Walmart Inc. - WMT STOCK NEWS

Sam's Club, a division of Walmart, has launched an advanced Member Access Platform (MAP) that enhances advertising through real-time, personalized retargeting. This effort, developed in collaboration with The Trade Desk and LiveRamp, leverages first-party member data for improved campaign efficiency. Advertisers can utilize accurate data to engage members who have shown interest in specific products while avoiding irrelevant ads. The MAP solution promises increased return on ad spend (ROAS) by tracking consumer behavior across platforms.

Walmart has partnered with CareSource to tackle health disparities in underserved communities, focusing on cardiometabolic conditions and maternal health. This three-year agreement aims to leverage Walmart's retail and wellness capabilities alongside CareSource's Medicaid and Medicare services. Initial efforts will start in Ohio to address issues like heart disease and diabetes, with initiatives including health risk assessments and financial support for food and membership services. In Georgia, a maternal health program will offer resources for mothers enrolled in CareSource's Medicaid managed care plan.

The Board of Directors of Walmart (NYSE: WMT) has announced an annual cash dividend for fiscal year 2024 of $2.28 per share, marking a 2% increase from the previous year's $2.24. This dividend will be distributed in four quarterly installments of $0.57 each. Key dates include record dates on March 17, May 5, August 11, and December 8, 2023, with payable dates on April 3, May 30, September 5, and January 2, 2024. This marks the 50th consecutive year of dividend increases for Walmart, highlighting the company's commitment to returning capital to shareholders.

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) reported a robust fiscal fourth quarter, with total revenue rising to $164.0 billion, a growth of 7.3%, driven by strong in-store and eCommerce performance. Walmart U.S. comp sales increased by 8.3%, while eCommerce grew by 17%. However, consolidated gross profit rate declined by 83 basis points, and operating income decreased by 5.5% to $5.6 billion. For the full year, total revenue reached $611.3 billion, up 6.7%. The company returned $16.0 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Live conference call on Feb. 21, 2023, for detailed earnings discussion.

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) will hold a live conference call for the Investment Community at 7 a.m. CST on February 21, 2023, to discuss its fourth quarter earnings results for fiscal year 2023. CEO Doug McMillon and CFO John David Rainey will lead the call. The earnings results will be released at 6 a.m. CST on the same day, and the call will be accessible via the Walmart corporate website. Approximately 230 million customers visit Walmart's more than 10,500 stores weekly, contributing to a revenue of $573 billion for fiscal year 2022.

Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc. (OTC QB: BNET) announces the appointment of Bill Rupp to its Board of Directors effective February 15, 2023. Rupp, a veteran with 37 years in the meat industry, previously held senior leadership roles at Cargill and JBS, overseeing significant operations. His expertise is expected to aid in commercializing Bion's advanced livestock waste treatment technology.

Rupp emphasized the importance of sustainability in beef production, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences towards environmentally conscious options. Bion's technology aims to deliver a USDA-certified sustainable beef product while enhancing resource efficiency and reducing environmental impacts.

Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart (NYSE: WMT), plans to open over 30 new clubs in the U.S. starting in 2024, with the first in Florida. This expansion follows the company's significant growth, driven by record membership increases and comparable sales growth. Sam’s Club will invest in modernizing its supply chain, including five new distribution centers in 2023, enhancing member experiences with technology and larger club sizes. The new clubs will feature improved healthcare spaces and sustainability initiatives. The company emphasizes innovation to enhance both in-person and online shopping experiences for its members.

On Maternal Health Awareness Day, Walmart, J&J Consumer Health, and CareSource introduced a program focused on improving Black maternal health in Georgia. This initiative addresses significant disparities, as Black women face three times higher risks in pregnancy-related deaths compared to Caucasian women. The program includes four main pillars: self-care support, high touch pregnancy care, healthcare professional education, and health equity research. With over 30 labor units closed in Georgia, this pilot aims to enhance healthcare access and equity, potentially leading to broader community initiatives.

Walmart has partnered with Salesforce to enhance local pickup and delivery services for retailers using Salesforce Commerce Cloud. This collaboration will enable access to Walmart's Store Assist app and GoLocal local delivery solutions, helping retailers improve efficiency and customer experience. Walmart has already fulfilled over 830 million orders using these technologies since July 2019. Retailers can leverage these tools to optimize their operations and meet the rising demand for seamless omnichannel shopping.