contend with many competitors.  These include Family Dollar (NYSE: FDO ), Target (NYSE: TGT ) and Costco (Nasdaq: COST ).  These companies have been successful in providing a wide assortment of products at fairly low prices.


Pros And Cons Of Walmart - Bookshelf

Retail Management, A Strategic Approach

Retail Management, A Strategic Approach

What are the pros and cons of Wal-Mart's use of five different formats in Mexico from a site location perspective? The material in this case is drawn from ...

Business Communication, Process and Product (Book Only)

Business Communication, Process and Product (Book Only)

At home Wal-Mart refuses to advertise sales or bargains on specific items. ... class or to write an individual summary of the pros and cons of each option. ...

Solving sprawl, models of smart growth in communities across America

Solving sprawl, models of smart growth in communities across America

A Dialogue Begins Vermont's "endangered" status was widely publicized, and it sparked extensive debate about the pros and cons Wal-Mart shopping center in ...

Management

Management

Before you can voice any of the pros and cons, another manager expertly sums up the dilemma by saying, “The only thing worse than selling to Wal-Mart is not ...

Management Mistakes and Successes

Management Mistakes and Successes

Can the great growth of Walmart continue indefinitely? Debate the pros and cons of this. 3. Is Walmart today in danger of losing its humanity? ...

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