ReportWire

Tag: Retail/Wholesale

  • Amazon and Apple to headline Q2 earnings this week

    Amazon and Apple to headline Q2 earnings this week

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    When Amazon.com Inc. and Apple Inc. report quarterly results on Thursday, we’ll get a look at two big companies, with big expectations, trying to do smaller things — or at least less exciting things, or things that might be more inconveniencing to customers — to stay bigger.

    For Apple
    AAPL,
    +1.35%    ,
    D.A. Davidson analyst Tom Forte said, the focus will be on the iPhone, as always, as well as demand abroad and a new VR headset, as its stock hovers near record highs and its market value holds above $3 trillion. And he said that Amazon
    AMZN,
    +3.09%    ,
    meanwhile, could face questions about the impact of cost cuts on e-commerce growth, and what AI could do to boost slower growth in its cloud business.

    The results from those companies, which are big enough to make or break a single quarter’s worth for the S&P 500 Index
    SPX,
    +0.99%    ,
    will follow those from the other tech giants like Microsoft Corp.
    MSFT,
    +2.31%
    and Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc.
    META,
    +4.42%    .
    And they’ll arrive as Wall Street starts to get a tad more realistic about AI: Microsoft shares fell after management said the expansion of its AI capabilities would be “gradual” — and gradually more expensive.

    D.A. Davidson analyst Tom Forte, in a research note this month, said Amazon, like other big tech companies, was taking more steps to control its costs. That might help margins, he said. But he said he’d be watching for any impact to e-commerce sales growth, following thousands of layoffs and pulling back on its expansion of Amazon Fresh.

    Amazon began tacking on servicing fees onto some Amazon Fresh delivery orders this year. And Forte noted what he said were other tweaks to service: Charging for a home pickup of a defective smoke alarm that used to be free, and incentives to wait longer during Prime Day.

    “In our view, Amazon is playing a ‘game of chicken’ and banking on other e-commerce companies not to offer a superior service, instead of its historical approach of working backwards with a customer-obsessed approach,” D.A. Davidson analyst Tom Forte said in a research note.

    He added later: “We believe there is something to be said about the experience of having an Amazon-branded delivery vehicle show up at your house EVERY day. Having one show up once a week or twice is not the same.”

    At Apple, Forte said in a separate note, the iPhone, whose sales were still solid, had turned into more of a consumer staple than a discretionary buy. He also said he’d be looking for more detail about the upcoming iPhone 15 — likely to be modestly fancier than previous iPhones — the recovery in China and growth in India. Apple last month also unveiled its Vision Pro VR headset — for $3,499. Forte said he had his doubts.

    “We believe Apple will have to overcome a number of structural challenges to achieve mass adoption for its AR/VR headset,” he said.

    This week in earnings

    Apple and Amazon will report as more companies than normal report quarterly profit ahead of estimates, according to a FactSet report on Friday. For the week ahead, 170 S&P 500 companies report results, with four from the Dow, the repot said.

    Results from Uber Technologies Inc.
    UBER,
    +3.28%
    and DoorDash Inc.
    DASH,
    +4.20%
    will offer an update on the gig economy and how far app-based deliveries can go, while results from Kraft Heinz Inc.
    KHC,
    -0.11%
    will offer an update on food prices and how much they might ease from the highs seen in recent months.

    With the “Barbie” movie lifting rival Mattel Inc.
    MAT,
    -2.40%    ,
    results from Hasbro Inc
    HAS,
    -0.29%
    during the week will offer a glance at the rest of the toy industry, where demand hasn’t exactly been great, and what entertainment options Hasbro has up its sleeve to keep apace with its archrival. Drug maker Pfizer Inc.
    PFE,
    -0.36%
    reports, as does video-game maker Electronic Arts Inc.
    EA,
    +0.25%    .
    Starbucks Corp.
    SBUX,
    +0.47%
    reports as well.

    The call to put on your calendar

    “Barbie,” the Hollywood strike and Warner Bros. Discovery: Mattel has said it wants to turn “Barbie” into a content franchise. Now we’ll hear what Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.
    WBD,
    +4.07%    ,
    the media conglomerate that produced the film, thinks about the film’s results and its prospects, as studios increasingly pump out sequels or offshoots of well-known, established character universes like “Star Wars,” Marvel and DC. The company — which reports oversees Warner Bros. CNN, TNT and the streaming service Max — reports quarterly results on Thursday. But even as “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” carry the parts of the entertainment industry that are still functioning through the Hollywood strike, Wall Street will likely be focused on contingency plans, and any sense of whether more viewers are turning to streaming with productions on pause.

    The number to watch

    Payments and crypto volumes: Results this week from trading app Robinhood Markets Inc.
    HOOD,
    +4.09%
    and crypto exchange Coinbase Global Inc.
    COIN,
    +2.23%    ,
    along with PayPal Holdings Inc.
    PYPL,
    +2.71%
    and Block
    SQ,
    +3.42%    ,
    will land at the intersection of rebounding markets and job-market concerns.

    UBS analysts predicted solid growth and cost control for Block, and “steady” e-commerce trends for PayPal. But BofA analysts said PayPal’s search for a new chief executive, following the announcement of Dan Schulman’s retirement at the end of the year, would become more important, adding that “we think investors should rightfully expect the CEO search to conclude in the near-term.” While Bitcoin’s rebound helped Coinbase, the company and others in the industry face the prospect of tougher regulations. Robinhood and PayPal report on Wednesday. Coinbase and Block report on Thursday.

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  • China-Founded Rivals Ramp Up War for American Shoppers

    China-Founded Rivals Ramp Up War for American Shoppers

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    China-Founded Rivals Ramp Up War for American Shoppers

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  • Contrasting Inchcape (OTCMKTS:INCPY) and Carvana (NYSE:CVNA)

    Contrasting Inchcape (OTCMKTS:INCPY) and Carvana (NYSE:CVNA)

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    Carvana (NYSE:CVNA – Get Free Report) and Inchcape (OTCMKTS:INCPY – Get Free Report) are both retail/wholesale companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, risk, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability and dividends.

    Analyst Ratings

    This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Carvana and Inchcape, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

    Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
    Carvana 5 15 1 0 1.81
    Inchcape 0 0 1 0 3.00

    Carvana currently has a consensus target price of $39.16, suggesting a potential downside of 3.07%. Given Carvana’s higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Carvana is more favorable than Inchcape.

    Earnings and Valuation

    This table compares Carvana and Inchcape’s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

    Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio
    Carvana $13.60 billion 0.56 -$1.59 billion ($12.34) -3.27
    Inchcape N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

    Inchcape has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Carvana.

    Institutional and Insider Ownership

    51.1% of Carvana shares are owned by institutional investors. 17.1% of Carvana shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

    Profitability

    This table compares Carvana and Inchcape’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

    Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
    Carvana -11.08% -1,491.81% -6.94%
    Inchcape N/A N/A N/A

    About Carvana

    (Get Free Report)

    Carvana Co., together with its subsidiaries, operates an e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars in the United States. Its platform allows customers to research and identify a vehicle; inspect it using company’s 360-degree vehicle imaging technology; obtain financing and warranty coverage; purchase the vehicle; and schedule delivery or pick-up from their desktop or mobile devices. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Tempe, Arizona.

    About Inchcape

    (Get Free Report)

    Inchcape plc operates as an automotive distributor and retailer. The company engages in the distribution, sales, and marketing of new and used cars, and parts. It also provides aftersales service and body shop repairs; and finance and insurance products and services. The company operates in the Asia Pacific, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Inchcape plc was founded in 1847 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

    Receive News & Ratings for Carvana Daily – Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts’ ratings for Carvana and related companies with MarketBeat.com’s FREE daily email newsletter.

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  • U.S. stocks drift higher as tech earnings, Fed rate decision loom

    U.S. stocks drift higher as tech earnings, Fed rate decision loom

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    U.S. stocks were modestly higher on Tuesday as the Dow’s winning streak continued for now, while investors waited for big tech company earnings after the bell and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision on Wednesday.

    How stocks are trading

    • The S&P 500 climbed 5 points, or 0.1%, to 4,560

    • The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 12 points, or 0%, to 35,423

    • The Nasdaq Composite increased 51 points, or 0.3%, to 14,110

    On Monday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average
    DJIA,
    +0.21%
    rose 184 points, or 0.52%, to 35411, the S&P 500
    SPX,
    +0.30%
    increased 18 points, or 0.4%, to 4555, and the Nasdaq Composite
    COMP,
    +0.66%
    gained 26 points, or 0.19%, to 14059.

    What’s driving markets

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average is on an 11-session winning streak, its best run in more than six years, as hopes build that the Federal Reserve’s remaining interest rate hikes this year will not cause a recession as inflation cools.

    Whether the Dow can make it an even dozen days of gains and extend its rally even further to fresh 15-month highs will likely depend on the next few days containing corporate earnings reports and Fed comments.

    Dow components 3M
    MMM,
    +5.58%
    and Verizon Communications Inc.
    VZ,
    +0.60%
    both reported results before the bell. So did big name companies like General Electric
    GE,
    +5.97%
    and General Motors
    GM,
    -4.44%    .

    After the bell, come Microsoft
    MSFT,
    +1.18%
    and Visa
    V,
    -0.28%    ,
    with non-Dow member Alphabet
    GOOG,
    +0.11%
    also a highlight. Coca-Cola
    KO,
    -0.23%
    and Boeing
    BA,
    -1.67%
    are among those Dow members presenting their numbers on Wednesday.

    Investors will be want to hear from Alphabet and Microsoft about their cloud businesses, the ongoing impact and use of artificial intelligence and their general outlooks for American and global markets, David Sekera, chief U.S. market strategist at Morningstar, said in a phone interview.

    Meanwhile, equity markets are in “a little bit of a holding period” ahead of the events to come, he noted.

    Read also: IMF sees signs global economy is headed in the right direction

    Wednesday also sees the Fed’s latest monetary policy decision. The market is certain the central bank will increase its policy interest rate by another 25 basis points to a range of 5.25% to 5.50%.

    But investors are less sure of whether that will be the last hike of the current cycle, so the Fed’s accompanying statement and what Chair Jerome Powell says at his press conference will be the main drivers of bonds, equities and forex around the event.

    “Our view is the Fed is one and done,” Sekera said. Even with expectations that central banks will continue to “talk tough” on inflation, Sekera said Morningstar’s base case is that July’s 25-basis point hike is the last, while inflation continues to cool over the second half of the year. Rate cuts could occur as early as February, he said.

    At Vanguard, Andrew Patterson, senior international economist, said in a note that the Fed could reach its terminal rate “with 1 or 2 more hikes.” The central bank is “likely to remain on hold through at least the end of the year.  If inflation proves persistent, this may be a sign of a higher neutral rate and the Fed may need to go to 6% or beyond in order to bring inflation back to target,” he said.

    Others think there’s more rate hikes to go. “There is a great chance that the Fed will spoil your mood if you are among those thinking that this week’s rate hike will be the last for this tightening cycle in the U.S.,” said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank.

    Read also: ‘No chance we’re having a soft landing’: Stock-market strategist David Rosenberg gives Powell’s Fed no credit — and no mercy

    Meanwhile, helping underpin sentiment on Tuesday was a rebound in Chinese stocks, notably property developers after Beijing signaled support for the heavily-indebted sector.

    In other economic data Tuesday, home prices increased for the fourth consecutive month in May, according to the S&P Case-Shiller Index. May’s strongest price gains were in Midwest cities, but the overall gains underscore the ongoing lack of supply of homes.

    While home prices are rising, so is consumer confidence. One gauge on consumer sentiment reached a two-year high, according to data out Tuesday. The Conference Board’s index for July increased to 117.0, which was above economists’ expectations and up from a revised 110.1 last month.

    While mood is brightening, the index is still below pre-pandemic levels as consumers contend with the toll of high prices and rising interest rates.

    Companies in focus

    • General Electric Co.
      GE,
      +5.97%
      shares up more than 6% and approaching a nearly five-year high after second quarter results from the aerospace and renewable energy company that topped expectation. The company reported net income of $946 million, or 86 cents per share, from a loss of $1.25 billion, or $1.13 a share one year ago, while free cash flow and revenue also beat estimates.

    • Verizon Communications Inc.
      VZ,
      +0.60%
       shares are up more than 0.7% after the telecommunications company topped profit expectations in its latest earnings but came just below revenue expectations. The company reported $1.21 earnings per share, above FactSet consensus for $1.17 earnings per share.

    • General Motors Co.
      GM,
      -4.44%
      shares are more than 3% lower after the car maker delivered better than expected second quarter earnings and raised its guidance. The company had adjusted earnings per share of $1.91, topping the $1.86 consensus according to FactSet.  

    • 3M Co.
      MMM,
      +5.58%
      shares are more than 6% higher Tuesday after results showing the company booked a loss in connection with a litigation settlement over “forever chemicals.” But taking away the one-time charge, the company still topped adjusted profit expectations and raised its full-year outlook.

    • Spotify Technology
      SPOT,
      -13.68%
      shares tumbled about 12% Tuesday after the streaming giant easily surpassed subscriber-growth expectations for its latest quarter but failed to sport upside on its key financials.

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  • Ocado to Receive GBP200 Mln in Settlement from AutoStore

    Ocado to Receive GBP200 Mln in Settlement from AutoStore

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    By Christian Moess Laursen

    Ocado Group said Monday that it has reached an agreement to settle all litigation with Norwegian peer AutoStore over e-commerce patent claims.

    The online grocer and retail-technology specialist said AutoStore will pay Ocado 200 million pounds ($257.1 million) in 24 monthly installments starting this month.

    The settlement includes a cross-licence of certain patents between the two companies, whereby they both have freedom to access and use technology covered by each other’s pre-2020 patents.

    The agreement gives access to part of each company’s patent portfolio for both of them to use or develop their own products, Ocado said.

    The settlement ends a three-year row that started in 2020, when AutoStore filed a claim for patent infringement against Ocado regarding e-commerce tech.

    Write to Christian Moess Laursen at christian.moess@wsj.com

    

    

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    Am I being tricked into overtipping when I eat out? Should I tip before or after sales tax is added?
    
			
    Am I being tricked into overtipping when I eat out? Should I tip before or after sales tax is added?
    
			
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    Dear Quentin,
    

    I’ve read your previous responses to letters on tipping, and my thoughts are simple: Tipping is dependent on the service given. I won’t tip at a deli counter, but I will tip more in a diner. I see no reason to tip a deli counter person on a regular basis. The person who rings up my groceries isn’t allowed to accept tips, and they do a lot more than put a sandwich in a bag.
    

    

    As far as restaurants go, 15% is the starting point and I will go up from that as warranted. I do tend to tip a high percentage in diners. The waitstaff there are generally fabulous, deal with lower price points and a varied clientele. I feel they also suffer from customer bias where some people seem to think it’s only a diner not a fancy restaurant.
    

    

    

    
        “‘Helping others is not always through money. I volunteer my time with several charities and donate blood.’”
      
    

    

    

    The job is the same whether my meal is $10 or $100. I try to pay in cash to ensure the waitstaff is promptly getting their tip, and to ensure that the money does indeed go to the wait staff. Are we expected to tip on a total that includes credit-card charges? What’s more, helping others is not always through money. I volunteer my time with several charities and donate blood.
    

    What troubles me is that throughout the New York City metro area, tipping recommendations in restaurants are based on faulty calculations. My friends and I all agree that tips are supposed to be based on the price of the meal — that is the subtotal or pre-tax figure. Restaurants frequently encourage people to tip on the final amount. 
    

    A Fair Tipper
    

    Related: I’m sick and tired of tipping 20% every time I eat out. Is it ever OK to tip less? Or am I a cheapskate? 
    

    Dear Fair,
    

    Yes, yes, yes, and yes. 
    

    Yes, wait staff in diners work as hard as any restaurant worker, and they deserve whatever your optimum tip — 15% or 20% — and as much as you would tip in a white-tablecloth restaurant. Yes, consumers should not be expected to tip in a deli — unless you have a good relationship with the staff, and you tip occasionally for goodwill. If you choose to “skip” the charity donation in a pharmacy, that’s OK too. Yes, donations and tips are increasingly being conflated, and that’s not always a good thing. We should be comfortable with the charity and 100% sure that the donation is going to the charity in question. 
    

    And your main point: Yes, tipping on the subtotal before tax and before credit-card charges is absolutely fair, although a lot of people — especially when calculating the tip among friends — tip on the after-tax total. Why? Perhaps we don’t want to be seen splitting hairs over the tax among friends and/or in front of a service worker who has given us exemplary service. Calculating tips is often done under pressure, and no one likes to be seen as a cheapskate. I almost always tip on the total amount, knowing that the sales tax is included, primarily because I figure that extra $1 or more is going to the person who served my table.
    

    My colleague, MarketWatch news editor Nicole Pesce, put together a guide for how much you should tip everyone, and who you should NOT tip. She also cited three reasons why tipping has become such a note of contention, and why it appears we are tipping more: people tipped staff more during the pandemic (they were, after all, putting their health and lives at risk with their jobs); 40-year high inflation over the last 12 months has increased the cost of everything and, as such our tips rose in tandem with prices; and, finally, digital tipping appears to be ubiquitous, and people have been suffering from tipping fatigue. 
    

    

    

    
        “‘You’re not the only one: Americans are souring on tipping.’”
      
    

    

    

    You’re not the only one with tipping fatigue, though: Americans are generally souring on tipping. A large majority (66%) of U.S. adults have a negative view about tipping, according to a poll released by the personal-finance site Bankrate last month. The bottom line: consumers feel they are being forced to compensate employees for low pay (41%) and they don’t appreciate all that digital guilt tipping (32%) and, as a result, they believe that tipping culture has gotten out of control (30%). Respondents also said they were confused about how much to tip (15%), but a small minority (a paltry 16%) said they would be willing to pay higher prices in lieu of tipping.
    

    People appear to be less generous with their tipping amounts, and they also appear to be tipping less often. What’s perhaps most surprising from Bankrate’s research is that only 65% of diners actually tip when they eat out (that’s down from 73% last year). After restaurants, people are most likely to tip barbers/hairdressers (53% of those polled) and food-delivery workers (50%). From thereon, only a minority of people say they tip taxi or rideshare drivers (New York City cabs, which give tipping options upon payment, may be an outlier here), hotel housekeepers, baristas and food-delivery workers.
    

    It’s important that we have this conversation about tipping because expectations and digital tipping methods are evolving all the time. On the one hand, people are facing higher prices and they are understandably feeling under pressure to tip. On the other hand, this conversation naturally overlaps with the working conditions and pay of service workers. Americans are tipping less than they did during the worst days of the pandemic. Service workers — along with medical personnel, bus and train drivers and first responders — were among the heroes of the pandemic. That is something I hope we never forget.
    

    

    

    

    “The person who rings up my groceries isn’t allowed to accept tips, and they do a lot more than put a sandwich in a bag,” the letter writer says.
    

          
    
            MarketWatch illustration
    
          
    
  
    

    

    Also read:
    

    ‘I respect every profession equally, but I feel like so many people look down on me for being a waitress’: Americans are tipping less. Should we step up to the plate? 
    

    ‘We’re very upset!’ We gave a friend $400 concert tickets and $2,000 Rangers seats, but weren’t invited to his wedding. Do we speak up?
    

    ‘All of these tips add up’: If a restaurant adds a 20% tip, am I obliged to pay? Should tipping not be optional? 
    

    

    

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    This Barbie ‘holy grail’ doll is on sale for $25,000 — but one rare Barbie collectible could fetch $1 million
    
			
    This Barbie ‘holy grail’ doll is on sale for $25,000 — but one rare Barbie collectible could fetch $1 million
    
			
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    With the release this weekend of the new “Barbie” movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, there’s growing attention being paid to the world of Barbie collectibles. As in the hundreds of dolls that have been released over the years, to say nothing of such accessories as Barbie outfits and furniture.
    

    But there’s one collectible above all — the holy grail of Barbies, if you will. We’re referring to Barbie No. 1, the first doll ever released by Mattel to bear the Barbie name, dating from 1959.
    

    

    Barbie fanatics speak of it in reverent terms. “I lost sleep over this doll,” one collector said in a YouTube
    
        GOOGL,
    
        +0.69%
    
        GOOG,
    
        +0.65%
    
       video that documented the arrival and unboxing of a Barbie No. 1.
    

    Needless to say, collectors will pay a pretty penny for a Barbie No. 1. Prices can easily reach $10,000-plus, according to Barbie experts. The original doll sold for about $3, but there’s a Barbie No. 1 doll on eBay
    
        EBAY,
    
        -1.02%
    
       currently going for $25,000.
    

    But before you plunk down five figures for an investment-grade doll, we figured you might want to know a little more about this one-of-a-kind Barbie. Here goes:
    

    What makes the ‘Holy Grail’ Barbie so special?
    

    Obviously, it’s all about being the first of its kind, not unlike a baseball player’s rookie card (the 1952 Mickey Mantle card is often considered the holy grail of sports collectibles, though that can sell for millions of dollars). It’s also about rarity. Experts say around 300,000 to 350,000 of those debut Barbies were sold in 1959, but the number of Barbie No. 1s that survived throughout the years — dolls are sold as toys, after all, not necessarily collectibles — is considerably less. 
    

    (Mattel
    
        MAT,
    
        -0.42%
    
       reportedly now releases about 60 million Barbies annually, but the company didn’t respond to a MarketWatch request for comment and information.)
    

    There’s also something to be said for No. 1’s distinct look, marked by what veteran Barbie appraiser Dr. Lori Verderame describes as its “deep profile” with a protruding nose and high forehead. It’s a design very much inspired by the German-made Bild Lilli dolls that intrigued Barbie creator Ruth Handler.
    

    Are there any really rare examples of the original Barbie?
    

    Red-headed Barbie No. 1s are known to exist. Marl Davidson, a Barbie dealer based in Bradenton, Fla., says she once sold one for $50,000, and perhaps the holiest of holy grails is a salesman’s Barbie sample case dating from the doll’s early years. Davidson says she believes only two or three are around. And one surfaced? “It could go for $1 million,” she says.
    

    And what makes some Barbie No. 1s more valuable than others?
    

    As with almost any collectible category, it’s all about condition. Barbie buyers are looking for a No. 1 that’s as close to mint condition as possible, with all the original items — namely, the box, black stand, sunglasses, shoes, brochure and zebra-striped swimsuit. (There are also outfits and accessories dating from Barbie’s early years, but these were sold separately; Verderame says a popular outfit from this period can sell for $150 to $200.)
    

    Ironically, if the Barbie has stayed in the original box, it may affect the condition — Verderame explains that the packaging is acidic so it can “damage the piece over time,” but she says collectors still “want it in the box.”
    

    Then, there’s the hair color. The original Barbie came in both blonde and brunette versions. Verderame says the blondes are generally more sought after since that’s what most people think of as the Barbie classic. But Davidson says brunettes can actually have value since there were fewer made of them. Then again, she says, the collectors “who can afford it will have one of everything.”
    

    How can you tell if a first-edition 1959 Barbie is a fake?
    

    There are various elements that will signify an original Barbie — most notably, a marking on the doll’s, um, right buttock (this also applies to later Barbies, though). Also look for holes in the feet and what the Doll Reference site describes as “tight curly bangs,” among other identifiers. It’s worth keeping in mind that you might find an original No. 1 doll, but with other parts that are not original — say, a replacement stand.
    

    What’s the current market for the original Barbie?
    

    It’s soaring because of the movie, Verderame says. She notes that Barbie No. 1s that went for $10,000 as recently as three months ago are now selling in the $15,000-$25,000 range. Verderame anticipates the market will cool off after the fervor for the Warner Bros.
    
        WBD,
    
        -1.37%
    
       film dies down. But Davidson remains bullish on Barbie’s longer-term prospects because of the doll’s iconic appeal: “The price can only go up,” she says.
    

    Are there any affordable alternatives to a first-edition Barbie?
    

    Davidson says collectors can also consider Barbie No. 3 as a collectible. It’s a very early model, but it has a far more approachable price — Davidson says collectors can find one between $1,000 and $3,000.
    

    If you want something way more affordable that still has potential to appreciate, Verderame says to consider iconic Barbies from the 1990s and 2000s that are currently selling for between $50 and $150.
    

    But if you insist on a Barbie No. 1, Davidson says you can always buy one in lesser condition for a lesser price. Still, even a bald Barbie No. 1 won’t come cheap, she warns. “It’s going to go for a couple of grand,” she says.
    

    

    

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    Recession? White House sees ‘momentum’ that will keep U.S. out of one.
    
			
    Recession? White House sees ‘momentum’ that will keep U.S. out of one.
    
			
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    Recent economic data indicates the U.S. isn’t in a recession, a top White House economist said Tuesday, as he cited what he called momentum to keep the country out of one. 
    

    Jared Bernstein, the chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, told a Washington Post event that indicators like employment and retail sales “are certainly not flashing anything close to recession.” 
    

    

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    ‘I was outraged’: Our restaurant bill was $35 each, but our friend wanted to pay $22 for a gluten-free dish. Who’s right?
    
			
    ‘I was outraged’: Our restaurant bill was $35 each, but our friend wanted to pay $22 for a gluten-free dish. Who’s right?
    
			
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    Dear Quentin,
    

    I went for dinner with six friends last weekend, and we each ordered entrees and desserts, and some side orders. One of our group only eats gluten-free food, so he ordered two starters. We split the bill, and it worked out at $36 each. But our gluten-free friend cried foul, and asked for a separate check to pay $22 for his gluten-free dish. I was outraged — and almost felt physically sick. I kicked my husband under the table, and said under my breath, “Can you believe that?’
    

    

    Can you believe it? Do you think he should have just paid the $35 instead of asking for a separate check? Adding insult to injury, he left the waiter a $10 tip. Why not just pay $35 like everyone else? I told my husband I was never going for dinner with him again. Don’t you think he should have just paid $35 like everyone else? It was a big crowd. If everyone did that, you’d need a forensic accountant to figure out how many breadsticks someone ate. 
    

    We otherwise had a nice evening, and it was a bring-your-own-bottle restaurant. I work as a teacher and my husband works in tech. We own a home together and have three kids. Our gluten-free friend is a freelance consultant, and is divorced with two kids. He had a very privileged upbringing. I worked hard for everything I have. I’m not saying any of us are rich, but when we go out to eat, we like to share and share alike, and split the bill down the middle. 
    

    When did eating out become so full of these cringeworthy moments?
    

    Equal Bill Splitter
    

    Dear Equal,
    

    I’m sorry to say that the most cringeworthy moment here happened when you kicked your husband under the table. I’m not a big fan of under-table communication in a group, and while we could debate the pros and cons of asking for a separate check for a $13 difference, I don’t think there’s much of a gray area when it comes to calling someone out at the dinner table, especially when your eye-rolling and disapproval could be picked up by the other guests.
    

    As far as your friend is concerned, $13 is a lot of money to pay when you did not eat all the food that was ordered by the table. Maybe it doesn’t seem like it to you or anyone reading this column, but your friend is divorced with two kids, and works as a freelancer — so let’s assume his income is not always stable. Could he have just split it down the middle and paid $35 and another 15% or 20% for a tip? Sure. But he has good financial boundaries. I applaud him.
    

    The real issue here may go back to your respective upbringings, and could explain your dramatic — and I would argue disproportionate reaction — to your friend asking for a separate $22 check. You’ve worked hard, and maybe your friend had an easier start in life, but that doesn’t mean he’s not entitled to pay for what he ate, and watch every dollar. Divorce is like a recession. You can end up struggling to get back on your financial feet for years.
    

    Perhaps your friend had always intended to pay $22 for his gluten-free dish, and tip the server 50%, or perhaps he has a well-trained side eye and caught your reaction to his paying for his own order, and he decided to pay closer to what everyone else had paid. But ordering separate checks, I suspect, will become more common as prices continue to rise, even at a slower pace, and people feel uncertain about spending money in restaurants. 
    

    You believe in equality of bill splitting. I suggest you apply that equality to all dinner guests, regardless of upbringing and dietary restrictions, and allow them to make their own choices about what they pay for at dinner. People often have problems — financial or otherwise — that we are not aware of, so try to leave space for that. And if your friend did see your eye-rolling and under-the-table antics? I’d like to think he made space for your behavior too.
    

    Readers write to me with all sorts of dilemmas. 
    

    By emailing your questions, you agree to have them published anonymously on MarketWatch. By submitting your story to Dow Jones & Co., the publisher of MarketWatch, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
    

    The Moneyist regrets he cannot reply to questions individually.
    

    More from Quentin Fottrell:
    

    I had a date with a great guy. I didn’t drink, but his wine added $36 to our bill. We split the check evenly. Should I have spoken up?
    

    ‘I’m living paycheck to paycheck and I feel drained’: My fiancé said he would pay half of the mortgage. Guess what happened next?
    

    ‘We live in purgatory’: My wife has a multimillion-dollar trust fund, but my mother-in-law controls it. We earn $400,000 and spend beyond our means.
    

    

    

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    H&M to Launch in Brazil During 2025
    
			
    H&M to Launch in Brazil During 2025
    
			
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    By Dominic Chopping
    

    STOCKHOLM–Sweden’s Hennes & Mauritz Monday announced plans to launch physical and online stores in Brazil during 2025.
    

    The fashion retailer said it will initially enter major cities in southeast Brazil with a view to further increase its presence across the country over time.
    

    

    In Latin America, H&M is currently present in Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, and Costa Rica, and it said that with a population of over 210 million in Brazil there is considerable potential for expansion.
    

    To support the initiative H&M said it is partnering with Dorben Group, a Latin American luxury and fashion retail partner.
    

    Write to Dominic Chopping at dominic.chopping@wsj.com
    

    

    

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    Here’s how many Diet Cokes you’d have to drink daily to get too much aspartame
    
			
    Here’s how many Diet Cokes you’d have to drink daily to get too much aspartame
    
			
     [ad_1]
    

    

    A leading global health body has declared that the artificial sweetener aspartame, commonly used as an ingredient in diet soda, chewing gum and vitamins, may cause cancer.
    

    But the World Health Organization’s report late Thursday also noted that people would have to be exposed to extreme amounts of aspartame — whether through diet, occupational exposure or other means — to be at risk.
    

    

    So how much aspartame is too much?
    

    It’s safe to consume up to 40 milligrams of aspartame per kilogram, or 2.2 pounds, of body weight per day, a WHO and Food and Agriculture Organizations joint committee of experts on food additives said. So, a person who weighs 154 pounds would need to drink nine to 14 cans of, say, Diet Pepsi or Diet Coke per day to exceed that level, assuming there are 200 to 300 milligrams of aspartame in each can.
    

    “We’re not advising consumers to stop consuming [aspartame] altogether,” said WHO’s nutrition director, Dr. Francesco Branca. “We’re just advising a bit of moderation.”
    

    The Food and Drug Administration has an even higher daily aspartame-exposure limit: 50 milligrams per kilo of body weight. 
    

    Even heavy aspartame users — Donald Trump, the former U.S. president, for example, drank a reported 12 cans of Diet Coke a day in his White House years — would struggle to consume that much of the sweetener in an average day.
    

    But consumers should also note that a food being labeled “safe” is not equivalent to its being healthy. There has been plenty of research to suggest that sipping too many sweetened beverages, including diet drinks with artificial sweeteners, may be linked to health problems and elevated risk of death.
    

    Aspartame is used in products that millions of people use every day, including Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, the Mars Wrigley chewing gum Extra and some Snapple drinks, as well as some protein drinks, among thousands of others, by the Calorie Control Council’s count.
    

    Aspartame was developed beginning in the mid-1960s by Skokie, Ill.–based G.D. Searle & Co., now a Pfizer
    
        PFE,
    
        +0.72%
    
       subsidiary, which branded the sweetener NutraSweet. It secured ultimate FDA approval, after initial hiccups, for use in dry goods and then in carbonated soft drinks in 1981 and 1983, according to the Calorie Control Council.
    

    The organization that this week labeled aspartame possibly carcinogenic was the World Health Organization’s cancer-research arm, the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The IARC said its aspartame declaration is based on “limited evidence” of cancer in humans, specifically a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma.
    

    What should consumers do with this aspartame news? “At least when it comes to beverages, our message is your best choice is to drink water or an unsweetened beverage,” said Dr. Peter Lurie, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which previously nominated aspartame for IARC review.
    

    More aspartame news on MarketWatch:  
    

    What is aspartame, and is it bad for you? Here’s what health experts say
    

    Aspartame is possibly carcinogenic, according to WHO’s cancer-research agency
    

    

    

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    Here’s how many Diet Cokes you’d have to drink daily to get too much aspartame
    
			
    Here’s how many Diet Cokes you’d have to drink daily to get too much aspartame
    
			
     [ad_1]
    

    

    A leading global health body has declared that the artificial sweetener aspartame, commonly used as an ingredient in diet soda, chewing gum and vitamins, may cause cancer.
    

    But the World Health Organization’s report late Thursday also noted that people would have to be exposed to extreme amounts of aspartame — whether through diet, occupational exposure or other means — to be at risk.
    

    

    So how much aspartame is too much?
    

    It’s safe to consume up to 40 milligrams of aspartame per kilogram, or 2.2 pounds, of body weight per day, a WHO and Food and Agriculture Organizations joint committee of experts on food additives said. So, a person who weighs 154 pounds would need to drink nine to 14 cans of, say, Diet Pepsi or Diet Coke per day to exceed that level, assuming there are 200 to 300 milligrams of aspartame in each can.
    

    “We’re not advising consumers to stop consuming [aspartame] altogether,” said WHO’s nutrition director, Dr. Francesco Branca. “We’re just advising a bit of moderation.”
    

    The Food and Drug Administration has an even higher daily aspartame-exposure limit: 50 milligrams per kilo of body weight. 
    

    Even heavy aspartame users — Donald Trump, the former U.S. president, for example, drank a reported 12 cans of Diet Coke a day in his White House years — would struggle to consume that much of the sweetener in an average day.
    

    But consumers should also note that a food being labeled “safe” is not equivalent to its being healthy. There has been plenty of research to suggest that sipping too many sweetened beverages, including diet drinks with artificial sweeteners, may be linked to health problems and elevated risk of death.
    

    Aspartame is used in products that millions of people use every day, including Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, the Mars Wrigley chewing gum Extra and some Snapple drinks, as well as some protein drinks, among thousands of others, by the Calorie Control Council’s count.
    

    Aspartame was developed beginning in the mid-1960s by Skokie, Ill.–based G.D. Searle & Co., now a Pfizer
    
        PFE,
    
        +0.72%
    
       subsidiary, which branded the sweetener NutraSweet. It secured ultimate FDA approval, after initial hiccups, for use in dry goods and then in carbonated soft drinks in 1981 and 1983, according to the Calorie Control Council.
    

    The organization that this week labeled aspartame possibly carcinogenic was the World Health Organization’s cancer-research arm, the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The IARC said its aspartame declaration is based on “limited evidence” of cancer in humans, specifically a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma.
    

    What should consumers do with this aspartame news? “At least when it comes to beverages, our message is your best choice is to drink water or an unsweetened beverage,” said Dr. Peter Lurie, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which previously nominated aspartame for IARC review.
    

    More aspartame news on MarketWatch:  
    

    What is aspartame, and is it bad for you? Here’s what health experts say
    

    Aspartame is possibly carcinogenic, according to WHO’s cancer-research agency
    

    

    

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    U.S. consumer sentiment soars in July to highest level since September 2021
    
			
    U.S. consumer sentiment soars in July to highest level since September 2021
    
			
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    The numbers: The University of Michigan’s gauge of consumer sentiment rose to a preliminary July reading of 72.6 from a June reading of 64.4. It is the largest gain since December 2005. Sentiment is at its highest level since September 2021.
    

    Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had expected a June reading of 65.5.
    

    

    However, Americans’ expectations for overall inflation over the next year rose to 3.4% in July from 3.3% in the prior month. Expectations for inflation over the next 5 years ticked up to 3.1% from 3% in June.
    

    Key details: According to the UMich report, a gauge of consumers’ views on current conditions jumped to 77.5 in July  from 69 in the prior month, while a barometer of their expectations rose to 69.4 from 61.5.
    

    Big picture: Sentiment is improving as gasoline prices have held steady this summer. Low unemployment is also playing a role. 
    

    What are they saying? “The good news is that sentiment has roughly retraced half of its fall from pre-pandemic levels. For most Americans, a modest gain in income is expected. Still, durable goods buying conditions remain far off their recent levels. The rise in confidence seems restrained, and clouds concern about the forecasted economic downturn which continues to linger,” said Scott Murray, economist at Nationwide, in a note to clients. 
    

    Market reaction: Stocks
    
        DJIA,
    
        +0.33%
    

            SPX,
    
        +0.10%
    
       opened higher on Friday while the yield on the 10-year Treasury note
    
        TMUBMUSD10Y,
    
        3.805%
    
       rose to 3.81%.
    

    

    

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    As food prices rise in June, analysts warn of a ‘tipping point’ for Americans
    
			
    As food prices rise in June, analysts warn of a ‘tipping point’ for Americans
    
			
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    Food prices grew at a slower pace in June, but economists remain concerned that prices will reach a level where consumers will make dramatic changes in their behavior.
    

    Food prices rose 3% in June compared to a year ago, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. After a year of price hikes, consumers continued to see food prices rise, but at a slower rate.
    

    

    Grocery prices were 5.7% higher in June compared to a year ago, and dining out was 7.7% more expensive. That’s significantly lower than the 13.5% peak inflation for grocery prices last August and the 8.8% peak inflation for dining out.
    

    “Overall, there continues to be a similar narrative of extended upward pressure on food prices as we try to discern whether this stress has led to a tipping point where consumers are struggling to buy the foods that they want,” said Jayson Lusk, the head and distinguished professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University.
    

    Reported food insecurity across households of different income levels reached 17% in June, the highest level since March 2022, according to the monthly Consumer Food Insights Report from Purdue University. Although it didn’t deviate too much from the normal range — food insecurity hovered at 14% two months ago — Lusk said the increase is concerning given the amount of pressure on more financially vulnerable consumers. 
    

    

    

    
        “Reported food insecurity across households of different income levels reached 17% in June, the highest level since March 2022, according to Purdue University. ”
      
    

    

    

    The pandemic-era expansion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ended in March, meaning SNAP recipients are now receiving $90 less on average every month, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a progressive policy think tank based in Washington, D.C. 
    

    The recent rise in food insecurity could be a lag from households adjusting to the policy change, Lusk said. On average, consumers are spending about $120 per week on groceries and $70 per week on dining out or takeout, the report found. 
    

    Middle-income households earning $50,000 to $100,000 a year and low-income households earning less than $50,000 a year cut weekly spending on groceries and dining out by about $10 a week, Purdue found. The average weekly grocery expenditure for low-income households was $103 in June; for middle-income households, it was $118. Households earning more than $100,000 a year spent $141 a week on groceries in June.
    

    Around 47% of low-income households — those earning less than $50,000 a year — said they relied on SNAP benefits in May, up from roughly 40% in February, according to a recent Morning Consult report.
    

    For low-income households, rising food insecurity is often coupled with juggling bills such as utilities and rent, which has also led to rising eviction rates in recent months, according to Propel, an app that aims to help low-income Americans improve their financial health. Propel surveys SNAP users on insecurity around food, finance and their housing situation. 
    

    Nearly half of the survey respondents said they cannot afford the food they want. “We were unable to pay bills because we had to buy food. We’re about to lose our home,” a South Carolina user named Anna told the Propel survey. 
    

    The share of surveyed households that paid their utilities late rose 11% from May to June, and only 27% of respondents paid their utility bills on time and in full, according to Propel’s June survey.
    

    

    

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    The Next Challengers Joining Nvidia in the AI Chip Revolution
    
			
    The Next Challengers Joining Nvidia in the AI Chip Revolution
    
			
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    What to Read Next
    


    


    




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    Used Car Prices Drop By a Record. Carvana Stock Is Up, a Lot.
    
			
    Used Car Prices Drop By a Record. Carvana Stock Is Up, a Lot.
    
			
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    Used Car Prices Drop By a Record. Carvana Stock Is Up, a Lot.
    

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    Why Amazon clicks with shoppers — on Prime Day or any day
    
			
    Why Amazon clicks with shoppers — on Prime Day or any day
    
			
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    Some time ago, I was standing in the vitamin aisle of my local pharmacy, struggling to locate a specific bottle of pills that my doctor had recommended. It was seemingly nowhere to be found. And based on my experience at this particular store, I knew that even if I was able to track down an employee for help, I wasn’t likely to receive much in the way of assistance.
    

    Then, a solution to my dilemma suddenly dawned on me: Amazon
    
        AMZN,
    
        -2.17%
    
      ! I looked up said bottle, found it within almost no time and ordered it. By the next day, it had arrived. And it probably cost me a couple of dollars less than what I would have spent at the pharmacy — if I had ever located it there.
    

    

    Of course, you don’t need to be in search of a hard-to-find item to appreciate the wonders of the online retail giant that Jeff Bezos founded from his garage in 1994. Millions of us are likely to be on the site this week for Amazon’s annual Prime Day event running July 11 and 12 this year, which is a sales extravaganza that one bargain-mad colleague likened to “basically my Super Bowl.” To take advantage of the deals, you’ll naturally have to be an Amazon Prime member, which carries an annual fee of $139. But it’s not like that’s a small number of folks: Amazon says there are now more than 200 million such members worldwide.
    

    Read more: 5 hacks to get the best deals on Amazon Prime Day — and other summer sales
    

    And: What not to buy on Amazon Prime Day — and why discounts may be even bigger this year
    

    I’ve been one of those Prime people for years — if nothing else, for the free two-day shipping it offers. But even before I signed on for Prime, I ordered plenty from Amazon. My purchases over the past decade have ranged from a super-hot horseradish to a pair of armrest slipcovers to a folding exercise bike. Actually, I ordered the three items I just mentioned during the first couple of months of the pandemic, when Amazon became a kind of lifeline given the health risks of shopping in person. But if I go back in time, I find countless purchases for books (Amazon’s original specialty), clothes and margarita mix (there’s a brand I like that I often can’t find at the supermarket).
    

    

    

    
        “At this point, Amazon isn’t just a company. It’s an institution woven into the fabric of our lives.”
      
    

    

    

    And yet, I know there are plenty of people, including some of my friends and relatives, who boycott Amazon. They point to the oft-cited criticisms of the company, such as the treatment of its workers (in 2019, the company’s employees were injured on the job far more than the national average in the warehousing and storage sector) to the broader notion that online retailers hurt the brick-and-mortar stores that have been a traditional bedrock of our communities.
    

    Criticizing Amazon has become almost a sport unto itself. There are books devoted to the subject, such as Alex MacGillis’ “Fulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America” (ironically, I purchased my copy of it on Amazon). Heck, there’s even a whole Wikipedia page detailing the criticisms.
    

    I get the issues that many people have. And it’s not like Amazon doesn’t recognize them, either: The company has acknowledged the injury situation, for example, but has also pledged to cut incidents in half by 2025, according to The Wall Street Journal.
    

    When I reached out to Amazon for this column and cited the various criticisms made of the company, Amazon responded with a statement that, among other things, said it works “hard to be a good neighbor…with communities across the country” and that it creates “good jobs with competitive pay and benefits, including health care from the first day, up to 20 weeks paid parental leave, and full college tuition.” Amazon also cited some of its philanthropic initiatives, including its Amazon Housing Equity Fund, a $2 billion program to build or preserve affordable homes.
    

    All of this is what you expect from a giant corporation trying to defend itself. I’m not going to get into the weeds about the particular criticisms and whether Amazon makes a successful case for itself or not. But I will say that people vote with their wallets. And they’re reelecting Amazon on a daily, if not hourly, basis with all their purchases.
    

    

    

    
        “People vote with their wallets. And they’re reelecting Amazon on a daily, if not hourly, basis with all their purchases.”
      
    

    

    

    Ultimately, Amazon is about convenience combined with competitive pricing — a formula that’s hard to beat. It launched the era of online retailing, and it has mastered the art of it to this day. When I hear people bemoan the fates of all those brick-and-mortar stores, I admit to thinking to myself, “OK, but do you still want your mail delivered by the Pony Express?” Or, “Do you still want to do your shopping at ye olde general store?”
    

    The point is that we evolve as a society and new forms of commerce and communication take over. Yes, there are prices to be paid for that. I admit to missing some of the brick-and-mortar stores and chains that were part of my youth — I’m 59 years old, and remember spending practically entire days in neighborhood bookshops long gone. For that matter, I don’t condone bad behavior by large multinational companies; though, like I said, I’ll let others debate some of the specifics regarding Amazon.
    

    But let’s face it: At this point, Amazon isn’t just a company. It’s an institution woven into the fabric of our lives — and for good reason, I’d argue. I don’t care about shopping on Prime Day, though I know there are a few deals to be had. Mostly, I just increasingly rely on Amazon to make my life easier by selling me any number of things I need on a daily basis, including household staples (yes, you can buy toilet paper on Amazon — the company even sells its own brand). And that’s to say nothing of the services the company offers, including its Prime Video streaming (you can thank Amazon for the truly marvelous — and Emmy-winning — “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” series, for example).  
    

    Could someone come along and invent a better version of Amazon, one that might not be as widely criticized? Perhaps, but that’s probably years, if not centuries, down the road. In the meanwhile, we have the Amazon that we have. Now, let me see if I’m out of toilet paper…
    

    

    

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    Merit Financial Group LLC Grows Stock Position in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)
    
			
    Merit Financial Group LLC Grows Stock Position in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)
    
			
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    Merit Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT – Free Report) by 12.0% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 22,605 shares of the retailer’s stock after buying an additional 2,424 shares during the quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC’s holdings in Walmart were worth $3,333,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 
    

    Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. My Personal CFO LLC purchased a new position in shares of Walmart in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Walmart during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. JDM Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Walmart during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Ulland Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Walmart by 105.3% during the 4th quarter. Ulland Investment Advisors LLC now owns 195 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, First Command Advisory Services Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Walmart by 387.8% during the 1st quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 200 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 159 shares during the period. 31.95% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. 
    

    Insider Activity
    

    In other news, EVP John R. Furner sold 4,375 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.00, for a total transaction of $660,625.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 286,617 shares in the company, valued at $43,279,167. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Walmart news, major shareholder Jim C. Walton sold 2,149,275 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.97, for a total value of $330,923,871.75. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 235,440,961 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $36,250,844,765.17. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP John R. Furner sold 4,375 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.00, for a total value of $660,625.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 286,617 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $43,279,167. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 9,208,665 shares of company stock worth $1,421,177,843. 46.51% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. 
    

    Analyst Ratings Changes
    

    


    

    WMT has been the subject of several research reports. Citigroup lifted their target price on Walmart from $169.00 to $174.00 in a research report on Friday, May 19th. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM reiterated a “maintains” rating on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, May 19th. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $170.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. 92 Resources reiterated a “maintains” rating on shares of Walmart in a research report on Monday, May 22nd. Finally, Tigress Financial boosted their price objective on Walmart from $176.00 to $182.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Walmart presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $166.91.
    

    Walmart Stock Performance
    

    Shares of NYSE WMT opened at $157.11 on Friday. Walmart Inc. has a 52-week low of $120.06 and a 52-week high of $159.12. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $423.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.77, a PEG ratio of 4.63 and a beta of 0.50. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $152.28 and its 200 day simple moving average is $146.95. 
    

    Walmart (NYSE:WMT – Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 18th. The retailer reported $1.47 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.15. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.30% and a net margin of 1.82%. The business had revenue of $152.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $147.91 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.30 earnings per share. Walmart’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Walmart Inc. will post 6.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. 
    

    Walmart Profile
    

     (Free Report)
    

    Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, and other units worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam’s Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com, walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, and samsclub.com; and mobile commerce applications.
    

    Further Reading
    

    Institutional Ownership by Quarter for Walmart (NYSE:WMT)
    

    Receive News & Ratings for Walmart Daily – Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts’ ratings for Walmart and related companies with MarketBeat.com’s FREE daily email newsletter.
    

    

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    How to enjoy retirement without busting your budget
    
			
    How to enjoy retirement without busting your budget
    
			
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    The goal of many (or most) savers and long-term investors is to achieve financial independence. The combination of building up a nest egg, paying down debt and eventually receiving Social Security payments or another source of retirement income might put you in a comfortable position, but even people who have worked together to achieve financial independence may disagree on what to do after their careers end.
    

    

    Quentin Fottrell — the Moneyist — heard from one couple who are facing a quandary. They have been financially responsible, but as they near retirement, the wife wishes to be very careful with their combined investment portfolio, while the husband wants to begin spending a significant portion of it. They both make reasonable arguments. Here’s what they should do.
    

    From the Help Me Retire column: My 57-year-old husband works three shifts and is burned out. Can he retire?
    

    You have to get there first
    

    

    

    

    A behavioral study finds a correlation between having one specific type of conversation and taking action to build wealth.
    

          
    
            Getty Images
    
          
    
  
    

    

    Doing this even once might help encourage you or someone you know to begin saving and investing for the long term. 
    

    The ‘Magnificent Seven’ stocks may not remain at the top
    

    

    

    
        
      
    

    Salesforce is among the companies passing a Goldman Sachs screen for growth of sales and earnings.
    

          
    
            Getty Images
    
          
    
  
    

    

    Even an index that includes hundreds of stocks can be heavily concentrated. Large technology-oriented companies have led this year’s 16% rebound for the S&P 500
    
        SPX,
    
        -0.29%    ,
    
       following last year’s 18% decline (both with dividends reinvested). But the index is weighted by market capitalization, which means the “Magnificent Seven” — Apple Inc.
    
        AAPL,
    
        -0.59%    ,
    
       Microsoft Corp.
    
        MSFT,
    
        -1.19%    ,
    
       two common share classes of Alphabet Inc.
    
        GOOGL,
    
        -0.52%
    

            GOOG,
    
        -0.65%    ,
    
       Amazon.com Inc.
    
        AMZN,
    
        +1.11%    ,
    
       Nvidia Corp.
    
        NVDA,
    
        +0.95%    ,
    
       Tesla Inc.
    
        TSLA,
    
        -0.76%
    
       and Meta Platforms Inc.
    
        META,
    
        -0.50%
    
       — make up 27.9% of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
    
        SPY,
    
        -0.25%    .
      
    

    In the Need to Know column, Barbara Kollmeyer lists companies that might turn out to be among the next Magnificent Seven, based on a Goldman Sachs screen.
    

    Getting back to the current Magnificent Seven, you may be surprised to see which of the stocks is cheapest — by far — per one commonly used valuation metric.
    

    Related: Top investment newsletters aren’t bullish on tech, Tesla or Meta Platforms. Here’s what they do like.
    

    A thrill ride for EV makers
    

    

    

    
        
      
    

    An electric Rivian R1S.
    

          
    
            Rivian
    
          
    
  
    

    

    There has been a lot of news in the electric-vehicle space this week. Here are lists of coverage organized by topic.
    

    Rising unit sales among EV makers:
    


    Legacy automakers report sales increases, including a tremendous increase in EV unit sales for Ford
    
        F,
    
        
    
      :
    

    Reaction from analysts and investors:
    

    In other news, Mullen Automotive Inc.
    
        MULN,
    
        -12.97%
    
       has started to deliver electric vehicles. Further developments for the company this week included the announcement of a stock-buyback plan and possible action against naked short sellers.
    

    A changing job market
    

    The employment numbers for June from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the lowest level of job creation since late 2020. Then again, the demand for labor in the U.S. remains high, despite the Federal Reserve’s efforts to slow economic growth.
    

    If you are looking to make a career change, what does all this mean to you? Andrew Keshner points to a development in the employment market that may have you thinking twice about jumping ship.
    

    Threads and Twitter
    

    

    

    
        
      
    

    Meta’s Threads app has signed up as many as 50 million users in its first two days of operation, some reports say.
    

          
    
            AFP via Getty Images
    
          
    
  
    

    

    Meta rolled out its new Threads service on Wednesday to compete directly with Twitter and has already signed up 50 million users, according to some reports. 
    

    Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino was quick to respond. 
    

    More reaction:
    

    Consumer spending may spike
    

    U.S. shoppers have been taking it slow during a period of high inflation, but the overall economy has been stronger than expected even as the Federal Reserve continues tightening its monetary policy.
    

    The coming flurry of July sales events at Amazon, Walmart Inc.
    
        WMT,
    
        -2.30%
    
       and Target Corp.
    
        TGT,
    
        -0.60%
    
       could signal a turnaround for consumers, as James Rogers reports.
    

    Financial crime
    

    Lukas I. Alpert writes the Financial Crime column. Have you ever wondered how you might steal a lot of cash from a company that is likely to have rather tight accounting controls in place? This week Alpert explains how the manager of an Amazon warehouse managed to scale the heights of criminal achievement to collect $10 million — and a 16-year jail sentence.
    

    Also read: Silver dealer ordered to pay $146 million in case of 500,000 missing coins
    

    Want more from MarketWatch? Sign up for this and other newsletters to get the latest news and advice on personal finance and investing.
    

    

    

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    ‘This is the best possible jobs report’ — economists react to June employment data
    
			
    ‘This is the best possible jobs report’ — economists react to June employment data
    
			
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    The June jobs report on Friday showed the U.S. economy gained 209,000 jobs last month, with the unemployment rate dipping to 3.6% from 3.7%.
    

    Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had expected an addition of 240,000 jobs and an unemployment rate of 3.6%.
    

    See: Jobs report shows 209,000 gain in June  — smallest increase since end of 2020
    

    

    Below are some initial reactions from economists and other analysts, including their views on what the jobs report means for the Federal Reserve as the central bank considers how to proceed with interest-rate hikes. The main U.S. stock indexes
    
        SPX,
    
        -0.29%
    

            DJIA,
    
        -0.55%
    

            COMP,
    
        -0.13%
    
       traded mixed following the data on nonfarm payrolls, also called NFP.
    

    • “This is actually a great number. This is a number that is something we can sustain. We can’t sustain adding 300,000, 400,000, 500,000 jobs a month. We need to see it slow. It’s doing exactly what it needs. If we’re going to have a soft landing, this is what it looks like. So I don’t think that we should make too much of this number being bad. But I do think that the Fed train is rolling toward another rate hike, but I wouldn’t put my money on a second one yet.” — Betsey Stevenson, economics professor at the University of Michigan and a former Obama White House economist, in a CNBC interview
    

    Related: July Fed rate hike remains largely priced in, expectations for September or November hike soften somewhat
    

     • “In a sense, this is the best possible jobs report, then, threading the needle between too strong and too weak. People should be happy to see decent job growth and decent wage growth. The Fed can take pleasure in slowing momentum and wage growth stabilizing rather than rising, while bond traders can breathe a sigh of relief there is no sign of the strength picked up by ADP yesterday. It is win, win, win.” — Chris Low, chief economist at FHN Financial, in a note
    

    • “The 209,000 rise in non-farm payrolls in June was the weakest gain since December 2020 and suggests labor market conditions are finally beginning to ease more markedly. That said, it is unlikely to stop the Fed from hiking rates again later this month, particularly when the downward trend in wage growth appears to be stalling.” — Andrew Hunter, deputy chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics, in a note
    

     • “Overall, the cooling in hiring is a welcome development, but the pace is still above growth in the working-age population, and combined with continued wage pressures and the drop in the unemployment rate, this leaves the Fed on track to hike rates by 25 [basis points] in both July and September.” — Katherine Judge, senior economist at CIBC, in a note 
    

     • “Black unemployment went up to 6.0% for June, and is a statistically significant change from 5.0% in March. So while the employment rate is historically high, there is still room for growth. (As always when we’re talking about historical exclusion & discrimination).” — Kate Bahn, economist and research director at WorkRise, which is affiliated with the Urban Institute, in a tweet 
    

     • “The markets maybe made too much of the ADP number, as that has shown to be not always exactly a great indicator. … The labor market is cooling, but marginally. Most importantly, though, the average hourly earnings number suggests still some firming in that space, and that’s where the Fed has been primarily focused. So for me, this is maybe a little lighter, but not a dramatic change in terms outlook and expectations.” — Roger Ferguson, former Fed vice chair, in a CNBC interview  
    

    Now read: Part-time work surged in June as hours cut back, U.S. jobs report says
    

    

    

    

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