Stocks were choppy Thursday coming off Wednesday's record-setting session. A steady stream of headlines gave investors plenty to consider – including the Dow Jones Industrial Average's first-ever foray atop the psychologically significant 40,000 mark. The 30-stock index didn't stay there for long, but it certainly sparked excitement across Wall Street.
A positive earnings reaction for blue chip retail giant Walmart (WMT, +7.0) helped to boost the Dow above 40k in mid-morning trading. Not only did the company beat on the top and bottom lines thanks to a 22% year-over-year surge in e-commerce sales, but it also said it expects full-year results to be at the high end or slightly above its previous guidance.
"We've got customers that are coming to us more frequently than they have before and newer customers that we haven't traditionally had, and they're coming into a Walmart whether it's a virtual store online, or whether it's one of our physical stores," John David Rainey, chief financial officer of Walmart, said in an interview with CNBC.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Deutsche Bank analyst Krisztina Katai (Buy) was upbeat heading into Walmart's Q1 print even amid "a volatile consumer spending backdrop" and "increased concerns on the health of the low-end consumer."
Katai thinks Walmart's recent share gains are sustainable given its "very strong pricing position" and "incremental rollback activity." The analyst also believes WMT's "premium private label push will help drive volume and retain higher income households."
Cisco slumps after earnings
At the other end of the roster was Cisco Systems (CSCO), which slumped 2.7% – making it the worst Dow Jones stock today.
While the networking equipment specialist's fiscal third-quarter results beat estimates and it raised its full-year revenue forecast, CSCO narrowed its earnings per share guidance for fiscal 2025.
The cut to the top end of its full-year earnings guidance is "frustrating," says UBS Global Research analyst David Vogt (Neutral, the equivalent of Hold). However, the analyst feels "green shoots in data center switching" and revenue brought in by potential artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives could "limit downside in the shares" going forward.
Chubb booms after Berkshire builds a stake
Chubb (CB) was a notable gainer on news Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B, +0.1%) has built a stake in the property and casualty insurance firm.
The holding company initiated a stake back in Q3 2023, but requested confidential treatment from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to keep investors from buying the financial stock and bidding up its share price. Indeed, CB climbed 4.7% today after being revealed as Buffett's "mystery stock."
On the sell side of Berkshire's ledger, Buffett & Co. reduced its stakes in Apple (AAPL, +0.1%), as we previously reported, and Chevron (CVX, -0.2%) and completely exited HP (HPQ, -X%). Here, we feature the full list of stocks Buffett bought and sold in Q1.
As for the main indexes, the Dow ended the day with a down 0.1% at 39,869, the S&P 500 shed 0.2% to 5,297, and the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.3% to 16,698.
Related content
- Kiplinger's Earnings Calendar for This Week
- What Is Stagflation and How Can Investors Prepare?
- Can Stocks Picked by Artificial Intelligence Beat the Market? 3 Stocks to Watch
-
S&P 500 Slips Ahead of Fed Week: Stock Market TodayAll eyes are on the Federal Reserve ahead of next week's critical policy meeting.
-
September Fed Meeting: Live Updates and CommentaryThe September Fed meeting is a key economic event, with Wall Street keyed into what Fed Chair Powell & Co. will do about interest rates.
-
I'm an Investment Strategist: This Is How the Fed's Next Rate Move Could Impact Your WalletInterest rate cuts might be coming, which could affect everything from your credit card debt to your mortgage. It's smart to prepare now — here's how.
-
I'm a Retirement Planner: These Are Three Common Tax Mistakes You Could Be Making With Your InvestmentsDon't pay more tax on your investments than you need to. You can keep more money in your pocket (or for retirement) by avoiding these three common mistakes.
-
Want to Shave 10 Hours Off Your Workweek? A Startup Expert Shows How AI Can HelpArtificial intelligence is overhauling how companies operate, freeing up entrepreneurs and their workers to skip the menial stuff and get down to business.
-
Dow Gains 617 Points as Rate Cuts Near: Stock Market TodayWednesday's economic data didn't shift Wall Street's expectations that the Fed is preparing for a rate cut at next week's meeting.
-
Hot August CPI Report Doesn't Shift the Rate-Cut Needle: What the Experts SayThe August CPI came in higher than forecast on a monthly basis, but Wall Street still expects a rate cut at next week's Fed meeting.
-
Four Clever and Tax-Efficient Ways to Ditch Concentrated Stock Holdings, From a Financial PlannerHolding too much of one company's stock can put your financial future at risk. Here are four ways you can strategically unwind such positions without triggering a massive tax bill.
