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Walmart reported a dip in first-quarter profit on Thursday and said it will raise prices due to mounting tariff-related costs stemming from policies implemented by President Donald Trump.While the retail giant posted strong sales, it acknowledged growing challenges that could weigh on future performance.The company earned $4.45 billion, or 56 cents per share, for the quarter ended April 30, compared to $5.10 billion, or 63 cents per share, in the same quarter a year earlier. Adjusted earnings per share came in at 61 cents, surpassing analyst expectations of 58 cents, according to FactSet as reported by news agency AP.Revenue increased 2.5% year-over-year to $165.61 billion, slightly below Wall Street projections. Walmart’s US comparable sales—which include physical stores and online platforms—rose 4.5%, down slightly from the 4.6% growth in the previous quarter and the 5.3% jump seen in the third quarter of 2024.Despite the sales gains, Walmart warned that tariff costs are forcing the company to reconsider its pricing strategy.“We will do our best to keep our prices as low as possible,” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon told industry analysts. “But given the magnitude of the tariffs, even at the reduced levels announced this week, we aren’t able to absorb all the pressure given the reality of narrow retail margins.”McMillon noted that while price increases will appear gradually, they had already started in April and picked up pace in May. The company is particularly focused on managing costs for back-to-school merchandise.The Trump administration’s trade policy has been a significant factor. Tariffs on Chinese goods, initially threatened at 145%, were reduced to 30% in a deal announced earlier this week. Some of those higher tariffs were also suspended for 90 days. As a result, importers who had paused shipments of goods such as shoes, toys, and clothing are now rushing to restock within the temporary reprieve.Still, higher shipping costs and continued uncertainty are prompting many retailers—including Walmart—to raise prices to offset tariff expenses.Although Walmart has built-in hedging strategies, it is not fully insulated. About two-thirds of its merchandise is US-sourced, primarily groceries, which account for around 60% of its domestic business. Nonetheless, general merchandise categories remain vulnerable due to global sourcing.McMillon said that while Walmart imports from many countries, China remains a significant supplier, particularly for categories like electronics and toys.Tariffs on imports from countries such as Costa Rica, Peru, and Colombia are also affecting prices of grocery items like bananas, avocados, coffee, and roses. According to McMillon, Walmart is absorbing some of those increased costs, especially within its general merchandise departments, and is working with suppliers to switch input materials—such as replacing aluminum (which is under tariff) with fiberglass in product components.“We have opened this year with a bang,” McMillon added, praising the resilience of Walmart’s suppliers and operations despite the volatile trade environment.Sales in the first quarter were fueled by demand in groceries and health and wellness items, though the company noted weaker sales in home and sporting goods. That softness was counterbalanced by stronger performance in toys, automotive products, and children’s apparel. Global e-commerce sales climbed 22%, accelerating from 16% growth in the previous quarter.Shares of Walmart dropped 4% at the opening bell Thursday.As one of the first major retailers to release quarterly results, Walmart’s performance offers early insight into consumer behaviour amid economic uncertainty and ongoing tariff changes. The company said it expects second-quarter sales growth between 3.5% and 4.5% but did not provide profit guidance due to the unpredictability of US trade policies.Other major retailers are also navigating the tariff landscape. Amazon, which reported strong Q1 sales and profits earlier this month, managed to stay ahead of the tariffs by importing goods before they took effect. CEO Andy Jassy noted that many third-party sellers on Amazon did the same.
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Luxury skincare expansion: L’Oreal acquires majority stake in Medik8; announces 1 billion Euro deal
[ad_1] Cosmetics maker L’Oreal agreed to acquire a majority stake in British skincare brand Medik8, in a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the booming skincare market. The French beauty giant announced the deal on Monday, though financial terms were not disclosed.The transaction, which sees UK-based private equity firm Inflexion selling its majority holding, reportedly values Medik8 at around 1 billion Euro, according to a source familiar with the matter. Inflexion will retain a minority share, while L’Oreal has secured the option to eventually buy out all remaining shareholders, Reuters reported.“We are delighted to welcome Medik8 to the L’Oréal family. As a premium skincare range, with high levels of proven efficacy at an accessible price point, Medik8 perfectly complements our existing skincare portfolio,” Cyril Chaupuy, president of L’oreal Luxe said.“This acquisition further strengthens L’Oreal’s luxe portfolio, adding a premium […]
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China exports: Global shipments rose 4.8% in May; inflow to US falls nearly 35% amid trade talks
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Tata Motors future plans: Rs 33,000-35,000 crore investment to boost passenger vehicles; hoping to lead in EV segment
[ad_1] Automaking giant Tata Motors is planning massive investment plans for the future, earmarking Rs 33,000 crore to Rs 35,000 crore for FY 26-30 on product actions. The Mumbai-headquartered company is targeting 30 product actions, including the launch of seven new models, as it looks to sharpen its competitive edge in India’s fast-evolving passenger vehicle (PV) market.As part of its long-term strategy, the automaker aims to secure a 16% market share, including electric vehicles (EVs), by FY27, rising to 18–20% over the next few years. Tata Motors expects the domestic PV industry to hit annual sales of 60 lakh units by 2030 and is positioning itself to ride that wave with a refreshed and expansive portfolio.“Looking ahead, we will strengthen our portfolio by FY30...7 new nameplates and 23 product refreshes will holistically enhance the portfolio,” the company told analysts in […]
India’s two-wheeler industry: Growth to surpass Covid-19 levels soon; driven by RBI rate cuts and robust domestic demand
[ad_1] The two-wheeler industry in India is set to undergo a massive selling surge, surpassing pre-Covid-19 levels, driven by RBI’s rate cut, strong domestic demand and significant recovery in exports. According to a report by CareEdge Ratings, the sector is expected to register a healthy volume growth of 8–9% in FY26. This follows three years of strong performance, with volumes rising by 8% in FY23, 10% in FY24 and 11% in FY25.A key factor behind this growth is the Reserve Bank of India’s cumulative 100 basis points rate cut since February 2025, including a 50 bps reduction last week, which is anticipated to make vehicle loans more affordable and spur demand.“The cumulative 100 bps rate cut by the RBI since February 2025, with the recent 50 bps rate cut announced last week, is expected to enhance affordability and boost demand” […]
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Luxury skincare expansion: L’Oreal acquires majority stake in Medik8; announces 1 billion Euro deal
[ad_1] Cosmetics maker L’Oreal agreed to acquire a majority stake in British skincare brand Medik8, in a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the booming skincare market. The French beauty giant announced the deal on Monday, though financial terms were not disclosed.The transaction, which sees UK-based private equity firm Inflexion selling its majority holding, reportedly values Medik8 at around 1 billion Euro, according to a source familiar with the matter. Inflexion will retain a minority share, while L’Oreal has secured the option to eventually buy out all remaining shareholders, Reuters reported.“We are delighted to welcome Medik8 to the L’Oréal family. As a premium skincare range, with high levels of proven efficacy at an accessible price point, Medik8 perfectly complements our existing skincare portfolio,” Cyril Chaupuy, president of L’oreal Luxe said.“This acquisition further strengthens L’Oreal’s luxe portfolio, adding a premium […]
270 million pulled out of poverty! How Modi government achieved a remarkable dip in extreme poverty & what’s the road ahead? Explained
[ad_1] India’s GDP has more than doubled in the last decade, and experts believe that this has trickled down to the poorest. (AI image) Marking a big achievement over the last decade, extreme poverty in India has dropped substantially from 27.1% in 2011-12 to 5.3% in 2022-23, according to the latest World Bank data. The remarkable progress under the Narendra Modi government has come despite the World Bank raising its poverty threshold to $3 per person per day from $2.15 per person per day earlier.Incidentally, India’s huge reduction in extreme poverty comes at a time when globally there has been an increase in the number of people below the poverty line. According to a government fact sheet, India has emerged a statistical outlier in the positive direction.The latest data is being seen as a boost in the government’s economic growth […]
Ayodhya land prices: Circle rates revised first time in 8 years; soar up to 200%
[ad_1] For the first time in eight years, Ayodhya has seen a sharp revision in its circle rates, with property prices rising between 30% and 200% across various parts of the district, officials told PTI.The prices are particularly steep within a 10-kilometre radius of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, an area witnessing a real estate boom fuelled by religious tourism and rapid infrastructure growth. Here, circle rates have jumped over 150%, pushing land values in the prime zone to Rs 26,600–27,900 per square metre, compared to Rs 6,650–6,975 earlier.Shanti Bhushan Chaubey, sub-registrar of Sadar (Faizabad) tehsil, said the hike followed a proposal submitted last September. “After addressing objections, the new circle rates were approved by District Magistrate Tikaram Funde and have now been enforced,” he said.According to Chaubey, the sharpest hikes were recorded in areas with the most land activity. “Localities […]
China exports: Global shipments rose 4.8% in May; inflow to US falls nearly 35% amid trade talks
[ad_1] China’s export growth lost momentum in May, rising 4.8% year-on-year, a sharp slowdown from the 8.1% surge recorded in April, as per the customs data released on Monday.The deceleration came amid a sharp drop in shipments to the United States, down 35% year-on-year, as tensions between the two economic giants continued to cloud trade prospects.The figures were released just hours ahead of another round of US-China trade negotiations scheduled for later in the day, in London. These talks come after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week. Zichun Huang of Capital Economics anticipated exports growth to revive in June, thanks to a 90-day suspension on most of the tariffs the two countries have imposed on each other.China’s imports also fell in May, down 3.4% year-on-year, leaving the country with a trade […]
Tata Motors future plans: Rs 33,000-35,000 crore investment to boost passenger vehicles; hoping to lead in EV segment
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India’s two-wheeler industry: Growth to surpass Covid-19 levels soon; driven by RBI rate cuts and robust domestic demand
[ad_1] The two-wheeler industry in India is set to undergo a massive selling surge, surpassing pre-Covid-19 levels, driven by RBI’s rate cut, strong domestic demand and significant recovery in exports. According to a report by CareEdge Ratings, the sector is expected to register a healthy volume growth of 8–9% in FY26. This follows three years of strong performance, with volumes rising by 8% in FY23, 10% in FY24 and 11% in FY25.A key factor behind this growth is the Reserve Bank of India’s cumulative 100 basis points rate cut since February 2025, including a 50 bps reduction last week, which is anticipated to make vehicle loans more affordable and spur demand.“The cumulative 100 bps rate cut by the RBI since February 2025, with the recent 50 bps rate cut announced last week, is expected to enhance affordability and boost demand” […]
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