Investment Analysis and Recommendation Paper

Investment Analysis and Recommendation Paper

Introduction

Sam Walton renowned businessman launched Walmart on July 2, 1962, in Rogers which opened the doors for people to save money and live better! Sam Walton initiated Walmart with one store in Rogers and today Walmart is operating more than ten thousand retail units under sixty nine different banners in twenty seven countries. Almost two million hard working associates are serving for two hundred million customers.

Walmart has great growth pattern and it is making a difference in its approaches comparatively to its competitors. In the fiscal year 2012 Walmart delivered strong financial performance and increased its net sales by 5.9% to $443.9 billion, (Annual Report, 2012). The operating income of Walmart is increased by 4% to $26.6 billion. The earning per share of Walmart is increased from $4.18 to $4.54 from preceding year (Annual Report, 2012, http://www.walmartstores.com/sites/annual-report/2012/WalMart_AR.pdf). Walmart added 52.2 million square feet by 1160 supplementary units which includes various acquisitions in South Africa and United Kingdom. Walmart delivered $11.3 billion exceptional returns to the shareholders by giving them stock dividends. Walmart is conducting its business operations strategically and making exceptional business progress.

Walmart U.S. believes in hard work and it is investing in lower prices and making real improvements in merchandising and operations. Positive sales increments are giving high returns on investments and equities. Walmart has never focused price leadership as Walmart believes in serving rather than making huge amount of profits by charging high prices of the goods and services. Walmart believes in cost effectiveness and it initiated to invest $2 billion in prices by expenses reductions and making productivity enhancements during the next coming up years.

Walmart international is achieving exceptional sales targets and achieved $125 billion sales. Walmart is among top three world largest retailers. Walmart is focusing to increase the profitability in China and Brazil especially because Walmart is not achieving high profitability from over these countries. Walmart has initiated “Powered by Walmart” as initiative to strengthen the productivity and diminishing the extra expenses. There is no suspicion that Walmart has proved itself as best positioned global trading retail stores.

Discussion

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Walmart) is operating various retails stores in different formats around the world. The company's philosophy of pricing is “Every day low pricing -EDLP”. The company is running in three different business segments, Walmart International, The Sam's Club and Walmart U.S. during the fiscal year 2012, Walmart U.S. segment accounted for 60% of its net sales in operating retail stores in 50 states of the United States. Walmart international is mainly generating income from 26 countries. Sam's club segment is consisting of warehouse membership clubs operating in 47 states in the United States and Puerto Rico. Online retailing operations have also contributed for approximately 12% of its net sales.

Walmart is operating retail stores in different formats worldwide, it operates apparel stores, warehouse clubs, retail stores, restaurants, supermarkets, discount stores, supercenters and neighborhood markets. Walmart significant five strategies are making it a global leader these are developing people, ...