(Bloomberg) -- Walmart Inc. boosted its outlook for the year on a solid start to the holiday season and strong demand from US consumers searching for value.
Stronger-than-expected sales sent Walmart shares up as much as 4.5% Tuesday morning, adding $24.3 billion of market capitalization. The company’s shares are up nearly 65% year-to-date, far outpacing the S&P 500 Index.
Though growth in the number of transactions slowed in the most recent quarter, Walmart shoppers spent more in each checkout, on average. Most of that growth was driven by consumers from upper-income households, or those earning $100,000 or more per year. That cohort made up roughly 75% of share gains for the quarter.
Across the board, shoppers are being selective, but Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey said they’re continuing to spend money at a consistent clip.
“In these seasonal moments when people want to celebrate, they are spending into that,” Rainey said in an interview on Tuesday.
The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer said it now expects net sales to rise 4.8% to 5.1% for the year, versus the previous guidance of a 3.75% to 4.75% increase.
Walmart is among the first big retailers to report earnings ahead of the all-important holiday period, which is shorter this year due to Thanksgiving falling later in November. The retailer moved up Thanksgiving deals by a few weeks, in hopes of luring consumers feeling pinched by high inflation and distracted by a turbulent election season.
Executives said on a call with analysts Tuesday that the company is entering the holidays season with momentum. So far, sales of AirPods, televisions and tires are selling well, Rainey said.
“The stores are ready. They are really set for the season,” John Furner, CEO of Walmart US, said on the call.
Retailers have pointed to a US consumer who remains cautious about macroeconomic uncertainties. Shoppers have pulled back following years of inflation and high interest rates, especially walking away from appliances, clothes and other non-essential items. President-elect Donald Trump has promised to impose a 60% tariff on goods imported from China and as much as 20% on items from other countries, which could lead to possible price hikes.
Walmart’s price changes were roughly flat for the quarter. Grocery prices were slightly higher than they were last year, though other consumer products were cheaper. Rainey said clothing sales have been softer partly because of warm weather.
Investors’ bar is getting higher for Walmart, which has beat Wall Street forecasts for comparable sales all year.
Walmart’s US comparable sales grew 5.3% for the quarter through October 25, higher than the 3.73% that analysts were expecting. Its adjusted earnings of 58 cents also beat analyst expectations. Rainey said Walmart’s higher full-year guidance primarily reflects strong third-quarter performance and that he expects a slight uptick in the ongoing quarter.
The company’s investments in e-commerce are also lifting sales. Walmart has had 12 consecutive months of online deliveries surpassing $2 billion, executives said on the analyst call. Over 30% of online deliveries are expedited orders that consumers pay premium fees to get faster.
Walmart began selling pre-owned watches and collectible sneakers online in recent months, and added a new benefit for Walmart+ loyalty members: discounts on Burger King meals. Walmart’s online sales now represent about 18% of the company’s business.
Walmart is prioritizing making its e-commerce division profitable.
“We don’t think we should race to it. This is a long-term game,” Walmart Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon said.
(Updates to include share movement and commentary from analyst call)
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