The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
NEW YORK, United States — Walmart on Thursday posted a 40 percent rise in US e-commerce sales, higher than the 33 percent growth witnessed in the previous quarter, and its comparable sales grew the most in a decade, sending its shares up 9 percent in premarket trade.
Walmart also raised its annual earnings outlook and said it is on track to increase US e-commerce sales by 40 percent for the full year.
Excluding special items, like a charge related to the sale of a majority stake in Walmart Brazil, adjusted earnings came to $1.29 per share in the second quarter ended July 31. The average analyst estimate was $1.22 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Sales at US stores open at least a year rose 4.5 percent, excluding fuel price fluctuations, higher than analyst forecasts of 2.38 percent, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
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The growth was led by strong performance in grocery, apparel and seasonal merchandise, which rebounded in the second quarter after a slow start in April. Walmart has recorded nearly four straight years of US growth, unmatched by any other retailer.
Total revenue increased 3.8 percent to $128 billion, beating analysts' estimates of $125.97 billion.
The company's gross margins continued to remain under pressure from price-cutting, freight costs and investments in e-commerce. Gross margins were down 17 basis points during the second quarter, the company said.
Walmart's shares were up 9.88 percent at $99.14 in premarket trade. The company's stock has fallen around 9 percent since the start of the year.
By Nandita Bose; editor: Frances Kerry
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