FactSet

Walmart experienced the slowest growth in U.S. comparable sales in six years, with sales rising 2.6% in the second quarter. Although quarterly net income reached $6.37 billion and adjusted per-share results surpassed expectations, the company offered cautious guidance for future quarters that fell below analyst projections.

Walmart reported a strong second quarter with comparable sales up 2.6% and adjusted per share earnings topping Wall Street expectations. However, its outlook remains reserved, partly influenced by federal legislation requiring pharmacies to adjust high-cost drug prices. The retailer noted that gains in market share were primarily coming from wealthy households.

Walmart reported a strong second quarter with comparable sales in U.S. stores rising 2.6% and adjusted per share results of 81 cents, exceeding Wall Street expectations. However, the company's shares slid 6%, overshadowed by a more cautious outlook. For the full year, Walmart expects sales to be up anywhere from 4% to 5%, falling short of analyst predictions.

Home Depot reported strong performance in its fiscal second quarter, with revenue reaching $47.86 billion—beating Wall Street expectations—due to customers focusing on smaller projects despite a slump in the U.S. housing sector. For three months ended Aug. 2, the company earned $4.77 billion and plans to launch nationwide express delivery service within three hours or less. Despite its solid results, Home Depot maintained its earlier sales growth guidance for fiscal 2026.

Home Depot reported that its sales increased in the second quarter to $47.86 billion, surpassing Wall Street's expectations for the period. The company earned $4.77 billion for the three months ended Aug. 2 and announced an express delivery service nationwide. Despite solid performance, Home Depot maintained its earlier guidance of between 2.5% and 4.5% sales growth for 2026.

Home Depot reported improved second quarter sales, with revenue increasing to $47.86 billion and earning $4.77 billion for the three months ended Aug. 2. The company credited this success to broad-based demand as customers continued focusing on smaller projects. This strong performance occurs while the U.S. housing market remains pressured by rising mortgage rates and slowed existing home sales.

Home Depot reported improved sales for the second quarter, reaching $47.86 billion as customers focused on smaller projects. The company's strong quarterly performance was highlighted by a 1.3% rise in U.S. comparable store sales and an earnings per share of $4.92, exceeding Wall Street predictions. This solid result comes despite pressure from the housing market slump due to climbing mortgage rates.

A highly anticipated inflation report is expected, potentially showing consumer prices rose 3.4% in July and core inflation cooling to 2.5%. While falling gas costs have reduced recent readings, sustained price increases in services like healthcare and car maintenance suggest underlying inflationary pressures. These conflicting trends create uncertainty regarding whether prices will drop back to the Federal Reserve's 2% target.

U.S. job openings fell to 7.4 million in June, showing a slight decline but overall resilience in the labor market amid economic pressures from conflict in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz closure. Hiring and job quits rose slightly, though gross hiring remains below post-pandemic peaks. The labor market has added an average of 92,000 jobs monthly this year, up from fewer than 10,000 in 2025.

US jobless benefit filings rose to 197,000 in the week ending July 25, a 9,000 increase from the prior week. Layoffs remain historically low, with the previous week's revised figure of 188,000 being the lowest in over 50 years. The four-week moving average of jobless claims fell to 202,750.

Starbucks reported stronger-than-expected quarterly sales growth of 7.9% globally and 7.9% in the U.S., raising its full-year sales growth forecast from 5% to 6% and increasing its earnings per share projection. Revenue declined 1% to $9.3 billion due to the sale of a stake in its China business, but net income surged 87% to $1 billion. CEO Brian Niccol credited the results to operational improvements like staff additions, technology enhancements, and store redesigns.

Starbucks reported a 7.9% increase in global same-store sales for its fiscal third quarter, exceeding expectations, and raised its full-year sales growth forecast to 6% from 5%. The company also increased its earnings per share outlook and cited operational improvements like staffing adjustments, technology enhancements, and store redesigns as contributing factors.

U.S. unemployment benefit applications fell to 187,000 in the week ending July 18, the lowest level since 1969, below analysts' forecasts. Layoffs remain historically low despite global economic uncertainty and rising oil prices, though analysts warn prolonged energy costs could impact the job market.

U.S. unemployment aid applications fell to 187,000 in the week ending July 18, the lowest level since 1969, despite global economic uncertainty and rising oil prices. The number of applications was below analysts' forecasts and indicates a historically low layoff rate, though concerns remain about potential long-term impacts from energy costs and geopolitical tensions.

U.S. unemployment claims fell to 187,000 in the week ending July 18, the lowest level since 1969, below analysts' forecasts. Despite rising oil prices and energy costs, the job market remains resilient, though concerns persist about potential long-term impacts from economic uncertainties.

Tesla's second-quarter profits fell to $1.11 billion, down from $1.17 billion in the same period last year, due to increased research and development spending. Revenue rose 26% to $28.24 billion, exceeding analyst forecasts, but earnings per share dropped below expectations. Tesla's stock fell in after-hours trading following the report.

Tesla's second-quarter profits fell to $1.11 billion due to increased research spending, despite a 26% revenue rise to $28.24 billion and a 25% increase in vehicle deliveries. The stock dropped 2.7% after reporting results below Wall Street forecasts, while European sales rebounded after earlier political controversies.

Netflix reported higher Q2 profit and revenue due to new members and price increases, but shares dropped after the company's revenue forecast for the current quarter fell below analysts' expectations. The company also abandoned a February deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's studio and streaming business.

IBM’s preliminary second-quarter results showed an adjusted profit of $2.93 per share and revenue of $17.2 billion, below analysts’ expectations of $3.01 per share and $17.86 billion. The company’s stock dropped 23% as CEO Arvind Krishna attributed the shortfall to client spending shifts toward servers, storage, and memory purchases before price increases, as well as cybersecurity concerns.

Falling gas prices are expected to reduce inflation in June, with consumer prices forecast to drop 0.2%, marking the first decline in nearly four years. However, renewed U.S.-Iran tensions have pushed oil prices up, threatening to reverse progress. The Federal Reserve is monitoring core inflation, which is projected to rise 0.2% monthly, while officials debate potential rate hikes.

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits decreased to 215,000 in the week ending July 4, according to the Labor Department. Despite the slight drop, layoffs remain historically low, though June's hiring slowed to 57,000 jobs. Companies like Verizon, UPS, Amazon, Disney, Starbucks, Walmart, and Microsoft have recently cut jobs.

US jobless claims decreased to 215,000 in the week ending July 4, remaining within a historically stable range. The June jobs report showed slower hiring with 57,000 jobs added, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.2% as some job seekers exited the labor market. Companies like Verizon, UPS, Amazon, Disney, Starbucks, Walmart, and Microsoft have recently reduced their workforces.

The number of U.S. unemployment claims decreased to 215,000 last week, below analysts' forecasts, with layoffs remaining historically low. June's jobs report showed slower hiring, but jobless claims have stayed within a healthy range since post-pandemic recovery.

US jobless claims decreased to 215,000 in the week ending July 4, reflecting historically low layoffs. The June jobs report showed slower hiring with 57,000 jobs added, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.2% as some job seekers stopped looking. Companies like Verizon, UPS, Amazon, and Microsoft have recently reduced workforces.

PepsiCo reported a 6.4% revenue increase to $24.2 billion in Q2, exceeding expectations, but North American snack and beverage sales weakened due to economic concerns and rising gas prices linked to the Iran war. The company introduced lower-sugar Gatorade and plans to improve affordability, though adjusted earnings slightly missed forecasts.

Tesla reported a 25% increase in car deliveries for the second quarter, exceeding Wall Street expectations, which may indicate the worst of the backlash against Elon Musk is over. The company's sales rebounded after a decline last year due to European boycotts linked to Musk's political affiliations.

Tesla reported a significant increase in car deliveries for the second quarter, with 480,126 vehicles delivered, surpassing analyst expectations and reversing a decline caused by European boycotts. Sales rebounded in Europe, including a 300% rise in Germany, as the company introduces cheaper models and gains approval for its Full Self-Driving feature in several countries. Tesla's stock has risen over 40% in the past year despite a slight dip following the sales report.

U.S. jobless claims fell to 215,000 in the week ending June 27, below analysts' forecasts of 225,000. The four-week moving average of claims dropped to 222,000, while total filings for the prior week reached 1.81 million.

U.S. jobless aid applications fell to 215,000 in the week ending June 27, below the 225,000 forecast by analysts. The four-week moving average of claims decreased to 222,000, while the prior week's total filings rose to 1.81 million.

The upcoming Labor Department report on June job changes may show 100,000 new jobs, marking four consecutive months of solid hiring after earlier job losses. The unemployment rate is forecast to remain at 4.3%, but inflation at 4.2% and declining gas prices could influence the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions.

The upcoming Labor Department report on June job changes may indicate a recovery in U.S. hiring, with economists forecasting 100,000 new jobs and a 4.3% unemployment rate. Recent months show a shift from job losses to gains, though inflation and economic challenges remain concerns.

The upcoming Labor Department report on June job changes will reveal whether U.S. hiring has improved, with economists projecting 100,000 new jobs and a 4.3% unemployment rate. Companies are adjusting to challenges like higher tariffs, the Iran war, and AI investments, but inflation remains a concern. The Federal Reserve faces pressure to address inflation while balancing job market resilience.

U.S. jobless aid filings decreased to 215,000 in the week ending June 20, below analysts' forecasts of 225,000, indicating low layoffs despite economic challenges. The four-week moving average of claims rose slightly, while total filings for the prior week increased to 1.82 million.

US jobless aid filings decreased to 215,000 in the week ending June 20, below analysts' forecasts of 225,000. The four-week moving average of claims rose slightly to 224,250, while the total number of filings for the prior week increased to 1.82 million.

U.S. jobless aid filings decreased to 215,000 in the week ending June 20, below analysts' forecasts, despite economic headwinds. The four-week moving average of claims rose slightly, while the total number of filings for the prior week increased to 1.82 million.

U.S. unemployment benefit filings decreased to 226,000 in the week ending June 13, aligning with analyst forecasts. The four-week moving average of jobless claims rose slightly, while the total number of filings for the prior week was higher than expected.

US employers are expected to add 105,000 jobs in May 2026, showing a tepid recovery in the labor market amid high energy prices from the Iran war. Healthcare is a key sector driving job growth, while overall hiring remains below pre-pandemic levels, leading to a stagnant 'no-hire, no-fire' labor environment.

A record 33% of U.S. household wealth was in stocks by the end of 2025, driven by an AI-driven market rally. However, the wealthiest 10% of households own 87% of this stock market wealth, exacerbating economic inequality and contributing to a K-shaped economy where GDP growth relies on wealthy spending.

Macy's reported its fourth consecutive quarter of comparable sales gains, leading to an updated annual outlook. The company attributed the growth to merchandise overhauls and improved customer service, with Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury showing significant sales increases. Challenges persist due to economic factors like tariffs and rising gas prices.

US jobless aid applications fell to 209,000 last week, indicating layoffs remain low despite economic uncertainties from the Iran war and elevated inflation. The labor market is in a 'low-hire, low-fire' state with unemployment at 4.3%, though consumer and wholesale price inflation have significantly increased.