Walmart Aces Earnings Again

Good morning. Its November 19th, and today we’ll take a look at positive earnings reports from Walmart and Medtronic, as well as an IT solutions company stock that is rallying 30% in premarket trade.

Previous Close 📈

The Nasdaq Composite snapped a four-day losing streak on Monday, climbing 0.6%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 55 points (0.1%) for its third straight session of losses.

Futures

U.S. stock futures are falling sharply today following Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning about a lowered nuclear weapons threshold. Dow futures dropped 245 points (0.6%), S&P 500 futures slid 0.4%, and Nasdaq 100 futures declined 0.3%.

Under-the-Radar Giant

This $2 "Safe-Haven" Stock is Delivering NVDA-Like Gains

While AI continues to dominate the conversation, a young company in a traditionally "safe-haven" sector is quietly delivering NVDA-like returns.

Over the last six months, this company has delivered returns comparable to the tech and AI giant, all while flying under the radar.

With an analyst target nearly double its current value and backing from over 40 investment banks, it’s positioned for significant upside.

Combining the stability of a trusted sector with the potential for massive gains, this stock is quickly becoming a must-watch.

Don’t miss your chance to uncover this hidden gem.

Discover the name and ticker of this $2 stock that’s capturing the market’s attention.

What to Watch

This morning, Walmart (NYSE: WMT), Lowe's Companies (NYSE: LOW), and Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) will report their quarterly earnings before the opening bell. Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) will announce its results after the market closes.

On the economic front, Housing Starts and Building Permits data for October will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee will speak at 12:25 p.m. ET, offering insights into economic conditions.

Retail

Strong Q3 Propels Walmart to Boost Fiscal 2025 Outlook

Walmart reported another robust quarter today, exceeding Wall Street expectations and raising its fiscal 2025 outlook for the third time this year. The results are leading to a 4% rise in its share price during premarket trading.

For the third quarter, the retail giant’s revenue of $169.59 billion is more than the estimated $167.5 billion. Adjusted earnings per share are at $0.58, above the $0.53 anticipated by analysts.

CEO Doug McMillon highlighted Walmart's growing strength across in-store sales, pickup, and delivery services, attributing the gains to its ability to attract inflation-conscious consumers.

Comparable U.S. store sales are up 5.3%, fueled by a 3.1% increase in foot traffic and a 2.1% rise in average ticket size. The company’s e-commerce segment grew by a remarkable 22%, driven by store-fulfilled pickup and delivery, and advertising revenue through Walmart Connect surged 26%.

Walmart's grocery sector, which represents 60% of U.S. sales, showed mid-single-digit growth, with pantry items reaching their highest demand in four years. Private-label brands also gained traction, with penetration increasing by 80 basis points.

The retailer also raised its fiscal 2025 sales growth forecast to a range of 4.8% to 5.1%, up from its prior projection of 3.75% to 4.75%. Adjusted operating income is now expected to grow 8.5% to 9.25%.

Walmart's international markets also contributed, with revenue rising 8% to $30.3 billion, led by Flipkart in India and strong performances in Mexico and China. With shares up over 60% year-to-date, Walmart continues to outpace its peers, reflecting investor confidence in its diversified and resilient strategy.

Retail

Lowe’s Optimistic on Sales Recovery Despite Big-Ticket Challenges

Lowe’s Companies Inc. raised its annual forecast for same-store sales, expecting a smaller decline than previously projected, as demand surges from hurricane-related rebuilding efforts.

The company anticipates a current-quarter sales boost driven by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused widespread destruction in parts of Florida and North Carolina.

In its fiscal third quarter, Lowe’s same-store sales are down just 1.1%, outperforming Wall Street’s forecast of a 2.86% decline. Adjusted earnings per share are at $2.89, exceeding analyst expectations of $2.82.

CEO Marvin Ellison attributed the better-than-expected results to strong demand from contractors, increased online sales, and smaller outdoor DIY projects. While storm recovery efforts provided a noticeable lift, Ellison noted that core performance, excluding hurricane-driven activity, was also solid.

Lowe’s generates most of its revenue from DIY customers but has faced headwinds as rising interest rates deter large renovation projects. Its professional segment, however, showed resilience during the quarter, benefiting from storm rebuilding initiatives.

For 2024, Lowe’s revised its same-store sales decline projection to a range of 3% to 3.5%, an improvement from the earlier forecast of a 3.5% to 4% drop. Despite trimming its annual adjusted margin outlook slightly, shares are down 1.21% in premarket trading.

Medical Devices

Medtronic Raises Annual Profit Outlook Upon Strong Medical Device Sales

Medtronic increased the lower end of its annual profit forecast for fiscal year 2025, citing robust demand for its medical devices in the U.S. today. The company now projects earnings per share between $5.44 and $5.50, up from its prior range of $5.42 to $5.50. The midpoint of $5.47 slightly exceeds analysts' expectations of $5.45.

The company also reported a quarterly revenue of $8.40 billion, a 5.3% increase compared to the same period last year and surpassing Wall Street's estimate of $8.27 billion.

The improved outlook reflects continued strong demand for elective surgeries, particularly among older patients, as healthcare utilization normalizes post-pandemic. Medtronic joins competitors Boston Scientific and Abbott, which also recently raised their annual profit guidance, signaling a broader upswing in the medical device sector.

Medtronic's performance underscores its resilience in meeting the growing needs of healthcare providers and patients, bolstering confidence in its long-term growth trajectory.

Expert Stock Grader

Start Investing Smarter — Unlock Louis Navellier's Stock Grader for Free

Looking to make smarter investment decisions? Louis Navellier's Stock Grader analyzes over 6,000 stocks and offers clear A to F grades for each one.

For a limited time, you can grade 3 stocks for free!

Louis' clients have paid up to $30,000 for these insights - now you can try it at no cost.

Symbotic Inc. [SYM] - Last Close: $30.56

Symbotic’s stock is surging 28.3% in premarket trading today.

The U.S.-based robotics company’s strong financial results for the fourth quarter are driving the investor response.

Reversing its previous losses, the company reported a revenue of $577 million, a 47% year-on-year increase, exceeding expectations by over $106 million.

Symbotic is also providing optimistic guidance for fiscal Q1 2025, forecasting revenue between $495 million and $515 million and adjusted EBITDA of $27 million to $31 million.

Super Micro Computer Inc. [SMCI] - Last Close: $21.54

Super Micro Computer is rallying 30% before the opening bell today.

The IT solutions company announced positive steps to address recent challenges yesterday, hiring a new independent auditor, BDO USA, to ensure its financial reporting is accurate and compliant.

Additionally, Super Micro submitted a compliance plan to Nasdaq, outlining its intention to file overdue financial reports for fiscal year 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 soon.

This move reassures investors that the company is taking necessary steps to avoid delisting from Nasdaq, a concern due to its recent delays in filing financial reports.

HCW Biologics [HCWB] - Last Close: $1.24

HCW Biologics (NASDAQ: HCWB) is up 34.7% in premarket trading today.

The firm announced a $6.9-million funding deal with an institutional investor.

This agreement involves selling 6.7 million shares at a price above the current market value and issuing warrants for additional shares.

These warrants allow the investor to buy shares later at a fixed price, offering potential for future gains.

This deal boosts HCW Biologics' cash reserves, supporting its operations and growth plans.

Gold

This $2 Stock Outshines Historic Gold Rally!

Gold’s 25% surge over the past six months has been impressive, but one $2 stock has delivered more than double those returns.

This under-the-radar company is gaining momentum, with a price target nearly twice its current value and the backing of over 40 investment banks and funds.

It’s not just outperforming gold—it’s positioning itself as a breakout opportunity in today’s market.

For investors seeking a high-growth play with solid backing, this stock stands out as a rare gem.

Don’t miss the chance to discover why it’s capturing so much attention.

Get the name and ticker of this breakout company here.

Everything Else

• Bakkt’s stock soars 162% amid talks of acquisition by Trump Media & Technology Group.

• Apple tenfolds its Indonesia investment amid strict domestic content regulations for iPhone sales.

• The Ito family eyes $52 billion for a Seven & i management buyout to counter Couche-Tard bid.

• Xpeng posted robust Q3 results with 46,533 vehicle deliveries and improved profitability metrics.

• The Biden-Harris administration backs SMART USA Institute with a $1 billion investment in semiconductor R&D.

• AeroVironment announced a $4.1 billion deal to acquire space and defense firm BlueHalo.

• Thyssenkrupp shares pop after the firm beat expectations with a smaller net loss and stronger free cash flow in Q4.

That’s all for today. Thank you for reading. If you have any feedback, please reply to this email.

Best Regards,

— Adam Garcia
Elite Trade Club

Click here to get our daily newsletter straight to your cell for free.

P.S. Just like this newsletter, it's 100% free*, and you can stop at any time by replying STOP.