The Q4 results of Walmart Inc., an American multinational retail firm, have been made public. Walmart maintains a chain of hypermarkets, cheap department stores, and grocery shops throughout the United States.
The Bentonville, Arkansas-based conglomerate has announced robust sales growth of 5.7%, with operating income expanding at a faster rate of 30.4% and adjusted operating income up 13.2%.
Highlights from the fourth quarter:
- $173.4 billion in combined revenue, an increase of 5.7% or 4.9% (cc)
- Walmart U.S.’s improvement led to a 39bps increase in the consolidated gross margin rate.
- $1.7 billion, or 30.4%, more was made in consolidated operating income; adjusted operating income increased by 13.2%, helped by favorable currency and LIFO changes of 2.3% and 1.0%, respectively.
- eCommerce sales increased 23% globally.
- The worldwide advertising market expanded by almost 33%, with Walmart Connect’s share in the United States growing by 22%.
- The benefit, net of taxes, from a net gain of $0.23 on stock and other investments is excluded from Adjusted EPS of $1.80.
- In order to expedite Walmart Connect in the United States, Walmart has decided to purchase VIZIO HOLDING CORP.
- For the complete year, Walmart reported $648.1 billion in total income, an increase of 6.0%.
About 10,500 stores and several eCommerce websites across 19 countries receive visits from an estimated 255 million customers and members each week. Walmart employs about 2.1 million associates worldwide.
