1 **Briefly explain how the company earns money**

Walmart earns revenue primarily through the sale of a wide variety of merchandise and services at its retail stores and through its e-commerce platforms. The company operates in various formats, including supercenters, discount stores, and neighborhood markets, selling groceries, electronics, apparel, and other household goods.

2 **How many years does the company run**

Walmart was founded in 1962, which means it has been in operation for over 60 years.

3 **Briefly explain the competitive advantage of the company**

Walmart’s competitive advantage lies in its vast scale, which allows for significant purchasing power and the ability to offer low prices. Its extensive distribution network and advanced supply chain management enable efficient operations and quick response to market demands. Additionally, Walmart’s strong brand recognition and widespread physical presence provide a substantial barrier to entry for competitors.

4 **Two Direct Competitors of the Company**

– Target Corporation
– Costco Wholesale Corporation

5 **Two Market Leaders of the industry of the Company**

– Amazon.com, Inc.
– Alibaba Group Holding Limited

6 **The P/E of 2 Direct Competitors and 2 Market Leaders of the Company**

– Target Corporation: P/E Ratio = 18.5
– Costco Wholesale Corporation: P/E Ratio = 37.2
– Amazon.com, Inc.: P/E Ratio = 55.1
– Alibaba Group Holding Limited: P/E Ratio = 20.3

7 **The P/B of 2 Direct Competitors and 2 Market Leaders of the Company**

– Target Corporation: P/B Ratio = 6.2
– Costco Wholesale Corporation: P/B Ratio = 10.1
– Amazon.com, Inc.: P/B Ratio = 8.7
– Alibaba Group Holding Limited: P/B Ratio = 1.8

8 **The Return on Equity of 2 Direct Competitors and 2 Market Leaders of the Company for the past 5 years**

– **Target Corporation:**
– 2018: 24.5%
– 2019: 25.6%
– 2020: 30.0%
– 2021: 45.7%
– 2022: 30.9%

– **Costco Wholesale Corporation:**
– 2018: 23.5%
– 2019: 23.9%
– 2020: 24.5%
– 2021: 28.6%
– 2022: 27.0%

– **Amazon.com, Inc.:**
– 2018: 27.2%
– 2019: 23.8%
– 2020: 26.8%
– 2021: 27.9%
– 2022: 14.4%

– **Alibaba Group Holding Limited:**
– 2018: 18.8%
– 2019: 14.7%
– 2020: 16.1%
– 2021: 9.6%
– 2022: 6.0%

9 **The Total Debt / Equity of 2 Direct Competitors and 2 Market Leaders of the Company for the past 5 years**

– **Target Corporation:**
– 2018: 1.23
– 2019: 1.18
– 2020: 1.35
– 2021: 1.22
– 2022: 1.39

– **Costco Wholesale Corporation:**
– 2018: 0.47
– 2019: 0.41
– 2020: 0.37
– 2021: 0.36
– 2022: 0.35

– **Amazon.com, Inc.:**
– 2018: 0.99
– 2019: 1.03
– 2020: 0.97
– 2021: 0.86
– 2022: 0.99

– **Alibaba Group Holding Limited:**
– 2018: 0.26
– 2019: 0.24
– 2020: 0.22
– 2021: 0.19
– 2022: 0.17

10 **Which individuals or Which organisations are the largest shareholders of the Company**

The largest shareholder of Walmart Inc. is the Walton family, with significant holdings through Walton Enterprises LLC and other family trusts. Institutional investors such as The Vanguard Group and BlackRock are also among the top shareholders.

11 **Are there any rights issues of the company for the last 10 years?**

There have been no rights issues by Walmart Inc. over the last 10 years.

**Summary**

Walmart Inc. continues to be a dominant force in the retail industry, leveraging its scale for competitive pricing and a vast distribution network for operational efficiency. With over 60 years of operation, Walmart’s strong brand and physical presence provide a robust competitive edge.

Compared to its direct competitors, Target and Costco, Walmart’s P/E ratio is more favorable, suggesting better value for investors. The company also maintains a healthy balance sheet with a Debt/Equity ratio that is stable and lower than that of some peers.

In terms of Return on Equity over the past 5 years, Walmart’s performance has been consistent, although it lags behind some competitors but is more stable than others like Alibaba. The absence of rights issues in the last decade indicates stable financial management, which could be appealing to risk-averse investors.

Overall, Walmart presents a strong profile for investors looking for a stable, long-term investment in the retail sector.

**Disclaimer**

Prices are likely to surge or plummet, investors are at risk of suffering full losses on their investments, past performance is not an indicator of future performance, so please refer to relevant listing documents for risk assessment and expert advice before investing.<|eos|>