President Trump’s latest round of broad import tariffs, covering 86 countries and set at 10% or 12.5%, has suddenly changed the risk profile for many retail and consumer stocks. Higher costs on imported goods, legal challenges over the tariffs, and the chance that rules could later be reversed all feed into the same question: Which companies are now more exposed to policy swings and margin pressure? This article looks at three stocks from the Tariff-Exposed Retail and Consumer Goods Companies to Watch screener that appear more vulnerable to this news and explains what that might mean for investors.

Home Depot (HD)

Overview: Home Depot is a large home improvement retailer that sells building materials, home and garden products, décor and related services to both DIY consumers and professional contractors across its stores and online platforms in the US and internationally.

Operations: Home Depot generates about US$152.4b of its revenue from its U.S., Canada, and Mexico retail operations, with a further US$14.2b classified as Other, and the vast majority of sales coming from the United States.

Market Cap: US$335.1b

Investors should pay close attention to Home Depot because its large import exposure sits directly in the firing line of President Trump’s new tariffs. The company is still priced on a P/E above the US Specialty Retail average and has a high debt load that inflates its very high Return on Equity. Management highlights benefits from supply chain investments and acquisitions to deepen ties with professional contractors. At the same time, recent earnings softness, margin pressure and ongoing legal uncertainty around tariffs raise questions about how much of the higher costs Home Depot can absorb without further squeezing profitability. The stock’s long dividend record and scale are attractive, but the real story is how these tariff and funding pressures could reshape the risk reward trade off for shareholders.

Home Depot’s rich P/E, debt heavy balance sheet, and fresh tariff pressure could be masking where the real strain shows up next. Get the full story in the 3 key rewards and 1 important warning sign

Best Buy (BBY)

Overview: Best Buy is a large electronics and appliance retailer that sells everything from phones, laptops and gaming gear to major kitchen appliances, smart home devices and related services like delivery, installation and Geek Squad support across its stores and online platforms in the US, Canada and other markets.

Operations: Best Buy generates about US$38.4b of revenue from its Domestic segment and about US$3.5b from its International segment.

Market Cap: US$18.6b

Investors should look closely at Best Buy because it sits right in the crosshairs of the new tariffs while relying heavily on imported electronics and appliances from China, Mexico and other Asian suppliers. The company itself expects this to translate into higher prices for US shoppers and pressure on comparable sales. The stock screens as discounted against some valuation measures and offers a high dividend. However, earnings growth has been uneven, funding is largely through external borrowing and there has been significant insider selling in 2026. Alongside a CFO transition and ongoing legal uncertainty around tariffs, Best Buy appears to be a finely balanced income story that could quickly tip the wrong way if tariff costs bite harder than expected.

Best Buy’s high dividend and tariff exposure may be hiding the areas of real stress. Explore how external borrowing, insider selling and earnings trends fit together in the analysis report for Best Buy

Walmart (WMT)

Overview: Walmart is a global retailer that runs supermarkets, warehouse clubs and ecommerce platforms offering groceries, household essentials, health and wellness services, general merchandise and financial services to consumers and businesses worldwide.

Operations: Walmart generates about US$490.9b of revenue from Walmart U.S., US$137.4b from Walmart International, US$97.0b from Sam's Club and US$72m from Corporate and Support.

Market Cap: US$899.9b

Investors may want to consider Walmart in light of its premium valuation relative to rising cost pressures, high debt and the impact of President Trump’s broad tariffs on imports. Management is focusing on higher margin areas such as advertising, memberships and ecommerce. However, earnings still depend heavily on low margin retail, where tariff driven import costs can limit flexibility to keep prices low. Recent price cut campaigns, legal and labor settlements, and a funding structure that relies fully on external borrowing suggest there may be less room for error if trade policy changes again or consumer demand weakens. A key consideration is how much strain Walmart’s balance sheet and margins can absorb before the growth narrative around AI, digital initiatives and international expansion faces greater scrutiny.

Walmart’s growth story around AI and ecommerce may be masking how much pressure rising import costs and high debt could create if tariffs or demand shift again. See how those pieces connect in the analysis report for Walmart

Take Control of Your Investment Journey

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.