The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Walmart (WMT), Home Depot, TJX and Target

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – February 19, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Walmart WMT, Home Depot HD, TJX Cos. TJX and Target TGT.Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:U.S. Big-Box Retailers Report Earnings: Global Week AheadWhat can happen in this Global Week Ahead?For traders, it's a case of which way to look next.With their screens flooded by headlines, from tariffs, and shaky Middle East ceasefire deals, to Russia and Ukraine.There's also:·        A G20 meeting·        Asia-Pacific central bank meetings, and·        WalMart earnings in the mixNext are Reuters’ five world market themes, re-ordered for equity traders—(1) Before Markets Open (BMO) on Thursday, Feb. 20th Walmart ReportsWalmart's quarterly report on Thursday should shed light on the health of the U.S. consumer as Wall Street frets about strong inflation.The retailing giant's results could highlight the impact of inflation on shopping behavior and offer early insight into the potential fallout of President Trump' tariffs.Consumer sentiment dropped in February to a seven-month low, a recent survey showed, while inflation expectations rocketed.U.S. consumer prices increased by the most in nearly 1-1/2 years in January, latest data shows.No wonder U.S. rate cut bets are being dialed back.Other U.S. retailers reporting in coming weeks, includeHome Depot, TJX Cos. and Target.Overall, S&P500 companies are set to have increased Q4-24 earnings by +15.1% from a year earlier, against expectations of a +9.6% increase as of Jan 1st, according to LSEG IBES.(2) The Price of Gold Is Rising… and RisingThere seems to be little stopping gold's surge.A classic "inverse" relationship with the U.S. dollar, where the gold price drops when the U.S. currency strengthens, appears to be over.It's not just a matter of speculators deciding that gold is the next new thing. Much of the demand stems from concern that Trump's "America First" policies could upend global trade, financial flows and geopolitics.Those themes might be apparent at the Feb 20th-21st G20 meeting, a gathering U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will miss.Central banks are buying gold, partly to diversify reserves to include fewer dollars.Bullion traders are funneling gold into New York vaults to minimize the risk of Trump slapping tariffs on precious metals.Gold has roared to around $3,000 — up over +10% since Trump's election win. Next stop: $4,000?(3) Will There Be War or Peace in Ukraine and Israel?The fate of two of the world's worst conflicts are suddenly extremely live, thanks to Donald Trump's interventions.Saturday could be make-or-break for the fragile 43-day-old ceasefire between Israel and Hamas — a deal both sides accuse the other of violating, and rocked by Trump's shock plan to clear out Gaza for a "Riviera of the Middle East.”The all-crucial truce depends on whether Hamas releases the next group of Israeli hostages on schedule and Jerusalem — and Trump — are satisfied.Then there's the Ukraine-Russia war. Trump has been busy there too, laying the groundwork for its likely endgame in lengthy talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky.Europe's markets have rallied on peace hopes. As the third anniversary of Russia's invasion nears, Moscow now controls a fifth of Ukraine.(4) On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Refreshes Policy. CBs in New Zealand and Indonesia Reset Policy This Week, too.It's a central bank-packed week in Asia-Pacific with rate decisions in Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia.The Reserve Bank of Australia is widely tipped to cut rates on Tuesday, though economists still expect some hawkishness given the strength in the labor market.The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is tipped to ease by half a percentage point, after lowering rates by a whopping 125 basis points already. The question now is how low the RBNZ can go given the gloomy economic reality?Over in Indonesia, it's trickier. After a surprise rate cut last month, economists expect Bank Indonesia to remain on hold, even as recent inflation and growth data underscore the case for more easing.A weakening rupiah is keeping its hands tied.(5) Latest U.K. Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) Data LandsThe Bank of England may soon be back to writing public letters explaining why it is missing its inflation target, just days after cutting rates to 4.5%.Some economists think data on Wednesday will show inflation rose as high as +3.2% in January from +2.5% in December, taking it more than a percentage point above its +2% target and requiring Governor Andrew Bailey to write a letter of explanation to finance minister Rachel Reeves after March's rate meeting.The BoE estimates inflation was only +2.8% in January, but is on track to hit +3.7% by Q3 due to one-off factors that could push up regulated energy prices, water bills, bus fares and private-school fees.Tuesday's Q4 labor market data is also in focus. BoE Chief Economist Huw Pill described recent 6% private-sector pay growth as “a little bit aberrant” and said companies' forecasts of +3.7% wage rises for 2025 were still too high for comfort.Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Zacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.comhttps://www.zacks.comPast performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.This top pick is among the most innovative financial firms. With a fast-growing customer base (already 50+ million) and a diverse set of cutting edge solutions, this stock is poised for big gains. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners UpWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Target Corporation (TGT): Free Stock Analysis Report The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX): Free Stock Analysis Report Walmart Inc. (WMT): Free Stock Analysis Report The Home Depot, Inc. 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