Target, Wal-Mart inflation warns of bad omen for stocks and the economy

Walmart And Goal, Two of the country’s largest retailers confirmed this week Inflation headwinds condense.

“Consumer strength will be tested as both Walmart and Target do not abate the increased price pressures,” wrote Edward Moya, chief market analyst at Oanda.

TARGET’s profits almost fell when inflation occurred

Target stocks, on Wednesday, fell 25% for the largest percentage since 1987, which contributed to the slide of the Dow Jones Industrial Average of 1,164.52 points, pushing the index to its lowest level since March 2021.

The White House doesn’t watch the stock market every day

“Growth has been challenged by unusually high costs, resulting in much lower profitability than we expected it to be and where we expect to work overtime,” Target CEO Brian Cornell said on the company’s earnings call on Wednesday. Adjusted earnings decreased 40.7% year-over-year to $2.10 per share.

The S&P 500 also remains stuck at its lowest level since March 2021, according to tracking market data group Dow Jones.

Morgan Stanley raises the prospect of a recession

The day before, Walmart stock had taken a hit by 11%, also the worst day since 1987, after CEO Doug McMillon offered a sobering look.

“In terms of food, we’re seeing double-digit inflation and I’m concerned that inflation may continue to increase,” he said in response to a question on the retailer’s quarterly earnings call. Adjusted earnings fell 23% to $1.30 per share.

Overall consumer price inflation reached 8.3% in April, the highest level in 40 years, as food and fuel costs rose. The price of unleaded gas increased annually by 44%, eggs 22.6%, and milk 14.7%, according to tracking by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consumer Price Index.

Inflation reaches 8.3% in April

Jeff Seca of Circle Squared Alternative Investments told FOX Business that rising costs combined with declining consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of the US economy, may boost the US recession.

“What we’ve seen from these two headline retail earnings reports is that the consumer is on the verge of collapse and the consumer cutting back on spending with less confidence in the future indicates the direction we’re headed in, and I think we’re already in a recession but it does indicate that we’re headed into a deeper recession.”

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The US economy unexpectedly contracted by 1.4% in the first quarter, another consecutive decline, which will confirm the recession. Currently, economic growth estimates for the second quarter remain at 2.4%, According to Tracking GDP Now, Real time tracker of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.