Walmart, Home Depot, & U.S. Retail Sales Hotter Than Expected

Walmart, Home Depot, & U.S. Retail Sales Hotter Than Expected

Retailers take their turn in the earnings spotlight with a few big retailers taking center stage. Additionally, a hotter than expected U. S. Retail Sales report was released by the U. S. Census Bureau. Despite the increase in sales figures, a big problem that retailers are seeing is worker shortages because many workers have yet to return from the pandemic layoffs. Let's breakdown all this retailer news starting with earnings. Walmart (WMT) announced earnings before the open. It beat on earnings and revenue estimates. The company reported a 6% increase in comparative sales excluding fuel led by its Sam's Club division that increased 13. 9%. Its eCommerce division rose 8% bring its two-year online sales growth to a staggering 87%. Walmart also increased its fiscal year earnings outlook. Pandemic home improvement projects have not stopped if Home Depot's (HD) earnings are any indication. Home Depot's third quarter earnings rose 9. 8% on a 6. 1% increase in comparative sales a year ago. Walmart and Home Deport are both Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DJI) components and the news has the index futures pointing higher before the open. In other earnings news, EV maker Lucid (LCID) is up more than 5% before