Walmart’s 78% Surge Leaves Retail Foes Big and Small in Dust

At a time when the American consumer’s resiliency has been questioned amid signs of a slowing economy, Walmart Inc. has thrived. The world’s largest retailer, famed for its discount prices but increasingly known for its pursuits in advertising and an online marketplace, is headed for its best year since 1998.

Its shares have surged 78%, adding roughly $330 billion to Walmart’s market value this year. Compare that to many of its peers. Shares in Dollar Tree Inc. and Dollar General Corp., which should have also benefited as the economy cooled and shoppers hunted for bargains, have slumped more than 40%. Walmart has outperformed rival Target Corp. and other retail heavyweights like Amazon.com Inc. and Costco Wholesale Corp. too.