Walmart Stock (WMT) Suffers as Death Toll from Listeria Outbreak Continues to Climb

Shares in U.S. retail chain Walmart (WMT) were off-color today as the number of deaths linked to a listeria outbreak continued to climb.

Elevate Your Investing Strategy:

• Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence.

Rising Number

Two new deaths and seven more illnesses have now been reported as a result of listeria food poisoning tied to recalled pasta meals sold at grocery stores including Walmart and Trader Joe’s in many states of the U.S.

In total, it is understood that at least six people have died and 27 have been sickened in 18 states in the outbreak that began in August 2024. That is up from 20 illnesses and four deaths as of late September, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The outbreak has been traced to precooked pasta produced by Nate’s Fine Foods of Roseville, California. In September, it recalled nearly 245,000 pounds of pasta, including cases of linguine, fettuccine, penne and other products sold to large producers of heat-and-eat meals and pasta salads.

The move came after tests showed that pasta made by Nate’s Fine Foods contained the same strain of listeria found in chicken fettuccine Alfredo and meatball linguine products identified in the outbreak.

Several grocery stores have recalled dozens of products made with the affected pasta.

Stock Danger

Listeriosis can be particularly dangerous for older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and people with compromised immune systems. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Gastrointestinal symptoms may occur first. Pregnant women face additional risks including miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection in newborns.

In April, Walmart recalled celery sticks because of a potential Listeria contamination. That was found during random sampling by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

The month before, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeled broccoli sold in bags at Walmart stores as ‘deadly’ due to potential Listeria contamination.

This isn’t just potentially dangerous for consumers; these recalls can also damage the reputation of the brand and the stock. It is something investors need to be wary of when investing in grocery stocks.

Is WMT a Good Stock to Buy Now?

On TipRanks, WMT has a Strong Buy consensus based on 29 Buy ratings. Its highest price target is $129. WMT stock’s consensus price target is $115.93, implying a 15.28% upside.

See more WMT analyst ratings

Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue