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Contrast competitive advantages of walmart and target
Common analysis walmart vs target
Contrast competitive advantages of walmart and target
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Target Corporation versus Wal-Mart Inc.
Overview
This paper will give a summary of Target corporation versus Wal-Mart stores, Incorporated. In the following weeks it will compare the financial performances of these two companies, by evaluating circumstances such as the times interest earned, return on equity, return on assets and other factors. This paper will present an overview of the exchanges on which both company’s stock is traded. It will also present characteristics of that particular exchange which may have led the company to be listed there versus another exchange. This summary will also explain the types of securities both Wal-Mart and Target have outstanding, such as the bonds, preferred stock or the common stock and thus will explain the characteristics of those securities and if they have assisted the company in gaining and raising capital. Finally it will explain the purposes of the four basic financial statements: the balance sheet, income statement, statement of retained income, and the statement of cash flow; which are found in each company’s annual report.
Where the stock is traded
In 1970, Wal-Mart started offering common stock to the public. The stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under WMT. In 1974, they declared their first cash dividend, and also started provided shareholders with an annual dividend, paid quarterly, every year since then (walmartstores.com, 2007). The Target corporation stock is also traded on the Target’s stock is also traded under the New York Stock Exchange under the stock quote TGT and is a common stock (target.com, 2006).
Reasoning behind trading on NASDAQ
Company’s leaders have a desire to learn and cultivate a curiosity for new dimensions of knowledge, becoming...
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Block, S. B., & Hirt, G. A. (2005). Foundations of Financial Management (11th ed). The
McGraw- Hill Co.
Google-Finace. (2008). Finacil statements: Targets and Walmarts Company, Retrieved April 10,2008, from http://finance.google.com/finance?fstpe=ci&q=LUV
Target Corporation Investors. (2006) Retrieved electronically on April 15, 2008 from http://investors.target.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=65828&p=irol-stockQuoteChart
Target Corporation. (2007). Target Annual Report. Retrieved electronically on April 13, 2008 from http://investors.target.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=65828&p=irol- reportsAnnual.
Wal-Mart Stock Information. (2007) Retrieved electronically on April 15, 2008 from
http://walmartstores.com/Investors/7643.aspx
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Wal-Mart Annual Report. Retrieved electronically on April 13, 2008 from http://walmartstores.com/Investors/7666.aspx
As I have outlined in the charts below, there are various similarities and differences between Wal-Mart and Target. Wal-Mart is Target’s primary competitor, and vice versa. Wal-Mart has a strong market presence in its global markets and has a diverse range of products and services that are affordable and available in stock. Target, on the other hand, does not have a strong market presence or efficient product supply; however, Target’s physical environment and innovative products further the brand’s image and value. Unfortunately, Target and Wal-Mart are both e-commerce laggards with major competitors such as Amazon. Target faces complications with their pricing strategies and their product availability, which hinders their strength when competing
Unlike Walmart which has tapped into other businesses such as retailing fuel, Target has not tapped into businesses such as financial services and fuel filling stations among others
Year over year, Target Corp. has been able to grow revenues from $51.3B to $57.9B. Most impressively, the company has been able to reduce the percentage of sales devoted to cost of goods sold from 69.64% to 69.29%. This was a driver that led to a bottom line growth from $2.4B to $2.8B. Target outperformed (corporate governance quotient) 85.5 % of S&P 500 companies and 97.7 % of discount retail stores. The corporate governance quotient incorporates the values of transparency, accountability, integrity, and responsibility towards maximizing shareholder value. Yahoo analysts opinions mean recommendation is currently a 2.2, indicating moderate buy to hold (a 1.0 is a strong buy and a 5.0 is a strong sell).
Target has seen consistent growth since its inception, and has confidence that future growth will continue (see attached financial statements). In 2004, Target sold two of there business units, Mervyn's and Marshall Field's for approximately $4.9 billion. This allowed for extensive aggregate pretax cash that will be used for future store sites (as well as upper management bonuses). Target's Board also approved a $3 billion share repurchase program which they expect to complete in two to three years.
In other words, it wants to offer lower prices than a competitor like Target in order to drive foot traffic and sales. Wal-Mart has been effective in its quest, but Target has an edge in one area, and it 's an area that has the potential to grow. Target 's secret weapon is its REDcard. For Target customers using the REDcard, Target is actually cheaper than Wal-Mart. This is because Target REDcard members save 5% on most purchases. Plus, Target REDcard members visit the store more often and buy more items. Target is also offering free online shipping for REDcard members, which has led to significant online penetration. Wal-Mart has the edge, but not when you include Target 's
The first thing that must be understood is the type of marketing structure that Target is in. Since Target is most like a perfect competition market structure, which is described by five criteria a company must meet. The first criterion is all firms sell an identical product, which is true of Target in comparison to stores like Walmart, Amazon, and K-Mart. The second criterion is all firms are price takers, which means that they are unable to control the prices of the products they sell. The next criterion is all firms have a relatively small market share. The fourth criterion is that the buyer has complete information about any product being sold and the prices of these products. The final criterion is that the industry allows for freedom of entry and exit (Investopedia, 2014). All of these criteria, Target meets, because there are several dozen other discount stores that exist in which Target must compete with (Hoovers, 2014).
United States. Publix rewards employees with stock every year while Wal Mart is a publically
Wal-Mart’s competitive environment is quite unique. Although Wal-Mart’s primary competition comes from general merchandise retailers, warehouse clubs and supermarket retailers also present competitive pressure. The discount retail industry is substantial in size and is constantly experiencing growth and change. The top competitors compete both nationally and internationally. There is extensive competition on pricing, location, store size, layout and environment, merchandise mix, technology and innovation, and overall image. The market is definitely characterized by economies of scale. Top retailers vertically integrate many functions, such as purchasing, manufacturing, advertising, and shipping. Large scale functions such as these give the top competitors a significant cost advantage over small-scale competition.
Since January 31, 2004, the investment banker for Wal-Mart has been Moody's investor services. Wal-Mart plans to refinance for their long term dept with Mood's Investor Services and also a few other investment banking for other corporate purposes that are not mentioned. Wal-Mart also plans to bowwow 3.3 billion dollars and an additional 1.1 billion for commercial paper By January 31, 2004 the, Wal-Mart had already established a 5.1 billion dollar lines of credits from 77 different banking industries and investment and used up approximately 145 million in the production of commercial paper. During the same time period Wal-Mart had 6 billion dollar debt of securities under a shelf registration regulation which derived from the SEC. Wal-Mart sold 1.25 billion in notes and maturity. The notes bear an interest of 4.1.25 % and mature by February 2011. The total quantity of notes allowed to be sold to is up to 4 billion.
Wal-Mart initially began its operations in 1945, when Sam Walton leased a ‘Ben Franklin’ franchise variety store in Newport, Arkansas. After relocating to Rogers, Arkansas in the early 1950s, Sam Walton’s ‘Ben Franklin’ became ‘Walton’s 5 & 10’. By 1962, Walton found himself the chain owner of 11 different Walton’s stores across Arkansas. He then decided to rename the chain ‘Wal-Mart’, after himself. On October 31, 1969, after further expansion across the state, the chain was incorporated as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Three years later, Wal-Mart was approved and listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
Target’s total store locations is currently one thousand, seven hundred and ninety nine and thirty eight distribution center located in United States and several locations in India. (PressRoomTarget) Walmart has more store locations within United States and across the country. So far, “Wal-Mart operates over eleven thousand retail unit under sixty five banners in twenty-eight countries.” (CorporateWalmart In addition to more locations, Walmart also has online business that can be a threat to Target. Another threat is the economic condition. Target’s target market consists of higher to middle income people. During hard economic condition, consumers are very unpredictable. Some consumer’s may be price sensitive due to these
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is in the discount, variety stores industry. It was founded in 1945, Bentonville in Arkansas which is also the headquarters of Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart operates locally as well as worldwide. It operated 1209 discount stores, 1980 super centers, and 567 Sam’s Club by January 31, 2006. It has also extended its operations to many international countries. It runs its retail stores in two forms: Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart Stores. The Sam’s Club sells assorted product lines such as hardwares, electronics, jewelry, and to mention a few. The Wal-Mart stores also offer similar products in addition to the following: health and beauty products, apparel for women, men and children, household appliances etc (www.yahoo.finance.com). The Vision Statement, Mission Statement, Values and Code of Conduct, Corporate Governance: Directors, Executive Management, Committees and Stakeholder will be the key elements that will discussed in this report as it relates to Wal-Mart. In addition to that, the major trends in the general/macro environment and industry will be analyzed.
Walmart was created by a man named Sam Walton in 1962. Walmart was founded on the belief to offer reasonable prices and great service in one place. The employees are nicknamed “Walmartians” which makes them stands apart from any other company. This culture is accountable for a company of this magnitude to be able to endure an innovative spirit decade after decade. Walmart has been connected with the achievement of other companies over the years. They also have many lawsuits, overtime policies violations, and been held accountable for thrashing other companies.
The first Wal-Mart was opened in Rogers, Arkansas, in 1962. By 1969 it was incorporated into Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and in 1972 went public on the New York Stock Exchange. The company grew steadily across the United States, and by 1990 was the nation's largest retailer. In 1991 and 1994, Wal-Mart moved into Mexico and Canada respectively. By 1997 it was incorporated into the Dow Jones Industrial Average. As of 2005, Wal-Mart has stores in the United Kingdom, and Puerto Rico, and brings in revenue of close to 300 billion dollars a year. In 2006, Wal-Mart invaded the China and India's markets. During the last two decades, Wal-Mart has been able to take advantage of the rise of information technology and the explosion of the global economy to change the balance of power in the business world (Wikipedia, 2006). Today Wal-Mart continues to grow and their success is not only from their sound strategic management planning but also from its implementation of those strategic plans. In other words operational planning has been an important key to their success.
Block, S. B., & Hirt, G. A. (2005). Foundations of financial management. (11th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.