Citigroup Inc. (C), Caterpillar Inc. (CAT), Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT): Why Gold and Stocks Are Tanking Today

Alternatively, the Dow’s best-performing stock is Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT), up a meager 0.1% on a day when most of the index is swimming in red. Given its focus on low prices, the world’s largest retailer has a tendency to move in a countercyclical manner. Fellow Fool Morgan Housel discussed this in the middle of February:

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is a peculiar company in that its selling point — insanely low prices — gains value when the economy is weak. Families who in normal times shop where it’s most convenient flock to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) when the economy sours. As the economy was falling apart in early 2009, CEO Mike Duke noted on a conference call: “Our company is stronger than ever because we deliver price leadership and value and help our customers save money so they can live better.”

With this in mind, it makes sense that Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is bucking the market’s downward trend today.

The article Why Gold and Stocks Are Tanking Today originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by John Maxfield.

John Maxfield has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Citigroup Inc .

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