Walmart experienced a strong performance throughout 2024, but potential challenges loom in 2025, reports AP. The retail giant achieved another year of solid sales and profits, with its competitive pricing continuing to attract inflation-conscious shoppers. However, uncertainties in the economic landscape suggest difficulties ahead. Texas gunman in Walmart shooting gets 90 consecutive life sentences and may still face death penalty Walmart’s 2025 earnings forecast falls short of analysts’ expectations by as much as 27 cents per share, while its quarterly outlook is up to 7 cents below Wall Street projections. The company's sales forecast is also underwhelming, possibly signalling growing obstacles as consumer spending weakens and President Donald Trump's tariffs on China and other nations pose a threat to Walmart’s low-price strategy. Despite implementing measures to mitigate some tariff risks, Walmart remains vulnerable. Groceries, which constitute about 60% of its U.S. business, are largely unaffected by international trade policies. However, Walmart's stock plunged nearly 9% before Thursday’s market opening, dragging down other major retailers, including Target, which saw a 2% decline. As one of the first major U.S. retailers to release quarterly results, Walmart’s numbers provide insight into consumer sentiment, especially in light of new trade barriers that many economists fear could drive inflation higher. Over the past year, shoppers have prioritised essential purchases over discretionary items like electronics, furniture, and appliances, exercising greater caution due to rising costs for both credit and groceries. Walmart boosts outlook after a strong first quarter and rising online sales Walmart has thrived in this environment, leveraging its scale to maintain lower prices and gain market share, particularly among households earning over $100,000. Its e-commerce expansion and Walmart+ membership programme have also drawn wealthier customers. “We have momentum driven by our low prices, a growing assortment, and an eCommerce business focused on faster delivery times,” said CEO Doug McMillon. “We’re gaining market share, our top line is healthy, and our inventory is in great shape.” Nevertheless, the company may face heightened challenges as the new tariffs present greater economic risks compared to Trump’s first term. Economists warn that if Americans experience another wave of price increases, consumer spending—accounting for 70% of the U.S. economy—could decline broadly, impacting not just Walmart’s sales but the economy at large. Recent government data showed a sharp decline in January retail sales, partly due to cold weather, though the drop was larger than expected—the biggest in a year. While December sales were revised higher, it may suggest consumers are cutting back after holiday spending. Meanwhile, grocery prices, a persistent concern for American households, have continued to rise. Walmart, headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, reported quarterly earnings of $5.25 billion, or 65 cents per share, for the period ending Jan. 31, compared to $5.49 billion, or 68 cents per share, a year earlier. Adjusted earnings per share stood at 66 cents. Quarterly sales grew by 4.1% to reach $180.55 billion, surpassing analysts’ forecast of $180.07 billion, according to FactSet. Comparable sales for Walmart’s U.S. division—including online and physical stores open for at least a year—rose 4.6%, slightly below the 5.3% increase in the previous quarter. The company reported a 4.2% rise in the second quarter and 3.8% in the first quarter. Global e-commerce sales climbed 16% in the latest quarter, a slowdown from the 27% growth seen in the third quarter. 'Bodies drop' as Walmart manager kills 6 in Virginia attack For the first quarter, Walmart expects earnings per share between 57 and 58 cents, well below Wall Street’s 64-cent projection. For the full year, the company anticipates earnings per share of $2.50 to $2.60, falling short of the $2.77 analysts predicted. The retailer projects a 3% to 4% rise in quarterly sales, ranging between $166.35 billion and $167.97 billion, which could disappoint analysts who expected $167.05 billion. For the year, Walmart forecasts sales growth of 3% to 4%, reaching between $667.57 billion and $674.05 billion—significantly lower than analysts’ estimate of $708.72 billion, according to FactSet.

Asia’s stock markets displayed mixed performances on Wednesday, with Chinese technology stocks retreating after a brief rally, reports AP. The Hang Seng Index declined by 0.27% to 22,915.70, whereas the Shanghai Composite climbed 0.81% to 3,351.54. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dipped 0.27% to 39,164.61, following U.S. President Donald Trump's warning of a 25% tariff on car imports, a move that could negatively affect Japan’s economy. UK inflation hits 10-month high Meanwhile, South Korea’s KOSPI advanced 1.7% to 2,671.52, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.73% to 8,419.20. China’s technology stocks tumbled on Wednesday following a short-lived surge earlier in the week. Alibaba’s Hong Kong-listed shares declined by 1.58%, while Baidu dropped 2.33% after reporting a 2% year-on-year revenue decrease for the fourth quarter amid intensifying artificial intelligence competition in China. Tencent, a leading video game company, saw its stock fall by 1.37%, while online services giant Meituan lost 3.24%. “Hong Kong and mainland China led the sell-off, letting some air out of the risk-on sentiment that had driven Asia’s market rebound,” noted Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management. “Japanese stocks also followed the downturn, with automakers Toyota and Honda hit hard after Trump issued fresh threats—this time targeting autos, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals with potential 25% tariffs,” he added. The drop in Chinese tech shares occurred despite U.S. markets edging higher, with the S&P 500 setting a new record on Tuesday. NBR to launch AEO next week to fast track int'l businesses The benchmark for Wall Street’s performance gained 0.2%, surpassing its previous all-time closing high from last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 10 points, or under 0.1%, while the Nasdaq composite increased by 0.1%. In energy markets, U.S. benchmark crude climbed 43 cents to $72.26 per barrel, while Brent crude, the global standard, increased by 40 cents to $76.24 per barrel. In currency trading, the U.S. dollar slipped to 151.71 Japanese yen from 152.01 yen, while the euro rose to $1.0455 from $1.0446.

Inflation in the UK climbed to a 10-month high in January, according to official data released on Wednesday, a development that is likely to temper expectations of swift interest rate cuts from the Bank of England, reports AP. The Office for National Statistics reported that inflation, as measured by the consumer prices index, increased to 3% in the year to January, up from 2.5% the previous month. NBR to launch AEO next week to fast track int'l businesses This rise, which pushed inflation further beyond the bank’s 2% target, was primarily driven by higher airfares, food costs, and private school fees following the new Labour government’s decision to introduce a sales tax. While economists had projected an increase to 2.8%, the magnitude of the surge has been unexpectedly high and is likely to raise concerns among central bank policymakers, particularly as they continue to express apprehensions about the UK's sluggish economic growth. Earlier this month, the bank reduced its main interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 4.50%—its third cut in six months—after slashing its 2025 growth forecast for the UK to 0.75%. If growth remains weak, it will be a significant setback for the UK’s new Labour government, which has prioritised economic expansion as a means of improving living standards and generating revenue for underfunded public services. As growth remains elusive, the party’s popularity has declined sharply since its election victory in July. The government will undoubtedly hope that the central bank provides support by further reducing interest rates, as this would lower mortgage costs and make borrowing more affordable, albeit at the expense of reduced returns for savers. DSE opens lower, CSE sees early gains Most economists expect inflation to rise further in the coming months due to increasing domestic energy bills, before beginning to decline in the latter half of the year. This should provide policymakers with scope to cut interest rates again—though possibly fewer times than previously anticipated. “A rate cut in March now seems highly unlikely, with the bank maintaining its cautious approach to easing for the time being,” said Luke Bartholomew, deputy chief economist at abrdn, formerly Aberdeen Asset Management. “However, whether the pace of rate cuts accelerates later in the year will depend on inflationary pressures returning towards 2%.”

Global stocks exhibited mixed trends on Monday, as investors sought bargains despite lingering concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies, reports AP. In early trading, France’s CAC 40 edged up 0.2% to 7,988.29, while Germany’s DAX gained 0.3% to 21,817.79. Britain’s FTSE 100 climbed 0.4% to 8,738.98. U.S. stock futures indicated a modest rise, with Dow futures increasing by 0.2% to 44,507.00 and S&P 500 futures advancing 0.3% to 6,067.50. Asian markets mixed as DeepSeek boosts Chinese tech stocks In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed nearly flat, rising less than 0.1% to 38,801.17. The Japanese government announced a record current account surplus of 29 trillion yen ($191 billion) for the previous year, reflecting strong returns from overseas investments, aided by a weak yen and a recovery in Japanese exports. The current account surplus, a broad measure of trade performance, surged nearly 30% from the prior year, marking its highest level since comparable records began in 1985. In currency markets, the U.S. dollar strengthened to 152.41 Japanese yen, up from 151.39 yen, while the euro dipped slightly to $1.0321 from $1.0328. Shares of Nippon Steel, whose planned acquisition of U.S. Steel faces opposition from Trump—as it did from former President Joe Biden—fell 0.5%. During a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday, Trump stated that Nippon Steel should instead invest in U.S. Steel. Japan’s government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters in Tokyo on Monday that Nippon Steel was preparing “a bold proposal” to invest in U.S. Steel, aiming for a “win-win” outcome for both countries, though he did not elaborate. Nippon Steel declined to comment. Despite Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed 1.8% to 21,521.98, while the Shanghai Composite gained 0.6% to 3,322.17. Hong Kong's post office continues to suspend packages for US as it seeks clarification over tariff Technology stocks were among the gainers, amid optimism over potential Chinese stimulus measures. China is countering the U.S. tariffs with its own levies on selected American imports and has launched an antitrust investigation into Google. Trump announced that he would impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports into the U.S., effective Monday. According to Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management, markets are bracing for volatility, as Asian economies—along with Mexico and Canada—will be affected by the tariffs. Trump has granted a 30-day exemption for all imports from Mexico and Canada, but the newly imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium will still apply to them once the exemption expires. “Asian markets are facing a turbulent start,” said Innes, though he noted that some of the anticipated impact may have already been priced in. South Korea’s Kospi edged down less than 0.1% to 2,521.27, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.3% to 8,482.80. Investors are also monitoring corporate earnings reports. Automakers Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Corp. are set to release their earnings on Thursday, as speculation mounts that their joint holding company talks may fall apart. Recent Japanese media reports, citing unnamed sources, have caused fluctuations in both stocks over the past week. On Monday, Honda shares fell 0.9%, while Nissan declined 0.8%. In commodities, benchmark U.S. crude gained 40 cents, reaching $71.40 per barrel, while Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose 41 cents to $75.07 per barrel.

Asian stocks rose on Tuesday after President Donald Trump announced a one-month delay in tariffs on Mexico and Canada, reports AP. Markets across Asia showed positive movement. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index increased by 2.10% to 20,642.58, Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 1.61% to 39,140.41, South Korea’s Kospi rose by 1.63% to 2,493.99, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 inched up 0.13% to 8,390.20. BEPZA signs deal to set up machinery manufacturing industry in EZ The White House also stated that Trump would be speaking with Chinese President Xi Jinping, igniting hopes of a potential deal that could prevent a wider trade war. Last week, Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, which is expected to take effect on Tuesday. Canada confirmed that a deal with the U.S. for a month-long tariff reprieve was reached, but the announcement came only after U.S. markets had closed. Analysts attributed Tuesday's market rally to the tariff delay for countries like Canada and Mexico. Yeap Jun Rong, a market strategist at IG, noted in a report that the pullback in the US dollar and the optimism surrounding tariff relief could help sustain market gains unless unexpected issues arise in US-China trade talks. He also commented that the delay reflects Trump’s willingness to negotiate and could signal that tariffs are being used more as leverage in negotiations rather than fixed policies. On Monday, the S&P 500 dropped by 0.8%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 122 points (0.3%), and the Nasdaq composite fell by 1.2%. U.S. stocks recovered some of their losses after Mexico confirmed a monthlong reprieve from Trump’s tariffs. In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude oil fell by $0.77 to $72.39 per barrel, while Brent crude, the international standard, declined by 36 cents to $75.60 a barrel. Taskforce on economy puts forward its recommendations The U.S. dollar strengthened slightly, rising from 154.75 yen to 155.13 yen. The euro weakened slightly, dropping to $1.0317 from $1.0345.

Asian stocks fell on Friday, following a U.S. market closure for the National Day of Mourning for former President Jimmy Carter. U.S. futures were down, and oil prices saw an increase, reports AP. Regional markets broadly declined, with analysts attributing the drop to growing concerns over the Federal Reserve's ability to cut interest rates further, given recent data indicating unexpected strength in the U.S. economy. Stock market today: Asian shares advance though China economic data weaker than expected Minutes from the Fed's December meeting revealed that officials expected to slow down the pace of rate cuts this year due to persistent inflation and potential tariff hikes under President-elect Donald Trump, alongside other anticipated policy changes. The Fed's economists noted that the U.S. economy's future was uncertain, partly due to potential changes in trade, immigration, fiscal, and regulatory policies under the incoming Trump administration. Investors were also awaiting a U.S. non-farm jobs report later in the day. Markets seemed worried about the risk that the Fed may adopt a more restrictive policy that could hinder the "risk-on" market sentiment, according to Tan Jing Yi of Mizuho Bank. DSEX gains 9.42 points; 400 companies participate in trading Investors also remained cautious ahead of Trump's inauguration, particularly regarding the possibility of higher tariffs against China and other nations. Although increased tariffs on Chinese goods were expected, it remained unclear which other economies would be targeted or whether universal tariffs would be imposed, according to ANZ Research. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 dropped 0.9% to 39,236.86, while South Korea's Kospi was unchanged at 2,521.96. Chinese markets saw further losses, with the Hang Seng down 0.5% to 19,142.98 and the Shanghai Composite down 0.5% to 3,196.01. The S&P/ASX 200 in Australia fell 0.5% to 8,292.10. The SET in Bangkok remained nearly flat, and the Sensex in India fell by 0.4%. Taiwan's Taiex saw a slight gain, increasing by 0.2%. Bangladeshi expats set new remittance record: $2.64 billion in December 2024 In the U.S., the bond market was open until 2 p.m. Eastern time Thursday. Yields remained relatively steady after a strong recent rise that had unsettled the stock market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury was 4.69%, after briefly surpassing 4.70%, its highest since April. Higher yields can negatively impact stocks by making borrowing more expensive and attracting investors away from stocks towards bonds. The rise in yields has been driven by better-than-expected U.S. economic reports and concerns about inflationary pressures from potential policy changes under Trump. In European trading on Thursday, London's FTSE 100 rose by 0.8% to 8,319.69, aided by a weaker British pound, which boosted U.K. exporters' profits. Germany's DAX lost 0.1% to 20,317.10, while France's CAC 40 gained 0.5% to 7,490.28. In early Friday trading, U.S. benchmark crude oil increased by 38 cents to $74.29 per barrel, and Brent crude rose by 39 cents to $77.31 per barrel. The U.S. dollar strengthened to 158.40 yen from 158.14 yen, while the euro slipped to $1.0298 from $1.0301.