Trump tariffs set to unleash double-digit price increases in some Walmart departments: CFO
Hold on to your wallet while walking into the normally affordable aisles of Walmart (WMT).
"Low prices is what we stand for, and we're going to keep prices as low as we can as long as we can," Walmart CFO John David Rainey said on Yahoo Finance's Catalysts (video above). "But when you look at the magnitude of some of the cost increases on certain categories of items that are imported, it's more than what retailers can bear. It's more than what suppliers can bear."
"And so we'll work hard to try to keep prices low. But it's unavoidable that you're going to see some prices go up on certain items."
Rainey said increases will be noticeable later this month.
Rainey added, "Well, if you've got a 30% tariff on something, you're likely going to see double digits [in price increases]."
The most impacted areas for Walmart will include baby strollers, furniture, and toys.
Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet
Walmart's earnings day was mixed.
First quarter sales rose 2.5% from the prior year to $165.6 billion, falling shy of Wall Street estimates for $166.02 billion.
Adjusted earnings per share increased 1.7% year over year to $0.61, beating estimates of $0.58. US same-store sales also beat expectations with a 4.5% increase, led by health and wellness, and groceries.
But the company did see transaction growth at its Walmart US stores weaken in the quarter compared to trends last year.
And while the company reiterated its full-year earnings per share outlook of $2.50 to $2.61, it was mostly below analyst estimates of $2.61. This is despite the company beating earnings estimates by $0.03 for the first quarter.
"Although expectations were high going into the quarter, we believe the combination of solid 1Q results and reiteration of annual guidance can move the stock slightly higher," Citi retail analyst Paul Lejuez said in a note.
Shares fell about 0.5% in afternoon trading.
Brian Sozzi is Yahoo Finance's Executive Editor. Follow Sozzi on X @BrianSozzi, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Tips on stories? Email brian.sozzi@yahoofinance.com.
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