Gilford Securities, a full-service investment firm, headquartered in New York City, reiterated their Buy rating for Walmart (NYSE: WMT) in a research report issued to clients.The analyst wrote, “Walmart is reinventing itself using its systems to provide seamless shopping experiences to keep its stores relevant in a digital era, offer new financial services and achieve a competitive advantage. Walmart projects $9bn of sales from e-commerce for next year and many multiples of that in the future as it aims for a 10%-15% share of the worldwide e-commerce market. Amazon has met a match like none other.”
In terms of new markets and opportunities, the analyst stated, “The expansion pace for Neighborhood Markets will accelerate because return on investment has risen to that of supercenters. The official projection is for 500 units by 2015. We think 150-200 units may be added annually in a few years and that they will be disruptive to grocery, dollar and drug stores. With American Express, Walmart introduced Bluebird, an alternative to bank accounts. Using its scalable information systems, Walmart will help consumers avoid high-costs imposed by banks and other financial service companies. Bluebird may become a Big Bird.”
The analyst reiterated his Buy rating on Walmart citing the following: “Walmart achieved 20 years of sales and EPS growth, despite internal issues and economic cycles. Over the last 10 years, its dividend rate grew at a compound annual rate of 18%. The dividend rate has risen every year since 1975. Walmart’s transformation suggests that it will retain competitive vibrancy, gain market share and sustain a record of sales, earnings and dividend growth.”
About Gilford Securities
Founded in 1979 by senior officers of the former Blythe Eastman Dillon & Co., Gilford is a full-service boutique investment firm providing an array of financial services to institutional and retail clients including corporate finance services, independent equity research, equity sales and trading, retirement planning and wealth management. The firm’s research effort targets select underserved niche segments in the small and middle capitalization market sector.
For more information about Gilford Securities, please visit http://www.gilfordsecurities.com
Contact:
John Richter
Gilford Securities Incorporated
212-888-6400
John.richter@gilfordsecurities.com