This Retail Giant's Stock Is an Absolute Bargain. It's Cheaper Than Walmart and Costco.
It's growing its earnings significantly faster than either big-box store.
Retail sales remained strong in 2024, but two companies stood out for their significant gains in market share over the last two years. Walmart (NYSE: WMT) and Costco (NASDAQ: COST) both saw even stronger sales growth than the rest of the industry, fueled by improvements in e-commerce and at the store level.
Investors certainly noticed, and sent both stocks flying higher. Shares of Walmart and Costco currently trade 81% and 98% higher than they did at the start of 2023, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 during that period.
With the recent pullback in stock prices, it may be tempting to pile into these two market leaders. While they may face headwinds from the current U.S. administration's trade policies, both have significant competitive advantages that should endure over the long run. In fact, they could benefit if prices increase, as shoppers look for lower-cost options.
